Freezer meals prepped before baby arrives can be an easy way to stock up on ready-made meals with the comfort and nutrition of home cooking. This recipe round-up will get you started.
Cooking once the baby arrives will likely be super low on the list of things you want to do (or even have time for), and we completely understand.
If you don't have someone to help with the meals around the house, meal prepping some postpartum freezer meals can be a lifesaver in those first weeks of the postpartum period.
They provide a convenient and easy way to prepare a healthy meal in minutes.
Do you love the idea of stocking your freezer but don't want to cook? A postpartum meal delivery service like Mama Meals can offer the convenience of freezer meals without having to prep anything yourself.
What's important is that nutritious meals make it to your freezer; it doesn't really matter how they get there.
FAQs about postpartum freezer meals
Are freezer meals the same as 'frozen food'?
Nope! Freezer meals are meals that are cooked with fresh ingredients at home and then batched out and stored in the freezer for long-term use.
Think of it like a convenient, home-cooked meal.
Frozen foods are typically made off-site and contain preservatives, filler ingredients, and overall less nutritious than a home-cooked freezer meal.
Why are freezer meals helpful?
Preparing some freezer meals during pregnancy will save you energy, help you get enough nutrients, and make mealtime easier (for everyone!).
Postpartum recovery is demanding enough for a new mom, so having some pre-prepped freezer meals on hand will be a lifesaver. Caring for a newborn can be difficult enough; feeding yourself can be just as difficult!
How do I store my prepped meals?
Depending on what you make, you can store your meals in gallon-size storage bags, glass storage containers (like mason jars), or food containers.
Letting your freezer meals cool off before freezing is a good practice, lessening the chances of cracking any glass. Also, it's a good idea to squeeze out any extra air from your storage bags.
Pro tip: Use tape and a pen or a dry-erase marker to write down the meal, the date prepared, and how to prepare/re-heat it so everything stays organized and ready to make. Plus, it'll make it much easier for someone else to cook for you, too!
How do I make freezer meals?
Yes! There are a few methods you can use. For starters, now is the time to invest in a Crockpot or slow cooker if you don't already have one.
Also, during pregnancy, make double-batches of your meals as you cook. Eat half that evening and save half in the freezer for later. This goes for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners!
You can also stock your freezer with meals from Mama Meals and anything else you cook at home.
Lastly, you can ask friends and family to pitch in to "fill your freezer." This is an easy way for them to support you in a way that's actually helpful to you.
How do I re-heat everything?
Again, depending on what you made, this answer will vary.
Soups and stews: add directly to a slow cooker or pot on the stove from frozen. Set on low until fully cooked.
Baked items: Double-check your recipe for specific instructions and baking temperatures, but 350°F is usually a good starting point.
Thaw overnight: For some dishes, thawing overnight might be the best option before heating, but it's usually not required.
Are there any safety considerations?
As with any frozen food, don't re-freeze any previously thawed food, as this can lead to harmful bacteria growth (more on that here.)
Also, try to consume your thawed meal within 24-48 hours.
Our top freezer meal picks for postpartum prep
1. Baked oatmeal
This baked oatmeal recipe is truly a delicious way to start the morning. You can make it ahead and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
When you’re ready to eat, you can add your favorite toppings, like fresh fruit, maple syrup, peanut butter, or ghee—whatever you like!
2. Easy breakfast burritos
These breakfast burritos are easy to make, filling, and oh-so-yummy. You can easily customize them to fit your preferences, and they freeze and heat up in the microwave or oven so well!
3. Pumpkin pancakes
These warm, fluffy, and flavorful pancakes are packed with nutrients and are so easy to make.
They can be left in the freezer for months, and to reheat, you just wrap a small stack of them in a damp paper towel and briefly toss them in the microwave.
Add all your favorite toppings before serving, of course!
4. Egg muffins with kale, roasted red peppers, and feta
Make-ahead egg muffins are one of the most convenient ways to get a healthy breakfast packed with vital nutrients. These are completely customizable, but the ingredient combo in this recipe sure is tasty!
Pop these in the microwave for a quick breakfast that’s filling and good for you.
5. Turkey chili
Chili is a great meal to have on hand because it freezes perfectly and is filled with nutrients and flavor.
This chili is also super easy to make; you throw everything in the crockpot (we love this one) after first browning the meat of your choice.
Need more meal inspo? Our Postpartum Nutrition and Recipe Guide makes it easy
Our 50+ page Postpartum Nutrition Guide was written by postpartum nutrition experts and covers what to eat after birth to support your recovery.
• A printable postpartum shopping list
• Pantry and kitchen prep guide
• An easy snack "cheat sheet"
• Postpartum meal prep tips
• 40+ recipes (like Healing Chicken Soup, Overnight Oats, Cashew Date Bites, Breakfast Burritos, and more!)
You'll find recipes, meal prep tips, and more all in one easy-to-read guide.
6. Asian peanut chicken
This Asian peanut chicken dish is packed with so much flavor and protein and is so easy to modify with different side dishes to change things up.
You can prep all the ingredients in a large freezer bag, thaw them when ready, and throw them in a crockpot or pressure cooker.
7. Cilantro lime chicken and lentils
This chicken and lentil dish is sure to become a new favorite. It boasts so much flavor, is simple to make, and is perfect for freezing; there’s nothing not to love about this tasty meal.
Serve it with rice and a squeeze of fresh lime – we bet you’ll return to this recipe even after the postpartum days are over!
8. Roasted butternut squash mac-n-cheese
Sometimes, you just want a warm and comforting meal, and that’s precisely what this roasted butternut squash mac-n-cheese is.
The squash gives this dish a boost of nutrients, and you could easily add protein or more veggies to bulk it up even more.
9. Crockpot BBQ chicken
BBQ chicken is such a versatile and tasty staple that it freezes phenomenally.
To make things even easier, place everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic for a few hours. You can eat this as a sandwich, serve it over rice with roasted veggies, or have it all alone.
10. Black bean and quinoa enchilada bake
This vegetarian recipe makes a substantial portion and is beyond delicious. Quinoa and black beans make for excellent sources of protein, and it freezes up great, so you can heat it when you want a hearty dinner that will surely hit the spot.
11. Chicken pasta casserole with corn and zucchini
What’s more comforting and satisfying than a massive dish of delectable pasta?
This baked pasta dish is loaded with flavor and serves as an excellent source of protein and veggies. You can add more veggies or swap out the ones suggested; it’ll be so good no matter what!
Things to keep in mind
Pick a few recipes to batch-prepare
Modify the recipes as necessary
Cool, store, label, and freeze until needed
Prioritize eating enough throughout your recovery
Don't be afraid to ask friends and family to help "fill the freezer"
What you eat after birth matters; freezer meals can help
Getting ready to bring a new life into the world can be overwhelming, so we hope our guide to tasty freezer meals for new moms has inspired you and taken some of the stress of preparing for the baby off of you.
With a little planning and preparation, these meals are a convenient and nutritious solution when you least want to think about what’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Try any of these recipes and make your life as a new mom a little easier.
Read next: What You Should Eat After Birth (and Why)
