Freezer meals prepped before the baby is born 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.
Preparing filling and nutritious meals once your new baby comes into the world will likely be super low on the list of things you want to do (or even have time for) as you’re adjusting to life with a newborn, and we completely understand this.
Freezer meals for new moms can be a lifesaver in those first weeks of the postpartum period, as they provide a convenient and easy way to have a healthy meal ready in minutes. Bonus points if someone else makes these for you or you batch-cook them during your nesting days of pregnancy.
Today, we will explore a wide variety of great freezer meals that you can make ahead of time that are satisfying, easy to make, and super nutritious.
Why it’s helpful to prepare freezer meals
Setting aside time before the baby arrives to prepare some freezer meals will save so much energy and avoid unneeded stress. You’ll be able to focus solely on your baby and recovering after giving birth when you erase the question of “What should we eat?”
You need to ensure you are eating plenty and getting all the necessary nutrients during this time when your body is working hard to heal, even more so if you’re breastfeeding.
We’ve also purposefully included recipes for you that are convenient to eat, such as things that stay easily contained or can be eaten with one hand to help avoid a mess.
You can add or take out ingredients as you please or modify them based on your dietary preferences, and we’ve intentionally provided a variety of recipes that will help satisfy all kinds of cravings – breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
We’re confident you will discover new mealtime favorites in our list below. Also, now is the time to invest in a crockpot if you don’t already have one. Take it from us.
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, and when you’re ready to eat, you can throw all your favorite toppings on it, like fresh fruit, maple syrup, peanut butter – 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 could hardly be made easier. 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 in 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 such a great meal to have on hand because it freezes perfectly and is filled with nutrients as well as flavor. This chili is also super easy to make; you just have to throw everything in the crockpot (we love this one) after first browning the meat of your choice.
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 to cook, 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 keeping in the freezer; 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 repeatedly!
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 your liking 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!
Bringing comfort and convenience with freezer meals for new moms
Getting ready to bring a new life into the world can certainly 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 bit of planning and preparation, these meals can provide a convenient and nutritious solution when the last thing you want to do is 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.
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