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The Best Freezer Meals for New Moms
If you’re currently awaiting the arrival of a new baby, make-ahead freezer meals are a great way to prepare for the early weeks of being a new mom.
Personally, I hate to cook. I’m not good at it and it definitely does not come naturally for me. I open my fridge and all I see are ingredients…and I have no idea what to do with them unless I have a recipe to follow.
Having these meals prepared ahead of time was such a stress reliever for me. Especially when my third child was unexpectedly born with a cleft lip and palate.
His care and needs were so different and so much more than I’d experienced with my other kids and to say I was overwhelmed is an understatement.
These meals helped to save my sanity at a time when things felt so out of control. Hopefully, these meals can be a help for you as well. Happy Cooking!
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How to create freezer meals
A few weeks before you are due, start preparing your make ahead freezer meals. The first step will be to find some delicious and easy recipes that everyone in your home will enjoy.
Pull your favorites from this list of 60+ freezer meals for new moms and then start your grocery list!
- Pick which recipes you want to make
- Create your grocery list
- Don’t overcook your food. Once you’re ready to eat your meal, it will need to be reheated. If it’s already overcooked, it will become dry when you reheat it.
- Use freezer-safe storage containers or vacuum seal your meals. If you are planning on making a lot of meals I highly recommend investing in a vacuum sealer if you don’t already have one. This will keep air out of the food and prevent freezer burn. It’s also a huge space saver in your freezer.
- Make sure to label each meal and include the reheating instructions. Trust me, you will not remember the instructions even though you think you will. Personally, I use a vacuum sealer, so I label mine with a sharpie. If you are storing them in containers, you can label them with masking tape and a sharpie.
- Store in your freezer and make sure that the meals are completely cooled before you put them away.
- Reheat and enjoy!
Busy preparing for your new baby? Make sure to check out my list of postpartum essentials to help you have a speedy recovery.
Using a Crockpot to Prepare Meals
My crockpot is probably my most used kitchen gadget, besides my instant pot. As a busy mom, having the ability to dump ingredients in the pot in the morning and have a delicious dinner 8 hours later, is priceless.
When it was just my husband and I, we started out with a smaller 5 quart one like this, but then we moved up to the larger InstantPot Slow Cooker after our family grew.
What I love most about this slow cooker is that this one is non-stick, unlike my original ceramic one.
Next, I love all the different options it has. It’s basically an Instant Pot without the pressure.
And lastly, I love how light it is! When I want to put the cooking pot into the fridge it’s nice and light. My ceramic one weighed a ton and it was a pain to put it in the fridge. I usually put everything in containers, but when I do want to just put the pot in the fridge, it’s nice when it’s not heavy.
Easy Clean-up
By the way, did you know that they make liners for crockpots? I’m hoping I’m not the only one who just learned this.
This would have been great for me when I was still using my ceramic slow cooker. It was always a pain to clean.
On top of protecting your pot and reducing the wear and tear, it also makes cleanup super easy! (If you’re using a nonstick crockpot then you probably don’t need these.) Just take out the liner, toss it in the trash, and you’re done.
Easy Crockpot Recipes
Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Make delicious Dump and Start Crockpot Chicken Fajitas with almost no effort. This perfect family meal is super flavorful, versatile, and budget-friendly.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Pasta is classic comfort food that will have your family begging for more! An easy and affordable meal that's made in one pot.
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)
This easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili is a dump-and-go crockpot meal you can set and forget! This healthy three bean chili is vegan, gluten-free, allergy-free, and full of plant-based protein, veggies, and bold Southwest flavors! A comforting dinner for a crowd or meatless make-ahead and freezer-friendly meal you can meal prep!
Slow Cooker Taco Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)
The best Slow Cooker Taco Chicken recipe perfect for tacos, burritos, even quesadillas! This healthy Mexican shredded chicken is so easy to throw in the Crock-Pot, it's gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free! Grab your favorite taco sauce and relax as your weeknight dinner cooks itself to perfection!
Crock Pot Corn Chowder with Chicken and Bacon
Toss everything for this delicious, hearty Crock Pot Corn Chowder with Chicken and Bacon in the slow cooker in moments! Then, enjoy a hearty meal tonight, and freeze the rest of the big batch for later!
Easy Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce a family favorite recipe, is easy it is to make and is rich, meaty, and packed with delicious Italian flavors. Makes a great freezer meal and suitable for meal prep.
Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Easy and juicy freezer-friendly Crockpot shredded chicken used to make wraps, sandwiches, tacos and casseroles.
The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili • Happy Kitchen
This slow cooker vegan chili recipe will delight your taste buds. It’s not only wholesome but delicious and easy to make. A vegan twist on this classic comfort food for those chilly days ahead makes for a healthy dinner packed with nutrients brimming with flavor!
Instant Pot Freezer Meals
My absolute second favorite kitchen gadget is my Instant Pot! I got mine as a Christmas gift 2 years ago, and I’ve been using it multiple times a week ever since.
Your life is about to get very busy, and using your Instant Pot to prepare freezer meals is the perfect way to save time.
(This model usually goes for around $100 but is often on sale. If you can get it under $80 you’re getting a great deal!)
Pressure Cooker Mongolian Beef with Rice [Instant Pot]
Pressure Cooker Mongolian Beef is slightly sweet and a tad bit salty, juicy and flavorful Asian-inspired dish. Basically, a dump and push start recipe.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs [Recipe & Video]
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is a one-pot dump and push meal, using pantry items and frozen meatballs and ready in under 15 minutes. Meatballs can be bagged from the store or homemade raw, then frozen meatballs.
Sweet Potato and Chorizo Stew
An easy-to-make chorizo stew that is incredibly flavorful with the perfect blend of vegetables and seasoning. It’s an easy “set it and forget it” slow cooker or instant pot recipe that you will love!
Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs (using fresh or frozen meatballs)
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is an easy one-pot meal that everyone will love. It’s delicious, freezer friendly and so easy to whip up!
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup (Keto, Low Carb)
Comforting, classic instant pot broccoli cheese soup made without flour. Cheesy goodness from cream cheese and sharp cheddar. Frozen broccoli works perfectly for this recipe for an easy, affordable weeknight meal.
Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
This instant pot vegetable beef soup is the perfect healthy soup recipe! This one-pot meal is packed with savory flavor and is ready in 30 minutes!
Casserole Freezer Meals
Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken and rice casserole is a delicious and hearty meal and an easy make-ahead freezer meal.
BBQ Chicken Casserole {keto, paleo, Whole 30 options}
If you are looking for a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner to make, try this BBQ chicken casserole! With just 6 ingredients, this healthy casserole is easy to make and is a great casserole to make ahead and freeze for a later meal!
Beef And Mashed Potato Casserole-Healthy Life Trainer
Beef and mashed potato casserole recipe is an easy freezer meal and it is so delicious and healthy and the best part is you can prepare it ahead of time.
Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
This tuna pasta bake is a truly delicious family-friendly recipe, yet it’s totally simple and easy! This comforting and flavorful dinner is made with mostly pantry ingredients that you probably already have. Ready in just half an hour!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe (Quick & Easy) - 2 Ways
Casseroles make the best keto freezer meals! Just pop in your oven to reheat, or thaw overnight to reheat more quickly later.
Breakfast Freezer Meals
Easy Freezer Breakfast Burritos
These breakfast burritos make busy mornings so much easier! All you have to do is grab one from the freezer, unwrap it, and throw it in the microwave. Delicious, quick and easy!
Keto Crustless Quiche | High Protein Frittata Recipe Summer Yule Nutrition
This delicious frittata filled with melty cheese freezes well and is packed with nutrients busy new moms need. If you're the type of person who likes eggs as a vehicle to eat more cheese, you'll love this high protein frittata!
Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
These Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are refined-sugar-free, super easy to throw together, and freezer friendly. With all the healthy whole food ingredients that promote milk supply for new moms, you’ll want to keep these breakfast bars on hand for a quick, healthy breakfast or afternoon snack.
Freezer-Friendly Blueberry Banana Oatmeal
This Freezer-Friendly Blueberry Banana Oatmeal has only three simple ingredients, contains no added sweeteners, and is great for large batch meal prepping because it’s freezer-friendly
Chicken-Apple Sausage Breakfast Burritos (Freezable Make-Ahead!)
These freezable Breakfast Burritos are a busy mom's dream: a make-ahead breakfast you’ll actually look forward to eating! Full of sweet chicken-apple sausage and butternut squash, savory cheese and red peppers, and fluffy scrambled egg, these breakfast burritos are crazy-delicious, hearty, and filled with great, keep-you-fueled-up nutrition!
Pasta Freezer Meals
Healthy Baked Ziti w/Kale & Mushrooms
This quick & easy pasta recipe is freezer-friendly and is my go-to for new parents! Using cottage cheese & vegetables, healthy baked ziti is sure to be a household favorite!
Healthy One-Pot Mac and Cheese
This healthy one-pot mac and cheese recipe uses ground beef, lots of vegetables (including broccoli), and makes a great freezer meal too! Perfect for new moms looking for a fast meal!
Macaroni Bechamel (Baked pasta)-Healthy Life Trainer
This easy made baked pasta is the perfect dish to make ahead of time and it is a super easy freezer meal.
How to Make Easy Lasagna
This easy lasagna recipe does not require cooking the noodles ahead of time. Just assemble the ingredients in a casserole dish and you’re ready to bake or freeze for later.
Three Cheese Baked Ziti (Freezer Friendly)
Whip up a batch of this three cheese baked ziti with ground beef! It’s a comforting and family friendly casserole that’s freezer friendly, too!
Mexican Freezer Meals
Easy Chicken Fajitas {keto, paleo}
As one of the fastest meals to throw together on a weekday night, these easy baked chicken fajitas will not disappoint your Mexican food craving! Best of all, chicken fajitas are easy to make a large batch of and freeze the leftovers for easy meals to enjoy at a later time!
Baked Green Chile Chicken Taquitos
Crispy baked green chile chicken taquitos are so easy to make and freezer-friendly. With a creamy filling, everyone will love this yummy dinner.
Taco Stuffed Shells (Freezer Friendly)
Taco stuffed shells are a fun spin on taco night! It’s a cross between nacho cheese casserole and Italian sausage stuffed shells that everyone loves!
Soup Freezer Meals
1-Pot Paleo Chicken Soup Recipe
This one-pot paleo chicken soup recipe is a great healing recipe that's easy to digest and is good for the gut. I like to make a big pot of this soup to save in jars in the fridge for easy lunches or dinners.
Indian Spiced Red Lentil Soup - In 30 Minutes
This is a favorite in our home and goes great on its own or with rice. Quick to make and easy to whip up for a weeknight dinner or lunch and ideal for the freezer.
Vegetarian & Vegan Options
Vegan Rainbow Lasagna With Cashew Ricotta [No Tofu]
This veggie-filled lasagna is healthy and surprisingly easy to make. Enjoy this hearty meal guilt-free.
Mom's Best Classic Gluten-Free Vegan Baked Ziti (Soy-Free, Easy)
Our family's favorite famous comfort food recipe, remade! Mom's Best Classic Gluten-Free Vegan Baked Ziti without the dairy, but still under 5 ingredients! This make-ahead "cheesy" pasta dinner casserole is soy-free too, super easy, delicious, and baked in 20 minutes! Great as a freezer meal or having leftovers throughout the week!
Gluten-Free Moussaka Recipe: Low Carb, Vegetarian Option
Moussaka is a traditional Mediterranean recipe that everyone will love. This recipe is healthy, delicious, and freezes great
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili
Quick, easy, and tasty. That’s how I would sum up this vegetarian black bean chili. Start to finish in 30 minutes.
Veggie sausage and bean casserole
If you want a hearty, meat-free meal, you can't go wrong with this veggie sausage and bean casserole that's suitable for both vegetarians and vegans!
Vegan cottage pie
This vegan cottage pie boasts a richly flavorful mince and veg filling with deliciously smooth gravy, all topped with creamy, peppery mash. It's SO good!
Easy Vegan Wild Rice Soup
Wild rice soup is perfect for new moms because it is vegan and healthy and freezes well. It is very easy to unfreeze and heat up when you are ready to have some hearty soup.
Vegan Stew And Dumplings
Meet my no-fail vegan stew and dumplings. Packed with flavor, affordable and quicker than regular stew
Easy Vegan Rice and Black Beans – my plantiful cooking
Super easy to make black bean and rice recipe that is also vegan & healthy. Comes together in 15 minutes & only requires 5 ingredients.
Vegan Thai Red Curry with Tofu and Veggies
Vegan Thai red curry with tofu that is packed full of veggies, healthy yet super comforting to have. Ready in under 30 mins & is really easy to make !
White Bean Stew | Vegan + Gluten-free
This White Bean Stew tastes absolutely delicious and can be at your table in just about 20 minutes. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free and great for busy days! Great for meal prep and freezer friendly too!
Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup • Happy Kitchen
Gluten free, vegan sweet potato and lentil soup is a healthy and tasty meal that will satisfy both your hunger and your taste buds. This delicious vegetable soup is smooth and filling as well as simple to make. Sweet potato and lentil soup comes out creamy, savory, and decadent thanks to ingredients that not only taste amazing, but are nourishing for your body as well.
Other make ahead meals you’ll love
Authentic Indian Chicken Curry Recipe
This delicious chicken curry recipe is perfect to make upfront and freeze for later. It reheats very well in the microwave - perfect for a quick mid week meal.
Hungarian Meatballs
These spicy meatballs are delicious with pasta. They taste even better when reheated from frozen.
Egg Roll in a Bowl (Easy 20-Minute Dinner!)
Egg roll in a bowl is a healthy deconstructed egg roll without the deep-frying! It’s a low-carb meal packed with veggies and flavors, ready in 20 minutes!
The Best Twice Baked Potatoes
These Twice Baked Potatoes are an Excellent Freezer option. Baked potatoes with a creamy mashed potato center, topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions can make a great meal by themselves or an easy side dish.
Freezer Meatballs
Freezer meatballs are the perfect meal prep item. Whip up a batch of pre-cooked, frozen meatballs, ready for a quick weeknight meal.
Freezer Meal: Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Turkey and mushroom meatballs with a herbaceous tomato sauce is a quick and easy freezer meal that can save you time on those busy evenings. You can even double or triple the recipe for several make-ahead meals, if your freezer has the room for it!
Enjoy your Freezer Meals and your new baby
Having several meals waiting for you will be a huge relief when you have a new baby at home and you don’t have the time or energy to prepare an entire meal.
Congratulations on your new arrival! Hopefully, these freezer meals are a big help to you during the chaotic and exhausting time of bringing home a new baby.
Don’t forget to check out my list of practical postpartum essentials to help you have a speedy recovery.
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