Whether it’s your first kid or your fourth, the time before baby comes is high-key prep mode—the nursery has to be made up, the child locks need to be put in place, and all the cute baby clothes need to be shopped for. What you might not think of, though, is how much you will not want to cook once the baby comes. Sure, you can order out or go through the 300 lasagnas that will be delivered to you by well-meaning friends and family—or you can make your own pre-made freezer meals that you know you and your partner will love.
You’ll be thanking yourself three days into parenthood when your favorite meal is just one defrost away. Keep reading for 50 meals to enjoy now or to pop in the freezer and use in case of serious hunger emergency (AKA every moment from here on out, mama).
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Breakfast
1. Spinach & Feta Breakfast Quesadillas
Spinach and feta are like a happy couple, and these breakfast quesadillas are a great way to put them in the spotlight. What’s also helpful is this recipe includes freezer-specific instructions for optimal storage and reheating.
2. Blender Banana Rice Gluten-Free Waffles
A Saturday morning waffle tradition doesn’t have to end just because things are a little different around the house. Have these on hand for when you want a tasty breakfast—we promise they’re better than Eggos!
3. Cauliflower Herb Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
The secret to these delectable breakfast sandwiches is the unique egg bake they house in the middle. When your run-of-the-mill quick egg scramble or fry just ain’t cutting it, grab these out of the freezer for a yummy start to your day.
4. Easy Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch
With the milestones of pregnancy, labor, and delivery out of the way, treating yourself to a special breakfast seems like the least you can do to honor what you’ve accomplished. May these pillowy cinnamon rolls be that little indulgent reminder of just how extraordinary you are.
5. Vegetable Breakfast Burritos
Start your day off right with protein and veggies without having to spend an hour in the kitchen. We know you’ll be ready for a day of taking care of a newborn after one of these.
6. Mediterranean Egg Casserole
A good egg bake is the perfect go-to freezer meal for breakfast. This recipe includes all of the best mediterranean flavors like mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and goat cheese.
7. Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
Mornings with a newborn will be busy. Tossing a hearty breakfast sandwich in the microwave is a great way to start the day with a quick bite. Make this recipe gluten free or regular.
8. Chicken Omelette
Omelettes are one of my biggest breakfast staples, and this shredded chicken omelette is hearty and delicious. It can be made using fresh chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken, and is easily frozen to be eaten later.
9. Muffin Tin Eggs
If you’re anything like me, you love eggs, but need to spice up how you eat them to keep them in the breakfast rotation. This muffin tin eggs recipe is perfect for that—each egg muffin is its own individual omelette, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the edges. It’s healthy, easy to make, and can be stored in airtight containers in your freezer.
10. Baked Oatmeal
Coated with blueberries and oats and sweetened with brown sugar, this make ahead baked oatmeal is a cozy and customizable meal that will fill you up and leave you wanting more. It can be made in a single bowl with only 10 ingredients!
Soups & Sides
11. Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Preparing soup to have on hand after baby comes home is a game changer. It freezes easily and is quickly warmed up. Whip up this easy recipe in the Instant Pot ahead of time and have a healthy meal waiting for you when you get home.
12. Stuffed Pepper Soup
You likely won’t have much time to actually make stuffed peppers right after bringing baby home. That’s why we love this soup that has all of the flavors we love from the main dish without the work!
13. Simple Sweet Potato Cauliflower Soup
Healthy comfort food is always a good idea—especially this soup. It’s filled with hearty sweet potatoes and cauliflower and is super easy to make.
14. Easy Pizza Dough Soft Pretzel Knots
These versatile pretzel knots are the ideal complement to anything else you’re going to be pulling out of the freezer to meal prep. They’re fluffy, easy to reheat, and only require a handful of ingredients to prepare.
15. Butternut Squash Carrot Soup
Add some nutrients back into your diet in the simplest way possible with this veggie-filled recipe.
16. Slow Cooker Potato Corn Chowder
Sometimes we just need some warm comfort food at home. This corn chowder will be calling your name when you want something rich, warm, and hearty.
17. Feta and Zucchini Fritters
Just because life is a little busier doesn’t mean we don’t deserve a good appetizer or snack! These feta and zucchini fritters are delicious and pair with any soup or main dish (or on their own!).
18. Healthy Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
After eating hospital food for days, you might be in the mood for something a bit healthier. This chili is a great option to have on hand as it’s made with the superfood that is quinoa (yay for protein!) and vegetarian.
19. Spinach Tortellini Soup
With tortellini, fresh basil, Italian sausage, spinach, and butternut squash, this soup recipe is perfect for cold evenings and can be safely frozen and stored away after being made. It can also be prepared in thirty minutes or less—a welcome bonus, in my book.
20. Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
This veggie chili is packed with roasted sweet potatoes, bell pepper, tomatoes, corn, and fiber rich black beans. Mixed into a well-spiced broth, chili like this is not only healthy and delicious, but can be stored in the freezer for several more weeks to keep you sustained through early parenthood.
Meat-Based Main Dishes
21. Turkey Stuffed Zucchini
Freezer-friendly meals don’t get more inviting than a generous serving of nutritious zucchini that has been filled with ground turkey, melted parmesan cheese, and fragrant spices.
22. Broccoli, Chicken, and Brown Rice Bake
Between delicious takeout meals, you may be looking for something a little lighter. A rice bake filled with broccoli and chicken is sure to do the trick and leave you energized after.
23. Pesto Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
If you’ve never jumped on the zucchini noodles train, now is a great time! They pair perfectly with the herby and salty pesto in this dish.
24. Slow Cooker Easy Carnitas
Taco Tuesdays can still be a thing with this slow cooker recipe. Having the meat on hand and cooked will save plenty of time. All you’ll have to do is pick up the tortillas and any toppings you’d like for a delicious meal.
25. Freezer Meal Chicken Meatballs
Frozen meatballs from a bag could never! Trust us, these will hit the spot when dipped in your favorite sauce.
26. Baked Turkey Wings
These turkey wings are marinated in the most heavenly spice blend. If you’re feeling like somewhat of a zombie from a few too many sleepless nights, the flavors from these wings will reawaken your senses.
27. Chicken Tikka Masala
Sure, you could order Indian food takeout. Or, you could save the money and have this on hand waiting for you in the freezer when hunger strikes.
28. Garlic Lemon Chicken Stir Fry
Stir fry is always a good go-to. We’re fond of this recipe because it can be altered to use veggies that are in season when you prep it.
29. Chicken Ropa Vieja
Add a little Latin flair to dinner without leaving the house! Filled with shredded chicken, bell peppers, onions, and cumin, this recipe is the gift that keeps on giving.
30. Steak and Ale Pot Pie
No frozen meal has quite as good of a reputation as pot pies. Plus, after spending nine months without alcohol, a little beer flavor might just hit the spot!
31. Turkey Burgers
If biting into a juicy burger seems like it’ll be just the right hunger antidote as you’re expending all that energy (and love!) on baby, these turkey burgers are the ones to make. With a package of buns, a ripe avocado and your other favorite toppings, reheating and serving up the patties is a breeze.
32. Chicken Burritos
Topped with a creamy, cilantro lime sauce, this recipe is delicious and addictive, yet perfect for a quick meal prep on a busy week night. It can also be stored for up to three months in the freezer!
33. Braised Short Rib Ragu Rigatoni
This recipe is the definition of a restaurant quality meal you can make at home. The short rib ragu is deeply savory, yet perfectly balanced with a touch of cream and parmesan at the end.
34. Crockpot Stuffed Peppers
This recipe is quick to assemble—the slow cooker does the rest! You’ll need Italian seasoning, ground beef, spices, and a handful of other ingredients you can find in your pantry. Let cool completely and then store them in your freezer.
35. Taco and Sweet Potato Skillet
This recipe involves a single pan, making cleanup easy as can be. Packed with protein and easy to package for the freezer, this will become a staple in your dinner rotation.
Vegetarian Main Dishes
36. Best Veggie Burger
Alternatively, if you eat a plant-based diet, this veggie burger recipe can be another satisfying option that hits the spot during a burger craving.
37. Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
We meant it when we said healthier comfort food is our favorite. This dish has the best of both worlds—it’s delicious and vegan!
38. Vegan Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Filled with tons of good stuff like veggies and topped with guacamole, we know you’ll be loving on these stuffed sweet potatoes for months to come.
39. Three Cheese Baked Ziti
Sometimes a big plate of pasta is just what the doctor ordered. This baked ziti is even better than it sounds.
40. Enchilada Bowls with Butternut Squash and Cauliflower Rice
Delicious and freezer friendly, these meal prep bowls are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner while your busy caring for baby. They’re packed with veggies and fiber and are sure to be the fuel you need to get through the rest of your day.
41. Lentil and Broccoli Stir-Fry
A plant-based version of the classic beef and broccoli dish, this comes together in under 30 minutes and is easy to store in the freezer. It’s great for any vegetarians out there who love Asian-inspired dishes.
42. Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers
Besides from being healthy, vegan, and gluten-free, these chickpea burgers are also delicious—great for meal prep during a busy week. The best part? The rest of the toppings are up to you!
43. Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells
For a family with young kids on top of a new baby, these stuffed shells are a familiar yet healthy option for any picky kiddos. The leftovers can be enjoyed for weeks on end once they’re safely tucked away in your freezer.
44. Mediterranean Chickpea ‘Meatballs’
Packed full of protein and fiber, these “meatballs” are delicious, healthy, and can be made with only 10 ingredients. Toss them into a bowl of pasta or eat them alone. For these, we’d recommend freezing them unbaked, then tossing them in the oven whenever you’re ready to enjoy!
45. Sweet Potato and Spinach Enchiladas
Another freeze prior to baking option, these enchiladas are stuffed with all the best things: beans, veggies, and all the minerals, vitamins, and protein we need. Like with most of these recipes, what exactly goes inside your enchilada is up to you, so get creative!
46. Baked Butternut Squash, Kale, and Mushroom Pasta
Like most pasta dishes, this recipe is super versatile. You can substitute the veggies for whatever you prefer—even a plant-based protein, if that’s what your family would like. Freeze prior to the final bake set up, and you’ll have leftovers for weeks!
47. Sheet Pan Falafel Wraps
These wraps are packed full of Mediterranean flavor and come together on a single sheet pan. Not only are they freezer friendly, but they’re perfect for anyone looking for a plant-based, high protein meal.
48. Chickpea Pesto Wraps
Another wrap option for any moms looking for a quick and easy lunch or dinner! This recipe makes a batch of ten wraps that can easily be frozen and reheated in the microwave. If you’re feeling up to it, a batch of homemade pesto is the way to go.
49. Vegetarian Pasta Bake with No Cook Noodles
What makes this recipe special? It includes no boil noodles—so it literally could not be easier. A slight variation on baked ziti, this should be a freezer staple for all new moms.
50. Sun-Dried Tomato and Spinach Ravioli
Another pasta recipe because it will always be my love language. You can keep it simple with store bought ravioli or go for the homemade pasta, if you’re up for it. This can freeze safely for weeks—perfect for a cozy night at home with your baby.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Former Assistant Editor
As the former Assistant Editor, Brett worked with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own stories. Her favorite topics to write about are baby names, culture, relationships, and living.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Intern
As editorial intern, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content, and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented by contributing to The Everymom.
