"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 three hundred 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 30 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).
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.
Soups & Sides
8. 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.
9. 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!
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Butternut Squash Carrot Soup
Add some nutrients back into your diet in the simplest way possible with this veggie-filled recipe.
13. 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.
14. 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!).
15. 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.
Meat-Based Main Dishes
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. Freezer Meal Chicken Meatballs
Frozen meatballs from a bag could never! Trust us, these will hit the spot when dipped in your favorite sauce.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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!
26. 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.
Vegetarian Main Dishes
27. 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.
28. 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!
29. 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.
30. 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.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Assistant Editor
As the Assistant Editor, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also The Everymom’s resident baby names and family movies expert!
Katherine Ballesta-Rosen, Editorial Intern
Besides being an avid reader and writer since girlhood, Katherine decided to kick her literacy-laden background up a notch by receiving her Master’s in teaching, and went on to teach English Language Arts to high schoolers for several years. As an intern at The Everymom, Katherine writes about topics such as maternal wellness, sex and relationships, and more.