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 bebe 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 20 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).
1. Pesto Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
Source: Recipe Runner
2. Healthy Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
Source: Delish Knowledge
3. Blender Banana Rice Gluten-Free Waffles
Source: Cotter Crunch
4. Slow Cooker Easy Carnitas
Source: Isabel Eats
5. Simple Sweet Potato Cauliflower Soup
Source: Sweet Potato Soul
6. Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
Source: Jessica in the Kitchen
7. Freezer Meal Chicken Meatballs
Source: Pinch of Yum
8. Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Source: Delish Knowledge
9. Vegan Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Source: Joyful Healthy Eats
10. Butternut Squash Carrot Soup
Source: What’s Gaby Cooking
11. Three Cheese Baked Ziti
Source: Averie Cooks
12. Slow Cooker Potato Corn Chowder
Source: Chungah Rhee | Damn Delicious
13. Feta and Zucchini Fritters
Source: Drizzle and Dip
14. Stuffed Pepper Soup
Source: Skinnytaste
15. Chicken Tikka Masala
Source: Pinch of Yum
16. Garlic Lemon Chicken Stir Fry
Source: Host the Toast
17. Vegetable Breakfast Burritos
Source: Kristine’s Kitchen
18. Broccoli, Chicken, and Brown Rice Bake
Source: 40 Aprons
19. Chicken Ropa Vieja
Source: Skinnytaste
20. Mediterranean Egg Casserole
Source: Foodie Crush
This article was originally published in August 2018. It has been updated for timeliness.
