Are you or a friend expecting a new baby? Then let’s fill the freezer. Check out these delicious postpartum freezer meals the whole family will love.
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I had six babies. And since I had six babies, I was the blessed recipient of many a meal from friends and family.
Some of these postpartum meals count as the best meals of my entire life. (Scroll down for those recipes!)
And unfortunately, some of those meals count as some of the most painful to serve my family. While we were grateful for the care and concern of friends, we also had lots of young children, some of whom were very picky eaters.
And yes, I believe everyone should be grateful for the food set before them, I am also a realist. I know what it is to be bone-tired exhausted with a newborn that you have absolutely zero energy to force your other kids to eat a meal they don’t like.
I know my well-meaning friends didn’t mean for me to cook on those nights, but often that’s what would happen. Until I learned to build my own stash of postpartum freezer meals, meals I knew my family would enjoy.
How to Choose Postpartum Freezer Meals
Meal planning is an art as well as a science, especially when it comes to postpartum freezer meals.
- Choose meals the mom enjoys as well as meals that the rest of her family enjoys.
- You want postpartum freezer meals that fit the budget
- Choose postpartum freezer meal recipes that freeze well.
- Pay careful attention to food allergies and preferences, as well as those foods that may affect breast milk, if applicable.
Thankfully, this collection of recipes ticks all those boxes.
Tips for Prepping Postpartum Freezer Meals
Follow these tried-and true tips for prepping freezer meals for the postpartum season:
- There is a time and season for reusable freezer containers. This may not be that season. If you don’t want to worry about a lot of dish-washing or storing all your dishes in the freezer, consider using disposable freezer meal containers. I love to get the colored ones from party stores to keep the freezer happy.
- Prepare single-serve as well as family-size meals. Moms and dads often find that they eat in shifts during the postpartum season. Packaging single-serve meals for the freezer can make it easier to enjoy snacks and meals quickly and easily.
- Label everything. It’s easy to think that you’ll remember what’s what, but you won’t. And for the busy household with lots of helpers, like in the postpartum season, you want everyone to have all the information they can get. Label freezer meals with the date, contents, and prep instructions.
- Be mindful of freezer space. If you’re making meals to give as a gift, keep in mind how much space your friend has in her freezer. Be willing to stash the surplus and replenish it over days and weeks as needed.
- Make double or triple batches. In this way, you can leverage bulk pricing as well as save time and effort with an assembly line prep.
Best Postpartum Freezer Meal Recipes
Let’s start the party with my personal favorite postpartum freezer meal recipes. These are recipes that I’ve adapted from those my friends brought me in the aftermath of birthing babies.
Chicken Pot Pie is a sure-fire favorite! Flaky, buttery crust surrounds chicken, vegetables, and a delectable homemade gravy for delicious comfort food.
Cheese Enchiladas are quick and easy to prepare, but they taste like something special. They are a delicious, meatless meal you can make in a snap.
Homemade lasagna is a delicious one-dish dinner that can be made ahead and frozen. This recipe for making lasagna allows you to customize it to suit your tastes.
Enjoy your favorite cafe-style Broccoli Cheese Soup at home for less money. I’ll show you how easy it is with both stovetop and Instant Pot directions!
This recipe for Cheddar Cheese Soup is creamy and comforting. Filled with bits of zucchini, broccoli, and carrots, it’s perfect comfort food.
This is the easiest mac and cheese you’ll ever make with just three ingredients – plus salt and pepper!
Want something even easier than homemade pizza and just as fun? Make pizzawiches, hot sandwiches with a pizza filling!
Come home to an easy supper: hot Ham and Swiss Sliders! Not only do they taste fabulous, but they’re also freezer-friendly.
When you’re looking for a simple and affordable dish to impress, look no further than Quiche Florentine, a combination of an egg custard baked in a pie crust with spinach and Swiss cheese. Not only is it utterly delicious and a wee bit fancy, but it’s also vegetarian, making it a welcome addition to breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
This Cottage Cheese Quiche Recipe of whole eggs, milk, cottage cheese, and cheddar makes a delicious and easy breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
This delicious one-dish version of Chicken Florentine features a creamy Mornay sauce, chopped spinach, campanelle noodles, and tender chicken. It’s a delicious pasta bake that deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
This quick and easy ravioli casserole is super delicious, a great recipe for a potluck, easy dinner, or freezer meal. With just five ingredients, it comes together in less than 10 minutes plus a 20-minute bake.
A slow cooker pot roast is a welcome sight on a cold and busy evening. The slow braise allows the flavors to develop, making this one of my favorite recipes.
You can truly set it and forget it when you cook a pot roast in the slow cooker. A quick assembly in the morning allows you to enjoy a great dinner at night.
Enchiladas are a perfect meal. Don’t buy frozen and don’t go out. Make these at home and enjoy the savings and the amazing flavor.
Spice up your evening with this hot and cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole. You can whip it up in a flash — and make an extra to freeze.
Enjoy a flavorful breakfast or brunch with this Sausage Egg Hash Brown Casserole. It’s very make-ahead, making it a great way to start the day.
A Breakfast Sandwich is not only an easy meal on the go, but it’s also one that you can stash in the freezer for those super busy mornings. Check out how simple it is to make a batch for yourself!
Chicken Fajita Burritos are filling, flavorful, and packed with peppers, onions, and jalapeños. They make a great lunch, snack, or dinner that you can make ahead and freeze.
Make-ahead meals are a boon to busy homes. Make up a batch of these Black Bean and Bell Pepper Wraps for a quick and easy dinner.
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This post was originally published on January 12, 2015. It has been updated for content and clarity.
