Before your baby comes home, you want to make your life as easy as possible. This includes getting baby clothes ready, packing your pregnancy bag, setting up your nursery, and baby-proofing your home. Doing all this can be overwhelming for sure, but the more you get done in advance the less stressed you’ll be.
That’s why I suggest doing one last thing before you leave for the hospital. In my experience, it’s always a good idea to prepare freezer food before your baby arrives. Not only is homemade freezer food healthier and more filling, but you can save yourself a ton of money by not getting takeout. Trust me, you aren’t going to want to cook once your baby is home with you.
Thankfully, I have teamed up with In the Kitchen with Britt to provide you with some tasty and simple recipes you can prepare before your due date! If you don’t have time to prepare these yourself, you can share my recipes with friends and family members that are willing to meal prep for you.
Best Freezer Meal Recipes For Expecting Moms:
1. Chicken and Rice With Broccoli
This first postpartum freezer meal is simple but easy to make. You don’t know how you’ll feel after you get out of the hospital, so it’s good to have a few meals that are light but hearty, especially as your body changes and adapts. Chicken and rice is a classic dish and you can heat this up fast and dig in right away!
Ingredients:
4 cups water
2 cups of your favorite rice
Pinch of salt
8 boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon brown or granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoon olive oil
4-6 cups of broccoli
Recipe Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare your rice, rinse it in cold water then drain. Then put four cups of water in a large pot and boil it. When the water is boiling, put the rice in. Simmer your rice for around 15 to 20 minutes and let it cool.
Step 2: Get your chicken breasts out and put your cumin, paprika, and brown sugar mix on. Use it as a rub. Also, add salt and pepper.
Step 3: Put the olive oil on your preheated pan then grill for 6 minutes on each side. Cool all your chicken then set it aside.
Step 4: Finally, steam your broccoli. I like to use my microwave to get this done faster. Put your broccoli in a safe dish then add a little water. Cover your bowl or plate with a saran wrap and heat for three minutes.
Step 5: Finally get your ziplock bags or a meal container. This recipe can make around eight portions. Cut up your chicken and broccoli and put it over the rice. Then freeze your meals.
2. Burritos
Burritos are another simple meal you can prep before you leave for the hospital. Plus you can store a ton of these and not take up too much room in your freezer. Personally, I like to eat these for breakfast, but you can have them any time of the day.
Ingredients:
1 pound of boneless chicken
Jar of salsa
Pack of taco seasoning
Pack of corn tortillas
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 white onion
2 tomatoes
1 Avocado (optional)
2 cups of rice
Cheddar cheese
Lettuce
Salt and pepper
Recipe Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare your chicken first. I recommend getting pre-shredded chicken breast at the store to make this easier.
Step 2: Put your chicken in a pan and heat it with your preferred cooking oil. Add in your taco seasoning to flavor the chicken quickly and easily. Also, sprinkle in your salt and pepper.
Step 3: Next you want to cut up your veggies and cook them. I listed some options above, but if you have any other vegetables you like chop them up. Then make your rice in a pot or instant pot.
Step 4: Assemble your burritos. I put the rice on my tortilla first then add chicken and my other ingredients. Sprinkle your cheese on last then wrap the burritos and put them in the freezer. You can use plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
3. Chili
Chili is one of my go-to postpartum meals. It takes minutes to get this ready for your family, and it’s perfect for those chaotic days when you don’t want to do much for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion
2 bell peppers
3 garlic cloves
2 pounds of ground turkey or beef
1 can tomato sauce (15-ounce)
1 can diced tomatoes (15-ounce)
1 can tomato paste
1 cup of chicken broth
Pinch of salt and pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons paprika
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 can of kidney beans (15-ounce drained)
1 can black beans (15-ounce drained)
Recipe Instructions:
Step 1: I highly suggest using an instant pot for this recipe as you can cook and freeze your chili a lot faster! Otherwise, use a regular pot to cook your vegetables and meat.
Step 2: Heat your pot with the olive oil, then add in your chopped vegetables. When the veggies are cooked add in the meat and garlic.
Step 3: Add in your broth, seasoning, and other ingredients. Leave the beans out till the end though.
Step 4: Close the lid and wait for everything to fully cook. In an instant pot, this will take 15 minutes on the high-pressure setting. Add your beans and let them heat up too.
Step 5: When your chili is at room temperature, freeze it in a large container.
4. Spaghetti
Spaghetti is another classic dish I suggest making before you leave for the hospital. It can be hard to make a meal that everyone in your family likes. Luckily, even the pickiest eaters enjoy this meal!
Ingredients:
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 box of your favorite spaghetti noodles
2 cups of water
A pinch of salt
Bag of cooked frozen meatballs
Recipe Instructions:
Step 1: This is one of the easiest recipes on the list! Just boil your water and add some salt.
Step 2: Put in your spaghetti noodles and read the box. The instructions will tell you how long to cook the noodles.
Step 3: Drain the pasta then add in your tomato sauce.
Step 4: To freeze your spaghetti, put it in a ziplock back and add in your frozen meatballs.
5. Smoothie mix
Sometimes, you might want a quick and healthy snack. Smoothies are super tasty and you can create all kinds of fun flavors for your family with the push of a button.
Ingredients:
1 banana
1 cup of strawberries
2 cups of your preferred milk
1 tablespoon of honey
Recipe Instructions:
Step 1: Cut up your fruit, you can also switch out the fruit I listed above for other fruits you like.
Step 2: Put your ingredients in a freezer-safe ziploc bag. This way they are ready to go straight in the blender.
Step 3: Blend your smoothie mix whenever you are ready!
6. Taco Casserole
This recipe is a family favorite. My family absolutely loves taco casserole and it only lasts a couple days at most when we make it. This is another easy recipe that will be easy to thaw and bake once baby is born.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 jalapeno seeded and diced - totally optional.
3 cloves garlic minced
1 package taco seasoning
15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
4 ounces diced green chiles drained
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon of garlic powder and onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
Hot sauce (optional)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
16 ounce picante sauce or salsa
2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese, divided
Recipe Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F degrees. Spray a 9×13 or 3 quart baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
Step 2: Heat a large, deep skillet over medium high heat and add olive oil. Add ground beef and cook, crumbling until browned and mostly cooked.
Step 3: Add onion and jalapeno (if you like spicy) to beef. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute.
Beef should be fully cooked and brown at this point.
Step 4: Drain any fat and return to skillet. Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, green chiles, salt, pepper, tomato paste and picante sauce. Cook 1-2 minutes
Step 5: Set skillet aside and add 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Step 6: Transfer beef mixture to prepared baking dish and top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
Step 7: Bake approximately 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted (if eating upon prep)
Step 8: To freeze/ store for later: Cook beef mixture in skillet and assemble in baking dish, omitting 1 cup remaining cheese on top. Cool completely and cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
Step 9: To thaw first + bake: Thaw overnight in refrigerator until casserole is completely thawed. Remove plastic wrap and aluminum foil, set out on the counter for about 20 minutes, top with 1 cup of cheese then hake at 350°F for about 45 minutes.
7. Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Finally, I thought I’d add an easy dessert to this list. Eating healthy can be great for you and your baby, especially if you’re breastfeeding. It doesn’t hurt to indulge every once in a while. Once you have your dough mixed and frozen, you can pop these into your oven and have a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie whenever you want.
Ingredients:
2 sticks of butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt
2 cups of your favorite chocolate chips
Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Put your butter in the microwave to soften it. 30 seconds is usually fine.
Step 2: Add your sugar and butter together and whisk it. You should get a creamy texture. Then beat in your eggs and vanilla extract.
Step 3: In a different bowl, add the rest of your dry ingredients. Mix your flour, baking soda, and salt. Put the wet ingredients in slowly and combine them with the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Pour your chocolate chips and make sure they are evenly mixed. After this, you can freeze your cookie dough and bake them at a later date! Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and leave them in for ten minutes.
Final Thoughts on Freezer Meals For Expecting Moms
I’ve included some of my favorite freezer recipes for expecting mothers that are bringing their babies home from the hospital. Hopefully, this will help you feel less stressed in the months leading up to your delivery, as you can prepare these meals in advance and keep your family well-fed. If you have more ideas for easy postpartum meals, feel free to share them in the comments below!