70+ Easy Postpartum Freezer Meal Ideas for New Moms

These Easy Postpartum Freezer Meal Ideas for New Moms are a great way to stock your freezer as you prepare for a new baby. They also make a great gift for new parents.

Spending a day or two preparing some of these easy meals is one of the easiest ways to make your life simpler once your new baby arrives.

How Many Easy Freezer Meals Should I Make?

The answer is totally up to you. Your answer will depend upon a couple of different things.

• How soon do you think you will be ready to cook after your baby is born?
• How much room do you have in your freezer?
• Do you have the budget for takeout meals?
• Will family and friends bring meals to you?

When Should You Start Making Freezer Meals?

Most new moms wait to start making freezer meals until their third trimester. Generally, freezer meals will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You don't want to start making them too early and risk having the quality suffer because they were in the freezer for too long.

Freezer Meal Tips

• To streamline the cooking process, choose a couple of recipes you like and make a double batch or triple batch. It is easier to make three batches of one homemade soup recipe than make three different soup recipes.
• We decided to invest in a deep freezer to increase our freezer storage space. It has also come in handy enabling us to buy larger quantities at member-only stores like Sam's and Costco which also saves us money.
• You don't have to make all these meals at once. Slowly build up your freezer meal stash throughout the end of your pregnancy.
• Ask for help. I had several family members and friends asking how they could help. Get together with a friend to prep some of these meals. As a bonus, you get to spend some quality grown-up time which might be in short supply after your baby is born.

Supplies You May Need

• Slow Cooker and/or Instant Pot: There are so many delicious freezer meals for both the slow cooker and instant pot.
• Freezer Bags: Freezer bags are thicker than typical storage bags which help to protect food from freezer burn.
• Bag Holder
• Sharpie and Labels: You will want to clearly label all of your meals so you know which meal is which. You can also include defrosting and cooking instructions.
• Disposable Pans: To save money and time, and create fewer dishes I bought these disposable foil pans that I used to freeze and then bake entire meals.
• Aluminum Foil
• Storage Containers: Invest in some good quality storage containers that will last and you can reuse them over and over again.
• Freezer Meal Tracker: Easily keep track of what freezer meals you have without digging through the freezer.

Other Postpartum Period Meal Tips

Let's be honest, those first few weeks after your new baby is born are going to be crazy. Sleep deprivation and learning how to care for this new little person is a lot to manage. Making a trip to the grocery store is the last thing you will want to do.

Here are a few additional meal prep services to make this time period easier.

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Best Freezer Meals for a New Mama

Check out this complete list of freezer meal ideas for breakfast, snacks, dinner, and dessert.

Quick Breakfast Freezer Meals

When making freezer meals many people only think about dinner but you have to eat at other times of the day too. Mornings with a new baby can be rough. You are sleep-deprived and sometimes one or both parents also have to head off to work.

Many common breakfast items will make a perfect freezer meal. Make your mornings easier by having a few of these meals prepped in advance.

One of my favorites was these freezer-friendly Crispy Waffles.

Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Burritos: Breakfast burritos are one of our staple breakfasts. They also happen to freeze really well. Try this delicious recipe from Life Made Simple.

Muffins: Muffins are the ultimate single-serving one-handed breakfast. Here are a few recipes that I like to keep stocked in our freezer.

• Blueberry Muffins
• Apple Raspberry Muffins
• Blueberry Mango Muffins

Quick Breads: I love making up a loaf of quick bread to eat for breakfast. They freeze really well and defrost quickly because I bake them in mini loaf pans. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Banana Bread: I am very picky about how ripe my bananas can be. If the banana is 100% yellow it is too ripe. This is one of my favorite ways to use up overly ripe bananas.
• Pumpkin Bread and Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread: I love sneaking vegetables in unexpected places. These two quick bread recipes from Once Upon a Chef are perfect.
• Blueberry Bread from Tastes of Lizzie T: These loaves of blueberry bread are bursting with blueberries and topped with streusel.

If you know me then you know I love all breakfast carbs. But some mornings I craved protein. I love having these Ham, Leek, and Hashbrown Muffins on those mornings.

Smoothies: Pre-portioned smoothie packs make a great breakfast, especially in the summer months.

This Strawberry Banana Chocolate Chip Smoothie was always my go-to.

Tortilla Egg Wraps: These Tortilla Egg Wraps take just 5 minutes to make and freeze and reheat really well. They're a great high-protein breakfast or snack that busy new moms can eat with one hand.

Broccoli and Smoked Salmon Quiche: A creamy, cheesy and tasty breakfast broccoli and smoked salmon quiche. Made with broccoli, onion, eggs, herbs, cream, cheddar cheese and smoked salmon. Then baked until the quiche top and crust edges are perfectly golden.

Classic Breakfast Sandwich: These easy breakfast sandwiches can be made ahead or on the spot for a quick grab-and-go breakfast. Keep a few in the freezer and let everyone help themselves!

Healthy Snacks

Especially if you are breastfeeding motherhood can make you pretty hungry. It is important to eat enough calories to keep up your milk production.

Here are some great one-handed snacks that you can eat while still taking care of your baby.

Zucchini Slice: This classic Aussie dish is easy to make, freezer-friendly, incredibly yummy, and super versatile too. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or served alongside a salad for a simple dinner.

Strawberry Banana Bars: These strawberry banana breakfast bars are a delicious breakfast or snack that’s perfect for the whole family. Super easy to make, these bars are freezer friendly and perfect for meal prepping and batch cooking.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls: Naturally sweet, and loaded with energy, these vegan chocolate peanut butter energy balls are delicious, healthy, and perfect for an after-school snack, or whenever you’re needing a bit of a “pick-me-up” to your day. They are the perfect grab-and-go treat for any busy family.

Banana Protein Muffins: These banana protein muffins are soft and fluffy, and full of gooey chocolate chips. They are made in one bowl and ready in 25 minutes - freezer-friendly too!

Dinner

Serve these meals for dinner and save the leftovers for lunch.

Creamy Leek, Potato, and Bacon Soup: This is one of my all-time favorite meals. I have been making this soup for years. It is so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Because there is no added cream it also freezes really well.

Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf: Meatloaf is America’s classic comfort food. This Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf is so good! It is tender, juicy, smokey, and topped with a tangy-sweet glaze.

Dutch Oven Beef Stew: Stew makes a great freezer meal. This recipe for Beef Stew in a Dutch Oven includes tender fall-apart beef, mixed with delicious vegetables, and served in a thick beefy sauce.

Sticky Chicken with Vegetable Fried Rice: Stir-fries are a great way to increase your servings of vegetables and use up any vegetables lingering in your refrigerator. You can chop up all of the vegetables and meat in advance and make up the sauce and freeze it separately. Try this recipe from Recipetin Eats.

Sourdough Chicken Strips: These sourdough discard fried chicken strips are tender, juicy, and crispy. They have just a slight tang from the sourdough discard.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce: Spaghetti sauce is one of the ways I like to use up excess vegetables. For my spaghetti sauce, I saute whatever vegetables are in the refrigerator plus an onion in olive oil until they are tender. I then add a couple of cans of diced tomatoes, some garlic, oregano, parsley, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. I let everything simmer until heated through.

For a delicious meal serve it over pasta alongside my homemade meatballs which are also freezer-friendly.

Marinated Chicken Breasts: Sweet Peas and Saffron pretty much wrote the book on marinating and freezing chicken breasts.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: I follow all of the steps except adding the noodles. Pasta doesn't always freeze well and can become soft and gooey. I wait to add the noodles until I reheat the soup. Here is a wonderful recipe from The Forked Spoon.

Oven Roasted Tomato Soup: Tom has never liked tomato soup so I make a big batch of this soup and freeze it in individual portions for a quick and easy lunch.

Chicken Tortilla Soup: a great lunch or dinner idea that is full of flavor and freezes well! Add your favorite toppings for a healthy or not-so-healthy meal. Try this recipe from the Snappy Gourmet.

Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast: Asparagus Chicken Breasts are super easy to make and incredibly delicious. Chicken breast is stuffed with fresh asparagus and mozzarella cheese, covered in delicious spices, then baked until amazingly juicy and tender. All of this goodness is ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for the whole family.

Chicken Fried Rice: Better thank take-out healthy chicken fried rice! Made with brown rice and loaded with veggies. A simple and fresh meal that is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Stracciatella Soup: An incredible nourishing Italian egg drop soup. This soup has tons of vegetables and is easy to freeze. Just add the egg mixture or tortellini at the time of reheating.

Beef Stir Fry with Noodles: This Beef Stir Fry with Noodles recipe has a delicious combination of vegetables, noodles and tender beef tossed together in a savory brown sauce. It’s a healthy dinner idea that’s easy to customize!

Chicken Zucchini Fritters: Crispy Chicken and Zucchini Fritters are deliciously crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. Perfect as a main course or served as an appetizer.

Meatloaf Sweet Potato Muffins: You’ll find this meatloaf sweet potato muffin recipe brings a whole new concept to muffin eating. The savory meatloaf that you’re used to enjoying from a loaf-style pan is a thing of the past.

Stuffed Pepper Soup: This stuffed pepper soup is a hearty meal loaded with ground beef, onions, rice, and bell peppers in a tomato-based broth. It tastes just like classic stuffed peppers, but without all the work!

Casseroles

Other good freezer meals are casseroles. Nothing is easier than removing a casserole from the freezer and placing it straight into the oven.

As a general rule heat most frozen casseroles at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.

Four Cheese Lasagna: This four-cheese lasagna is filled with gooey cheese and homemade pasta sauce. Paired with a salad and garlic bread this is a great meal for a large group.

Classic Chicken Pot Pie: As a variation, I prepare the filling and freeze it. When I am ready to bake the chicken pot pie I place the filling in my dutch oven and then make up a quick batch of drop biscuits for the top. Here is a great recipe from Spend with Pennies.

One Pan Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake: Another one of my favorite freezer meals from Sweet Peas and Saffron.

Easy Baked Ziti Casserole: Who can say no to a cheesy casserole? Not me. Try this yummy casserole from Tastes of Lizzy T.

Stuffed Green Pepper Casserole: This simple and deliciously healthy and gluten-free Stuffed green pepper casserole, made with instant rice and lean ground beef is smothered in gooey melted cheese (low-fat), is easy to make, and requires no stuffing! It can be made ahead and frozen for a quick weeknight meal. 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle Points per serving. A delicious casserole from Food Meanderings.

Low Carb Green Chili Chicken Casserole: This low-carb green chicken Chile casserole is perfect for new moms. It’s freezer friendly and absolutely delicious.

Chicken Spaghetti: Ultra creamy spaghetti with tender chicken and plenty of cheese. Whenever I make this dish everyone always asks for seconds!

Crockpot Freezer Meals

I am a big fan of slow cooker meals. The slow cooker is a great way to turn a cheap cut of meat into a tender juicy meal.

Easy Slow Cooker Chili: This slow cooker recipe for chili is one of my favorite freezer meals. It is so easy to make a huge batch and freeze the leftovers. Honestly, I think the leftovers taste even better than the original batch of chili.

Crock-Pot Beef Barley Stew: I love packaging up and freezing the ingredients for slow cooker freezer meals. Nothing could be simpler on a busy morning than dumping ingredients in a slow cooker and turning it on. Try this stew from Crock-Pot Ladies.

Crockpot Black Bean Soup: This crockpot black bean soup is the perfect thing to serve up as the weather cools down. It’s super easy to make, just chop an onion, bell pepper and pour all of the ingredients in a slow cooker! Freezer instructions included. Find the recipe at Savor and Savvy.

Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers - These stuffed peppers from Sweet Peas and Saffron are made with just five ingredients.

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore: This crockpot chicken cacciatore recipe is not only an easy recipe for your crockpot but if you have any leftovers it is also a great freezer meal.

Slow Cooker Country Style BBQ Ribs with Bell Pepper and Onions: Mouth-watering Country Style Barbecue Ribs with Bell Peppers and Onions served over rice. This is an easy summer dinner recipe your whole family will enjoy!

Instant Pot

I am new to the instant pot world. In fact, right now I am borrowing my mother's instant pot to make sure I like it and it is worth the counter space. Here are a few instant pot freezer meals I am looking forward to trying out.

Easy Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas: Ready to make some super flavorful Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas? Making Chicken Fajitas in the Instant Pot takes no time at all and can be a healthy dinner option. Prep ahead and freeze portions till when needed. Try this recipe from Recipes from a Pantry.

Instant Pot Pumpkin Curry: This Instant Pot pumpkin curry is so rich, warming, and delicious! Made so easy in the Instant Pot, this family-friendly recipe is healthy and filling. Try this recipe from Little Sunny Kitchen.

Instant Pot Chicken and Cheese Taquitos: In just 45 minutes you can go from frozen chicken breasts to delicious taquitos. These taquitos also freeze and reheat really well. Check out the recipe at Thriving Home.

Pressure Cooker Balsamic Ginger Chicken: This delicious chicken recipe can be made in a pressure cooker in less than 30 minutes. Visit This Old Gal for the recipe.

Instant Pot Cuban Beef Picadillo: Inspired by classic Cuban Beef Picadillo, this quick and easy Instant Pot spin on the traditional recipe includes sweet raisins, salty pimento-stuffed olives, and dry white wine.

Instant Pot Chinese Chicken and Broccoli: Super easy dump and start Instant Pot chicken and broccoli dinner made in 20 minutes from start to finish! This family-friendly recipe is loved by adults and children alike, the flavors turn out just incredible!

Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken: Ready in under 30 minutes, this Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken recipe will become a new family favorite dinner! Full of chicken chunks, pineapple, red bell pepper, and a tangy sauce, let the Instant Pot do that hard work for you at your next family dinner with this easy Instant Pot recipe!

Chicken Stew: Ready in under 45 minutes, Instant Pot Chicken Stew is a comforting and filling weeknight dinner to make for your family! Serve this rich stew with your favorite crusty bread and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese!

Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas: Chicken Enchiladas are warm, comforting, and filling. They are a kid-friendly, family favorite, and a crowd-pleaser when you’re feeding guests, your kids’ friends, or attending a potluck. These make-ahead enchiladas are also the perfect freezer meal.

Vegetarian

We are experimenting with purchasing our meat from local farms. The biggest downside so far is the cost. To help us stick to our food budget we are having some meat-free days. Here are a few of our favorite vegetarian freezer meals.

Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup: Gluten-free, vegan sweet potato, and lentil soup is a healthy and tasty meal that will satisfy both your hunger and your tastebuds. This delicious vegetable soup is smooth and filling as well as simple to make. Sweet potato and lentil soup come out creamy, savory, and decadent thanks to ingredients that not only taste amazing but are nourishing for your body as well. Make this recipe from Happy Kitchen.

Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes: Nutrient-dense vegetarian chili made with hearty protein from beans and lentils, and richly flavored with aromatic spices. Perfect for meatless Monday. Find the recipe at Buttered Veg.

Spring Vegetable Lasagna: Enjoy this vegetarian lasagna filled with layers of zucchini, spinach, peas, and creamy ricotta. Find the recipe at Delish Knowledge.

Vegetarian Quinoa Enchilada Bake: This vegetarian quinoa enchilada bake is perfect for stashing in your freezer. It’s delicious and super easy to make.

Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup: This hearty pumpkin and sweet potato soup is comforting and packed with flavor. With roast pumpkin and sweet potato, it's budget-friendly and simple to make.

Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff: This deliciously rich vegan mushroom stroganoff recipe uses coconut cream and nutritional yeast to give perfect creaminess, paprika for a smokiness, and garlic, chives, and white wine to add a deliciously perfumed tang.

Lentil Burgers: These are a flavorful and easy alternative to traditional burgers, very adaptable to your palate, and customizable with a few different ingredients. They're great to have frozen for quick meals.

Zucchini and Leek Soup: This Zucchini and Leek soup is vegan, healthy, and totally delicious. A humble dish that is quick and easy to make but is still bursting with flavor.

Desserts

Let's be honest parenting is hard, which is why I also made sure our freezer was stocked with pre-portioned balls of cookie dough. Some nights a freshly baked cookie was just the little bite of comfort I needed.

Amaretto Chocolate Chip Cookies: These amaretto chocolate chip cookies are bursting with almond/amaretto flavor, which pairs beautifully with the semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Fudgy Lactation Brownies: These Lactation Brownies are not only delicious and helpful with milk supply for new moms, but they freeze well too! A great dessert to bake ahead when preparing for baby.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: These peanut butter chocolate chip cookies have it all. They are soft and chewy in the middle with a surprise gooey caramel center and crispy edges.

Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: These fresh mint chocolate chip cookies are the perfect combination of crispy on the outside and soft and gooey in the middle.

What are some of your favorite freezer recipe ideas? Let me know down in the comments.