Pre-Baby Meal Prep

It can be challenging to find the time to cook with a new baby. But, with a little planning in advance, you can be sure to have healthy foods ready to go in the freezer so you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. In today’s post, I’ll share my favorite meal prep recipes, most of them utilizing extra freezer space, but also some that are non-perishable if you don’t have extra freezer space.

Freezer meal prep ideas

If you have the space, utilizing a freezer is a great way to simplify cooking at any busy time of life.

Slow cooker

These are super simple because all you have to do is combine most of the ingredients (often the liquid is saved until actually cooking) in a gallon-size freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Once you are ready to cook, just thaw overnight in the fridge, then add the contents of the bag to the slow cooker and you are ready to roll. The great thing about these meals is that they are cooked after freezing so they taste fresh! Some ideas include:

• Slow Cooker Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole

• Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew

• Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

• Cilantro Lime Chicken Crockpot Tacos

• Freezer Asian Peanut Chicken

Soups

Soups are another meal that freeze well, especially when the soup is blended. You can freeze them in freezer bags but I often like to freeze them in large containers or these Souper Cubes, which make thawing single servings a breeze. Some of my favorite freezer-friendly soups are:

• Cauliflower White Bean Tahini Soup

• Creamy White Bean and Fennel Soup

• Easy 1-Pot Tomato Soup

• Lemony Lentil Soup

• Spicy Instant Pot Carrot Soup

Casseroles

Another great option when it comes to freezing is casseroles. Try making a double batch next time you make a casserole so that you can freeze one for later. Some recipes that freeze well include:

• Turkey Black Bean Quinoa Bake

• Spaghetti Squash Casserole

• Zucchini Rice Casserole

Baked goods

Finally, baked goods are a great meal prep option. I like having things like muffins and energy bites on-hand. Here are some ideas:

• Banana Walnut Muffins

• Peanut Butter & Banana Energy Bites

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Date Balls

• Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins

• Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

• Whole Wheat Sheet Pan Pancakes

Meal prep that doesn’t require a freezer

If you don’t have extra freezer space, fear not! You can still do plenty of things to make cooking meals after baby is here easier and less time-consuming. Making soup or muffin mixes in mason jars will save on prep time as often you just need to add the liquid and cook or bake! Some examples are:

• Pasta Fagioli Soup Mix

• Spiced Lentil & Split Pea Soup in a Jar

• Whole Wheat Cranberry Orange Muffin Mix

You can also make sure to have your pantry well-stocked with non-perishable items to make cooking easier. Things I recommend storing in the pantry are:

• Broth

• Canned beans and lentils

• Canned coconut milk

• Assorted canned tomatoes, such as diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste

• Whole grains, like quinoa, brown or wild rice, and oats

• Pasta

• Nuts and seeds

• Natural peanut butter (store this in the fridge once it’s open)

As you can see, putting in a little time before baby is here can save you so much time in the long run. Try making one or two things each week then before you know it, you’ll have a freezer and pantry stocked with delicious healthy food. What are your favorite meal prep recipes?