Make-Ahead Meals for New Moms

When I found out my friend Jamie was moving to the suburbs the same month her second child was due, there was one thing I knew I had to do: stock her basement chest freezer with easy-to-eat food! When researching freezer-friendly ideas, I kept my focus on foods that are vegetarian, as her husband doesn’t eat meat, and that could be prepared and eaten on the fly. Here are the three ideas and recipes that made the cut.

In college, Jamie pretty much lived on grilled cheese sandwiches. To honor of her long-standing devotion to this classic comfort food, I set out to find a freezer-friendly version that we could make ahead in bulk. Riffing off this recipe from Once a Month Meals, I created a version that combines Old El Paso’s Thick ‘n Chunky Salsa, cream cheese and American cheese to make an extra-oozy, flavorful roll-up. Served with salsa on the side, these little nuggets of goodness will please both Jamie, her husband and their 3-year-old daughter. Win!

Jamie and her husband both love Mexican food and vegetables, so we put a spin on these Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos, swapping the pork sausage for roasted vegetables dusted with chili powder and brown rice. Working assembly-line style, it wasn’t long before we had four dozen burritos, bundled in foil and ready for the freezer.

On the hunt for a nutrition-packed, make-ahead breakfast, I happened upon this post on All Things Katie Marie about make-ahead freezer smoothie packs. Knowing Jamie’s appreciation for green smoothies in the morning, we whipped up a dozen Skinny Green Monsters and Slammin’ Surprise Green Smoothies, to stock her freezer. After her baby arrives and hunger strikes, all she (or her husband) has to do is pop a pack in the blender, add some milk, and hit on.

Are there freezer-friendly meals you like to gift new moms (and dads)? If so, I’d love to learn about your go-tos!