15+ healthy and delicious freezer meals to make and freeze before having a baby or surgery! Gluten-free, easy to make, and satisfying too.
IT’S BABY WEEK!!!
So wild to finally be able to say that! On one hand I feel like I’ve been pregnant for-ev-er, on the other hand I keep asking myself – how are we already here? Either way, this family of four is ready to become a party of five. Baby sis’ room is ready, my hospital bags are packed, and we officially traded in our cool card for a minivan – a swap I’ve never been so excited to make.
Three words: STOW AND GO. Ok three more: POWDER SLIDING DOORS! I’m never going back. Ben is horrified.
In contrast to our large, empty van trunk, my freezer is filled to the brim with meals to thaw and eat post-baby. I didn’t prepare freezer meals prior to having Lincoln and really regretted it. Ben and I survived on so much Chipotle those chaotic weeks post-birth that it wasn’t even funny. Do you know how many Chipotle burrito bowls it takes to be considered unfunny? A lot, because that ish is good.
That said, I learned my lesson with Cameron and stocked our freezer with soups, snacks, and crock pot “freezer kits” prior to having him. Knowing I didn’t have to drag my butt to the store with a toddler + newborn more often then I had to, and more importantly make the decision as to what to whip up for dinner for quite some time, was life saving. I highly recommend that any expecting parent or heck, anyone preparing to be down and out for awhile after having surgery, etc., prep/cook/freeze as many meals as possible in advance.
That said, today I’m sharing 15+ of my favorite freezer meals to make before having a baby, surgery, etc. Not only are these recipes comforting, nourishing, and EASY, but they’re simple to multiply if you choose. For instance, you can make one Crock Pot White Chicken Chili freezer kit just as easily as you can make 10.
A couple years ago I wrote a big, comprehensive post on 50+ Gluten-Free Freezer-Friendly Recipes that you may want to check out as well. Not only does this post contain, yep, 50+ GF/FF recipes, but also freezing tips and what does/doesn’t typically freeze well. My two most important takeaways from that post are:
- Do not freeze warm/hot meals – cool them completely in the fridge before freezing.
- Thaw meals or freezer kits in the refrigerator 24 hours prior to re-warming/cooking vs cooking frozen or thawing on the counter.
With that, I’m officially signing off until baby girl arrives! One thing I also didn’t do after having Lincoln was take any sort of maternity leave (literally I blogged from the hospital – WHYYYYYYYY??) Taking time off to rest and recuperate after having Cameron was what I needed both mentally and physically at that time, and I plan to do the same with baby girl. Ben, the boys and I appreciate and cherish all of your well wishes, prayers, and excitement, and can’t wait to introduce our DAUGHTER to you! Until then…
15+ Freezer Meals:
CrockPot White Chicken Chili
Easy Turkey Chili
Black Bean Soup
Egg Bites Recipe
Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili
Shortcut Vegetable Ragu
Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves
Gluten Free Banana Bread
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Taco Chili
Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars
No-Bake Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites
Getting ready for surgery and needing to prepare food, especially because I won’t be able to lift my arms above my head for a while. This is so helpful!
I’m so glad you found this list helpful, Sebastian, and wishing you the best of luck with your surgery + recovery!
Thank you so much for making this list! I’m due in February with my third baby but first since my celiac diagnosis so this is super helpful! What is your go to GF flour blend to use? I want to try the mini corn dog bites for my big kids and I’m not sure which my my gazillion flours to use!
Congratulations, Molly – that is so exciting! I usually use Bob’s Red Mill GF 1-to-1 baking flour. Schar Mix It! Universal is my new favorite baking blend but it can be hard to find and is pretty expensive. That said, for the mini corn dog bites, you can use a boxed GF corn bread mix if that’s easiest!
Hi. I noticed for you’re crockpot chicken white bean chili you have listed to omit the broth, lime, flour, and milk til cooking to freeze, but in the actual recipe, there is no milk or flour. Should there be or was that a typo?
These are amazing! I’m newly GF and getting ready to have my first baby in a couple of months. These are going on my prep list! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m so glad I found your blog!
Congratulations, Megan!
healthy and delicious freezer meals to make and freeze before having a baby or surgery! Gluten-free, easy to make, and satisfying too.
Can’t wait to try these recipes! Thank you for sharing!! I love it!
Thanks so much. I will be having,surgery is three weeks. Timely post for me as having to eat gluten free.
I have been wanting a minivan for a little while, but husband is not on board. Moms of 3+ kids need to make them cool again! :) I say again, but I am not really sure they ever were, LOL
It took me FOREVER to convince my husband. And I think you’re right – never cool, but definitely FUNCTIONAL, dang it!
Wishing you a safe and healthy delivery and baby! :) I’ve enjoyed your playful, delicious blogs from I think it’s beginning! Many of my meal go-to’s come from IGE, and I appreciate you so much. Thank you for sharing your lovely family with us as well. Enjoy your new adventures!
Getting minivan was harder on me than turning 30, but now that I’ve had it for 4 years I couldn’t live without it. Its a necessity when making the jump to 3 kiddos (and now I have a 4th). Sliding doors and storage is life. Plus the DVD player for our long road trips is like magic.
Congrats on the baby girl and enjoy maternity leave and hanging with your three little ones!
So excited to hear about your baby girls arrival!! This post is amazing. I am due in 3 weeks and I’ve been struggling to come up with GF freezable meals (especially in the summer!) since my husband has Celiac’s disease. I know now what I’ll be cooking for the next 3 weeks! :) Thank you!