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
I tell everyone who will listen that preparing meals and healthy snacks to go in the freezer before having our son was one of the best things I ever did! Your Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars were one of the snacks! I can still remember eating one in the car on the way to our first check-up. Memories! … Best wishes!!!
Woooo hooooo baby time! Thank you so much for this post! I am also having my 3rd baby later this year and with 2 other littles it is going to be harder, but also more important than ever, to have meals prepped! These are all awesome ideas!
Also, I am so happy for your minivan purchase! I am a minivan evangelist since getting my Honda Oddyssey soon after my 2nd was born! Sliding doors are life, lol! I’m guessing you got a Pacifica because of the mention of stow and go seats. That’s the one feature I wish the Oddyssey had! I would love to see how you configure your car seats once you guys are settled :)
These look great and I will be trying some for sure! Good luck with everything; enjoy your break and especially your baby girl!
Been following you since before your babies were born – excited to hear all about the addition of your new baby girl. Best Wishes!!!
My daughter who said, before child, she’d never have a minivan, now has a 4 year old and a minivan. Never say never! Enjoy that baby girl when she arrives, can’t wait to see pictures.
I have been stocking up our freezer with food for after baby comes too!
Wheeee! So excited for you and Ben and big brothers! Can’t wait to see pics of little girlie ;) Prayers for a easy and fast recovery (hang in there!)! We are all rooting for you and YAY for the minivan-they rock!
It’s awesome that you know you’re having your baby this week! I didn’t enjoy the “maybe she’ll come today?” feeling at the end of my last pregnancy, haha. I hope everything goes well and enjoy your time away from the blog!
And totally unrelated, but have you read Deep Nutrition? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
“Ben is Horrified”……I seriously laughed out loud! Wishing you safe delivery and can’t wait to “meet” baby girl.
I keep checking for news! Happy baby week! I’m neither having a baby or surgery but I will be returning to teaching soon and have another job as well so these recipes will come in very handy for me. Bad choices happen after a long day and having my freezer stocked will so help me. Thanks! And best wishes to you and your family. :)
Love, love loose meat sandwiches, and still make them to this day, only in IL they were Maid-Rites, from the chain that sold them. Introduced my kids to them in the eighties, and we still love them! Best wishes as you welcome your baby girl!
Good luck to you and your family, I’ll be sending LOTS of positive wishes your way!!
I see you don’t have your cheesy taco soup in here. Have you ever freeze it before? If so, how did it turn out?