Preparing for Baby's Arrival---Freezer Meals

Updated on August 24, 2013
L.. asks from Kirkland, WA
12 answers

Hi mamas!

I am about 34 weeks pregnant with our first baby, and I'd like to have some meals ready to heat up for after delivery to make it easier on my husband and other family members coming over.

We don't really buy "ready made" freezer food (pizzas, Stouffer's, etc), and we don't freeze food usually because it's always been just the two of us and we cook everything fresh from scratch.

So, I need some tips. What foods freeze and reheat well? Besides chili and spaghetti sauce, I'm out of ideas! We don't have to have a ton of food prepared, but I'd like to have some things that are easy to put together.

Thanks so much!!

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Lasagne
casseroles
meat loaf

You could also do pulled pork - just throw it in the slow cooker and add bar-b-que sauce after it's cooked and pulled apart. VERY easy and usually a big hit!

1 mom found this helpful

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Congrats!
You have pretty good ideas so far. I would only add that I have done taco meat cooked and seasoned and then freeze it. Taco meat really doesn't take long at all, but sometimes you are really tired or short on time and always tastes so good! ;) Plus, you could always add it to a casserole or something like that instead.

Also, maybe look up a few crock pot recipes that sound good. Buy some of the ingredients and that way you can throw it in there when you have time..maybe even in the middle of the night when the baby gets up and you can't sleep. The great thing about the crock pot is that once it's in it's in and you don't have to mess with it, and you have a window of a few hours to get it in there and don't have to feel rushed.

Casseroles are nice because it will likely feed you guys for a few days since it's just the two of you and maybe some grandparents or visitors. You might consider halving the recipes of a casserole too, which will save you on freezer space and (potentially) wasted food since only 2 people are eating.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Forgive me if I repeat, I've not read the other replies.

I make homemade marinara sauce. When I do, I double my plan and I freeze portions of marinara sauce. This has also been great for my daughter who just moved into her condo. She said last night at our girls night out that she loves my homemade marinara vs a jar. I put about 3 smaller but enough for 2 containers in her freezer.

I also prepare manicotti and stuffed shells. I prepare double then individually wray each and freeze. Super easy to nuke or oven bake a couple shells/manicotti with marinara. Just add a salad and bread!!

I have a chicken pot pie homemade recipe that freezes well. I used to take 1 fresh and 1 frozen to moms in our neighborhood with new babies, hospital, cancer treatment.

Lasagna does freeze well.

Soups, we love soups, chili and beef stew!

I also keep frozen fish... Easy to thaw and bake !

Congratulations.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from New York on

Congratulations!!

Since YOU are the 34 week pregnant one, I'd say the prepared foods should be whatever your husband can whip up. If he gets started now, by the time baby comes you will have a good bunch of meals.

Don't give yourself any extra stress!!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.D.

answers from Jacksonville on

Ziti freezes well- assemble it to the point right before baking. I use those foil pans. I cover with foil and store in the freezers. Thaw it in the fridge and bake for 45 minutes. Also, chicken breasts- take boneless skinless breasted and put in freezers bags with various marinades. These are great because they don't take up too much space. You can thaw and bake or grill.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Cleveland on

check out pinterest and google freezer crock pot meals. you will be overwhelmed at the results. if you buy the frozen chicken breasts, place them in the ziplock bags with the other ingredients and then through the whole bag into the crock pot. porkchops also do okay in the crock pot.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, check it out! They have some great frozen meals that are not full of chemicals and sodium. They have things like microwave bags of brown rice that can save a ton of time. They also have a huge selection of sauces and marinades- Thai, Indian, etc etc. You can get some microwave rice, frozen naan, curry sauce, and frozen shrimp, add a few fresh veggies that day and you have a whole Indian meal in about 15 minutes worth of prep time.
Best of luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Congrats!
Meatballs - for Sammies or pasta.
Soups of all kinds.
Stew.
Make hamburger patties & freeze.
Stuffed peppers.
Lasagna.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Meatballs, meatloaf, sausage for sandwiches, lasagna, enchiladas, shepherds pie..chicken pot pie. Soups- potato leek, mushroom, chicken noodle. Mac and cheese for lunches....Mexican rice tastes better out of the freezer! I double recipes and then freeze dinner size portions. I also cook up a big pork shoulder and freeze dinner size bags of taco meat. If you've never made Refried beans in the crock pot, there is a recipe at allrecipes that is amazing. I do up a double batch and freeze bags of it...

I also always have chicken legs and quarters in the freezer. I will just defrost and throw them on the grill with a little oil and salt. Add rice and beans, super simple meal.

1 mom found this helpful

I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

I went and bought those plastic quart containers and froze 16 quarts of soup. We eat mostly fresh foods that have to be prepped on the spot and we just went plant based, so I didn't want to get or make lasagnas and other cheesy dishes. I made African peanut and also a lentil soup. Also stocked up on foods to give my kids: bagels, breads, burritos, orange chicken, peas, corn.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Casseroles (lasagna, tuna, mexican)

I also freeze soups.

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