Whether you want to make meals for yourself postpartum or a friend, you’ll love these dairy-free freezer meal ideas for new moms!
Being a new parent is not for the faint of heart. You have to be willing to sacrifice your self – and your self-care – for the good of this tiny stranger who you just met.
One thing that really went out the window for me after having my babies was cooking. I just could not even. It was beyond my grasp.
Take out and meals sent from friends were really the hugest blessing during that time.
Here are all of our favorite freezer meals for new parents!
Giving frozen meals as a gift to new parents
One of the greatest gifts that you can give to new parents is a delicious meal.
Why make freezer meals for new parents?
The best gifts we ever got after our babies were born was food. Sometimes we had friends send delivery food and that was great.
But having local friends bring meals over just meant that we didn’t have to do meal planning, we didn’t have to think, we just ate. That’s what you really want after having a newborn!
What is a good meal to bring a new mom?
Here are some things I like to keep in mind when bringing food to someone after their baby arrives:
- Do they have other kids? Be sure it is kid/toddler/whoever friendly
- What do they like to eat normally? If you know they love Mexican food for example, that would be a real treat?
- What take out do they get? They are probably ordering takeout right about now, so try to think of something different. If they always order pizza, don’t bring a frozen pizza.
- Do they tend to eat healthy or prefer comfort food?
When in doubt, text or call someone other than the mom (such as the dad, or her family member or a mutual friend) and ask!
Feeling lazy? Here are the best ready-to-eat meals for new parents you can get at Costco!
Don’t forget side dishes + dessert
Beggars can’t be choosers, but especially if you are making frozen meals for new parents as a gift, try to really make it a rounded out meal!
It feels extra special to have extra sides and a dessert. I’ll tell you, after my son was born, someone brought us a meal that included a big pan of brownies. The brownies were such a treat I kept them all to my self!
Sides could be as simple as a frozen veggie or garlic bread, or even a bag of ready-to-eat salad mix. If the new parents already have a small child, you can’t go wrong throwing in a bag of frozen french fries or nuggets!
Things to keep in mind when gifting freezable meal recipes for new moms
- Always use disposable dishes or things you don’t want back. No new parent wants to be washing and returning your casserole dish!
- Be sure to ask if there are any dietary restrictions or special needs. Some breast feeding moms have to go gluten free or dairy free suddenly to deal with newborn digestive issues.
- Check to see if they have a crock pot or instant pot before gifting a frozen meal that requires one.
- If your meal is complemented well with a sauce – like barbecue sauce, sour cream, or salad dressing – throw in a bottle. Nothing worse than having to eat a dry baked potato, and new parent’s fridges aren’t always stocked!
Easy freezer meals for new moms to make themselves
It’s also great to make frozen meals before your baby is born so that you have ready to go meals for yourself. Nothing wrong with that!
When should I make freezer meals during my pregnancy?
Frozen food is generally good for about 3 months. If you want to have food for the first two months after having a baby, aim to make the meals during the final 30 days leading up to your due date!
Try to batch your cooking in one meal prep day and recruit a friend or family member to help!
How many freezer meals should you make before baby?
Honestly, the limit on frozen meals to make before baby arrives is your freezer space. The more meals you have, the better. Remember to leave room in the freezer for breast milk storage if you plan to breastfeed – the first few weeks are really wild.
When you are making meals for yourself, double or triple the recipe. It is no extra work and results in extra nights you won’t have to worry in the future!
Dairy-Free friends?
It can be hard to come up with a dairy-free recipe idea if you are used to making food with dairy in it. So, hopefully, this guide will help to inspire you!
Meal ideas for new parents
- The best Costco meals for new parents
- Freezer meals for new moms
- Vegetarian freezer meals for new parents
- Paleo freezer meals for new parents
- Dairy-free freezer meals for new parents
- Gluten-free freezer meals for new parents
- Crock pot freezer meals for new parents
- One handed meals for new moms
- Breakfast freezer meals for new moms
- One pot meals for new moms
Here are some of my favorite freezer friendly dairy-free meals to make for new parents!
The best dairy-free freezer meals for new moms
Want to help some new parents out? Here are the best dairy-free make ahead freezer meals to gift to new moms!
Hearty slow cooker beef stew, loaded with vegetables, super tender meat, and packed with incredible flavor. Dig into classic comfort food after a long day, this crock pot recipe is family dinner perfection! Great make-ahead meal and freezer friendly.
This Easy Chili Recipe comes together quickly, but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Made with ground beef, beans, and classic chili seasonings, it’s thick, hearty, and perfect comfort food anytime and freezes beautifully for a great future meal!
Rich creamy coconut milk curry is a wonderful freezable meal with a ton of flavor. This vegan curry is packed with protein and vegetables for a completely satisfying one pot meal.
For flavors of Greece, make this easy chicken thigh skillet dinner. All the greek-inspired vegetables, juicy chicken, and the bright lemon sauce make a healthy freezer-friendly meal.
Make this amazing Slow Cooker Beef Stew with all the tips I gathered from the pros at the Bar U Ranch Chuckwagon Stew Cook-off! Made with whiskey, potatoes, carrots, celery, and fresh herbs, this stew is gluten-free, dairy-free and Weight Watchers friendly!
This Navy Bean Soup is a simple, hearty, and flavorful bean soup recipe filled with leftover ham and tender cooked navy beans. Perfect for freezing as a gift for lunch or dinner with a side of buttery bread.
The best ever vegan chili recipe packed with flavor, quinoa, beans and corn. Easy to make and perfectly comforting and delicious.
This thick and hearty vegan beef stew recipe is the best Irish inspired comfort food ever. Vegetarian meatless stew with veggies and potatoes.
This delicious vegan lasagna recipe has dairy-free ricotta, mozzarella, tempeh, spinach and fresh basil, all layered between tasty noodles!
This easy and creamy vegan mac and cheese recipe is packed with flavor and is the ultimate dairy-free comfort food!
This vegan dal makhani is a comforting and satisfying curry. It's made with black lentils, warm spices and creamy coconut milk.
This slow cooker White Chicken Chili is healthy, hearty and so easy to make! Make up a large batch and freeze any leftovers for a quick and convenient dinner!
Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese – the epitome of comfort food! Loaded with rich, cheesy and buttery goodness that'll have you coming back for seconds. It's perfect for weeknight meals or holiday entertaining.
Easy Chicken Vegetable Soup is a delicious dairy free recipe you can make ahead and store in the freezer. Make this vegetable soup in the crockpot, instant pot or the stove.
Rich, delicious and full of flavor, this vegan lentil bolognese is made with roasted vegetables for a hearty and filling meat-free recipe. Simple to make, it's perfect for meal prep and freezer meals.
This one pan chicken dinner freezes beautifully and is so easy to make, yet looks and tastes like a 5 star restaurant meal!
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I’m Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I’ve made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨👩👧👦🎈