23 Freezer-Friendly Dinners for Those First Few Months with Baby

Having a new baby means dinner planning becomes way harder when you’re exhausted and have no time. These 23 freezer meals are lifesavers during those crazy first months. Most can be prepped when you’re pregnant or during baby’s naps, then just thrown in the slow cooker or oven later.

The key is making doubles of everything you cook so you always have backup meals ready. These recipes focus on simple ingredients and one-pot meals that don’t create tons of dirty dishes.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole

This is basically a complete meal in one pot. You throw chicken, rice, vegetables, and broth in the slow cooker and let it do its thing. The rice cooks right in with everything so there’s no separate pot to watch. Some recipes add cream of mushroom soup which makes it extra comforting. This freezes great in gallon bags – just dump everything in and lay flat to freeze. Perfect for days when you can barely function but need real food.

Get the recipe here.

Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry Freezer Packs

These are genius because all the prep work is done ahead. You slice the beef and vegetables, toss with sauce, and freeze in bags. When you’re ready to eat, just dump the frozen pack in a hot skillet and cook for like 10 minutes. The vegetables stay crisp and the sauce coats everything perfectly. Make several bags at once with different vegetable combos so you don’t get bored. Serve over rice or noodles that you can make while it cooks.

Get the recipe here.

Lasagna Roll-Ups

These are like individual lasagnas which makes serving easier than cutting a big pan. You cook lasagna noodles, spread ricotta mixture on each one, roll them up, and freeze in a baking dish with sauce. They look fancy but are actually easier than regular lasagna since there’s no layering. You can make different flavors too – some with meat sauce, some with just cheese and spinach. These reheat really well and feel like comfort food when you need it most.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This tastes like enchiladas but without the tedious rolling of individual tortillas. You layer tortillas, shredded chicken, cheese, and sauce in a baking dish. It’s basically Mexican lasagna which is way easier to make. The assembled casserole freezes great and you can bake it straight from frozen – just add extra time. Top with sour cream, avocado, or cilantro when serving. This makes great leftovers too.

Get the recipe here.

Meatball and Marinara Freezer Bags

Make a huge batch of meatballs when you have energy, then freeze them with marinara sauce in bags. You can use them for spaghetti and meatballs, meatball subs, or even just eat them over rice. The meatballs can be beef, turkey, or even chicken depending what you like. Some recipes add vegetables to the sauce which makes it more nutritious. Just heat and serve – doesn’t get much easier than that when you’re sleep deprived.

Get the recipe here.

Shepherd’s Pie

This British comfort food is perfect for freezing. The bottom layer is seasoned ground meat with vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes. You can assemble the whole thing and freeze it, then bake from frozen when needed. Some recipes use sweet potatoes instead of regular which adds extra nutrition. This is hearty and filling which is good when you’re breastfeeding and need substantial meals. Kids love this too once they start eating table food.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken Tikka Masala Freezer Meal

This might sound complicated but there are lots of easy versions using jarred sauce or simple spice blends. You marinate chicken pieces, cook them briefly, then freeze with the sauce. When ready to eat, just simmer until heated through and serve over rice. The flavors actually get better after freezing together. This feels like takeout but costs way less and you know exactly what’s in it.

Get the recipe here.

Beef Stew Freezer Packs

Cut up all the stew ingredients – beef, potatoes, carrots, onions – and freeze them with broth and seasonings. On cooking day, dump everything in the slow cooker and walk away. The long cooking time makes the meat super tender and the vegetables soft. This is perfect comfort food that doesn’t require any skill or attention while cooking. Make extra and freeze the cooked stew too for even easier meals later.

Get the recipe here.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

These are like individual complete meals. You hollow out bell peppers and stuff them with a mixture of ground meat, rice, and seasonings. They freeze great after stuffing but before cooking. Just thaw and bake when ready to eat. You can make different flavors – Mexican with salsa and cheese, Italian with marinara, or Mediterranean with feta and herbs. These look impressive but are actually simple to make.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake

This combines pasta, chicken, broccoli, and alfredo sauce in one casserole dish. It’s comfort food that freezes beautifully. You can use rotisserie chicken to save time or cook your own. Some recipes add breadcrumbs on top for extra texture. This is rich and filling which is perfect when you need substantial food but don’t want to think about cooking. Kids usually love this too.

Get the recipe here.

Turkey Chili Freezer Bags

Chili is one of the best freezer meals because it actually tastes better after freezing. Use ground turkey to keep it lighter, and add beans and vegetables for nutrition. Make a huge pot and freeze in family-sized portions. This is perfect for busy weeknights – just heat and serve with bread or over rice. You can also use it for other meals like chili dogs or nachos.

Get the recipe here.

Breakfast for Dinner Casserole

This is basically a big breakfast bake with eggs, sausage, cheese, and sometimes hash browns or bread. It’s comfort food that works for any meal and kids love the breakfast-for-dinner concept. You can assemble it and freeze unbaked, then cook from frozen when needed. Some versions are like big quiches while others are more like casseroles. Either way, they’re filling and satisfying when you need easy comfort food.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken Teriyaki Freezer Meal

Marinate chicken pieces in teriyaki sauce, then freeze in bags with vegetables like bell peppers and snap peas. When ready to cook, just stir-fry everything together and serve over rice. The marinade keeps the chicken tender and flavorful. You can buy teriyaki sauce or make your own – either works fine. This feels like takeout but is healthier and cheaper. Make several bags at once for quick dinners.

Get the recipe here.

Taco Meat Freezer Packs

Cook ground beef or turkey with taco seasoning, then freeze in portions. This can be used for tacos, burritos, nachos, taco salads, or even just over rice with cheese. It’s versatile and reheats quickly. Some recipes add beans or corn to make it more filling. Having taco meat in the freezer means you can have Mexican food any night without much effort. Perfect for nights when everyone wants something different.

Get the recipe here.

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Skillet

This is comfort food in one pan. Chicken pieces cook with mushrooms in a creamy sauce that you can serve over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. The whole thing freezes well in bags – just heat in a skillet when ready to eat. Some recipes use cream of mushroom soup to make it even easier. This tastes like restaurant food but is simple enough for exhausted new parents to handle.

Get the recipe here.

Vegetable Curry Freezer Bags

Even meat-eaters love a good vegetable curry. Use whatever vegetables you like – potatoes, cauliflower, peas, carrots. The curry sauce can be from a jar or homemade with coconut milk and curry powder. Everything freezes together beautifully and the flavors actually improve. Serve over rice or with naan bread. This is nutritious, filling, and different from typical American comfort food.

Get the recipe here.

Baked Ziti

This is like easier lasagna. You mix cooked pasta with ricotta, marinara sauce, and cheese, then bake until bubbly. It freezes great either before or after baking. Some recipes add meat but it’s plenty filling without it. This feeds a crowd and makes excellent leftovers. Perfect for when you have visitors helping with the baby or just want comfort food that lasts several meals.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken Fajita Freezer Packs

Slice chicken and bell peppers, toss with fajita seasonings, and freeze in bags. When ready to eat, just cook everything in a hot skillet and serve with tortillas and toppings. The prep work is all done ahead which makes dinner super fast. You can make several bags with different colored peppers for variety. This is healthy, tasty, and quick – perfect for new parent life.

Get the recipe here.

Beef Stroganoff

This creamy comfort food freezes surprisingly well. Cook beef strips with mushrooms and onions in a sour cream sauce. Some recipes use cream of mushroom soup to make it easier. Serve over egg noodles or rice. The rich, comforting flavors are perfect when you need food that feels like a hug. This is hearty enough to satisfy hungry adults but mild enough that kids will eat it too.

Get the recipe here.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Freezer Meal

Coat chicken pieces in batter, then freeze with sweet and sour sauce and vegetables like pineapple and bell peppers. When ready to cook, everything goes in a skillet or baking dish. This tastes like Chinese takeout but is healthier and cheaper. The prep work is done ahead so dinner is quick and easy. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Get the recipe here.

Quinoa Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

These are healthy but still filling and satisfying. Large portobello caps get stuffed with a mixture of quinoa, vegetables, and cheese. They freeze well before baking and cook fairly quickly. This is a good vegetarian option that even meat-eaters enjoy. The mushrooms have a meaty texture and the quinoa makes it substantial. These look fancy but are actually pretty simple to make.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken Parmesan Freezer Bake

This is like the restaurant dish but made as a casserole. Breaded chicken pieces get baked with marinara sauce and cheese. You can prep the whole thing and freeze it, then bake from frozen when needed. Serve with pasta or just eat it on its own. This is comfort food that feels special but isn’t complicated. The cheese gets all melty and delicious when baked.

Get the recipe here.

Lentil and Vegetable Soup Freezer Bags

Lentil soup is perfect for new parents because it’s nutritious, filling, and freezes beautifully. You can make a huge pot and freeze in meal-sized portions. Lentils are packed with protein and fiber which is good when you’re breastfeeding. Add whatever vegetables you like – carrots, celery, tomatoes, spinach. This is healthy comfort food that doesn’t require much attention while cooking. Perfect for simmering while baby naps.

Get the recipe here.