Easy & Nourishing Make-Ahead (and Freeze) Recipes for the Postpartum Mother

Postpartum is considered the “fourth trimester,” a time when a woman and her baby are supposed to rest, recover from birth, and bond. In our modern world, there is a lot of pressure for women to bounce back immediately and be back to cooking meals for the family right away.

Unfortunately, I did exactly that with my first four children, and it completely drained me and took so much away from a very precious time with my baby. After reading The First Forty Days in the days postpartum with my fourth baby, I decided that I would not repeat the same pattern. I would honor that sacred time with my next baby by preparing ahead.

The best ways to prepare ahead are to make a bunch of meals and freeze them, or to ask family and friends to bring meals over for you in the first few weeks. To make things easier, I asked some of my fellow foodie bloggers for their best make-ahead-and-freeze recipes. Do not be afraid to give people this recipe list and ask if they could prepare a couple of recipes for you in those early days postpartum, most people would LOVE to help!

This recipe compilation is loaded with healthy recipes that nourish the new mother so she can heal and properly care for and bond with her new baby. Please share this post with moms-to-be in your life, and make sure they are sharing it with their friends and family, so they can get healthy meals delivered to them too!

Breakfast Recipes

• Freezer-Friendly Blueberry Banana Oatmeal by Salty Canary
• Strawberries and Cream Baked Oatmeal by Two Pink Peonies
• Lactation Oatmeal Recipe by Two Pink Peonies
• Healthier Vegan Morning Glory Muffins by Real Ordinary Food
• Easy Blueberry Turkey Meatballs by Wholesome Family Living
• Keto Egg Casserole with Bacon and Broccoli by All Nutritious
• Fluffy Crustless Quiche by Delicious Obsessions
• Taco Egg Muffins by Delicious Obsessions
• Freezer-Friendly Hard-Boiled Egg Quesadillas by Salty Canary
• Healthy Breakfast Tacos by Nourish Nutrition
• High-Protein Freezer Breakfast Burritos by The Toasty Kitchen
• Breakfast Burritos by Healthy Kitchen 101
• Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches by Bake & Bacon
• Freeze Ahead Turkey Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches by Spoon Fork Bacon
• Freezer-Friendly Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches by The Forked Spoon

Soup & Chili Recipes

• 5-Minute Freezer Chicken Soup by The Soccer Mom Blog
• Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup by Wholesome Yum
• Freezer-Friendly Salsa Chicken Soup by Carmy
• Keto Hamburger Soup by Cassidy’s Craveable Creations
• Hamburger Vegetable Soup by The Rising Spoon
• Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup by Aubrey’s Kitchen
• Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup by Healthy Christian Home
• Hearty Beef and Cabbage Soup by Delicious Obsessions
• Stuffed Pepper Soup by Savoring the Good
• Assyrian Meatball Soup by Hilda’s Kitchen Blog
• Healthy Vegan Potato Cauliflower Broccoli Soup by My Plantiful Cooking
• Cheddar Broccoli Soup by I Heart Recipes
• Fresh Tomato Soup by I Heart Recipes
• Freezer-Friendly Instant Pot Tomato Soup by Carmy
• Honey Roasted Parsnip Soup by Carmy
• Palak Soup (Indian Spinach Soup) by Low Carb Yum
• AIP Tom Kha Gai by Eat Beautiful
• Kale and White Bean Soup by Cost Contessa
• Instant Pot White Bean Soup (Vegan Caldo Gallego) by A Taste for Travel
• Vegan Serbian White Bean Soup by Ve Eat Cook Bake
• Vegan Sweet Potato Soup by Moon and Spoon and Yum
• Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup by Happy Kitchen
• Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup by Feast for a Fraction
• Instant Pot Lentil Soup by Feast for a Fraction
• Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup with Kale by The Mama Maven
• Savory Instant Pot Lentil Soup by Real Ordinary Food
• The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili by Happy Kitchen
• The Ultimate Vegan Chili by Vegan Huggs
• Easy Slow Cooker Vegan Chili by Strength & Sunshine
• Vegan Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili by The Pesky Vegan
• Tofu and Black Bean Chili by Sarah’s Vegan Guide
• Superfood Chili by Wholesome Family Living
• Mexican Chili Verde by Savoring the Good
• Creamy White Chicken Chili by The Rising Spoon
• Beef & Chorizo Chili by The Rising Spoon

Lunch & Dinner Recipes

Vegetarian & Vegan:

• Simple Vegan Lentil Bolognese by Sarah’s Vegan Recipes
• Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese by By the Forkful
• Vegan Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain “Lasagna”) by Sense & Edibility
• Healthier Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain “Lasagna”) by Sense & Edibility
• Vegan Meal Prep Burrito Bowl by Sarah’s Vegan Recipes
• Vegetarian Freezer Enchiladas by Delicious Obsessions
• Vegetarian Quinoa Enchilada Bake by Two Pink Peonies
• Enchilada Mini Cakes by Vegan Dollhouse
• Veggie Sausage and Bean Casserole by A Mummy Too
• Lemon Chickpea And Rice Casserole by Strength & Sunshine
• Healthy Vegan Shepherd’s Pie by By the Forkful
• Instant Pot Kala Chana (Black Chickpeas) by Culinary Shades
• Instant Pot Chana Masala by Culinary Shades
• Instant Pot Coconut Masoor Dal Tadka by My Plantiful Cooking
• Vegan Thai Red Curry by Entertaining with Beth
• Creamy Aubergine (Eggplant) Curry by Moon and Spoon and Yum
• Eggplant Chickpea Peanut Curry by Rhian’s Recipes
• Red Kidney Bean Burger Bowls by All Nutritious
• Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf by Strength & Sunshine
• Vegan Meatballs by Strength & Sunshine
• Healthy Air Fryer Falafel by Strength & Sunshine
• Ethiopian Cabbage by Urban Farmie

Chicken & Turkey:

• Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken by Little Sunny Kitchen
• Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken by Little Sunny Kitchen
• Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs with Broccoli and Carrots by Carmy
• Instant Pot Rojo Fiesta Chicken by This Old Gal
• Chicken Burrito Skillet by Healthy with a Chance of Sprinkles
• Freezer-Friendly White Chicken Enchiladas by White Kitchen Red Wine
• Easy Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas by Recipes from a Pantry
• Buffalo Chicken Casserole by Delicious Obsessions
• Cheesy Crustless Chicken Pot Pie Casserole by Healthy Christian Home
• Super Easy Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta by Ottawa Mommy Club
• Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll-ups by Ally’s Sweet and Savory Eats
• Slow Cooker Whole Chicken by Recipes from a Pantry
• Cinnamon Chicken by Budget Delicious
• Chicken Shawarma Wrap by Budget Delicious
• Skinny Turkey Taco Skillet by White Kitchen Red Wine

Beef & Lamb:

• Instant Pot Mongolian Beef by This Old Gal
• Easy American Chop Suey by Cooking Journey
• Instant Pot (or Slow Cooker) Savory Italian Pot Roast by Healthy Christian Home
• Thai Inspired Beef and Spinach Bowl by Nourish Nutrition
• Dairy-Free Meatballs by Cassidy’s Craveable Creations
• Easy Low Carb Keto Meatballs by Wholesome Yum
• Easy Lasagna by Fluxing Well
• Individual Freezer Lasagnas by Carmy
• Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Shells by Wholesome Made Easy
• Pizza Pasta Casserole by Valerie’s Kitchen
• Low Carb Stuffed Peppers by Low Carb Yum
• Crockpot Beef Stroganoff by Savoring the Good
• Beef and Mashed Potato Casserole by Healthy Life Trainer
• Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) by Healthy Life Trainer
• Easy Low Carb Mexican Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole by Eat Beautiful
• Low Calorie & Cheap Freezer Burritos by Stack Your Dollars
• Freezer-Friendly Steak Burritos by Carmy
• Herby Lamb with Orzo by A Mummy Too
• Lamb Kofta Curry (Pakistani Style) by So Yummy Recipes
• Aloo Gosht (Pakistani-Style Lamb & Potato Curry) by So Yummy Recipes

Pork:

• Slow Cooker Keto Marinated Asian Pork Tenderloin by Keto Focus
• Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs by Cook at Home Mom
• Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs by Peace, Love, and Low Carb
• Keto Chaffle Calzone by Eat Beautiful

Other Recipes

• Watermelon Ice Lollies by Keep Calm and Eat Ice Cream
• Instant Pot Seitan by My Plantiful Cooking
• Freezer Meals 101: How to Make Your Own Frozen Meals by I Heart Recipes

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