meal for new parents

sdpookie13

Friends of ours just had a new baby (#2).  Looking for meal ideas for me to make for them this weekend.  They also have a DD who's the same age is our kiddos so it should be "kid-friendly".  Thoughts?  What were your favorite dishes that you had made for you during those first few weeks?  We had lots of soups but i'm not sure if that would be the best thing for a 2 yr old.  

missmuffin87

My 2yo loves soups. I would do a one pot type thing, like a casserole or crockpot dish that would easy for them to heat up. 

PGASTL

How funny, we are bringing a dinner to our friends tonight who are new parents! This is my go to dish - I make it in 2 separate foil pans and then they can freeze one and we eat one that night.

(Tonight I will bring salad, pasta, and bread and we all eat together but I even bring paper plates and plastic utensils and all the serving stuff in a laundry basket so I can serve them and clean up and they can visit with us but not feel like they have to do anything).

 Here is my recipe - it's super easy but works for even picky siblings:

1 mild country sausage or 1lb ground beef

1 jar ragu traditional spaghettie sauce (1lb 10oz)

1 box tube shaped pasta cooked & drained

1 1/2 cups shredded mozz cheese

1/4 cup parmesan (the stuff in the green can is fine)

Cook sausage in large saucepot till browned (add some fresh cracked black pepper and some red pepper flakes for a little extra flavor). Turn off heat, pour off fat & return to pot.

Stir in pasta sauce, ziti, & 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Spoon into foil pan (I like to use 2 smaller square pans) Top with remaining mozzarella and all of the parm. I like to add some salt and more pepper too.

Bake at 350 or until hot.

To freeze: prepare but don't bake. Bake frozen ziti, uncovered at 350 degrees for 60 minutes or until hot. Check at 45 minutes, if top is getting too browned, cover with foil.

theuntaggablek

I do quiche a lot to take to people - you can put in whatever vegetables/cheese/herb/ optional meat you have on hand and it's a versatile food (could be breakfast, lunch, or dinner). (Spinach, cheddar & ham; tomatoes & feta; Mushrooms, onion & swiss).

Plus, esp if you use the premade crusts, it's easy to make 2-3 at a time and stick one in the freezer or have one for dinner yourself.

EMOmamma

If you have the time I would roast a whole chicken.  It's easy, just has to cook for so long - you could do one for yourself at the same time though.  Rub it with butter and herbs and fill the roasting pan with veggies like carrots, celery, potatoes, turnips, an apple, and squeeze a lemon over all of it.  Plus a loaf of bread or bag of salad and it's a meal.  They can eat it as just chicken and/or shred it up for tacos, soup, chicken salad, ect.  And it's not so heavy like casseroles.

onlymeggan

I'm going to suggest what I hope someone will bring me in a few weeks.  LASAGNA!!!!!!   I love lasagna lol

Nicole0012

We loved the baked ziti someone brought for us! Other meals that were great included homemade chicken noodle soup (using the extra-wide egg noodles... mmmmm!) and shepherd's pie.  

mamaholmes2010

Nicole0012:

We loved the baked ziti someone brought for us! Other meals that were great included homemade chicken noodle soup (using the extra-wide egg noodles... mmmmm!) and shepherd's pie.  

I am bringing baked ziti and fresh italian bread over to my friend tonight.  She had a RCS and has an 18 month old at home. = )

JoJoMama730

PGASTL:

How funny, we are bringing a dinner to our friends tonight who are new parents! This is my go to dish - I make it in 2 separate foil pans and then they can freeze one and we eat one that night.

(Tonight I will bring salad, pasta, and bread and we all eat together but I even bring paper plates and plastic utensils and all the serving stuff in a laundry basket so I can serve them and clean up and they can visit with us but not feel like they have to do anything).

 Here is my recipe - it's super easy but works for even picky siblings:

1 mild country sausage or 1lb ground beef

1 jar ragu traditional spaghettie sauce (1lb 10oz)

1 box tube shaped pasta cooked & drained

1 1/2 cups shredded mozz cheese

1/4 cup parmesan (the stuff in the green can is fine)

Cook sausage in large saucepot till browned (add some fresh cracked black pepper and some red pepper flakes for a little extra flavor). Turn off heat, pour off fat & return to pot.

Stir in pasta sauce, ziti, & 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Spoon into foil pan (I like to use 2 smaller square pans) Top with remaining mozzarella and all of the parm. I like to add some salt and more pepper too.

Bake at 350 or until hot.

To freeze: prepare but don't bake. Bake frozen ziti, uncovered at 350 degrees for 60 minutes or until hot. Check at 45 minutes, if top is getting too browned, cover with foil.

Yeah, this is one of my fav go-to dishes too!  We use the hot breakfast sausage, and it's sooo good.  I even do like you do, and make it in two 9x9s, with one going right into the freezer.  YUM.  You can also add onion, green pepper, etc. to make it more like a mostaccioli dish.  Great idea!