Meal Planning for those first weeks after?

jjtyler · April 2014

What are you ladies planning re: freezing/planning for meals right after baby? Any good ideas? Crock pot ideas? I'm getting a csection and hubby is going back two weeks later.

busterbeagle · April 2014

Neither one of us likes freezer meals, so we aren't going to bother. We will do a bunch of grilling, so the freezer is stocked with veggie burgers and steamer bags of veggies. We will also do quesadillas and breakfast for dinner, our two go-to easy meals. I will probably meal plan/make our grocery lists during nursing sessions and then send DH to the store. He will also do the cooking, but he always does.

cnbean · April 2014

I got on pinterest and searched for freezer meals. I was able to come up with several recipes that we really liked and now have frozen. These 2 meals were our favorites of them all. They are a little more prep work on this end compared to a crock pot meal, but so worth it.

https://joelens.blogspot.com/2010/05/pesto-chicken-stuffed-shells.html

https://happymoneysaver.com/freezer-chicken-taquitos-with-cream-cheese/

usernewname · April 2014

I asked DH what he wanted me to make and freeze. He said he didn't want that so he will be taking on the cooking. We shall see how that goes.

But anything pasta (lasagna, Mac and cheese), burritos, etc would work.

I've heard of people putting like a recipe in a ziplock Baggie (meat, produce etc) and freezing until they want to cook them.

ho11yday · April 2014

jjtyler said:

What are you ladies planning re: freezing/planning for meals right after baby? Any good ideas? Crock pot ideas? I'm getting a csection and hubby is going back two weeks later.

So glad someone asked. I was preparing some freezer meals last week and ran out of ideas. I will have another week of vacation I have to use in a week in which case I'll finish the meal plans. My requirements are things that I can either throw in the crockpot or the microwave with only minimal additional foods (like rice) and that DS would probably like (though right now he is being uber-picky).

Thus far, I have made breakfast burritos (sausage, eggs, peppers/onions, and hash browns) x24; bean, rice, and cheese burritos x10; chicken curry x2; scalloped ham and potatoes x2; and meatballs (just add bbq sauce or tomato sauce and pasta) x72 balls or 2 bags.

I have planned for this week (Tuesday/Wednesday) banana bread and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.

dogsombrero · April 2014

I always keep frozen ravioli, cooked chicken, cooked pork, breaded fish filets (there are these yummy tortilla crusted salmon ones DH loves) etc. on hand we bought the easy sides so meals should be fairly easy.

For instance one container of frozen chicken plus a bag of frozen broccoli and 2 broccoli cheddar easy rice pouches= 6 meals. One chicken plus one can of refried beans, salsa, cheddar and sour cream served with tortillas or chips= 4 meals. One pork, 2 boxes of Mac-n-cheese and veggies= 6 meals. One pound of frozen ravioli plus a pound of ground beef, 1 spaghetti sauce and whatever veggies (ie a frozen bag of spinach and an onion)= 6 meals. We are workaholics so we already have a method of lazy cooking established.

We've also been known to do English muffin pizzas, toast a muffin each then top with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella plus any toppings you want and bake at 350 til melty.

Other than that we are taking it as it comes. DH is quite possibly the worst cook I've ever met, luckily his roommates feed him before we moved in together or his entire diet would be fast food.

haylo33 · April 2014

I made freezer meals last week. Chicken noodle casserole, mini lasagna, chicken pot pie, chili, and calzones. My family is also planning on bringing some meals the first week so with all that, it should get us through the first 2 weeks.

Mimaloo · April 2014

I stocked up on chicken breasts - I wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then put into freezer bags. DH can make cutlets so he will be able to just pull out a few at a time, defrost and cook. I'm making a pot of sauce tomorrow that I will freeze in small batches for chicken parm, pasta.

I'm also making a big pot of vegetable soup which I'll freeze in batches - it's healthy, yummy, and great for a snack.

Otherwise my mom will be bringing some meals as will my aunt.

Lizmullen · April 2014

Meatloaf, lasagna, chicken cordon blue casserole and lots of soup ready to go. I'm hoping my aunt brings more but I know my mil is already on wanting to cook duties. We have a small freezer so unfortunately we are limited on space.

Nikkipal82 · April 2014

In my freezer I currently have: tomato sauce with cooked chicken sausage (just cook pasta and serve), chicken and wild rice casseroles, broccoli quiche, white bean chicken chili, and several frozen pizzas. Planning on adding taco soup and enchilada casserole tomorrow. Planned c/s (medically mandated) on Wednesday! Good luck with your meals!

KBowen715 · April 2014

We are having a delivery service and some very nice friends are bringing meals. We will freeze leftovers so we can repurpose them.

Lbarron915 · April 2014

My MIL and I got together last week and made 14 freezer meals (most that go directly in the Croc-pot). We found our recipes on Pinterest and Taste of Home by searching "freezer meals". With the 2 of us, it hardly took any time, and we had a lot of fun. My freezer is TOTALLY full now, and I think it will be nice to not have to worry after the baby gets here about what we want for dinner.

AnnieA75 · April 2014

Pinterest has tons of ideas. Unfortunately, I've found that so many of them are mostly pasta dishes and I'm really determined to go back to low carb meals once DS arrives. So, I came up with some low carb freezer meals that I've been making over the past week:
-- Mini Turkey Meatloaf (used cupcake tins to make each one)
-- Ground Turkey Tacos (lean ground turkey, mexican spices, diced green and red peppers; will serve in lettuce wraps)
-- Shredded Chicken (for Buffalo Chicken Salads: mix with Frank's Red Hot, add salad toppings, and serve over a bed of lettuce with Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing)

This week I'm going to make and freeze some more: Chicken Fajitas, Dijon Chicken, maybe Chicken Chili, and Veggie soup.

RedInLove · April 2014

I'm working on my freezer meals now, doing our usual: breaded chicken breast and pork chops, each with mash potato or mac&cheese; chicken parm; shepherd's pie; turkey and stuffing; lasagna; beef stew; meatloaf; pepper onion pasta bake; bacon egg muffins; pancakes; stuffed shells; garlic bread.

cbrust · April 2014

I did some freezer meals that just need to thaw and bake in the oven (so mostly just casseroles). I have: stuffed pasta shells, turkey tetrazini, lasagna, enchiladas, sloppy joe's (just needs to be heated in a pot) and tonsss of spaghetti sauce.

jjtyler · April 2014

OK, I will check out Pinterest. The great thing is we grill a lot during the summertime. I just want to make sure we aren't eating crap the first month this kid is here.

ns1 · April 2014

Freezer meals here. I have a few in the freezer now: lasagna, margarita pork chops, some chicken stuff for the crock pot, and chicken enchiladas. I also made up some jars of dry mix for waffle batter and steel cut oats (for the crock pot).

ho11yday · April 2014

mkquinnwedding said:
My meal planning for the first few weeks consisted of going to Frys (Kroger) during 4x fuel points

to another AZ mom--that's actually pretty smart. Wish I'd have thought to do that.

LUCKY22 · April 2014

I'm on the fence about actually doing the freezer meals (DH is a great cook and enjoys it - I may just give him that responsiblility). But I found Pioneer Woman's info helpful:

https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/07/freezer-cooking/

Ellastrandlewis · April 2014

This just reinvigorated me to get on my meal planning list... Some freezer winners in our house are:

Pioneer Woman's Sour Cream Noodle Bake

https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/sour-cream-noodle-bake/

Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti

https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/

SkinnyTaste Cheeseburger Casserole

https://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/03/cheeseburger-casserole.html

rainbowsockmonkey · April 2014

My mom and sister cam over this past weekend and we got about 16 meals prepped and in the freezer. Between those, grilling out, eating out and quick meals (pizzas, mac and cheese) DH and I should be set for a while.

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