Motherhood is an exciting, beautiful journey, but let’s be honest! It can also be exhausting. When you’re juggling late night feedings, diaper changes, and endless to-do lists, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen.
With a little planning and preparation, you can make sure you’ve got healthy, easy-to-heat meals ready to go whenever you need them. Here’s how to fill your freezer with nutritious, budget-friendly meals that will make your postpartum days a whole lot easier.
1. Bulk Cooking for the Win
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, some of the easiest meals to bulk cook are family favorites like spaghetti bolognese and shepherd’s pie.
These are perfect because they can be easily modified to pack in extra nutrients without anyone noticing!
Spaghetti Bolognese: Add grated carrot, zucchini, and lentils into the sauce. You’ll stretch the meat further and add fiber, iron, and extra goodness. Perfect for recovery and milk supply.
Shepherd’s Pie: Load it up with peas, corn, carrots, or spinach. It freezes beautifully and makes a hearty, comforting meal you can just heat and eat.
2. More Freezer-Friendly Meal Ideas for Busy Mums
If you want to add variety to your freezer stash, here are a few more simple, wholesome options:
Chicken and Vegetable Soup – Great for lunches or light dinners. Make a big pot, then freeze in single servings. You can even drink it from a mug while feeding your baby!
Mild Curry (like Butter Chicken or Vegetable Korma) – Curries freeze wonderfully and taste even better after a few days. Pair them with rice for a quick, filling dinner.
Homemade Burritos or Wraps – Fill tortillas with beans, rice, veggies, and cooked chicken or mince. Wrap individually in foil and freeze. Heat them in a sandwich press and your ready to go.
Pasta Bakes or Lasagna – Layer pasta, sauce, and cheese, then bake and portion it into foil trays. A crowd-pleaser that reheats perfectly. Bulk the sauce out with grated veges and lentils for extra nutrients.
Beef or Veggie Casserole – Casseroles are ideal for freezing and can be made with whatever veggies you have on hand. Add lentils or beans for extra protein and fiber. Serve with potatoe mash, rice or even on toast.
Homemade Stews or Mince Mixes – Make a big pot of savoury mince or stew that can be served over rice, mashed potato, or even toast. Simple, hearty, and satisfying.
Homemade Muffins or Banana Bread – Perfect for quick snacks when you’re up at 3 a.m. Feed your body (and your soul) with something homemade and nutritious. I like to double the ingredients and make 2 at a time.
3. Containers Are Your Best Friend
Once your meals are ready, portion them out into foil trays or reusable containers (you can find them at the dollar store or The Warehouse) or even zip lock bags. Label each one with the meal name and date. It makes life so much easier later!
Individual servings are great for quick lunches, while larger trays work for family dinners.
Just take one out the night before to defrost and then all you need to do is reheat the following day.
4. Start Your Day Right: Porridge Power
Don’t forget about breakfast! A warm bowl of porridge is nourishing, easy to make, and helps boost your milk supply if you’re breastfeeding.
Add fruit, seeds, or a drizzle of honey for extra flavor and nutrition. You can even make overnight oats. Just soak oats in milk or yogurt overnight for a ready made, no cook breakfast.
Simple Prep, Big Rewards
By spending a few hours cooking and freezing meals before your baby arrives, you’re giving yourself one of the best gifts possible time and peace of mind.
When life gets busy, you’ll have wholesome, home-cooked meals ready to go, so you can focus on what really matters: resting, bonding, and enjoying those precious early moments with your baby