Parents who have recently welcomed the tiniest little human into their lives might not have the time to cook for themselves. Whether you’re planning on visiting them or stopping by their apartment to check on them, we suggest cooking them one (or more!) of these new parent meals to help them out.
We can assure you that nothing prepared them for the level of exhaustion and elation that comes with the early days of parenthood. More often than not, new parents focus on feeding the little one rather than feeding themselves and that’s why they end up running on a piece of toast and a cup of coffee.
With a little help from you, there’s no reason why they wouldn’t be able to enjoy a freezer-friendly meal every day of the week. Before whipping up a freezer feast for the tired Mom and Dad, make sure they have enough space in the freezer to accommodate it.
Opt for containers they don’t need to return (too much hassle!) and label them with the dish’s name, instructions, and maybe a little note to make the gesture extra special. Becoming a parent can be a challenging road to take alone, and that’s why we’re here to help you help your friends in need.
Let’s go!
12 new parent meals to make for the tired Mom and Dad
1. Shepard’s Pie
Oh, you can’t go wrong with a Shepard’s Pie, right? With a bunch of veggies, high-quality ground beef, and silky smooth potatoes, Shepard’s Pie makes for one of the best freezer-friendly meals out there. Prepare one from scratch and your friends are going to adore you.
It’s a classic. It’s perfect for parents who need a quick weeknight dinner. It’s everything you need and more when you’re figuring out how to navigate life with a newborn baby.
2. Slow cooker BBQ pulled pork
When you’re not willing to break the bank to gift your friends a slow cooker as a way of saying “I know you’re having a hard time, but I’m here for you!” – we’ve got your back. Make them some slow cooker BBQ pulled pork sandwiches for dinner and see how they react.
Moreover, make sure to save the extra pulled pork for them to prepare when you’re gone, too.
Slow cooker BBQ pulled pork might be the simplest recipe you can make – rub a boneless pork shoulder with spices and a binder of your choice, throw it in the slow cooker together with some stock, and let it cook until the meat starts falling apart. Coat it with barbecue sauce, pile it into a big Tupperware container, and you’re good to go.
3. Jam Bars
Sweets aren’t on the list of priorities for parents who are trying to keep up with a baby, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t craving something sweet to pick them up when they’re down. We’re all fans of jam bars and similar desserts, but nobody’s got the time to prepare them. Well, that’s where you step in.
Packed with almond butter and rolled oats, jam bars are pretty easy to make and they’re perfect to keep in a container and munch on whenever you get the chance. Opt for the parents’ favorite jam and you’re going to become their favorite visitor, too.
4. Cheesy chicken noodle casserole
Casserole dishes are a must when you’re visiting a tired Mom and Dad who aren’t able to think about feeding themselves. Contrary to popular belief, a cheesy chicken noodle casserole is freezer-friendly and is a great way to surprise new parents.
Packed with veggies, chicken, and some umami spices, a cheesy chicken noodle casserole is just as restorative as a chicken noodle soup. Once the casserole is assembled, cool it to room temperature, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and freeze it for up to 3 months.
5. Chicken Parmesan
What’s not to adore about fried, breaded chicken covered with tomato sauce and gooey cheese? When you opt for chicken parmesan, you know that you’re going to make someone’s day much, much better for sure.
Chicken parmesan makes for a great meal you can prepare pretty quickly without spending too much time in the kitchen. You can use pork or veal instead of chicken if you’re not a fan of poultry, or you can opt for a vegetarian eggplant parmesan. You do you, boo!
6. Shrimp fried rice
What’s quicker than shrimp fried rice? Whether you’re prepping a myriad of meals for your friends or bringing them fresh, homemade dinner for the day, you might want to go with shrimp fried rice.
We urge you to opt for fresh veggies because they’re much better for the OG recipe, but you can get away with going for frozen veggies, too.
Moreover, you can swap the shrimp for some boneless chicken and you get two different recipes. When reheating the rice, though, make sure to remind your friends to add some water to break up the chunks. Or, they can also add an ice cube to the rice and reheat it in the microwave.
7. Tomato, lentil, and coconut soup
We can’t even imagine going through the postpartum period without a proper soup. Soups are a great way to stay happy, healthy, and hydrated during a tough time, and that’s why new parents need as much soup as they can get.
While you can go for whatever soup your friends prefer, we suggest going for the tomato, lentil, and coconut soup. We can assure you that this soup will provide your friends with all the yumminess that new parents need without taking too much time to prepare.
Onions, garlic, tomatoes, lentils, herbs, and spices are everything you need to make this delicious treat. Throw them all in a pot, cook them down with some broth, and blend them in a blender. Add a splash of coconut cream and you’re done.
8. Creamy baked mac and cheese
We were thinking of skipping the mac and cheese, but we stumbled upon a recipe that reminded us of how creamy and delicious mac and cheese can be. Whether you prepare a big batch for your friends to freeze and reheat or surprise them with a dinner for the day, we know that they’re going to adore it.
What makes this mac and cheese different from all the others is the Velveeta cheese which prevents the sauce from separating and turning into an ooey-gooey mess.
9. No-bake energy bites with oats and berries
We’d like to think that you’re not the only one offering to cook for new parents who are trying to navigate parenthood. When you decide to prepare something for them, make sure you check whether other people have already prepared sweet or savory dishes for them to freeze and reheat.
Savory dishes are great, but sometimes you need a pick-me-up that’s quick and doesn’t need to be reheated. No-bake energy bites with oats and berries are a perfect snack for new parents because they’re healthy, packed with vitamins and minerals, and easy to carry on the go.
10. Slow cooker beef stew
Slow cookers are made for recipes that, otherwise, require hours and hours of slaving over the stove. Packed with tasty potatoes, mushrooms, and peas, a beef stew can be a great weekday dinner for new parents who need to stay happy and healthy for their baby.
A beef stew might sound like something you don’t have the time to make, but with a slow cooker, you have nothing to worry about. Cook your beef until brown on all sides and add to the slow cooker.
Add your onions, garlic, potatoes, mushrooms, peas, carrots, and herbs. Cover with broth and let the slower cooker do the rest. Bring the beef stew to your friends and see how happy they get!
11. Chicken potpie
Where there’s Shepard’s Pie, there’s Chicken Potpie, too. Cook the veggies for a few minutes, add some flour and spices of your choice, and thicken the sauce with a little bit of broth. Put some shredded chicken in there and you’re pretty much done.
When you combine everything together, throw some store-bought pastry on top and bake. What’s great about Chicken Potpie is that, once it’s cool, you can wrap it well with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze. What a time to be alive!
12. Banana bread
We can’t forget about banana bread, right? Whether you’re running out of recipes to use up your bananas or you’re truly trying to make your friends happy with a great dessert (or breakfast!), you can make them a loaf of banana bread.
We’ve got a million recipes for you, but the simple ones require a little bit of flour, a pinch of baking powder, a couple of eggs, a whole lot of bananas, and chocolate chips to taste.
Banana bread can be stored for later, too, and that’s why it’s a great option to consider when you’re thinking of what to make for your friends. Whichever idea you decide to go with, make sure you make it with a lot of love for your friends. Good luck!
