33 Meals to Make for the Tired New Parents in Your Life
In a baby’s early days, while new parents obsessively focus on feeding the little one—ounce by fluid ounce—it's easy for the adults to forget to nourish themselves, much less find a moment to cook. This is where you come in: Make-ahead, nurturing, freezable meals for new parents are better gifts than giraffe-shaped teething toys or even the most adorable tiny socks. Below you’ll find ideas that'll truly help ease the burden of reality with a newborn.
When I first became a mom, my dad stocked our freezer with eggplant parm. You’ll see that below, along with other warm and hearty favorites. I've also included muffins, breakfast bars, energy bites, and sweets (like lactation cookies) for convenient, one-handed munching. Step up your friend, family, coworker, or neighbor game and put together a care package for that new parent in your life. Better yet, gather a group of folks for a meal train—we've got 33 recipes to get you going.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton1/33Grain Bowls With Chicken, Spiced Chickpeas, and Avocado
When people think about meals for new parents, they often lean on casseroles and soups, too often skipping fresh vegetables. The separate elements of this grain bowl can easily be made up to two days in advance (don't slice that avocado, though!) and delivered to new parents in separate containers for them to assemble into a meal whenever hunger strikes—or the kid finally takes a nap.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone3/33No-Bake Energy Bites with Oats and Dried Cherries
Photo by Gentl & Hyers, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski8/33Coconut-Date Power Breakfast Bars
Photo by Jennifer Davick11/33Crunchy Quinoa Salad
The busiest parents will appreciate the fresh asparagus, crunchy kohlrabi, and radishes packed into this light but hearty quinoa salad. It's the kind of lunch you can grab any time.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley12/33Pollo Rostizado con Naranja y Chile de Árbol (Orange-and-Chile Roast Chicken)
This lip-smacking roasted chicken (and potatoes!) recipe combines a mix of spicy, sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The leftovers are great packed into a torta.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton13/33Eggplant Parmesan
This bubbling, cheesy number is one of those gateway casseroles that will make everyone an eggplant believer.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce14/33Vegetarian Lasagna With Easy Roasted Tomato Sauce
With tomato sauce that's roasted for concentrated flavor, this supreme vegetarian-friendly lasagna serves up a surefire win. Wrap up a loaf of garlic bread to serve on the side, plus some washed greens and a jar of homemade salad dressing.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova16/33Turkey Meatloaf
This turkey meatloaf defies all expectations—it's packed with flavor and never dry. Offer make-ahead mashed potatoes on the side.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker19/33Coconutty Beans and Greens Stew
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele21/33Morning Glory Muffins
These hearty 1970s-style muffins can be breakfast or an afternoon snack. Toast the nuts and swap in/out ingredients as desired.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton25/33Easy Pasta Salad
This tangy (mayo-free) pasta salad features olives, tomatoes, banana peppers, and orecchiette—arguably the cutest pasta around, and perfect for new baby-themed gifting. Even if your new-parent friends aren't ready to bring their babe to a picnic, this dish will come in handy for quick out-of-the-fridge mealtimes.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.33/33Green Tea Arnold Palmer
