15 Delicious Make-Ahead Meals + Treats to Bring to New Parents
One of the best things you can do for new parents is bring them food. The last thing they have time for — or want to do — is think about what to cook or eat. With the late-night feedings and totally disrupted sleep cycle, they often forget to eat or don’t have the energy to make a snack. To keep your well-meaning casserole from ending up in the back of their freezer, bring over one of these 15 awesome make-ahead meals to show those new parents the love. They need it!
1. Slow Cooker Butter Chickpeas: New parents might not be able to head to their favorite Indian restaurant with a newborn at home, but you can recreate one of their favorite vegan menu options in the slow cooker. (via Delicious Knowledge)
2. Seasonal Zucchini Noodle Frittata With Swiss Chard: Frittata is another wonder meal that can be eaten at any time, hot or cold. Bonus points if you bring over a fresh salad too. (via Uproot from Oregon)
3. Homemade Sweet Potato Pizza: Everyone *loves* pizza. It’s great for new ‘rents because it can be eaten hot or cold, or even frozen for later. (via The Almond Eater)
4. Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls: As a new parent, slow cooker meals are your friend. This burrito bowl will make them forget the pain of not being able to make it to Chipotle. (via The Kitchn)
5. Singapore Style Noodles: Recreate date night for new parents by bringing them over some takeout-inspired eats (these homemade noodles, obvi) and offering to watch the baby while they “Netflix and chill.” (via Brit + Co)
6. Slow Cooker Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal: Oatmeal helps milk production in new moms who are breast feeding, and it’s easy to portion out into individual servings for grab-and-heat breakfasts. (via The Healthy Maven)
7. Four Cheese Vegetable Lasagna: Nothing says make-ahead better than lasagna. Whip this ooey gooey dish up to keep those new parents happy and full. (via Oh So Delicioso)
8. Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup: Bring over a pot of soup that’ll last the new parents all week long. We are especially loving this easy tortilla soup recipe for fall. (via The Minimalist Baker)
9. Everything but the Kitchen Sink Cookies: While this is technically not a meal, everyone needs cookies. Everyone. (via Brit + Co)
10. Healthy Satay Chicken Salad: Spruce up sandwiches, wraps or bowls with this delicious and healthy crockpot meal! It gives your standard chicken salad a run for its money. (via The Big Man’s World)
11. Wild Rice Salad: This is the perfect dinner side and leftover lunch staple. Mix it up for the new ‘rents and bring over a weekly supply to keep them happy and healthy during those tough first weeks. (via Drool-worthy Daily)
12. Apple + Pecan Granola With Hemp Hearts: Granola is the ultimate breakfast for busy people. They’ll be able to munch on this nutritious blend with baby in tow. (via The Healthy Maven)
13. Hearty Lentil and Swiss Chard Soup: This soup is comforting and filling, perfect for those cold nights when new parents just want to relax and recharge. (via The Healthy Maven)
14. No-Bake Pumpkin and Coconut Granola Bars: Keep these in the freezer for quick snacks when you’re too busy for a proper meal. (via Spoon Fork Bacon)
15. Vegetarian Lentil Chili With Pumpkin: This vegetarian chili is thick, creamy and packed with protein from lentils. Plus it has pumpkin! Make a huge batch and freeze some for those lazy weeknight meals. (via Nourish Altelier)
What other foods would you recommend to bring over to new families? Let us know below in the comments.
