Vegetarian Freezer Meals for New Moms including nourishing breakfasts, lunches you can eat one-handed, easy dinner ideas, and snacks!
If we've known each other for a while you probably know that I'm all about the freezer meals. I love batch cooking prepping and stashing individual servings of healthy dishes in the freezer so that I can get a break from time to time, or grab something to eat on a day when I don't have time to cook.
When I was pregnant with Niko, I worked furiously to fill the freezer with what I thought would be the best possible meals and snacks for the time, and while many things were good, there were also some misses. For example, I found muffins and bars to be nothing short of essential for snacking on while nursing my tiny son, while the freezer burritos I'd stashed away turned out to be incredibly difficult to eat one-handed.
Don't get me wrong, freezer burritos are still incredibly valuable for those meals when the baby is happily snoozing or rocking in the baby swing - that's why they're still on this list - and I definitely didn't have the energy or time for a lot of cooking in those early days.
I've taken what I've learned from having done this before, and created this essential list of Vegetarian Freezer Meals for New Moms.
Breakfast Freezer Meals
If you're making a bunch of freezer meals for new moms, definitely don't forget about the most important meal of the day! If you're meal prepping for a mom-to-be or someone else who suffers from IBS, be sure to check out our list of Low FODMAP Breakfast Recipes.
Vegan Banana Waffles
Trust me on this one, a big batch of waffles in the freezer is a beautiful thing. I love these for quick and easy weekday breakfasts. Simply reheat them in the toaster and eat them one-handed if that's how your day is going.
Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast burritos are one of those beautiful all-in-one meals that pack in a bunch of protein, veggies, and complex carbs all at once. And the best news is that they freeze like a dream.
Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole
This Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole is hands down one of my favourite freezer meals. It makes a lot, is nice and filling, and most importantly, it's delicious. Freeze squares wrapped in foil to re-heat on a busy day... you won't regret it!
Instant Pot Sous Vide Egg Bites
You know those ridiculously over-priced sous vide egg bites from that major coffee shop chain? My friend Sarah has cracked the code for making them at home. And the best part? You can totally freeze them too.
Maple Apple Granola
PSA: A big batch of homemade granola lasts for ages in the freezer. This Maple Apple Granola is one of my favourites, but be sure to check out Coconut Banana Walnut Granola and Healthy Pumpkin Granola, too.
Apple Berry Baked Oatmeal Cups
Did you know that not only can you bake your oatmeal, but you can freeze it too? True story. These Apple Berry Baked Oatmeal Cups from The Full Helping are the real deal, and you should totally add them to your arsenal of vegetarian freezer meals for breakfast.
Need more breakfast inspiration? Check out these 16 Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes You Can Make Ahead.
Lunch Freezer Meals
I found lunch to be the trickiest meal of the day when I was at home with a newborn, since I often had another set of hands around breakfast or dinner, but at lunch time there was generally no one around to help.
Generally I think that lunch freezer meals and dinner freezer meals are pretty interchangeable, but single portions tend to come in particularly handy at lunch. I also prefer my lunches to be less drippy and more hand-held when possible, or at least things I could eat with a fork in one hand and a baby in the other.
If you're planning ahead for your own freezer meals or are making a bunch of freezer meals for new moms, here's what I found most useful for lunches.
Black Bean Freezer Burritos
Black Bean and Quinoa Freezer Burritos are one of the OG vegetarian freezer meals on HNL. They're perfect for grab and go lunches, or to heat up on a busy day at home.
Curried Cauliflower Chickpea Wraps
If you like samosas, you'll love these Curried Cauliflower Chickpea Wraps. They're easy to make, completely vegan, and are freezer-friendly to boot.
Chipotle Black Bean Burgers
Keep a batch of homemade Chipotle Black Bean Burgers in your freezer, and you'll be just moments away from tasty lunches anytime. Make a classic burger, or try a Veggie Burger in a Bowl for something different.
Baked Vegetarian Quesadillas
These Vegetarian Quesadillas with pumpkin and black beans are perfect for freezer meals since they're oven baked in a big batch. Just wrap them up in foil and toss in the freezer... your future self will thank you!
Pumpkin and Black Bean Taquitos
These baked taquitos are kind of like mini freezer burritos, in the best possible way. They're super easy to make, and you can freeze them either before or after baking.
Sweet Potato, Feta, and Corn Enchiladas
Sweet Potato, Feta, and Corn Enchiladas from Happy Veggie Kitchen
Veggie Fajitas Enchiladas
Not only is a big batch of enchiladas a beautiful thing, but these Veggie Fajitas Enchiladas from Delish Knowledge are freezer friendly, too!
Crispy Carrot and Cauliflower Fritters
I have a weakness for all things fritter, and these Crispy Carrot and Cauliflower Fritters from Green Plate Club are no exception. They're freezer-friendly and kid-approved, so if you've got a newborn and a toddler they're the perfect thing to have on hand.
Need more lunch inspiration? Check out our collection of 22 Vegetarian Lunch Ideas and 22 Vegetarian and Vegan Sandwiches.
Dinner Freezer Meals
I think that dinner freezer meals for new moms aren't all that different from dinner freezer meals for regular people. Generally there's more hands on deck at dinner time, so I'm not afraid to call soups and curries and stew into action. Basically, if it freezes well, I'm going to throw it on this list.
Mung Bean and Coconut Curry
Not only is Mung Bean and Coconut Curry the most popular recipe on this site by a landslide, it's also incredibly easy to make and freezes like a dream.
Kale Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Lasagna has got to be hands down one of my favourite meals to keep in the freezer. I bake a big batch of this Kale Lasagna and wrap individual portions in foil. Perfect for quick and easy meals!
Red Lentil Dal
I think a good lentil dal is one of those back pocket recipes that everyone should have on hand. This Red Lentil Dal can be made in the slow cooker or the Instant Pot. I recommend doubling the batch and freezing it in single servings.
Vegetarian Ravioli Bake
This Vegetarian Ravioli Bake is one of my go-to weeknight dinners since it cooks up so quickly and is soooooo delicious. The best news? It's a great vegetarian freezer meal, too!
Red Lentil Stew
This Red Lentil Stew packs in a ton of vegetables and plant-based protein, and it freezes like a dream. Pro tip: Red Lentil Stew can double as a protein-packed pasta sauce if you like!
Vegan Bolognese
A good plant-based bolognese sauce that's packed with protein and has that all-day simmered flavour is one of my favourite things to have on hand in the freezer. All you need to do is boil some pasta, and dinner is done!
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is a healthier riff on the classic. It's easy to make, delicious, and freezer-friendly too.
Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Not only does is this Lentil Shepherd's Pie completely vegan, but you can make the filling in your Instant Pot or slow cooker. And the best part? You can freeze it too!
Vegan Lentil Soup
A hearty lentil soup can be a lifesaver when it comes to freezer meals. This Vegan Lentil Soup is one of my favourites, but be sure to check out all of our Soup Recipes in the index!
Spelt Pizza Dough
There's nothing easier to eat one handed than a slice of pizza, ammiright?! I make a double batch of this Spelt Pizza Dough and freeze par-cooked bases, which makes pizza night a cinch. No fussing with handling sticky dough come dinner time, and it's so easy you could make your pizza while wearing your baby.
Freezer Snacks
You guys, if you're making freezer meals for new moms, the snacks are where it's at! Make a new mom a batch of muffins / cookies / bars to throw in the freezer and she will love you for life.
I had no idea how hungry I was going to be in those early days of breastfeeding, and out of nowhere I'd be so famished I'd be shaking and would need something Right. Now. This time I've been sure to stash away a few batches of muffins and bars for precisely those times. Here are some of my favourites:
This roundup was originally published February 21, 2016. It was last updated on February 22, 2020.
Rebeckah Z.
As a mom of a one-year-old and preparing for our second to come in August, I wanted to say THANK YOU so much for providing a resource like this! It's perfect - healthy and no-fuss recipes that will come in handy when our second makes his arrival. I know I have a lot more time on my hands now than I will in a few months, so I've been working to fill up our freezer with great grab-and-heat items. I love cooking, but it can be exhausting. I think I might make freezer-batch cooking a way of life 😉
Thank you again for this type of mom support!
Dominique
This is just what I have been looking for 🙌 I'm the only vego in our household and have been trying to find meal ideas to prep for myself before #3 arrives. We have offered of help for the rest of the family to be fed but didn't want to burden anyone with catering to my diet. Cannot wait to get meal prepping 😊
Katie Trant
Yay! Glad you've found what you're looking for! Good luck with #3!
Kate
Love these! I'm not expecting, and neither are any of my friends just now, but these will be great for preparing some make-ahead vegetarian meals. Thanks for the inspiration (and the gorgeous food porn)!
Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen}
An incredibly helpful post with sensible, healthy recipes! Forwarding to pregnant friends immediately 🙂 You will be very happy you did this!!
Anne Titcomb
I would say that your planning ahead will be much appreciated by you in just a few weeks!! We on Soames Point can't wait for the arrival. Lots of Love - Anne