No one can be ready for how tired and happy they will be in the first few months of being a parent. But helping a friend fill their freezer with tasty, healthy meals that only need a few minutes in the oven or microwave can be very helpful. Therefore, we have some of the best meal recipes for new parents. Keep reading to learn about such quick recipes that new parents can try.
Best Meal Recipes For New Parents
1. Pesto Pasta
To make a fresh batch of tasty pasta with herbs, you need a blender or food processor and a handful of ingredients. We love Dan Pelosi's basil almond pesto recipe, but you can also use arugula, pine nuts, or walnuts instead of basil and almonds. Pesto is a very versatile sauce that tastes great with pasta, eggs, and as a topping for pizza. Make a double batch and freeze half (we like putting small portions in an ice cube tray) for an even faster dinner next time. As new parents it is one of the best recipes for your child(ren).
2. One-Pan Lasagna
Who does not like a hearty, good lasagna? Don't be afraid. It has a lot of vegetables like spinach, carrots, and onions, so it will help you with your digestion and makes your diet more green and healthy. These recipes for new parents will make it possible for you to keep your promise to eat healthily. It only takes 25 minutes to cook and only needs one pan. You will be glad you skipped your nap to make it.
3. Vegetarian Gumbo
You might not be able to go to Mardi Gras right now, but you can still enjoy some Cajun flavors with this recipe for vegetarian gumbo. If you don't have a slow cooker, now is the time to get one. All you have to do is put the ingredients in, turn it on, and let it cook for a couple of hours, giving you time to do the laundry, play with the baby, or (finally!) take a nap. It is among the easiest recipes for new parents.
4. Chicken With Goat Cheese And Basil
This delicious but simple chicken dish stuffed with goat cheese comes from the famous chef Ina Garten, but you can make it home if you can get the baby to chill out in her swing for a bit. Protein is a good part of the diet for new moms. You can add more greens to the goat cheese stuffing by adding spinach, peppers, or onions. Serve with brown rice or couscous, and you have a gourmet and healthy dish. It is among the best recipes to try new parents.
5. Greek Salad With Warm Pita Crisps
Get your hands off the gyros! This dish is inspired by Greek food, but it doesn't have all the calories of something covered in tzatziki sauce. Use whole-wheat pitas for the chips to make them even better for you. This whole dish will only take 10 minutes. We promise because you can prepare the vegetables while the chips are baking. Add some grilled chicken to the salad to make it more filling. These recipes for new parents are great and delicious at the same time.
6. Yangchow Fried Rice
Who wants to order something salty when you can make fried rice home? This recipe can be changed to suit your tastes and requires minimum effort as it is one of the easiest recipes for new parents. For example, if you are a vegetarian, you can leave out the chicken and ham and add more vegetables. You can make it even easier by cooking the rice on the weekend (or convincing your partner to do it) and putting it in the fridge. Your weeknight cooking will go even more quickly.
7. Pizza Bianca
Pizza Bianca
Why do you have Domino's on speed dial when making pizza at home is easy (especially if you buy pizza dough already made) and makes your house smell like an Italian grandma's? (Oh, and doing it yourself saves money, too.) To make this white pizza, just spread olive oil, cheese, and your favorite toppings on the dough and bake it for 30 minutes. Yum!
8. Chicken Tacos
The best thing to do right now is to buy in bulk, as long as you use up whatever you're storing. It is a great thing to make with the chicken you already have in the fridge. Just heat it with some beans and rice, grilled peppers, and onions for extra nutrition, and you and your partner can pretend you are on vacation South of the Border, even if you're in your kitchen wearing spit-up-stained clothes. It is one of the best freezer meal recipes for new parents.
9. Chicken Parmesan
Melissa Clark's version of the classic Italian-American casserole with breaded, fried chicken, tomato sauce, and melted cheese is warm and comforting. You can use pork or veal instead of chicken, or you can always make eggplant Parmesan or lasagna for vegetarians. It is among the best freezer meals for new moms.
10. Blueberry Muffins
Since new parents spend a lot of time holding their babies, it is a good idea to give them foods that are easy to eat with one hand, like trail mix, muffins, cookies, hand pies, etc. A reader sent Marian Burros the recipe for these beautiful, pillowy-soft muffins in 1987. They are soft and sweet, one of the easy recipes for new parents, and perfect for a 4 a.m. breakfast to treat your late-night cravings.
Conclusion
At first, it might seem hard to find time to eat as a new parent. To keep up your energy and live a healthy life, you need to eat. When you have a baby, you face a lot of new challenges, and it can be hard to find time for yourself and take care of your health. Keep in mind how important it is to eat well and not fall into bad eating habits.
Find ways to do this, like making meals ahead of time, keeping healthy snacks on hand, and ordering healthy, nutritious meals to be delivered. You'll be glad you did. Stay healthy, and have fun with your baby. We hope that the above-mentioned recipes for new parents have helped you.
