The last thing you want to worry about after bringing home a new baby is what you're going to eat for dinner. Between feeding the baby, recovering from delivery, and trying to get some sleep, figuring out meals can feel like one more thing on an already overflowing plate. That's why I'm sharing my favorite postpartum meal prep recipes that you can make ahead, freeze, and reheat when you need them.
Equipment Needed for Freezer Meals
- Freezer Molds: I swear by these molds. I have been using them since 2019 to freeze food. They come in multiple sizes and I have them all. I use the 1 cup size the most often because it helps with portion control. Grab these for freezing things like lasagna.
- Sandwich Paper/Parchment Paper: This is great for freezing breakfast sandwiches or anything that needs texture preservation. I love to use it for things like bread, muffins, cornbread, cookies, etc.
- Foil: This is another must for freezing things to prevent ice crystals.
- Freezer Bags: You can use disposable plastic freezer bags or reusable stasher bags.
- Bone Broth: For any recipe that calls for water or broth, I add this.
- Bone Broth Collagen Protein Powder: I love this stuff! I love that it's vanilla flavored and delivers collagen based protein that can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, or whatever you like.
How to Freeze Cooked RIce
I like to keep cooked rice on hand every week for an easy side dish for dinner. So naturally, I wanted to have some available to freeze for postpartum. I always use long-grain rice. I like to add this bone broth to my rice and use broth instead of water to cook the rice. That way the rice has a boost of protein and much needed nutrients. Bone broth is great for postpartum recovery.
- Cook the Rice: Prepare the rice as you normally would. Avoid overcooking it because rice that's already mushy won't improve after freezing.
- Portion It Out: Allow it to cool. Divide the rice into individual or family-sized servings. I use these freezer molds. Once Frozen into rectangles, I remove them from the mold and place the cooked rice into freezer bags.
- Plan: Write the date and portion size on each bag. For the best flavor and texture, use the rice within 2 months for the best texture, it will stay freezer safe up to 6 months.
How to Reheat Frozen Rice
Microwave (My Favorite Method): Place the frozen rice in a microwave-safe bowl and sprinkle with 1–2 tablespoons of water per cup of rice. Cover loosely and microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring as needed, until steaming hot throughout.
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Stovetop: Add the frozen rice to a saucepan with a splash of water or broth. Cover and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
The Secret to Fluffy Rice: Adding a little moisture and covering the rice while reheating creates steam. That's what brings the rice back to life instead of leaving you with dry, hard grains.
Freezer Taco Meat
Don't sleep on freezing a big batch of taco meat! Grab my homemade taco seasoning recipe and then freeze it up! I use the same freezer molds.
Here's a short list of ways to use it:
- Regular tacos, hard or soft
- Taco salad over greens with avocado and salsa
- Loaded nachos
- Quesadillas
- Burrito bowls over rice
- Stuffed baked or sweet potatoes
1
Croissant Breakfast Sandwich Recipe
Breakfast meal prep has to check two boxes for me: it needs to be easy, and it still needs to taste good when I reheat it. These Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches do both. Buttery, flaky croissants are loaded with eggs, cheese, and your favorite breakfast meat, then you can stash a batch in the freezer for mornings when cooking is not happening. I also love that you can switch up the fillings, so you aren’t eating the exact same sandwich all week.
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2
Slow Cooker Crockpot Lasagna
Lasagna has a reputation for being an all-day situation, and chile, I simply do not have time for all of that every time I want a good pan of lasagna. The Crockpot completely changes the game. After more than a decade of developing easy recipes for busy folks, this has become one of my favorite ways to get those saucy layers of seasoned meat, tender pasta, and plenty of cheese without boiling a single noodle or babysitting the oven.Â
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3
Meal Prep Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches (Bacon or Sausage)
These meal prep freezer breakfast sandwiches have saved me on more busy mornings than I can count. Instead of standing in the kitchen trying to figure out breakfast before coffee has kicked in, I pull one from the freezer and move on with my day. They're packed with protein, easy to customize, and reheat beautifully.
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4
Southern Baked Chicken Recipe
Good baked chicken starts with seasoning and ends with juicy, flavorful meat. No complicated steps, no special equipment, just chicken that's packed with flavor and baked until tender. I'm going to show you how to make it so that it's so tender, the meat slips right off the bone. I've been sharing chicken dinner recipes online for over 10 years. My method is foolproof.
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5
How to Make Gravy
Listen, the turkey might be the star of the holiday table, but everybody knows the gravy ties the whole plate together. Those turkey drippings, that's liquid gold right there, and it’s the base for the richest, most flavorful gravy you’ll ever make. I’ve been testing and sharing recipes long enough to know folks get nervous about gravy: too thick, too thin, lumpy, but trust me, I’ve got the steps lined up so yours comes out smooth and perfect every single time.
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6
Sweet Potato Oatmeal
I grew up on Southern sweet potato pie, so when I say the spices matter, I mean it. Real sweet potatoes make it extra creamy and give it natural sweetness, while cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bring in all of those flavors you expect from sweet potato pie. I’ve been sharing home-cooked recipes for over 10 years and breakfast deserves the same treatment as dinner: simple ingredients, clear steps, and plenty of flavor.
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7
Sugar Free Banana Bread Recipe
Sugar Free Banana Bread should still taste like banana bread! I'm talking soft, moist, perfectly sweet, and loaded with real banana flavor. I've spent over a decade developing recipes that make it easier to enjoy the foods you love with simple ingredient swaps that actually work. This recipe uses ripe bananas, unsweetened applesauce, and a sugar-free sweetener to give you that classic banana bread flavor without adding regular sugar. No dry, crumbly slices or bland bread over here!
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8
Chicken Rice Soup (One-Pot Recipe)
Honey, do NOT cook the rice separately. This Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is a true one-pot meal, which means the chicken, vegetables, rice, and creamy broth all come together in the same pot. I’ve been developing easy dinner recipes for more than a decade, and this is exactly the type of shortcut I love because it actually makes the recipe better. The rice soaks up all of that seasoned broth as it cooks, so we’re building flavor instead of adding plain rice at the end.
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9
Enchilada Casserole Recipe
After more than 10 years of sharing comfort food recipes online, I've learned that the easiest recipes are often the ones people make again and again. Enchilada casserole is what I make when I want all of the flavors of enchiladas without spending time rolling tortillas one by one. Everything gets layered into a baking dish with seasoned beef, enchilada sauce, cheese, and tortillas, then baked until bubbly and golden.
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10
White Bean Chicken Chili
I’ve been sharing easy, flavor-packed dinner recipes for over a decade, and White Bean Chicken Chili is one of those meals that proves chili doesn’t need beef and tomatoes to bring the flavor. After testing this recipe over and over, I’ve learned that layering the seasonings and letting those beans work their magic is what keeps white chicken chili from tasting bland or watery.
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11
Sweet Honey Cornbread Recipe
Sweet cornbread is one of those recipes that sounds simple, but getting the texture right can be tricky. Some folks cornbread recipes turn out dry, crumbly, or lacking flavor. My version bakes up moist, tender, and perfectly sweet with rich honey butter flavor in every bite. Growing up around Southern cooking, cornbread was always on the table. Everyone has their preference, but if you like your cornbread sweet, buttery, and moist, this recipe is for you.
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12
Salmon Corn Chowder Recipe
The way this chowder comes together in one pot but tastes like you ordered it at a restaurant somewhere by the water? Yes, honey. The salmon stays tender and the potatoes make it hearty. I’ve been sharing easy comfort food recipes online for 10 years, and one thing I don’t play about is flavor. My recipes are known for being well seasoned, approachable, and realistic for regular folks like me.
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13
Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Better Than Panera)
I’m just going to say it: this broccoli cheddar soup gives Panera a run for its money. It’s thick, creamy, loaded with broccoli, and has plenty of real cheddar in every spoonful. After more than a decade of developing recipes, I know a good cheese soup comes down to getting the texture right. You want rich and creamy, not thin and watery, and you definitely don’t want grainy cheese. This recipe walks you through exactly how to get that smooth, cheesy finish right at home.
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14
Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
If your green beans still have a crunch and no flavor, we need to fix that immediately. Southern green beans and potatoes are meant to cook down until they’re rich, comforting, and full of smoky flavor from bacon or smoked meat. Growing up around Southern cooking taught me vegetables should never be bland, and this recipe proves that every single time. Grab the cornbread because that pot liquor is too good to waste.
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15
Banana Protein Muffins
Enjoy a healthier twist on a classic treat with these banana protein muffins sprinkled with chocolate chips. Packed with wholesome ingredients, these muffins are not only delicious but also perfect for giving you an energy boost any time of day. The ripe bananas provide natural sweetness, while the protein powder adds a nourishing kick.
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16
Pumpkin Honey Cornbread
I've been sharing recipes online for over a decade, and I know a disappointing pan of cornbread when I see one. Dry, crumbly, and bland isn't making it to anybody's table around here. These pumpkin honey cornbread muffins bake up soft, moist, and packed with flavor thanks to the combination of pumpkin puree, honey, and just the right balance of cornmeal. I've tested plenty of cornbread recipes over the years, and this is one of my favorite ways to bring seasonal flavor to the table.
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17
Sweet Potato Honey Cornbread Recipe
Dry cornbread has ruined enough dinners. That's exactly this sweet potato honey cornbread will get you right. The sweet potatoes keep the cornbread soft, moist, and packed with flavor without making it overly sweet. I've shared over a thousand recipes online and helped millions of folks get reliable results in their own kitchens. This recipe was tested to be simple and nearly impossible to mess up, even if homemade cornbread hasn't always been your thing.
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18
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
After more than a decade of creating easy dinner recipes, I know a good soup needs layers of flavor, not just a bunch of ingredients swimming in broth. The Italian sausage does a lot of the heavy lifting here, while the creamy broth brings everything together without tasting bland. I tested this recipe side by side with the Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden, and this is BETTER!
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19
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (Dump and Bake)
I don't know who needs to hear this, but if dinner requires three pots, two skillets, and a sink full of dishes on a Tuesday…I'm out. This dump and bake chicken broccoli rice casserole keeps things simple by cooking everything together in one dish, including the rice. I've been sharing easy weeknight recipes for over 10 years, and this is exactly the kind of meal people come back to again and again.
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20
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
This is creamy butternut squash soup that doesn’t come out sad, watery, or beige, because we don’t do bland soup in this house. I’ve made enough batches of fall soup to know exactly how to build flavor into squash, balance the natural sweetness, and get that silky finish without turning it into baby food. It reheats beautifully, freezes well, and makes the whole kitchen smell like warm fall.
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21
Cajun Jambalaya Soup
I grew up around Southern cooking, with Louisiana roots, so I already know jambalaya is one of those dishes everybody’s family makes a little differently. This Cajun Jambalaya Soup is my spin on those amazing, well-seasoned flavors, turned into a hearty bowl with tender rice, seafood, and a rich broth. The key is layering the seasoning and cooking the rice just right so you get plenty of flavor without ending up with bland broth or mushy rice.
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22
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Let’s be real, most chicken soup is bland and forgettable. Not this one. This chicken noodle soup is seasoned the way it should be, packed with chicken, noodles, and veggies that don’t taste like they’ve been boiled to death. You can always count on me to keep it real and to keep the recipes well seasoned.
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23
Pumpkin Protein Muffins
These Pumpkin Protein Muffins are perfect for a quick breakfast or a post-workout snack. They are easy to make and packed with protein and full of fall flavors. Try this recipe for a tasty way to incorporate more protein into your meals that will keep you fueled throughout the day.
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24
Louisiana Seafood Gumbo Recipe
Let’s be honest: everybody thinks they know how to make gumbo, but not everyone should be out here claiming it. My family roots are in Louisiana, watching my great-grandmother stir gumbo without even glancing at a recipe, and those lessons stuck with me. The women in my family knew exactly when a roux was ready just by the color and smell. Now I’ve written it out step-by-step so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
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25
Easy Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo
This Easy Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo is the best authentic Creole Cajun recipe with chicken, andouille sausage, seafood (shrimp and/or crab), and okra. This healthy dish is loaded with spices and can be served mild or spicy.
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26
Dirty Spaghetti Recipe
This dirty spaghetti is made just like my dirty rice recipe. Dirty spaghetti has absolutely no business tasting this good. It has that Creole or Cajun kick to keep things tasting Southern-style, just how I like it. I've spent over a decade helping people make dinners that don't taste boring, and this recipe is exactly why. If your family suddenly starts requesting spaghetti every week, don't say I didn't warn you.
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27
Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Recipe
Let’s be real, cabbage doesn’t have to be sad. Jamaican steamed cabbage is proof that a simple vegetable can be packed with flavor when you do it right, tender, slightly crisp, and seasoned all the way through. I’ve spent years creating recipes that turn everyday ingredients into something worth talking about, and this one keeps it easy but makes sure nothing tastes flat. If you want cabbage that actually earns a spot on the plate, this is it.
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28
Brown Stew Chicken Recipe
Brown stew chicken is one of those dishes that will humble you real quick if you don’t get that flavor right. The chicken needs to be well seasoned, the sauce needs to be rich, and that gravy has to coat everything just right, not watery, not bland. With my Southern roots and years of cooking bold, flavor-packed meals, I’m not letting anything leave my kitchen tasting flat. This recipe walks you through how to build that deep color and flavor step by step so your stew actually hits.
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29
Best Southern Spaghetti Recipe (Black People Spaghetti)
You already know I had to bring y’all my version of Southern Spaghetti (and yes it's typically the style for a lot of Black folks), the kind that’s rich, well-seasoned, and tastes like it came straight from a Sunday plate. I’m talking ground meat, bold spices, and a thick sauce that clings to every noodle. This isn’t your average quick jar-and-go spaghetti.
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