As a mama of two, I want to stress how insanely helpful it is to plan delicious postpartum meals before your due date.
During pregnancy, we spend so much time planning and obsessing over whether or not we are prepared for our new baby’s big debut. Before having my first baby, my biggest mistake was not taking the time to consider how to make MY life with a new baby easier. Instead of focusing on all the baby gadgets and gizmos galore I really wish I spent more time planning our family meals AND my postpartum recovery. But that’s a whole different blog post. You live and you learn.
No matter the temperament of your new baby, it will always be hard to do things for yourself and the rest of your family during this adjustment period. Even though taking care of yourself and the rest of the family is also super important. It is just a difficult time. But if you’re not a first time mom, I probably don’t have to tell you this. Being proactive and considering what you and your family will eat during those freshly postpartum weeks makes a huge difference.
Decide if you plan to have ingredients on hand for quick and easy meals or make dinners in advance and keep them in the freezer ready to grab. The easier the better! After giving birth to my second baby, I appreciated simple to make meals, crockpot meals, and freezer meals. The last thing you will have time for or feel like doing is whipping up some complicated dish while recovering and tending to your newborn.
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Best Postpartum Meals
Why bother making postpartum meals?
Whether you are preparing to have your first baby, second, third, etc. postpartum is a hard period. You are healing physically and emotionally. Welcoming a new baby is life-changing and beautiful. It is also challenging to remember to take care of yourself. I now look forward to taking a shower to have a break. (I no longer take showers for granted)!
I am writing this 4 months postpartum and I still struggle to manage life with two kids. All this to say that having easy healthy meals on hand, ready to throw in the crock pot, or frozen and ready to pop in the oven is amazing. The craziest part of our day is STILL from 4:00 to bedtime. So having a list of easy meals to work into dinner rotation means the world to me.
1. Simple Shepherd’s Pie with a Spicy Twist
If you love chorizo, you’ll love this simple shepherd’s pie with a twist. This is a great go-to meal during the colder months.
It is flavorful, inexpensive, and great for feeding a crowd. This hearty dish is the perfect postpartum meal!
2. Easy Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Cabbage
The orange ginger sauce is SO yummy. This is a nutritious meal every new mama (and whole family) will love. Ground turkey, cabbage, bell pepper, scallions, and other delicious ingredients make up this light dish.
This meal is ready to eat in just 30 minutes between prepping and cooking! Try this easy ground turkey stir fry with cabbage! You will be happy that you did.
3. Easy Italian Wedding Soup with Chicken Meatballs
Doesn’t this picture make you want to make this soup today? Soup is great, but this Italian wedding soup is one of our family’s favorite recipes. Enjoy this as a starter or as a meal.
You can use premade frozen meatballs, but honestly making homemade chicken meatballs is way better! Between the fresh herbs, homemade chicken balls, and flavor, you’ll be in heaven.
4. Healing Chicken Soup with Tumeric and Ginger
During recovery, it is important to eat food that will help your body heal. This chicken soup with turmeric and ginger is loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients. Making this another perfect postpartum meal!
Chicken soup is great for healing, but this soup takes healing to a whole new level!
5. Quick Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
With these sheet pan shrimp fajitas, you are getting protein, veggies, and an incredibly easy dinner! We love a good sheet pan dinner and this one won’t disappoint you!
Throw everything on the pan and pop it in the oven for 8 minutes. I think sheet pan meals will become your favorite kind of dinner! Besides the fact that they are healthy and tasty, there isn’t much of a mess to clean up.
6. Chickpea Soup
The lemon infused broth in this soup is like no other. This soup is great during those cold winter days. And if you’re like me you could have soup all year long.
This chickpea soup is loaded with vegetables and orzo. It is also very easy to prepare!
I have to say that I find it hard to have just one bowl!
7. Vegan Lentil Curry
Hello protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals! This easy vegan lentil curry is a great postpartum meal. Make a big batch and freeze some for future busy nights.
Vegan naan pairs so well with this zesty curry!
8. Moong Masoor Dal
Moong masoor dal or yellow and red lentil soup can be simply made with the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is my BFF in the kitchen. This soup is plant-based and gluten-free.
This thick soup provides protein and simplicity! This is one of those meals where you can cook it all in one pot. Who doesn’t love an easy cleanup?
9. Vegan Chili
I just love making different types of chili, and I highly recommend that you whip up this vegan chili! Here is another meal that only requires one pot.
You are getting tofu, beans, and veggies with this hearty chili. Extra-firm tofu is the way to go!
10. Best Chicken Marinades
This is for all the chicken lovers! We make chicken constantly so having these 10 marinade recipes is super helpful. Every marinade is gluten-free, dairy-free, and does not require a ton of ingredients.
You’re getting marinade recipes for: balsamic Italian, honey sriracha, Jamaican jerk, chipotle, greek lemon, cilantro lime, garlic ginger, smokey BBQ, honey mustard, and orange 5-spice.
11. Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
Talk about an easy meal! This instant pot salsa chicken recipe is made with just 3 ingredients. We like to cook a lot of chicken and use it throughout the week in salads, over rice, in tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.
In my honest opinion, this is the best way to prepare meals. During the fourth trimester, I do not want to cook every night. I know I am not the only mama who feels this way.
12. Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
Chicken alfredo meets lasagna. What’s not to love? Creamy cheesy alfredo, fresh broccoli, shredded chicken, and lasagna.
Your family will be excited about this chicken alfredo lasagna! I live for big pasta dishes as a new mom because they go a long way!
13. Easy Dairy-Free Beef Stroganoff
Ground beef, mushrooms, noodles, and a creamy sauce. This dairy-free beef stroganoff is a fantastic postpartum meal. It comes together in 30 minutes.
You will find that this dairy-free version of the classic beef stroganoff tastes just as yummy.
14. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
My family LOVES this creamy cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole. I swear chicken, broccoli, and cheese are the best trio ever. The crispy breadcrumb topping is the perfect touch.
You can keep it in the freezer and throw it in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy it!
15. Dairy-Free Lasagna Soup
I didn’t have lasagna soup until recently and immediately wondered where this has been all my life. This dairy-free lasagna soup is simple to make and tastes just as amazing when you eat it for leftovers.
My secret to success during the fourth trimester has been making a big batch for dinner leaving plenty for lunch the following day or dinner the following night.
You’ll also be happy to know this is another easy one-pot meal!
16. Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Here is another fantastic meal to make in your Instant Pot. This is one of my favorite go-to dinners. We actually had this the past two nights.
This Instant Pot turkey chili is high in protein and fiber. We love topping ours with avocado and sour cream. Do your family a favor and double the recipe so you can enjoy it over a few days or freeze it for later.
17. Instant Pot Beef Stew
The best part about beef stew is how tender the meat turns out. I am sure you have made beef stew in the slow cooker, but have you tried it in the Instant Pot? If not, you really should.
Unlike the slow cooker, this Instant Pot beef stew can be made in an hour. It is juicy and full of flavor.
18. Sweet Purple Bone Broth Soup with Turmeric
Purple sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and turmeric made in bone broth. This sweet purple bone broth soup with turmeric is packed with antioxidants.
Every bite is creamy, nutritious, and delish. It also comes together with minimal ingredients, which is a huge plus.
19. The Best Minestrone Soup
This minestrone soup is mm mm good. Forget going to Olive Garden for their minestrone soup (and pasta..and breadsticks) and make this at home instead. This soup is great for feeding a crowd since the recipe makes 8 servings.
I am not vegetarian, but sometimes I like to take a break from meat. This soup hits the spot!
20. Chicken Tortellini Soup
You’ll love this comforting soup. Cheesey tortellini is always a crowd pleaser. This is a great soup to whip up if you have leftover chicken in the fridge. I have to say that I think Rotisserie tastes the best.
With this chicken tortellini soup, you’re getting protein and veggies galore. Onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and kale.
21. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
This homemade chicken noodle soup tastes great with chicken or turkey. Whichever one you prefer!
Chicken noodle soup is a classic go-to whenever we aren’t feeling well. But it also makes for a great postpartum meal. Count on your kids loving this one too!
22. Chicken White Bean Soup
Because you’ll want plenty of soup recipes during the fourth trimester! This chicken white bean soup is too good. You’ll love that this recipe calls for natural ingredients and is quick to make.
Make your own broth or use store-bought broth. I use store-bought broth since it is easier. During this time period the easier the better!
23. Tandoori Fish
Tandoori fish is an excellent postpartum meal. It is quick to make, so it is ideal for busy nights (or nights when your baby is super fussy). Five easy steps and minimal ingredients and you are ready to eat!
24. Homemade Authentic Italian Chicken Soup
This is a simple soup, but as the name mentions it is a homemade authentic Italian chicken soup. As you can probably guess, I lived on soup during the fourth trimester. Sometimes on its own and other times before a meal. I highly recommend you try this soup sooner rather than later!
25. Crispy Pan Fried Gnocci
Who can say no to gnocci? This crispy pan fried gnocci is crazy good.
Imagine crispy gnocci with a garlic, herbs, butter, and parmesan sauce. This only requires 20 minutes, making it a breeze to put together during the busiest and most beautiful time of your life.
26. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean quinoa salad is made up of quinoa, black olives, red onion, feta, red bell pepper, and cucumber. The lemon oregano vinaigrette is the perfect touch. You’ve got to try it.
This is a wonderful meal prep option. Keep it in the fridge and enjoy it as a side or a meal.
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