8 Easy & Delicious Recipes for New Parents

No matter how much you prepare ahead for the big day, the transition into parenthood is undoubtedly a stressful time for even the most prepared new parents.

After the arrival of your little one, your duo is now a trio (or more!) and the routines you and your partner have built together are thrown by the wayside to accommodate the newest member of your family. From sleepless nights spent rocking your baby to the starry skies of Wynken Blynken and Nod to a seemingly endless stream of dirty diapers to change, finding time to prepare meals will get more and more difficult.

Well what better way to smooth the transition into parenthood than by having a refrigerator or freezer stocked with ready-to-eat home-cooked meals? Explore the list below to see some of the top recipes parents-to-be are craving when changing diapers and all the other stressors of new parenthood which push cooking to the wayside.

PS — If your best friend or loved one is expecting, and you’re looking for the best way to help, consider a cook-a-thon to get your favorite young family stocked up and ready for the parenting marathon to come. <3

spaghetti and homemade meatballsspaghetti and homemade meatballs

Spaghetti & Homemade Meatballs


A timeless classic, a large platter of spaghetti and meatballs will be a welcome meal for any new parents. While it might be easier to simply pick up a bag of pre-made meatballs from your local supermarket, why not go the extra mile for the new parents in your life and make them yourself. This simple recipe takes under an hour to prepare and is sure to leave everyone feeling full.

crock pot roast porkcrock pot roast pork

Slow Cooker Roast Pork


 Going low and slow is the name of the game with this recipe. Spoil your new parents in need by bringing them a slow cooker full of savory roast pork that will be perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or eaten as is. Roast pork is the ultimate comfort food and dishes prepared in a crock pot offer new parents the flexibility they’ll need while adjusting to life with a little one.

homemade lasagnahomemade lasagna

Homemade Lasagna


Another Italian classic, a large baking dish of lasagna will leave the new parents in your life feeling full for weeks after you prepare this recipe for them. Easily freezable, lasagna is the perfect dish to serve to new parents who might be overwhelmed with food gifts immediately following the big day and want to save some food for later use. But trust us, this recipe is so good they might not get the chance to save it for later.

healthy mexican casserolehealthy mexican casserole

Healthy Mexican Casserole


Loaded with healthy veggies, this dish is sure to please while also keeping even the most health-conscious parents in mind. With prep and cook time being under an hour, you won’t be spending all day in the kitchen getting this dish ready. Like the lasagna, this recipe will yield multiple servings and is perfect for new parents who need leftovers to pack a quick lunch.

spaghetti squash boatsspaghetti squash boats

Spaghetti Squash Boats


Want to bring the new parents in your life some creamy and flavorful comfort food while staying healthy? If that’s the case then this recipe is for you. Loaded with a variety of meats, cheeses, and veggies, these boats make it seem like you're indulging in a carb-loaded pasta dish. But don’t worry, by replacing traditional spaghetti with spaghetti squash you can rest easy knowing that carbs have been cut out of the picture. As a bonus, these boats are perfect to save for lunches or healthy snacks when the new parenting schedule gets hectic.

PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE, PROP STYLING BY ALEX BRANNIAN, FOOD STYLING BY ANNA STOCKWELL

slow-cooker chilislow-cooker chili

Slow-Cooker Chili


With the weather turning chilly across much of the United States anyone would welcome a hearty bowl of chili after a hectic day, especially new parents. While everyone has their own secret chili recipe, this recipe is simple to follow and can be prepared without you having to spend all day in the kitchen. Packed with beans and turkey this chili recipe is best prepared by letting it simmer in a slow-cooker for four hours before you bring it over to the new parents in your life. Just be sure to bring the crackers with you!

savory meatloafsavory meatloaf

Savory Meatloaf


“Ma… The meatloaf!” Bring back memories of your own childhood by preparing this meatloaf recipe that your mom would be proud of for a new family in your life. Simple to prepare and easily paired with a variety of different salads and side dishes everyone will be feeling nostalgic eating this dish.

gooey banana breadgooey banana bread

Gooey Banana Bread


People always are saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but that old adage can be pretty tough for new parents to follow with schedules that are far from predictable. Why not make sure that the new parents in your life can eat well regardless of when breakfast might come for them by preparing this banana bread recipe that is great for hectic schedules.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

  • Make sure the dish you prepare can be easily frozen for optimal storage time
  • Transport the dish in easy to store/clean containers
  • Be aware of any food allergies or sensitivities to certain foods and flavors that the new parents (especially Mom) might have

No matter how much you prepare ahead for the big day, the transition into parenthood is undoubtedly a stressful time for even the most prepared new parents.

After the arrival of your little one, your duo is now a trio (or more!) and the routines you and your partner have built together are thrown by the wayside to accommodate the newest member of your family. From sleepless nights spent rocking your baby to the starry skies of Wynken Blynken and Nod to a seemingly endless stream of dirty diapers to change, finding time to prepare meals will get more and more difficult.

Well what better way to smooth the transition into parenthood than by having a refrigerator or freezer stocked with ready-to-eat home-cooked meals? Explore the list below to see some of the top recipes parents-to-be are craving when changing diapers and all the other stressors of new parenthood which push cooking to the wayside.

PS — If your best friend or loved one is expecting, and you’re looking for the best way to help, consider a cook-a-thon to get your favorite young family stocked up and ready for the parenting marathon to come. <3

Spaghetti & Homemade Meatballs


A timeless classic, a large platter of spaghetti and meatballs will be a welcome meal for any new parents. While it might be easier to simply pick up a bag of pre-made meatballs from your local supermarket, why not go the extra mile for the new parents in your life and make them yourself. This simple recipe takes under an hour to prepare and is sure to leave everyone feeling full.

Crock Pot Roast Pork


Going low and slow is the name of the game with this recipe. Spoil your new parents in need by bringing them a crock pot full of savory roast pork that will be perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or eaten as is. Roast pork is the ultimate comfort food and dishes prepared in a crock pot offer new parents the flexibility they’ll need while adjusting to life with a little one.

Homemade Lasagna


Another Italian classic, a large baking dish of lasagna will leave the new parents in your life feeling full for weeks after you prepare this recipe for them. Easily freezable, lasagna is the perfect dish to serve to new parents who might be overwhelmed with food gifts immediately following the big day and want to save some food for later use. But trust us, this recipe is so good they might not get the chance to save it for later.

Healthy Mexican Casserole


Loaded with healthy veggies, this dish is sure to please while also keeping even the most health-conscious parents in mind. With prep and cook time being under an hour, you won’t be spending all day in the kitchen getting this dish ready. Like the lasagna, this recipe will yield multiple servings and is perfect for new parents who need leftovers to pack a quick lunch.

Spaghetti Squash Boats


Want to bring the new parents in your life some creamy and flavorful comfort food while staying healthy? If that’s the case then this recipe is for you. Loaded with a variety of meats, cheeses, and veggies, these boats make it seem like you're indulging in a carb-loaded pasta dish. But don’t worry, by replacing traditional spaghetti with spaghetti squash you can rest easy knowing that carbs have been cut out of the picture. As a bonus, these boats are perfect to save for lunches or healthy snacks when the new parenting schedule gets hectic.

PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE, PROP STYLING BY ALEX BRANNIAN, FOOD STYLING BY ANNA STOCKWELL

Slow-Cooker Chili


With the weather turning chilly across much of the United States anyone would welcome a hearty bowl of chili after a hectic day, especially new parents. While everyone has their own secret chili recipe, this recipe is simple to follow and can be prepared without you having to spend all day in the kitchen. Packed with beans and turkey this chili recipe is best prepared by letting it simmer in a slow-cooker for four hours before you bring it over to the new parents in your life. Just be sure to bring the crackers with you!

Savory Meatloaf


“Ma… The meatloaf!” Bring back memories of your own childhood by preparing this meatloaf recipe that your mom would be proud of for a new family in your life. Simple to prepare and easily paired with a variety of different salads and side dishes everyone will be feeling nostalgic eating this dish.

Gooey Banana Bread


People always are saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but that old adage can be pretty tough for new parents to follow with schedules that are far from predictable. Why not make sure that the new parents in your life can eat well regardless of when breakfast might come for them by preparing this banana bread recipe that is great for hectic schedules.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

  • Make sure the dish you prepare can be easily frozen for optimal storage time
  • Transport the dish in easy to store/clean containers
  • Be aware of any food allergies or sensitivities to certain foods and flavors that the new parents (especially Mom) might have