Let’s be honest for a second. When you bring a new baby home, the last thing on your mind is chopping onions or standing over a hot stove for an hour. You are tired. You are hungry. And you just want something comforting to eat that doesn’t come from a drive-thru window. That is exactly where post partum meals to freeze save the day.
Preparing food before the baby arrives is one of the smartest things you can do for your future self. But I know what you are thinking. You don’t want a freezer full of mushy casseroles. You want fresh, flavorful food that makes you feel good. This recipe is a game changer because it is a versatile meat base. You can eat it over rice, toss it with pasta, or even stuff it into baked potatoes.
This guide will walk you through one of the most practical Meal Prep Ideas For Postpartum. It is high in protein, rich in flavor, and incredibly easy to scale up. By spending just a little time in the kitchen now, you can stock your freezer with weeks of dinners. Trust me, your future sleep-deprived self is going to thank you for this one.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You are going to fall in love with this recipe for so many reasons. First and foremost, it is one of the best Non Casserole Freezer Meals out there. While lasagna is great, sometimes you just want a bowl of hearty meat sauce that you can customize. This recipe gives you the freedom to decide what you want for dinner on the fly, without doing the hard work of cooking the protein from scratch.
Another reason this is a winner is the simplicity. We are using simple pantry staples like canned tomatoes and dried spices. You don’t need to hunt down fancy ingredients. It fits perfectly into the category of Dinner Recipes You Can Freeze without worrying about texture changes. The sauce actually tastes better after it sits for a while, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Finally, this is the ultimate Make Ahead Freezer Meal for budget-conscious families. Buying ground beef and chicken in bulk is often cheaper, and this recipe uses a lot of it. You can cook once and eat for weeks. It is efficient, cost-effective, and delicious. If you are looking for post partum meals to freeze that the whole family will actually enjoy, this is the one.
Ingredients
This recipe is designed to be a “kitchen sink” style meat sauce, meaning it is great for using up what you have. It combines different textures of meat for a really satisfying bite. Here is what you need to get started.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups finely chopped onion (about 3 large onions)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
- 3 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 3 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 6 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 teaspoons dried basil
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Note: This ingredient list creates a very large batch intended for Deep Freezer Meal Prep. You will need a very large pot or Dutch oven. If you have a smaller pot, feel free to halve the ingredients.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making post partum meals to freeze doesn’t have to be complicated. We are going to build flavor in layers. Follow these simple steps to create a massive batch of delicious food.
Step 1: Brown the Meats
Grab your largest skillet or a heavy soup pot. You want to brown the ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, and the chopped chicken pieces over medium-high heat. You might need to do this in batches if your pan isn’t huge. Crowding the pan can make the meat steam instead of brown, so give it some space. Once cooked through, drain off any excess fat to keep the meal lighter.
Step 2: Cook the Aromatics
Now that the meat is browned and set aside (or pushed to the side of the pot), add your chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook them for about 5 minutes. You want the onions to become soft and translucent. This releases their natural sweetness, which balances the acidity of the tomatoes later on. It smells amazing at this stage.
Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Spices
Return all the meat to the pot if you removed it. Stir in the diced tomatoes (juice and all), tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Now comes the flavor. Add the chili powder, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Stir everything really well to ensure the tomato paste dissolves into the sauce.
Step 4: Simmer to Perfection
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once it is bubbling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, you can let it go for up to an hour. Stir it occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom. This simmering time is crucial for Meal Prep And Freeze recipes because it ensures the flavors marry together perfectly.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down slightly. You do not want to put piping hot food directly into the freezer. Once it is close to room temperature, transfer it to your freezer containers or bags. Now you are ready to stock up your freezer.
How To Store Leftovers
Proper storage is the key to successful Meals For Freezer Dinners. Since you made a huge batch, you need to store it strategically. I highly recommend using gallon-sized freezer bags. Ladle the cooled sauce into the bags, squeeze out as much air as possible, and seal them tight.
Lay the bags flat on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. Once they are frozen solid, you can stack them like books. This saves so much space, which is essential for Deep Freezer Meal Prep. You can fit way more food this way compared to bulky plastic containers.
When you are ready to eat, simply move a bag to the refrigerator the night before to thaw. If you forget, you can thaw it in a bowl of cold water or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until it is bubbly and hot. Serve it with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or even on a bun.
Tips
Here are a few tips to make your post partum meals to freeze even better. First, label everything. Seriously. Write the name of the recipe and the date on the bag before you fill it. Sleep deprivation does funny things to your memory, and you won’t remember what that red block of frozen food is three months from now.
Consider portion sizes. While freezing huge family-sized portions is great, sometimes you might only need lunch for one. Freeze a few smaller bags for those moments when only one parent is home or you need a quick solo meal. This flexibility is what makes this one of the best Meals To Make And Freeze For Later.
Feel free to add veggies. If you want to boost the nutrition, you can add diced bell peppers, carrots, or even zucchini during the sauté step. It is a great way to sneak in extra vitamins without changing the flavor profile too much. This helps you maintain a balanced diet during those busy newborn days.
Conclusion
Preparing for life with a newborn is all about survival, and good food is a huge part of that. These post partum meals to freeze are designed to take the weight off your shoulders. You get a hot, homemade meal without the mess and stress of cooking every single night. It allows you to focus on what matters most, which is cuddling that sweet new baby.
So take a Sunday afternoon, put on your favorite music, and whip up a batch of this hearty meat sauce. You will feel so accomplished seeing those bags stacked in the freezer. It is a small act of kindness for your future self. Enjoy the food, and congratulations on the new addition to your family!
FAQ
How long can I keep this in the freezer?
You can freeze this meat sauce for up to 3 months. It stays safe to eat longer than that, but the flavor is best within that 3 month window. Make sure your bags are sealed tightly to prevent freezer burn.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you check your beef broth and tomato paste labels. Some brands add thickeners or flavorings that contain wheat, so just double check the packaging to be sure.
What if I don’t eat red meat?
No problem at all. You can easily swap the ground beef for more ground turkey or chicken. The texture will be slightly different, but the spices and tomato sauce provide plenty of flavor regardless of the meat you choose.
Do I have to thaw it before reheating?
Thawing is best for even heating, but in a pinch, you can reheat from frozen. Place the frozen block in a pot with a splash of water, cover it, and heat on low. Stir frequently as it melts down to ensure it doesn’t scorch.
Postpartum Freezer Meat Sauce
Prepare delicious, comforting freezer meals for postpartum with this versatile meat sauce. It’s packed with protein, rich in flavor, and perfect over rice, pasta, or baked potatoes. Cook once, eat for weeks!
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Brown the meats: Grab your largest skillet or a heavy soup pot. Brown the ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, and chopped chicken pieces over medium-high heat. You might need to do this in batches. Drain off any excess fat.
- Cook the aromatics: Add your chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Add tomatoes and spices: Return all the meat to the pot. Stir in the diced tomatoes (juice and all), tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Add the chili powder, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well until the tomato paste dissolves.
- Simmer to perfection: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This allows flavors to meld.
- Cool and store: Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down slightly before transferring to freezer containers or bags. Freeze for future meals.
Notes
This recipe makes a very large batch. If you have a smaller pot, feel free to halve the ingredients.
Proper storage is key. Use gallon-sized freezer bags, squeezing out air and laying them flat on a baking sheet to freeze. This saves freezer space.
Label everything! Write the name of the recipe and date on your freezer bags/containers. Sleep deprivation can make you forget!
Consider freezing in various portion sizes – some large for family dinners, some smaller for quick solo lunches.
Boost nutrition by adding diced bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini during the sauté step. It’s an easy way to sneak in extra veggies.
You can freeze this meat sauce for up to 3 months for best flavor, ensuring bags are sealed tightly to prevent freezer burn.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free; just check your beef broth and tomato paste labels for hidden wheat ingredients.
If you prefer not to eat red meat, easily swap ground beef for more ground turkey or chicken.
Thawing overnight in the refrigerator is best. In a pinch, thaw in cold water or use your microwave’s defrost setting. Reheat on the stovetop until bubbly and hot.
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