Preparing meals for the freezer before baby is born

[RaisinGirls]

Im due to have my first baby in about two weeks or so. I want to do some batch cooking in the next few days so I can prepare some decent meals for me and DH to eat during the first month - and so we can avoid living off takeaways.

I've not been particularly hungry recently and so haven't cooked anything 'proper' for ages living on beans on toast, and now I've got a total mind freeze on what to cook though - all I can think of is bolognese.

Anyone any ideas on what I could cook?

Capitola - My DH is an amazing cook, but we still liked having stuff in the freezer in those early, disorientating days. Also, when he went back to work, it was nice that there was something easy to eat, rather than one of us having to crack on with dinner once he got back (DD1 was quite a cling-on and it took a while before cooking a meal whilst in sole charge was anything other than a trauma).

Foods that make you gassy are because of the way they break down in your gut - there isn't a "gassy" molecule that gets into the milk And as for fizzy drinks - do they make the milk bubbly?

DH does cook, but I think we will both be overwhelmed by having a new born in the house, and I want to make life as easy as possible for both of us in those first weeks.

I think its my nesting instincts coming to the fore, wanting to get everything ready.

thanks for the metal dish tip - I was wondering whether to get them because of metal and microwaves - didn't realise you could just peel them off.

Just to thank all the contributors to this thread. Great tips. I really wish I had one of your cottage pies to eat right now.

Oh yes also recommend buying gnocchi - so quick, taco shells, wraps, ready to wok noodles

I didn't know about mash! I am going to do that

Love this thread! I've got a while yet until my baby is due but I've got some great ideas now for batch cooking, which I think is definitely something I'll be doing.

As well as lasagne, Bolognese, chilli, stews, etc., I also did a jambalaya - just make sure it's completely cooled before you freeze and that you heat it through very well when reheating, as it's rice based - plus enchiladas, prepared in a dish with sauce frozen separately, so we could add the sauce and cheese on top and just bake once defrosted.

I made extra portions of most things we ate for a few weeks before so it wasn't loads of extra work. I also made a huge batch of tomato/veg-based pasta sauce and froze it in bags (hardly takes up any room that way!)

Mac & Cheese
Hot Pots
Stew and Potatoes
Lasagne
Soups
Chicken and Veg Risotto

Pretty much anything at all.