Meal for New Mom but Need to Make It Ahead of Time

Beef stew in crockpot w/potatoes & carrots.

Bbq pork (in crock pot), with rolls so she can make the sandwiches & coleslaw.

Shepherd's pie (in the oven though not crock pot).

Throw a chuck roast, potatoes & carrots and an onion on a crock pot.

Or pulled beef in crock pot. Sweet Baby Rays sauce with a cup of apricot preserves for sauce. Add buns. Maybe a green salad fixed ahead in a large Tupperware?

A homemade soup and a big loaf of bread...and possibly a plate of sliced cucumbers and carrots w/ dip for the young boys to munch on.

Most casseroles, soups and stews freeze well. Make it when you have the time, freeze it and take it to her house frozen that morning. It can thaw during the day and be popped in the oven half an hour or so before dinner. Include a fresh baguette and a bagged salad to make a complete meal, voila! If you're REALLY motivated include a bottle of wine and some cookies or chocolates too :-)

I always make a homemade mac n cheese. You can freeze it and then bake whenever you want it. Another friend made me a tortellini salad and left a bottle of wine to go with it. It was delicious!

What about soup and salad? Make the soup and salad the day before...dress the salad right before you serve it to them or have them dress it themselves. My new favorite salad right now is spinach and arugula with pomegranite seeds, toasted walnuts, and blue cheese. Bring the soup over in your dutch oven or soup pot and just reheat on the stove there. I have a great potato leek soup recipe that is so easy if you want to pm me...I also have a great butternut squash crab bisque recipe. Then just pick up a loaf of crusty french bread to serve with the soup and salad and maybe a dessert. Yummy

Low fat pot pie? With instruction about how long to bake and what temp? It also has veggies in it...

Lasagna.. it is better the next day or after being frozen.
There is always a recipe on the back of the lasagna, pasta box. Purchase Jar sauce.

You can purchase a roasted whole chicken and use it to make a chicken Tetrazzini.. again always tastes better the second day after being refrigerated.

This is the recipe we use.. My husband likes it with sharp cheddar cheese sometimes.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-turkey-tetrazzini/

Tater Tot Casserole

1 pound Ground Beef
1 can green beans, drained
1 can (10-1/2oz.) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 package(32 oz.) frozen tater tots
1 package shredded cheddar cheese

1. Layer the tater tots at the bottom of the crock pot.
2. Cook and drain beef. Place on top of tater tots
3. Next, place the green beans over the beef
4. Mix the milk, cream of mushroom soup, salt and pepper. Pour over green beans.
4. Put most of the cheese on top - save a little to add at the end. Cook on low for 3 hours.
5. When ready to eat, add the remaining cheese and cook until melted.

I prefer the french style green beans.

Spaghetti works for all ages.