Feeding yourself takes a back seat to feeding (and burping and changing and soothing) a new baby, leaving mere slivers of time for wolfing down food, let alone for whipping up meals, elaborate or otherwise. Which is why cooking for a new parent is an act of love. Dropping off soup, casseroles, or meatballs—all easy to make in big batches, freeze, and reheat—can help sustain parents in those first few weeks of navigating life with a newborn. (Or if you’re expecting yourself, many of these are easy to make and tuck away in the freezer a month ahead of time.) From savory hand pies to vegan enchiladas, read on for seven recipes that will elicit tears of joy from a new parent in your life.
Chicken meatball sub with gobs of fresh mozzarella
Meatballs are a supremely versatile gift—perfect to add protein to a big bowl of spaghetti, eat alone with tomato sauce, or add to a roll for a simple, fork-free meal. Elevate the humble sandwich with Food52 resident baker Erin Jeanne McDowell’s chicken meatball sub with gobs of gooey mozzarella. “While you don't have to use fresh mozzarella for a melty, gooey sandwich like this, it really makes it so much better,” she writes. Drop off a big batch of meatballs in sauce, along with some sliced rolls, fresh mozzarella, and a box of bucatini to give the gift of several meals.