5 Meals New Parents Can Pull Together in 30 Minutes

Published on 9/18/2021 at 8:00 PM

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After spending the day focused on your baby's feeding schedule, the last thing a new (or not-so-new) parent has the time or energy for is tackling an involved cooking project for themselves. But the allure of takeout usually fades . . . as do the visits from thoughtful, casserole-wielding friends and family. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your baby, so we've rounded up five simple, nutritious meal ideas that all take 30 minutes or less — start to finish.

We've included customization ideas for each of these quick and easy dinners, with the thought that they shouldn't require a special trip to the grocery store (that would defeat the 30-minute timeline, wouldn't it?). Bon appétit!

Pesto Pasta

All it takes are an armful of ingredients and a blender or food processor to whip up a fresh batch of herby, savory pasta. We love this basil almond pesto recipe from Dan Pelosi, but you can also swap in arugula, pine nuts, or walnuts. It's delicious over pasta, with eggs, as a pizza topping — pesto is an incredibly versatile sauce. Make a double batch and freeze half (we love the idea of using an ice-cube tray for mini portions) for an even faster dinner next time around!

Salad For Dinner

If the day was a blur and the healthiest thing you managed to feed yourself was a protein bar, dinner's the time to make up for that. Using any one of these hearty, satisfying salad recipes as inspiration, put together a one-bowl, no-cook entrée that's big on nutrients and low on effort. Save yourself some time by keeping a few favorite bottled salad dressings in the pantry. There will be plenty of time to measure and mix down the road — right now, your focus should be on keeping things nice and easy.

Easiest-Ever Black Bean Soup

This insanely easy approach to black bean soup will likely become a weeknight staple. Minimal ingredients and even less hands-on time make it a great option for busy new parents.

Sauté some chopped onion, garlic, and a bit of olive oil
Add a can of black beans, two cups of water, a bouillon cube (chicken or vegetable), and a can of Herdez Salsa Verde. Cook for about 25 minutes.
You can choose to puree the soup with an immersion blender, or leave it nice and chunky. Serve with any combo of shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, diced avocado, and chips.

Thanks, Trader Joe's

Hit the freezer aisle for Trader Joe's Mildly Sweet and Spicy Beef & Broccoli and serve alongside cauliflower, brown, or white rice (also all found in the freezer section). It just takes a few minutes of stovetop supervision and is a tasty alternative to ordering takeout.

Sheet-Pan Sensation

Sheet-pan dinners are highly customizable, healthy, and, best of all, hands-off. Get inspired with these 25 recipes, and make them your own based on the options available in your fridge and pantry. The end product is a seriously impressive meal with minimal effort required.