Imagine having delicious, nutritious meals ready at a moment's notice while juggling a newborn - without spending hours in the kitchen! This game-changing plant-based freezer meal recipe is about to become your new best friend. Packed with protein-rich quinoa, hearty beans, and vibrant vegetables, these make-ahead meals are not just a time-saver, but a lifeline for new parents seeking healthy, convenient nutrition during those whirlwind first months of parenthood.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 60 mins
Total Time: 90 mins
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- Quinoa
- Black beans
- Chickpeas
- Bell peppers
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Onion
- Garlic
- Vegetable broth
- Spices (cumin, paprika, etc.)
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water to remove any bitter coating. Drain completely.
- In a large skillet, heat a small amount of vegetable broth. Sauté finely diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add diced bell peppers and carrots to the skillet, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Incorporate quinoa into the vegetable mixture, stirring to toast lightly for 1-2 minutes. This enhances the nutty flavor of the quinoa.
- Pour vegetable broth into the skillet, adding cumin, paprika, and other desired spices. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook quinoa mixture for 15-18 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy and translucent.
- Drain and rinse black beans and chickpeas. Fold these into the quinoa mixture along with fresh spinach leaves.
- Allow mixture to cool completely before portioning into freezer-safe containers. Leave approximately 1 inch of space at the top for expansion during freezing.
- Label containers with date and contents. Meals can be stored in freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, thaw overnight in refrigerator and warm in microwave or stovetop, adding additional vegetable broth if needed to maintain moisture.
Tips
- • Use high-quality, freezer-safe containers with tight-fitting lids to prevent freezer burn • Always cool meals completely before freezing to maintain texture and prevent ice crystals • Label containers with exact date and contents to track freshness • Consider portioning meals into individual servings for easier reheating • When reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness • For best quality, consume frozen meals within 3 months • Allow meals to thaw overnight in the refrigerator for optimal taste and texture • Keep a marker and masking tape near your storage containers for easy labeling
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
