Alex Drummond is in the new motherhood phase of her life, and so are her friends! She knows all too well just how hard it can be in those first few weeks after the baby arrives. And so recently, when her friend had a baby of her own, Alex decided to gift her something both thoughtful and useful: food!
The idea of cooking when you’ve just had a baby can seem overwhelming, which is why it’s such a lovely gesture to bring something warm, comforting, and filling for the whole family to enjoy. And by being the daughter of The Pioneer Woman, Alex knew just what to make: her mom’s famous chicken spaghetti. “Nothing fancy,” Alex said on a recent Instagram Story, “but soooo good & major comfort food!!!!”
Alex further explained that it is “such a nostalgic childhood recipe for me,” adding, “We used to eat it all the time growing up.” Even Ladd, who doesn’t really like casseroles, loves chicken spaghetti. As Ree puts it, “What's not to love? It’s pasta baked with tender chicken, peppers, and a creamy, cheesy sauce that coats every single bite.”
What makes chicken spaghetti so perfect for busy moms is that you can make it ahead while the kids are napping or otherwise occupied. And you can freeze it, too. That means her friend has up to six months to eat it, which is incredible for new parents who don’t have time to think, let alone cook. When gifting, all you have to do is write storage and heating instructions on top.
Ree remembers just how it felt “starving all the time” while trying to juggle new motherhood. When her neighbors stopped by with BBQ meatballs after she had Bryce, “I almost cried. Come to think of it, I think I did cry. They were just the thing I needed most.” And that is why food often makes the best gift for a new mom. It’s a simple, sweet gesture that any mom would appreciate. And now Alex is paying it forward!
