Veg out with these 23 genius recipes where veggies take center stage

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Ready to veg out but want to keep it fun and creative? These 23 genius recipes are here to show you that veggies can truly steal the show. Forget the days when greens and roots played second fiddle to meat-based main dishes and carbs; we’re talking about plates where vegetables are the stars, making your meal anything but boring.

A stack of broccoli fritters on a plate.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Golden Baked Jicama Fries

Golden baked jicama fries garnished with parsley on a plate.
Golden Baked Jicama Fries. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

By boiling and then baking jicama sticks seasoned with your favorite spices, you can create these Golden Baked Jicama Fries. These fries are a healthier spin on a classic side dish, with a crispiness that’ll bring traditional fries to shame. Ready in about 45 minutes, they pair well with a variety of main courses, enhancing your spread with a delicious vegetable.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries

Baked Sliced Zucchini

Baked sliced zucchini with parmesan on a white plate.
Baked Sliced Zucchini. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tender yet crisp, Baked Sliced Zucchini is effortlessly whipped up in just 20 minutes. This dish highlights the simplicity of baking seasoned zucchini slices, resulting in a dish that complements any main course. It’s a straightforward and delicious way to boost your spread with a meal that stars vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad combines thinly sliced cucumbers and onions in a creamy dill dressing for a quick and refreshing side. This salad is not only quick to prepare in 30 minutes but also brings a crisp, cool complement to any meal. It even makes veggies easier to eat, perfect for serving to picky eaters.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bell Pepper Sandwich

Bell pepper sandwich cut in half on a plate.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bell Pepper Sandwich transforms crisp bell peppers into a delicious base for sandwich fillings such as turkey, cheese, and lettuce. This innovative spin on the traditional sandwich is ready in only 10 minutes. Plus, it highlights vegetables for a quick, healthy option.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a clever spin on a traditional dish, combining chopped bell peppers, cooked rice, ground beef, and spices in one baking dish. After baking until bubbly, this casserole emerges as a hearty dinner that makes veggies the star of the show. It’s ready in 45 minutes, making it a great choice for a weeknight meal that’s quick to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

In FDL library.
Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta is a luscious main course that brings asparagus to the forefront. Chopped asparagus and crispy bacon are merged with a creamy sauce then tossed with your favorite pasta. Ready in about 30 minutes, this recipe is a great way to enjoy a comforting meal while highlighting vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Bacon ranch chicken salad cucumber boats lined up on a plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fill hollowed cucumbers with a mix of chicken, bacon, ranch dressing, and cheese to make Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. This dish is not only a cool and easy way to enjoy veggies, but it also only takes 15 minutes to make. Serve these as a light and flavorful meal or snack for any event.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Broccoli Fritters

Broccoli Fritters on a white plate with sauce.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo Credit: Real Balanced.

Broccoli Fritters turn the ordinary vegetable into the highlight of a hearty meal. Mix chopped broccoli with flour, eggs, and Parmesan, then pan-fry them until golden and crisp. These fritters are perfect as a light lunch or flavorful side, ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

A bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is made by pulsing cauliflower in a food processor until it resembles rice, then sautéing it with lime juice and cilantro. This healthy but flavorful side dish is both delicious and easy to prepare, taking only 20 minutes. Serve this creative use of vegetables alongside your favorite main course for a hearty meal!
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Cold Shrimp and Cucumber Bites

A person holding a cucumber with shrimp and guacamole.
Cold Shrimp and Cucumber Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cold Shrimp and Cucumber Bites assemble quickly as a refreshing snack or appetizer. Top cucumber slices with seasoned shrimp for a great combination of flavors and textures. These bites are perfect for gatherings or a simple, healthy snack, highlighting how veggies can be both fun and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cold Shrimp and Cucumber Bites

Loaded Zucchini Boats

Three loaded zucchini boats on a plate.
Loaded Zucchini Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These zucchini boats are a great way to enjoy your greens, with a hearty filling of bacon and cheese, all while being gluten-free and keto-friendly. They’re simple to prepare, and in about 50 minutes, you’ll have a dish that’s delicious, impressive, and extra memorable.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats

Zucchini Bites

A zucchini bite being dipped into a dipping sauce.
Zucchini Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Zucchini Bites are a playful way to snack on vegetables. This recipe combines grated zucchini with cheese and breadcrumbs and bakes them into crispy bitefuls. Ready in 30 minutes, these bites are a great choice for a healthy, quick snack or a fun addition to any meal. Serve alongside ketchup or sour cream for dipping, creating an even richer flavor.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites

Cauliflower Potato Salad

Cauliflower potato salad garnished with green onions in a bowl with a fork.
Cauliflower Potato Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cauliflower Potato Salad reinvents a classic dish by substituting cauliflower for potatoes. By adding bacon, cheese, and a hint of hot sauce for a kick, it’s just as flavorful as the original. This lighter version is quick to make and packs a flavorful punch, making it a clever vegetable-forward option for picnics or family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup blends the smooth textures of cooked sweet potatoes with roasted red peppers for a comforting bowl. This soup highlights veggies as the core of a filling meal. Plus, it’s ready in just an hour, and you’ll only need one pot to make it!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Buttery whole roasted cauliflower on a baking sheet.
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower is baked with herbs and butter until it’s soft and golden, transforming a simple vegetable into a spectacular main dish. This recipe is easy to prepare and always impresses, showing that veggies can be incredibly delicious with just a few ingredients. It’s perfect for a special meal or any occasion where you want vegetables to shine.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

Baked tomatoes with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese garnished with parsley.
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Slice tomatoes and top them with a mix of cheeses to make these Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese. Bake until the cheese bubbles and turns golden and you’ve got a delicious side or appetizer in only 25 minutes. This recipe creates a simple yet flavorful veggie dish that’s great for gatherings or getting your vegetable intake up.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Spicy tuna cucumber boats on a plate.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats feature cucumber halves hollowed out and filled with a spicy mixture of tuna, cream cheese, and hot sauce. It’s a great choice for an easy, flavorful veggie-based snack, light meal, or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Creamy Broccoli With Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A pan of creamy broccoli with sun-dried tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Broccoli With Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Broccoli With Sun-Dried Tomatoes sautées broccoli florets and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy sauce, creating a dish bursting with flavor. It’s ready in just 25 minutes and features flavors you may not normally cook in your kitchen. Try it and pair it alongside your favorite main dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli With Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted cubed butternut squash and spinach with sour cream.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Roast cubed butternut squash and cauliflower with bacon pieces for a dish that showcases the natural sweetness of squash alongside the savory flavor of bacon. This recipe is a hearty and nutritious meal option, making vegetables the foundation of a delicious and comforting dish. The best part is you can have this ready in just about 45 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon combines chopped cabbage and crispy bacon cooked together until the cabbage is tender and flavorful. This simple yet hearty dish highlights the great taste of its ingredients and is easy to prepare, making for a meal that’s both quick and delicious to eat. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan Cabbage and Sausage dish is a flavorful and filling meal that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. Slice cabbage and sausage, cook them together in a pan, and enjoy a hearty dinner that’s also great for meal prep as it keeps well, allowing you to enjoy vegetables throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

A baking sheet filled with vegetables and sausages.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is the epitome of a convenient meal that stars vegetables. Arrange sausages, broccoli, zucchini, and mini peppers on a sheet pan and roast until everything is perfectly cooked. It’s great for busy weeknights, creating a veggie-filled dinner on the table with only 30 minutes and minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower risotto in a pan.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms simulates the creamy texture of traditional risotto using cauliflower rice. Cooked with mushrooms and broth and finished with Parmesan cheese, your palate will appreciate the hearty and comforting flavors. This dish is ready in just 30 minutes, making it a quick choice for family dinners or special occasions where you want to enjoy a vegetable-centric dish.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

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