Dishes that make veggies the star can be simple and straightforward. This collection features 23 recipes that do just that — no over-the-top techniques or obscure ingredients necessary. These are great, no-frills options for when you want to highlight vegetables without making a big production out of it. Just good food where the veggies get to take center stage.
Baked Sliced Zucchini
Baked Sliced Zucchini is perfect for letting veggies shine as the main attraction. This dish keeps it simple with baked zucchini slices and parmesan, delivering tender and crisp bites ready in just 20 minutes. It’s a great way to add some veggie goodness to your meal, whether as a side or a light main course. For those trying to eat more vegetables without a lot of prep time, this quick and easy recipe is a great choice to enhance your meals with a delicious veggie dish.
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Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is a great pick for making veggies a highlight in your meals. This salad combines thinly sliced cucumbers and onions in a creamy dill dressing, creating a quick and refreshing side that’s ready in 30 minutes. It’s a cool addition perfect for any meal and can even please picky eaters with its crisp and creamy texture. If you need a simple way to boost your vegetable intake, this salad is an easy and delicious option to add more greens to your plate.
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Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Golden Baked Jicama Fries are a great way to make veggies the star of your meal. By boiling and baking jicama sticks seasoned with paprika, turmeric and garlic powder you get crispy fries that put regular fries to shame. Ready in about 45 minutes, these fries are a healthier side that pairs well with various main dishes, boosting your meal with a delicious vegetable option. If you’re looking to increase your veggie intake without sacrificing flavor or texture, these jicama fries are a perfect addition to your dinner lineup.
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Cold Shrimp and Cucumber Bites
Cold Shrimp and Cucumber Bites are a great example of veggies taking the spotlight. Top cucumber slices with seasoned shrimp to create a refreshing snack or appetizer that’s perfect for gatherings. These bites combine fresh flavors and a nice crunch, making them a hit at any party. They’re quick to assemble and a great way to increase your vegetable intake in a fun and delicious way. These bites are not only healthy but also impressive and easy to make.
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Bell Pepper Sandwich
Bell Pepper Sandwich is perfect for turning veggies into the main feature of your meal. Crisp bell peppers become the base for fillings like turkey, cheese, and lettuce, making it a quick and healthy 10-minute meal that really shows off veggies. This sandwich is a creative alternative to bread, serving a fresh and crunchy way to enjoy your favorite sandwich fillings. For anyone looking to cut carbs and increase their vegetable intake, this bell pepper sandwich is a smart solution.
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Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is great for making veggies the focus of your dinner. This dish mixes chopped bell peppers, rice, ground beef, and spices in one baking dish, resulting in a hearty and delicious dinner after 45 minutes in the oven. It puts vegetables front and center, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal that’s also nutritious. If you’re looking for a convenient way to add more veggies to your diet, this casserole is a delicious and filling option that the whole family will love.
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Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta
Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta is perfect for bringing veggies to the forefront of your meal. This dish features shaved asparagus and crispy bacon mixed with a creamy sauce and your favorite pasta, ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a comforting meal that really highlights vegetables while being rich and hearty. For those who want a delicious way to include more greens in their meals, this pasta dish is a great choice that combines flavor and veggies seamlessly.
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Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
These Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are a great way to let veggies shine. Fill cucumber halves with a mix of chicken, crispy bacon, homemade ranch seasoning, and cheese. This creates a cool and refreshing meal or snack. It only takes 15 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy days. If you’re looking to add more veggies to your diet, this dish makes it super easy and delicious. It’s also a great choice for parties or quick lunches.
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Broccoli Fritters
Broccoli Fritters are perfect for making veggies the star of your meal. Mix chopped broccoli with sunflower seed meal, eggs, and Parmesan cheese, then pan-fry until golden and crispy. These fritters are ready in just 30 minutes and are a great choice for a quick lunch or a delectable side dish. They help you easily increase your vegetable intake without sacrificing flavor. These fritters are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults, making them a great addition to any meal.
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Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a great way to turn veggies into a delicious side dish. Pulse cauliflower into rice-like bits using a food processor, sauté with onion, garlic and jalapeno, then stir in lime juice and cilantro. This dish is ready in 20 minutes and pairs perfectly with your favorite main course. It’s a quick and easy way to add more vegetables to your diet without compromising on flavor. This dish is light yet flavorful, making it a perfect addition to any meal.
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Loaded Zucchini Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats are a great way to enjoy your greens with a filling that’s hard to resist. Fill zucchini halves with a hearty mix of bacon and cheese for a gluten-free, keto-friendly meal that’s ready in 50 minutes. This dish is simple to prepare and sure to impress your family or guests. It’s a great way to add more vegetables to your diet while still enjoying rich flavors. These boats are both healthy and delicious, making them a perfect dinner option.
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Zucchini Bites
Zucchini Bites are a fun and easy way to snack on veggies. Ready in just 30 minutes, these bites feature shredded zucchini mixed with Parmesan and cheddar cheese, plus a hint of Italian seasoning, making them extra flavorful. These bites are baked to a golden crisp and are a perfect way to sneak more veggies into your meals. They make it easy to increase your vegetable intake in a delicious way. Serve them with dipping sauces, like ketchup or sour cream, for extra flavor. These bites are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
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Cauliflower Potato Salad
This Cauliflower Potato Salad replaces potatoes with cauliflower, making it a veggie-centered version of the classic dish. It’s packed with baked cauliflower, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar, all mixed in a creamy mix of sour cream and mayo, spiced up with a hint of hot sauce and paprika. It’s easy to whip up and needs only 35 minutes before chilling in the fridge. It’s quick to make and packs a lot of flavor. Great for picnics or family gatherings where veggies take center stage. If you’re looking to increase your veggie intake, this dish makes it easy and delicious.
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Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a rich, creamy one-pot dish, perfect for a quick dinner on a busy evening or a laid-back weekend. Ready in about an hour, it combines the sweetness of sweet potatoes with the bold flavors of red bell peppers, enhanced by cumin and paprika. The process is simple: sauté the vegetables, add the spices and broth, simmer, and blend. It’s perfect for a quick and easy meal that puts veggies at the forefront. If you want a hearty meal that highlights veggies, this soup is a great choice.
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Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower is baked with herbs and butter until it’s golden and tender, making it a standout main dish. It features cauliflower that is tender on the inside and crisp on the outside, along with other ingredients like chicken stock, butter, Parmesan cheese, and thyme. This recipe shows how simple ingredients can make veggies shine. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, too. If you’re aiming to add more vegetables to your diet, this dish is an impressive way to do it.
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Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese brings a mix of juicy, soft textures and a flavor punch. You’ll need Roma tomatoes, shredded Parmesan, mozzarella, fresh basil, and Italian seasoning. Simply top the tomato slices with the cheeses and seasonings, then bake and broil until golden. This dish is a simple yet flavorful veggie option that’s great as a side or appetizer. It’s ready in just 25 minutes, making it a quick way to enjoy more vegetables. If you’re looking to boost your veggie intake without much hassle, this recipe is perfect.
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Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats are a fun and easy way to enjoy veggies as a snack, light meal, or appetizer. Each cucumber half is de-seeded and filled with softened cream cheese and a generous spoonful of tuna. The boats are then topped with Everything Bagel Seasoning, coconut aminos, and a drizzle of hot sauce. They’re quick to make and bring a lot of flavor to the table. If you want a refreshing and crunchy way to add more veggies to your diet, these cucumber boats are a great option.
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Creamy Broccoli With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Broccoli With Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a quick and flavorful stovetop side dish that combines tender broccoli florets with sun-dried tomatoes and a rich cream sauce. This dish features a delectable mix of textures and bold flavors from Italian seasoning, paprika, and a touch of garlic. This recipe is ready in just 25 minutes and adds a distinct touch to your veggie sides. If you’re looking to include more vegetables in your meals, this dish is a flavorful and easy option.
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Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon makes veggies the star with roasted butternut squash and cauliflower combined with crispy bacon. The natural sweetness of squash pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of bacon, creating a hearty and delicious meal. It’s great for showcasing how vegetables can be both delicious and comforting. Plus, it’s ready in just 45 minutes, making it a convenient option for busy days. This recipe helps increase your vegetable intake without sacrificing flavor.
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Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon makes cabbage the hero in a quick and flavorful dish that you can prepare in just 25 minutes. It combines chopped green cabbage, crispy bacon, and finely chopped white onion, resulting in a meal that’s both hearty and delicious. The flavors are well-balanced, with the smokiness of the bacon complementing the mild sweetness of the cabbage and onion. It’s great for those nights when you want something fast and delicious that also helps you eat more vegetables. This dish is a great way to add more greens to your diet with minimal effort.
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Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is a quick and easy one-pan meal ready in under 30 minutes. It features a hearty combination of tender cabbage and chicken sausage. It brings together simple, common ingredients like green cabbage, sausage, and a touch of apple cider vinegar for a slight tang. Onions and spices enhance the flavors, making it a comforting choice that many enjoy. This recipe is perfect for boosting your vegetable intake with a dish that’s quick to prepare and delicious.
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Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is super convenient and makes vegetables the main event. You’ll roast sausages along with broccoli, zucchini, and sweet mini peppers for a quick, veggie-packed meal. It’s great for busy weeknights, taking only 30 minutes to get a delicious dinner on the table with minimal cleanup. This recipe is a great way to up your veggie intake without a lot of effort. You’ll love how easy it is to make a healthy meal.
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Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Get the creamy texture of risotto with a veggie spin by using cauliflower rice. Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is cooked with mushrooms and broth and finished with Parmesan cheese, making it a perfect way to put veggies front and center. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and delicious choice for family dinners or special occasions. This recipe is great for adding more vegetables to your meals while keeping things delicious and interesting.
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