Healthy Meals

Vegetarians and meat-lovers alike will fall for these vegetable-driven dishes.

In celebration of National Vegetarian Month, which begins October 1, we’ve compiled an entire month of dinners, so you won’t even have to think about what’s on the menu.   

Nutty, robust whole grains—think barley, quinoa, and bulgur—are a delicious and healthful way to bulk up your meals. 

Whether you’re on a low-carb diet or trying to fuel up for a big or particularly busy day, feel more satisfied with one of these delicious and healthy high-protein recipes. Even if you’re not concerned about replenishing your body after a workout or sticking to a Paleo-like plan, it’s smart to be sure your family’s getting enough of this critical building block, which helps our body build and repair tissue. This lineup isn’t all red meat and beans, either: We’ve got 18 flavorful dishes, like Roasted Curried Salmon with Tomatoes, Spiced Lamb Meatball and Swiss Chard Stew, and a Chipotle Beef and Beer Chili that will knock your socks off. A few of our recipes offer up a double-dose of protein, too, from the Bean Salad With Bacon and Chives to the Chicken and Quinoa Burritos. Black bean enchiladas and a riff on a classic Spanish omelet deliver tasty spices. And with plenty of grains and vegetables, you’ll still feel like you’re getting a balanced meal. Most high-protein menus require grilling virtually everything. So we devised a variety of cooking methods, from slow-cooker suppers that cook on low for 8 hours to shrimp risotto that comes together on the stovetop. In fact, only one recipe in this collection requires firing up the grill at all, and it just might be the dish you’d like to try first. Our Beef, Bacon, and Egg Burgers boast patties made with ground beef and chopped bacon. Top the burger with a fried egg for yet another protein source.

Fish lovers, rejoice! These recipes are as easy as they are (ahem) fin-tastic. 

Think of this dish as a build-your-own noodle bowl—set out the components and let your friends or family assemble as they please. In addition to being healthy and completely customizable, it’s pretty, too, thanks to the assortment of vibrant veggies. The star of the meal is the creamy tahini dressing, which is a riff on an Asian-style peanut butter sauce. We love soba noodles for their quick cook time and nutty flavor, but feel free to use whole-wheat spaghetti instead. For added protein, top the bowls with tofu, shredded chicken, or shrimp. Spicy food lovers can top theirs with sliced fresh chile, too.

Plan your family menu, from appetizers to desserts, with kid-friendly recipes.

Try one of these easy takes on the versatile root vegetable.

This nutritious, nutty ingredient cooks like a grain and provides the same protein punch as meat, minus the fat and cholesterol.

They may be small in size, but the shrimp in these healthy dishes pack tremendous flavor.