Veg Out! 10 More Flavorful Recipes That Aren’t Salads
Article posted in: Diet & NutritionYou’re always asking us how to work more vegetables into your diet without having to eat endless heads of lettuce. We hear you. As delicious as some salads can be, eating them for lunch and dinner, day in and out, can get tiresome. That’s why we created this roundup of incredibly delicious veggie dishes that serve as the perfect nutrient-packed side to your main meal. Want even more flavorful recipes that aren’t salads? No problem.
Here are 10 more flavorful recipes to pump veggies into your day:
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Mustard Glaze >
This may become your new favorite of our flavorful recipes and your go-to way to eat Brussels sprouts: The touch of sweetness in the balsamic and bite of the mustard make an amazing glaze for these earthy veggies. All you have to do is saute the sprouts in margarine until the edges become golden brown, then add the vinegar and mustard and toss. A pinch of black pepper finishes the delicious dish.
2. Simple Pumpkin Soup >
It’s as easy to make as the name implies: Bring broth, pumpkin puree, ginger, curry and other tasty seasonings to a boil, simmer, stir in milk, simmer a little longer and done. You’ll enjoy the rich flavor of pumpkin in each creamy spoonful. Make a bunch and freeze the extra so you cozy up to a warm bowl when the weather gets cold. On the Nutrisystem program, this soup counts as one SmartCarb and one Extra.
3. Zucchini Fritters with Soy Dipping Sauce >
These little delights pack salty and sweet in each crispy bite. The fritters are made from grated zucchini, scallions and sesame seeds and crisped to a golden brown. The sauce combines soy, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil and chili garlic paste. And together the flavor is fantastic. Dip two fritters into a tablespoon of sauce for just 133 delicious calories.
4. Broccoli Slaw with Cranberries and Lime >
This is a far cry from your standard slaw: Broccoli and jicama make up the veg, cranberry and honey add in sweetness, and lime and cilantro bring some tang to this nutritious side dish that’s pleasing to every palate! On Nutrisystem, one serving counts as one SmartCarb and one Vegetable.
5. Sesame Soy Cucumber “Pasta” Salad >
Whip out your spiralizer to transform beautiful cucumbers into “noodles” for this super fresh “pasta” salad. Add in colorful bell peppers and green onions, toss with a decadent homemade dressing of sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce and chili flakes, and top with sesame seeds. It’s simple to make and refreshing to eat. It’s packed with vitamins and perfect as a side or main meal. And it’s only 40 calories per serving.
6. Zesty Tomato Soup >
Simmer together a can of diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, onion and garlic to create this classic veggie soup. To thicken it up, add a little almond milk. To enhance the flavor, toss in a bay leaf. And to make it pretty, top it with chopped basil. The effort is minimal, and the taste is awesome.
7. Crispy Carrot Fries >
Carrots are good for your eyes, have lots of filling fiber and make a great healthy stand-in for fast food fries. Just cut the carrots into fry-like strips, coat them in heart healthy olive oil, sprinkle them with some salt, pepper and savory rosemary, and bake until crispy. One cup counts as one Vegetable and two Extras on your Nutrisystem meal plan. If you love your fries with ketchup, feel free to dunk: One tablespoon counts as one Extra.
8. Easy Instant Pot Herb Roasted Potatoes >
This is one of our flavorful recipes classics, and if you don’t have an Instant Pot, this recipe may convince you to get one. That’s because this amazing kitchen tool allows you to make perfectly roasted, soft and delicious potatoes in just seven short minutes. Just toss in some colorful fingerlings or baby potatoes, olive oil and Italian seasonings, and let the pot work its magic. Serve these tasty spuds with your favorite chicken dish, or enjoy them as a snack. Each serving is only 99 calories.
9. Spicy Sriracha Slaw >
Instead of using fatty mayo to coat the shredded green and red cabbage, these powerhouse veggies are mixed in a dressing made from nonfat plain greek yogurt, lemon juice and sriracha or hot sauce. The kick is surprising, so is the cilantro, which adds another layer of flavor. Take this dish to your next potluck BBQ for a guaranteed invite back.
10. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup >
With its smooth texture and rich, sweet flavor of butternut squash, you’ll be sampling this soup before it makes it to your bowl. Carrots and onions add flavor and non-fat milk makes it creamy, without added calories or fat. Double this healthy recipe—you’ll want leftovers. On Nutrisystem, one serving counts as one SmartCarb, half of a Vegetable and one Extra.