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  6. 25 Dinners To Help Boost Your Mood on Shorter Days

25 Dinners To Help Boost Your Mood on Shorter Days

Leah Goggins headshot
Leah Goggins Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD November 10, 2021
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

As the days get shorter, we could all use a little pick-me-up. That's why we've pulled together these recipes that rely on ingredients like kale, salmon and yogurt that research has linked to improved mood and less stress. These satisfying meals also include delicious winter produce, like sweet potatoes and winter squash, for a seasonal meal that will hit the spot. Recipes like our One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan and Adobo Chicken & Kale Enchiladas are cozy ways to brighten winter's short days.

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Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli

sheet pan salmon
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The vibrant combo of cheese, cilantro, chili, and lime--inspired by Mexican street corn--makes this salmon sheet-pan dinner burst with flavor.

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One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan

One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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This lentil-vegetable soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. If you have it, the Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body.

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Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens

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In this healthy salmon dinner, you'll get a dose of greens and green dressing! Chowing down on 6 or more servings of dark leafy greens a week can help keep your brain in top shape. This dish features the Test Kitchen's current go-to method for doctoring a can of chickpeas: spice them up and roast until crispy.

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Adobo Chicken & Kale Enchiladas

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Put out your favorite toppings for these quick and healthy layered enchiladas. We like cilantro, sour cream, guacamole and jalapeños.

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Vegetarian Potato-Kale Soup

Vegetarian Potato-Kale Soup
Credit: Photography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali Ramee
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This potato-kale soup has a rich, yet light and velvety texture. Opt for baby, two-bite red potatoes as they cook faster in the creamy, brothy soup. Serve with crusty bread and a glass of wine for a cozy meal.

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Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed Potatoes

Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed Potatoes
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Fire-roasted tomatoes add slightly smoky flavor to red lentils. The addition of mashed potatoes gives this an upside-down shepherd's pie feel.

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Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce (tk final title)
Credit: Photography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Greg Luna
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To achieve flavor quickly in this pasta recipe, we use the oil from sun-dried tomatoes to create the base of the cream sauce. Meanwhile, the residual heat of the pasta wilts the spinach in record time for a fast weeknight dinner.

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French Onion Dip Chicken & Rice Casserole

French Onion Dip Chicken & Rice Casserole
Credit: Greg Dupree
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This creamy French onion dip chicken and rice casserole topped with crispy potato chips is perfect for game day or whenever you want a comforting meal the whole family will love.

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Slow-Cooker Squash, Millet & Lentil Dal with Herbed Yogurt

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This slow-cooker dal recipe has a range of pleasing textures: red lentils and millet break down as they cook, and the toor dal, which are split pigeon peas, stay toothsome. Look for all three ingredients at Indian markets or natural-foods stores. The crock pot does most of the work for this healthy vegetarian recipe, and a quick herbed yogurt added just before serving brightens up the flavors. Bonus: Both the dal and the yogurt can be made ahead and the leftovers are wonderful.

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Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon & Creamy Garlic Dressing

superfood chopped salmon salad
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Curly kale forms the base of this salad, but you could use chard or spinach. To the greens, add a multitude of chopped veggies, such as broccoli, cabbage and carrots. Finish with rich salmon for protein and a drizzle of creamy yogurt dressing to bring it all together.

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Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale

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You can make these three-ingredient tomato-simmered eggs with things you probably already have on hand in your freezer and pantry. To make these baked eggs more like eggs in purgatory, look for a spicy tomato sauce and don't forget some whole-wheat bread for dipping.

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Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Beans

Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Beans
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Loaded with roasted sweet potatoes and shallots, black beans, quinoa, feta and pepitas, this salad makes for a satisfying meatless meal. Not only does massaging the kale tenderize it, it also helps the greens absorb more of the bright dressing.

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Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts

Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts
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Roasting salmon on top of Brussels sprouts and garlic, flavored with wine and fresh oregano, is simple enough for a weeknight meal yet sophisticated enough to serve to company. Serve with whole-wheat couscous.

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Slow-Cooker Turkey & Kale Minestrone Soup

Slow-Cooker Turkey & Kale Minestrone Soup
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Adjust the heat level in the dish by choosing either hot or mild Italian sausage. You can add red pepper, too, to make it extra hot. Serve this slow-cooker minestrone with crusty bread, if desired.

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Kale & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

Kale & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing
Credit: Photography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali Ramee
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This kale-quinoa salad pops with different flavors and textures. Massaging the kale helps break down its fibrous nature, while add-ins like toasted almonds, feta and cucumber add crunch and saltiness.

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Ginger-Tahini Oven-Baked Salmon & Vegetables

sheet pan of salmon and vegetables on blue background
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The tahini sauce does double duty in this healthy salmon recipe, serving as a glaze for the fish and also as a drizzle for the entire dish at the end of cooking. The green beans are cooked just slightly in this recipe, to still be crisp. If you like your green beans tenderer, look for thinner beans or haricot verts in the grocery store; they'll cook more quickly. This sheet-pan dinner recipe is not only delicious--it also comes together with just 25 minutes of active prep time, and there's only one pan to clean up afterwards!

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Spaghetti Squash Soup with Sausage

Spaghetti Squash Soup
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
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This easy soup is a great way to showcase the versatility of spaghetti squash. Sweet Italian sausage pairs well with the subtle sweetness of the squash. The broth that coats the thin strands of spaghetti squash is flavorful and light.

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Roasted Salmon & Butternut Squash Salad

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The natural sweetness of the squash is amplified by a maple syrup-spiked dressing in this hearty salmon salad. Serve with crusty garlic bread and a glass of Beaujolais wine.

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Kale & White Bean Potpie with Chive Biscuits

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In this vegetarian white bean potpie recipe, kale and hearty white beans are topped with easy, homemade chive biscuits. If desired, add a little shredded Gruyère or Cheddar cheese to the biscuit dough.

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Fall Vegetable & Sausage Stew

Fall Vegetable & Sausage Stew
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Hot Italian sausage complements the sweet potatoes and greens, providing just the right amount of heat in this comforting soup. Simmering with rosemary sprigs infuses the soup with aromatic flavor without the extra work required to mince the leaves before cooking them.

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Garlic, Sausage & Kale Naan Pizzas

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We love sausage, but it can be high in sodium. In this fast, healthy dinner, we make our own turkey sausage with crushed red pepper, garlic, fennel seeds, paprika and just a touch of salt.

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Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew

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This satisfying stew comes together in a snap. Mashed chickpeas add body to the broth, and tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium. To simplify the prep, look for chopped fresh onion and shredded carrot or a soup starter mix in the produce section.

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Easy Saag Paneer

Easy Saag Paneer
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The paneer cheese in this fast and easy dinner doesn't melt when it cooks. It browns instead, giving a toothsome texture to this Indian classic packed with spinach and spices. Serve over brown basmati rice to round out this healthy meal.

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Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce

Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce
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The key to cooking juicy chicken without a spit in this healthy recipe is high heat and dark meat. The yogurt in the marinade gives the chicken both its tender texture and its alluring char. More yogurt in the sauce, along with crunchy cucumbers and herbs, keeps the flavors bright.

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Squash & Oyster Stuffing

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This healthy oyster stuffing recipe with butternut squash is a lightened-up version of the must-have holiday side. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, you can make it moist or crispy. If you're an extra-moist-stuffing type, bake it covered for the full 50 minutes; if you like some crispy bits on top, follow the oyster stuffing recipe as written: bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.

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    1 of 25 Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli
    2 of 25 One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan
    3 of 25 Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens
    4 of 25 Adobo Chicken & Kale Enchiladas
    5 of 25 Vegetarian Potato-Kale Soup
    6 of 25 Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed Potatoes
    7 of 25 Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
    8 of 25 French Onion Dip Chicken & Rice Casserole
    9 of 25 Slow-Cooker Squash, Millet & Lentil Dal with Herbed Yogurt
    10 of 25 Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon & Creamy Garlic Dressing
    11 of 25 Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale
    12 of 25 Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Beans
    13 of 25 Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts
    14 of 25 Slow-Cooker Turkey & Kale Minestrone Soup
    15 of 25 Kale & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing
    16 of 25 Ginger-Tahini Oven-Baked Salmon & Vegetables
    17 of 25 Spaghetti Squash Soup with Sausage
    18 of 25 Roasted Salmon & Butternut Squash Salad
    19 of 25 Kale & White Bean Potpie with Chive Biscuits
    20 of 25 Fall Vegetable & Sausage Stew
    21 of 25 Garlic, Sausage & Kale Naan Pizzas
    22 of 25 Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew
    23 of 25 Easy Saag Paneer
    24 of 25 Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce
    25 of 25 Squash & Oyster Stuffing

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