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  6. 25 Veggie-Packed Light Dinners to Help You Reset After a Rich Meal

25 Veggie-Packed Light Dinners to Help You Reset After a Rich Meal

Leah Goggins headshot
Leah Goggins Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD November 27, 2021
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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vegetarian bourguignon

If you're still feeling weighed down by a rich holiday meal, bounce back with one of these healthy dinners (or one of these nutritious breakfasts). Each of these dishes is packed with veggies, from roasted tomatoes to spiced cauliflower, and is low in calories, so you can enjoy a delicious meal without feeling like you've overdone it. Recipes like our Vegetarian Bourguignon and Clean-Out-the-Fridge Vegetable Soup are nutritious, tasty and refreshing.

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Chile-Lime Cauliflower Quesadillas

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Poblano peppers add a touch of heat to these vegetarian quesadillas, but a sweet bell pepper is tasty, too, if you want something milder. Start these quesadillas in the oven and finish them off in a skillet for melty cheese and crispy tortillas.

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Vegetarian Bourguignon

vegetarian bourguignon
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Carrots and parsnips mingle with meaty mushrooms in this vegetarian spin on the classic French beef stew. Feel free to substitute other root vegetables, such as rutabaga and turnip. Serve over whole-wheat pasta and top with chopped parsley or chives.

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Vegan Shepherd's Pie

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Lentils take the place of ground meat and vegan butter adds creaminess to the mashed potatoes in this easy vegan shepherd's pie recipe. If you want to cut down on the cooking time, use precooked lentils and omit most of the vegetable broth, adding some in only if the mixture seems dry.

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Vegan Minestrone Soup

Vegan Minestrone
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Is minestrone soup vegan? It can be, with the right ingredients! This vegan minestrone soup is heavy on the green vegetables (it has peas, zucchini and kale, to name a few!), setting this quick healthy soup recipe apart from the rest. If you miss the tomatoes, feel free to add them to the mix. Last but not least, enjoy the crispy garlic croutons that float on top and soak up the flavorful broth.

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Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup

Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Our meatless version of the Indian-inspired British colonial soup includes parsnip and squash to keep it hearty and satisfying.

 

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Cauliflower Fajita Skillet

Cauliflower Fajita Skillet
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Thinly sliced cauliflower florets mimic the signature shape of fajita meat in this dish. We cook it in a cast-iron skillet for that tableside sizzle you'd get at a restaurant.

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Tofu, Mushroom & Bok Choy Soba Noodle Bowls

Tofu, Mushroom & Bok Choy Soba Noodle Bowl
Credit: Greg DuPree
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Soba noodles are made with whole-grain buckwheat, upping the fiber count in these brothy bowls and adding nutty flavor. Thick and chewy udon noodles make a good alternative.

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Sheet-Pan Tomato Soup

Sheet-Pan Tomato Soup
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Roasting the tomatoes concentrates their flavor, yielding a richly flavored soup. Make a manchego grilled cheese for dunking.

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Clean-Out-the-Fridge Vegetable Soup

Clean-Out-the-Fridge Vegetable Soup
Credit: Eva Kolenko
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This recipe is purposefully flexible so you can incorporate just about any veggie into it. Top with a dollop of pesto and/or a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

 

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Delicata, Rosemary & Blue Cheese Pizza

Delicata, Rosemary & Blue Cheese Pizza
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Topping your pie with squash brings a big vitamin A boost to this pizza—it provides 120% of your Daily Value per serving. The delicata contributes extra fiber, too, thanks in part to its edible skin. We make the oven a multitasker to get this winter pizza on the table fast. The crust bakes on the bottom rack while the vegetables roast. Once the pizza is assembled, a blast from the broiler crisps the edges and melts the cheese.

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Herby White Gazpacho

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This take on gazpacho replaces the tomato with melon or grapes for a sweeter taste and gets its silky texture from Marcona almonds. If you can't find them, use skinless almonds and add 1 tablespoon oil and a pinch more salt.

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Baked Chickpeas with Orange, Lemon & Squash (Revithia me Kolokytha)

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On Crete, chickpeas are commonly flavored with Seville orange, a pleasingly bitter variety grown locally. Orange zest along with lemon juice makes a good substitute. A little mustard deepens the flavor.

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Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls

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Brimming with colorful roasted vegetables, these plant-based meal-prep lunch bowls are high in fiber to keep you full through the afternoon. The easy roasted veggies are based on a popular recipe from our sister magazine (see Associated Recipes). Feel free to use your favorite store-bought hummus to cut down on prep time, or make a batch of your own (see Tip). You can also sub in an 8-ounce microwaveable quinoa pouch to minimize cooking.

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Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili

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This Instant Pot vegetarian chili recipe is full of healthy veggies and two kinds of beans. Chipotle chiles give it a hint of smoke and a nice kick. Top this quick and easy chili with cheese and sour cream, or enjoy it as a vegan chili by garnishing with veggies such as avocado, sliced jalapeños, onions, radishes and scallions or cilantro.

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Instant Pot Lentil Soup

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This Instant Pot lentil soup is quick enough to prepare when you get home from work for an easy weeknight dinner. This vegetarian soup recipe is full of aromatic vegetables, brown lentils and fresh spinach. A splash of balsamic vinegar brightens the flavor, and a garnish of radish and parsley gives this comforting soup a fresh finish.

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Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Diet Stew

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Diet Stew in White Bowl
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With a focus on vegetables, fiber-rich legumes and healthy fats, this slow-cooker stew fits the bill for those following the Mediterranean diet. Swap out the chickpeas for white beans for a different twist, or try collards or spinach in place of the kale. A drizzle of olive oil to finish pulls together the flavors of this easy vegan crock-pot stew.

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Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette

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Inspired by the classic warm party dip, this simple salad can be served up right away or divided into small lidded containers for a week of delicious lunches. To keep the hard-boiled eggs tasting fresh, we suggest adding them to your salad just before serving or in the morning before packing your lunch to go.

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Kale & Roasted Sweet Potato Hash

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This one-pan hash makes an easy fall dinner or a simple dish for a healthy brunch. You can even poach the eggs ahead of time--slip them into steaming-hot water to rewarm them just before serving.

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Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls

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A bold, smoky marinade elevates roasted cauliflower in this meal-prep version of our popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos (see Associated Recipes). To cut down on prep time, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches (you'll need one 8-ounce pouch for this recipe) instead of cooking quinoa.

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Fall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddar

Fall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddar
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Who says spinach salads are only for spring? Use autumn's tender crop of fresh spinach and other seasonal vegetables to make this fall salad with roasted butternut squash, apples, cheddar and pecans. This colorful and healthy salad would be a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving menu, but there's no reason to save it for holidays--serve it along with chicken or pork for a healthy weeknight dinner, or turn it into a main course by adding some chickpeas or chopped chicken or turkey.

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Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili

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Grab your crock pot for this delicious and easy slow-cooker vegetarian chili with beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, bell peppers and sweet potatoes. The recipe requires just 20 minutes of active time: after a bit of chopping, you just dump the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do the work. Adding a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of cilantro just before serving brightens up the flavors. Top it with some shredded cheese, if you'd like, or serve it as-is to keep it vegan. Either way, this healthy chili is sure to become a go-to when you want a satisfying and healthy dinner.

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Noodle-Less Butternut Squash Lasagna

Noodle-Less Butternut Squash Lasagna
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Slices of butternut squash stand in for noodles in this veggie-packed lasagna with spinach, mushrooms and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. You can make the Parmesan cheese sauce with regular flour or swap in gluten-free flour to make this dish gluten-free. Look for a squash with a long, straight neck for the best results. Serve with a green salad for a vegetarian meal that you'd be happy to serve to company.

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Piled-High Greek Vegetable Pitas

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The bright, fresh flavors of the Mediterranean come alive in these easy vegetarian pitas. Give yourself enough time to make the roasted vegetables called for in the recipe--or make them a day or two in advance for a healthy meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. These pitas would also work well with whatever leftover cooked veggies you have on hand. No need to warm the roasted veggies up; this recipe tastes great chilled or at room temperature.

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Spinach-Mushroom Frittata with Avocado Salad

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Frittatas are like omelets, only easier--and they taste great hot, warm or cold. This vegetable-packed version is spiked with Mediterranean flavor and paired with a cool salad of lemony cucumbers and tomatoes with creamy avocado. This easy recipe is perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner!

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Slow-Cooker Vegan Chili

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Grab your crock pot for this hearty and easy vegan chili, which is chock-full of great-tasting and good-for-you ingredients, including pinto and black beans, red pepper, tomatoes and butternut squash. Once a little chopping is done, all you have to do is dump the ingredients in the slow cooker, making this colorful veggie chili the perfect weeknight dinner. A garnish of fresh avocado and chopped cilantro is a nice touch.

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    1 of 25 Chile-Lime Cauliflower Quesadillas
    2 of 25 Vegetarian Bourguignon
    3 of 25 Vegan Shepherd's Pie
    4 of 25 Vegan Minestrone Soup
    5 of 25 Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup
    6 of 25 Cauliflower Fajita Skillet
    7 of 25 Tofu, Mushroom & Bok Choy Soba Noodle Bowls
    8 of 25 Sheet-Pan Tomato Soup
    9 of 25 Clean-Out-the-Fridge Vegetable Soup
    10 of 25 Delicata, Rosemary & Blue Cheese Pizza
    11 of 25 Herby White Gazpacho
    12 of 25 Baked Chickpeas with Orange, Lemon & Squash (Revithia me Kolokytha)
    13 of 25 Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls
    14 of 25 Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
    15 of 25 Instant Pot Lentil Soup
    16 of 25 Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Diet Stew
    17 of 25 Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
    18 of 25 Kale & Roasted Sweet Potato Hash
    19 of 25 Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls
    20 of 25 Fall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddar
    21 of 25 Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili
    22 of 25 Noodle-Less Butternut Squash Lasagna
    23 of 25 Piled-High Greek Vegetable Pitas
    24 of 25 Spinach-Mushroom Frittata with Avocado Salad
    25 of 25 Slow-Cooker Vegan Chili

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    25 Veggie-Packed Light Dinners to Help You Reset After a Rich Meal
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