Enjoy these new vibrant and flavorful dinner recipes. These meals are rich in a variety of vegetables, complex carbohydrates, whole grains, and low in saturated fat and sodium, making them suitable if you follow a diabetes-friendly eating pattern. Plus, these recipes are rated 4 and 5 stars. eat well I think our readers will love it. Recipes like Cheesy Asparagus Chicken Cutlets and Creamy Pesto Shrimp Gnocchi with Peas will help you savor every bite while meeting your health goals.
Cauliflower Steak Piccata is perfect for Meatless Mondays
Ali Redmond
This Cauliflower Steak Piccata recipe retains the flavor of the rich lemon sauce, but uses thick cauliflower slices cut down the center instead of chicken. To serve this recipe as a side dish, cut the stewed cauliflower into large wedges or florets and serve in a bowl topped with sauce and parsley.
Cheesy Asparagus Chicken Cutlets provide 32 grams of protein
Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster, Food Stylist: Emily Hall
A weeknight dinner inspired by early spring, wrapped in a creamy cheese sauce and tender, crunchy asparagus wrapped around a chicken cutlet. Asparagus can also be replaced with soft or crunchy steamed vegetables, such as snap peas or green beans. Serve with baby potatoes or new potatoes as a starchy side to complement the sauce.
Roasted sweet potato and beet sandwich is a must-try recipe
Photography: Rachel Malek, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
These hearty sandwiches are piled high with veggies like earthy roasted beets and sweet potatoes, lemony arugula, and pickled onions, making them perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner. I used whole wheat baguette, but you can also use whole wheat baguette if you prefer. Beets of any color are delicious. If you want to avoid the stain that red beets leave behind, try golden or chioggia.
Creamy Pesto Shrimp, Gnocchi and Peas 20 Minute Dinner
Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster, Food Stylist: Emily Hall
This speedy dinner recipe combines shrimp with pillowy gnocchi, pesto, and peas in a creamy sauce. You can also use other vegetables like broccoli or asparagus instead of peas. If you like it a little spicy, sprinkle with crushed red pepper or grate Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
15 minute eggs marinated in vodka sauce
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Props Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Inspired by the classic Italian recipe “Uova al Purgatorio” (Eggs of Purgatory), this easy one-pot meal marries tangy tomato sauce with perfectly poached eggs, served with crispy toasted bread Perfect for eating. I add a little cream to add some richness to the sauce, but you can leave it out if you like. If you have it on hand, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley.
Salmon teriyaki with green beans
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Think of this sheet pan teriyaki salmon as sautéing, not stirring. Instead, rice and vegetables are seared on a hot sheet pan, along with green beans and salmon coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze. Microwavable cooked rice or leftover brown rice are convenient. Be sure to loosen any stuck rice clumps so that it cooks evenly.
Broccoli and white bean sheet pan gnocchi
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
This no-fuss dish comes together on two baking sheets for easy prep and easy cleanup. A blend of lemon and broccoli is mixed with tender gnocchi and rich cannellini beans, then finished with a generous drizzle of olive oil. For an extra boost of protein, add shrimp or flaked cooked salmon.
Bake pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in the slow cooker
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
This simple vegetarian pasta bake is high in protein and easy to put together in the slow cooker, making it a convenient one-pot meal. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, sun-dried tomato pesto, and plenty of vegetables creates a mix of sweet and savory flavors in every bite. Replacing sun-dried tomato pesto with basil pesto also adds a fresh twist to the dish.
slow cooker three bean chilimac
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Chili and mac and cheese come together in this fix-it-and-forget-it slow cooker dinner. Hot tomato sauce, which is a Mexican canned tomato sauce, also contains chiles to add spices and heat, further enhancing the flavor. If you can’t find warm tomato sauce, regular canned tomato sauce mixed with 1 tablespoon of chili powder is a good substitute. You can cook the pasta separately and add it at the end of cooking, or you can use a different method and cook pasta in the slow cooker with a few adjustments listed below.
Sheet Pan Salmon with Crispy Quinoa
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Enjoy a complete protein-rich dinner with this Salmon, Roasted Tomato, and Quinoa recipe, cooked on just two baking sheets for easy cleanup. Roasted quinoa adds texture and crunch to the dish. Once the quinoa is done cooking, fluff it up with a fork to release steam and let it sit to crisp up. Packaging cooked quinoa streamlines preparation, but it works just as well if you have leftover quinoa.
stir-fried chicken and broccoli
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This juicy chicken and broccoli stir-fry features tender, crunchy broccoli coated in a velvety, seafood-flavored sauce. Give this easy stir-fry a different twist by pairing it with chicken breasts, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or pork tenderloin.
Agrodolce zucchini and chicken pasta
Ali Redmond
Replacing some of the pasta with spiralized zucchini makes for a completely rotatable dish with all the fun of noodles. The light lemon sauce and savory shredded chicken are the perfect comfort dish, while the sweet and sour topping provides crunch, bite, herbal brightness, and a taste bud awakening.
balsamic butter chicken bites
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
These Balsamic Butter Chicken Bites are crispy and sticky-sweet thanks to the balsamic glaze. Cooking the balsamic vinegar with a little brown sugar gives it the perfect consistency to cling to the chicken. Serve these delicious appetizers on platters using wooden picks for your guests to enjoy, or get creative by wrapping them in sandwiches or using them as a topping for a flavorful salad.
Cabbage roll skillet without filling
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This no-stuffed cabbage recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when time is limited. This flavorful meat dish is prepared and seared in a skillet, simplifying the process while capturing the essence of the classic dish. We recommend using microwave-safe cooked brown rice for faster preparation. However, if you have leftover brown rice that you would like to use up, that is also a good option.
Garlic salmon baked cake
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
These baked salmon cakes are super moist and loaded with just the right amount of garlic. A little bit of oil on top of the patty will give your salmon cake a nice brown and flaky texture. Try replacing salmon with tuna. Serve with your favorite burger or crab cake sides, such as tartar sauce, mayonnaise, leafy greens, or sandwich buns, if desired.
Spaghetti with creamy lemon spinach sauce
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Increase your vegetable intake with this easy spaghetti with spinach sauce recipe. Loosely inspired by the flavors of classic pesto, this vibrant pasta is loaded with spinach and basil and served with nutty walnuts and savory Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with a little good quality olive oil and serve with a green salad.
Creamy Balsamic Chicken & Mushroom Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This creamy balsamic chicken and mushroom skillet recipe sauce has the perfect balance of sour and sweet. Shallots, garlic and thyme add aroma and flavor to the dish. Thinly sliced chicken cutlets are the key to getting dinner on the table quickly. If you can’t find chicken cutlets, make your own. Look for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are about 8 ounces each. Cut in half crosswise and pound to an even thickness.
Teriyaki chicken skillet casserole and broccoli
Photographer: Bree Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Quick and easy to make in one skillet, Teriyaki Chicken Casserole is perfect for busy weeknights and is sure to please a crowd. A great way to use up leftover chicken and rice. If you don’t have enough leftovers, pair rotisserie chicken with microwaveable packets of brown rice.
Creamy Lemon Dill Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Think of this simple recipe as a casserole version of classic chicken noodle soup. The high-quality dashi and homemade chicken broth are the key points that bring out the deliciousness. Don’t miss the step of overcooking the noodles a little. This will ensure that it retains its perfect texture even after baking. Enjoy the fresh, grassy flavor of dill, but feel free to use parsley or chives for equally delicious alternatives.
One pot white beans, spinach and sun-dried tomato orzo with lemon and feta cheese
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This one-pot pasta dish with white beans, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes is lively, vibrant, and easy to clean up. Toasting the orzo before adding the soup adds even more flavor. Dark leafy greens such as chopped kale or Swiss chard can also replace spinach, but they may take longer to wilt in the pot. If you use a more durable green vegetable, add it to the pot at the end of the cooking time for 5 minutes.
