Diet Recipes

Spiced chickpeas are crisped in olive oil, then simmered in a garlicky coconut milk for an insanely creamy, basically-good-for-you stew that evokes stews found in South India and parts of the Caribbean. While the chickpeas alone would be good as a side dish, they are further simmered with stock, bolstered with dark, leafy greens of your choosing and finished with a handful of fresh mint. When shopping, be sure to avoid low-fat coconut milk, coconut milk meant for drinking or cream of coconut: All are very different and would not be suitable here.

There are two essential steps to a stellar farro salad. The first is cooking the farro with enough salt and aromatics so that it delicious before you combine it with the rest of the ingredients. The second is to use very good olive oil in the dressing. This farro salad, from the restaurant Charlie Bird in SoHo, hits both these marks. The chef Ryan Hardy cooks the farro in apple cider seasoned with bay leaves and plenty of salt, which renders it good enough to eat on its own. But it’s even better after he adds loads of olive oil, plus pistachio nuts and Parmesan cheese to make it even richer. Then, before serving, he folds in fresh vegetables to brighten it up: juicy tomatoes, radishes, arugula and plenty of herbs. There are many farro salads of this ilk out there. This is one of the best.

Luxurious and hearty, cheap and easy, this vegetarian pasta uses mostly pantry staples, requiring just a few fresh ingredients, like baby spinach, rosemary and heavy cream. Canned chickpeas form the foundation of the dish: They’re cooked until crisp and caramelized. Half are then saved as a garnish, while the rest are simmered until they break down and thicken the sauce. You can swap out your greens or beans, and if you want to experiment with flavor, raid your spice cabinet: Ground coriander, toasted fennel seeds, coarsely crumbled pink peppercorns or a sprinkle of smoked paprika perk up the dish.

You can make these gingery meatballs with any kind of ground meat (or vegan meat), but rich, brawny pork goes especially well with juicy peaches and the fresh basil. Make sure to use ripe or even overripe peaches (or nectarines). They should be very soft so they cook quickly, and very sweet so they contrast with the savory meatballs and tangy lime juice. Rice or rice noodles would fill this meal out perfectly and substantially, as would a crisp-leafed salad for a lighter, more summery supper.

This traditional Sicilian pasta dish of sautéed eggplant tossed with tomato sauce and topped with ricotta salata makes for a satisfying vegetarian dinner, and it can be thrown together in under an hour.

Once you master the risotto technique, you can make flavorful versions throughout the year. This summery version is based on red, ripe tomatoes from the garden, but if you want to up the tomato quotient, surround the finished dish with slices of multicolored heirloom varieties. Best as a first course or vegetarian main course, it could also pair with a main course — grilled fish, for instance.

The trick to any sliced cucumber salad is to slice the cucumbers as thin as you can and to purge them by salting them before making the salad so the dressing doesn’t get watered down by the cucumber juice.

Almond flour is the only special ingredient needed to make these cookies, and it can be found in the baking aisle or the health food section of the grocery store. It provides the protein and structure of a classic wheat flour, while keeping the cookie perfectly chewy in the center. If you want a stronger almond flavor, toast the almond flour in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until golden and fragrant, and cool before using. This recipe was adapted from the Times’s famous chocolate chip cookie recipe, but unlike that recipe, this dough does not require 36 hours of refrigeration before baking. Chopped chocolate or feves make for a gooier cookie, but classic chocolate chips work here, too. This recipe makes huge, bakery-style cookies, but if you want smaller cookies, use 1/4-cup mounds of dough and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or a 2-tablespoon scoops and bake for for 10 to 12 minutes.

There is very little that needs to be said about a chocolate mousse cake. This one lives up to its name. It is gloriously intense. But the whisked egg whites ensure that it has a balancing lightness. A slice of it, with a smattering of fresh raspberries and a dollop of cream, or better still, sour cream, is the perfect finale. It may also invite a certain inelegant gluttony at the end. I have noticed that even those who claim not to go in for desserts come back for more.

Fast enough for a Tuesday night mad dash to dinner, this pantry pasta tastes more like a restaurant dish — and no one has to deal with trimming and pruning a spiky artichoke. Instead, canned artichokes are brought to the peak of their crispy potential. The key is to remove as much water from the artichokes as possible by pressing them gently with paper towels (as you would tofu). Some of the artichokes are fried in olive oil until shatteringly crisp, then the rest cook gently in more oil, along with garlic and chile flakes, to soften. They’re all mixed with pasta and Parmesan into a stunning weeknight meal. 

This is a vegetarian version of a classic Chinese stir-fry. The authentic versions I’ve encountered include some pork or bacon, but the chilies, ginger, garlic, star anise and the cabbage are flavorful enough without meat. I’ve added carrots for color.

This Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a delicious comforting classic. It's so easy to make, packed with protein, loaded with broccoli and full of vibrant herby aromatics. It has a special real food secret ingredient too and bakes up beautifully in less than an hour.

This vegan mushroom bourguignon is the perfect veggie alternative to the traditional French stew that is made with beef. For an extra boost of flavor, this mushroom bourguignon is cooked in the slow cooker, which makes the recipe incredibly easy! If you like mushrooms, you will LOVE this hearty mushroom sauce with fettuccine! It's perfect for the Holidays - quick, delicious, and the red wine makes it super decadent!

The Best Pasta Fagioli Soup recipe that is better than Olive Garden! Healthy, vegetarian & easy to make on the stove, crockpot or instant pot

This one pot vegetable biryani is a fragrant, flavorful Indian rice dish made with basmati rice, mixed vegetables, and aromatic spices. Cooked entirely in a single pot and topped with saffron milk, crispy fried onions, and fresh cilantro, it’s perfect for pairing with cucumber raita for a complete meal.

This Keto Lemon Pound cake is a low-carb dessert that is easy to make with simple ingredients. Ready in only 60 minutes, it's the ultimate keto pound cake for lemon lovers. Enjoy an ultra moist, buttery, and rich almond flour pound cake that has just 3g net carbs per serving!

Try this quick and easy sheet pan meal for crispy baked cod is a healthy and delicious main course. For a one pan meal, we've added some fresh trimmed asparagus so you will be set for a delightful meal in under 30 minutes start to finish.

The Asian Chicken Soup with Sprouts and Thai Basil recipe out of our category Chicken! EatSmarter has over 80,000 healthy & delicious recipes online. Try them out!

This Healthy Chicken Salad is delicious because it’s made with white meat chicken, non-fat greek yogurt, and zucchini. Enjoy with crackers or in a sandwich.

This White Chickpea Chili is a vegan twist on the ever popular white chicken chili. It's loaded with veggies, beans and plenty of spice in a broth of coconut milk, vegetable broth, and salsa verde. Make room in your monthly meal rotation for this family favorite!

Easy keto pumpkin bars that are delicious, and perfect for the holiday season.

This baked oatmeal is satisfying, naturally sweet, moist and filling. Most importantly, it's high protein despite all the oats! Gluten-free and low-calorie.

Italian stuffed peppers are a fresh, healthy twist on a classic! Made with ground chicken, tomatoes, herbs and cheese, they're easy and freezer friendly.

This Moist Banana Bread is a quick and delicious treat, perfect for any sweet craving, made with ripe bananas for maximum moisture.

Ninja Creami Frozen Yogurt is easy, creamy, and delicious. High in protein and a family-friendly healthy dessert or snack. Easy to customize, too!

The sour cream in the muffin makes a delicate texture just don't over mix the batter, that's the true secret to these muffins and they will be perfect every time.

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day. Hearty vegetables in a rich, earthy, thick stout beer broth. It's a stick to your ribs kinda stew! 

This One Pan Honey Garlic Kielbasa and Veggies recipe delivers a flavorful and colorful meal combining smoky kielbasa sausage with tender roasted baby potatoes, broccoli, red bell pepper, and red onion. Coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, this easy-to-make dish requires only one baking sheet and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

The acidity of Ken's dressing and the cool, crisp lettuce mixes wonderfully with the warm tomato sauce and meatballs. 

Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe that made me lose 10 pounds in 7 days and detox the body. As a bonus, get the 7-Day Diet Plan (PDF) to follow the diet easily. It's delicious, quick-and-easy to make, and you can eat as much as you want!

This Roasted Pork Tenderloin is a delicious way to make juicy, tender, golden brown pork tenderloin with NO searing and mess on the stovetop!

Slow cooked short ribs in red wine with fresh herbs and sweet cranberries. They're a one pot and done kind of dinner, festive, and totally delicious. Serve these over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and you'll have the perfect dinner for a cold night in.

A traditional and flavorful German side dish, German Red Cabbage (Rotkohl) is a sweet and sour cabbage dish that pairs perfectly with hearty meats or as part of a vegetarian meal. The combination of red cabbage, apples, and warm spices creates a comforting and delicious side that is a staple in German cuisine.

Easy, Healthy Mac and Beef. Packed with protein, lower in calories, all in one pan, perfect for meal prepping AND done in under 30 minutes!

A healthier, high-protein take on classic hamburger helper, this recipe swaps heavy cream for blended cottage cheese, reduces shredded cheese, and incorporates protein pasta and bone broth. It's so good, you'll prefer it over the boxed version!