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Spinach, Feta, Rice Casserole

In these tasty dinner recipes, we pair pantry staples like quinoa, pasta, chickpeas and boxed soups with fresh, seasonal ingredients to liven up the flavor. A little diced avocado, spinach, arugula or cauliflower make these dinners perfect for spring. Recipes like our Spinach, Feta & Rice Casserole and Broccoli & Quinoa Casserole are healthy meals for any night of the week.

01of 18Spinach, Feta & Rice CasseroleView RecipeThis one-pan recipe is the casserole version of spanakopita! It’s hearty enough to enjoy as a vegetarian lunch or dinner, yet versatile enough to serve alongside just about any protein. To make it extra creamy, top each serving with a dollop of sour cream.

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Spinach, Feta & Rice Casserole

View Recipe

spinach, feta & rice casserole

This one-pan recipe is the casserole version of spanakopita! It’s hearty enough to enjoy as a vegetarian lunch or dinner, yet versatile enough to serve alongside just about any protein. To make it extra creamy, top each serving with a dollop of sour cream.

02of 18Sausage, Spinach & Tortellini SoupView RecipeFull of a comforting tomato base and plenty of fresh spinach, the spicy sausage is a zingy, flavorful addition to this easy soup recipe. If you want to make the soup ahead of time, save the tortellini for shortly before serving so that it doesn’t get soggy and break apart.

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Sausage, Spinach & Tortellini Soup

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Full of a comforting tomato base and plenty of fresh spinach, the spicy sausage is a zingy, flavorful addition to this easy soup recipe. If you want to make the soup ahead of time, save the tortellini for shortly before serving so that it doesn’t get soggy and break apart.

03of 18Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & SpinachView RecipeSimmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.

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Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach

Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach

Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.

04of 18Broccoli & Quinoa CasseroleView RecipePhotography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali RameeThis broccoli-quinoa casserole makes a hearty vegetarian main dish. As the quinoa absorbs water and cooks, it creates the perfect amount of steam for cooking the broccoli. Swap in tricolor quinoa, if you prefer.

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Broccoli & Quinoa Casserole

Photography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali Ramee

Broccoli & Quinoa Casserole

This broccoli-quinoa casserole makes a hearty vegetarian main dish. As the quinoa absorbs water and cooks, it creates the perfect amount of steam for cooking the broccoli. Swap in tricolor quinoa, if you prefer.

05of 18Chickpea Salad SandwichView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThis vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It’s got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.

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Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It’s got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.

06of 18Chickpea Pasta with Mushrooms & KaleView RecipeGreg DuPreeLoading up your pasta with vegetables like the kale and mushrooms here is not only delicious, it also makes the meal more satisfying.

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Chickpea Pasta with Mushrooms & Kale

Greg DuPree

Chickpea Pasta with Mushrooms & Kale

Loading up your pasta with vegetables like the kale and mushrooms here is not only delicious, it also makes the meal more satisfying.

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Homemade Chicken Ramen Noodle Bowls

Homemade Chicken Ramen Noodle Bowls

08of 18Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Soup with Chickpea CroutonsView RecipeBulk up boxed butternut squash soup with frozen cauliflower florets, then top off your bowl with crispy chickpea snacks for major crunch (look for them near the dried fruit and nuts at your grocery store). This impressively easy dinner comes together with just those three ingredients, not including salt, pepper and oil. Because prepared soups are typically higher in sodium, look for light or reduced-sodium versions of your favorites.

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Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Soup with Chickpea Croutons

Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Soup with Chickpea Croutons

Bulk up boxed butternut squash soup with frozen cauliflower florets, then top off your bowl with crispy chickpea snacks for major crunch (look for them near the dried fruit and nuts at your grocery store). This impressively easy dinner comes together with just those three ingredients, not including salt, pepper and oil. Because prepared soups are typically higher in sodium, look for light or reduced-sodium versions of your favorites.

09of 18One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli PastaView RecipeJennifer CauseyThis creamy chicken and broccoli pasta makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We opt for small shells in this recipe, but any other small pasta, like orecchiette, would work, too.

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One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli Pasta

Jennifer Causey

One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli Pasta

This creamy chicken and broccoli pasta makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We opt for small shells in this recipe, but any other small pasta, like orecchiette, would work, too.

10of 18Cauliflower Gnocchi with Asparagus & PestoView RecipeCarolyn Hodges, M.S., RDWhile the cauliflower gnocchi crisp up in a sauté pan, steam fresh asparagus in the microwave to keep it bright green and crisp-tender. Substitute frozen asparagus (or green beans or peas) in a pinch. Toss them together with prepared basil pesto for a satisfying supper.

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Cauliflower Gnocchi with Asparagus & Pesto

Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RD

Cauliflower Gnocchi with Asparagus & Pesto

While the cauliflower gnocchi crisp up in a sauté pan, steam fresh asparagus in the microwave to keep it bright green and crisp-tender. Substitute frozen asparagus (or green beans or peas) in a pinch. Toss them together with prepared basil pesto for a satisfying supper.

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3-Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Chickpeas

Carolyn A. Hodges, RD

3-Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Chickpeas

12of 18Pesto Ravioli with Spinach & TomatoesView RecipeLooking for a new way to turn a bag of frozen cheese ravioli into a satisfying and healthy dinner? This easy pasta recipe calls for just five ingredients but is loaded with fresh flavors. By using grape tomatoes, prewashed spinach and prepared pesto, we eliminate all prep work, making this 15-minute Caprese-inspired ravioli the ideal weeknight meal.

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Pesto Ravioli with Spinach & Tomatoes

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Looking for a new way to turn a bag of frozen cheese ravioli into a satisfying and healthy dinner? This easy pasta recipe calls for just five ingredients but is loaded with fresh flavors. By using grape tomatoes, prewashed spinach and prepared pesto, we eliminate all prep work, making this 15-minute Caprese-inspired ravioli the ideal weeknight meal.

13of 18Cabbage Roll Chicken EnchiladasView RecipeThis 5-ingredient dinner recipe uses two genius hacks to make dinner healthy and get it on the table in under an hour. First, swap in cabbage leaves for tortillas to cut the carbs and get an extra serving of vegetables. Second, use prepared ingredients–spicy refried beans and enchilada sauce–to add tons of flavor without a long ingredient list.

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Cabbage Roll Chicken Enchiladas

Cabbage Roll Chicken Enchiladas

This 5-ingredient dinner recipe uses two genius hacks to make dinner healthy and get it on the table in under an hour. First, swap in cabbage leaves for tortillas to cut the carbs and get an extra serving of vegetables. Second, use prepared ingredients–spicy refried beans and enchilada sauce–to add tons of flavor without a long ingredient list.

14of 18White Bean-Sage Cauliflower GnocchiView RecipeTurn lower-carb cauliflower gnocchi into a complete and satisfying meal with this riff on classic brown butter and sage gnocchi. We added beans to amp up the fiber and protein for a fast and healthy dinner.

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White Bean-Sage Cauliflower Gnocchi

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Turn lower-carb cauliflower gnocchi into a complete and satisfying meal with this riff on classic brown butter and sage gnocchi. We added beans to amp up the fiber and protein for a fast and healthy dinner.

15of 18Chicken & White Bean SoupView RecipeOnce again, rotisserie chickens can really relieve the dinner-rush pressure-especially in this Italian-inspired soup that cries out for a piece of crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

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Chicken & White Bean Soup

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Once again, rotisserie chickens can really relieve the dinner-rush pressure-especially in this Italian-inspired soup that cries out for a piece of crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

16of 18Creamy Broccoli PastaView RecipeBrie PassanoIf you’re looking for a simple weeknight pasta dish, look no further. This vegetarian dinner is done in only 20 minutes and packs plenty of broccoli along with creamy goodness thanks to mascarpone cheese and low-fat Greek yogurt.

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Creamy Broccoli Pasta

Brie Passano

Creamy Broccoli Pasta

If you’re looking for a simple weeknight pasta dish, look no further. This vegetarian dinner is done in only 20 minutes and packs plenty of broccoli along with creamy goodness thanks to mascarpone cheese and low-fat Greek yogurt.

17of 18One-Pot Lemon-Broccoli Pasta with ParmesanView RecipeThis hearty pasta dish with bright, fresh flavor is ideal for busy weeknights. The Parmesan adds welcome saltiness and notes of umami and you get added texture from the slight crunch of broccoli and whole-wheat noodles. Add some shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp or crispy chickpeas to punch up the protein.

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One-Pot Lemon-Broccoli Pasta with Parmesan

overhead shot of brown bowl filled with rotini pasta, broccoli, parmesan and lemon slices

This hearty pasta dish with bright, fresh flavor is ideal for busy weeknights. The Parmesan adds welcome saltiness and notes of umami and you get added texture from the slight crunch of broccoli and whole-wheat noodles. Add some shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp or crispy chickpeas to punch up the protein.

18of 18Baked Spinach & Feta PastaView RecipeJason DonnellyFeta softens in the oven before it’s combined with spinach and pasta, with the pasta cooking right in the baking dish. Enjoy this one-pan dish on its own as a vegetarian main or serve with sautéed chicken breast for a boost of protein.

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Baked Spinach & Feta Pasta

Jason Donnelly

Baked Spinach & Feta Pasta

Feta softens in the oven before it’s combined with spinach and pasta, with the pasta cooking right in the baking dish. Enjoy this one-pan dish on its own as a vegetarian main or serve with sautéed chicken breast for a boost of protein.

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