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These simple winter dinners require just 20 minutes or less of active cooking time, so you can get in and out of the kitchen. We’ve collected recipes that are as easy as they are delicious, and you’re sure to find something to whet your appetite. Recipes like our Sheet-Pan Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and Garlic-Butter Mushroom Steaks are healthy, flavor-packed ways to end your day.
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Sheet-Pan Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Roasting the vegetables in the oven before blending them intensifies their flavors, resulting in a deeply rich and flavorful fall soup. We love the sweet and nutty flavor of butternut squash, but any winter squash with a similar texture, such as acorn, honeynut or kabocha squash, can be used in its place.
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Garlic-Butter Mushroom Steaks
Garlic-butter mushroom steaks are a savory and delicious plant-based dish perfect for mushroom lovers and steak enthusiasts alike. We pair juicy portobello mushroom “steaks” with a buttery garlic sauce flavored with rosemary, for a mouthwatering combination that’s sure to impress. Swap out the rosemary for another woody herb like sage or thyme for a different twist.
03of 20Honey-Garlic Chicken CasserolePhotographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Lauren OdumThis honey-garlic chicken casserole is the perfect option for when you want a stir-fry with less mess to clean up. To keep prep to a minimum, we use precooked brown rice. Look for it in pouches at the store or whip up this one-pot meal when you have leftovers to spare.View Recipe
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Honey-Garlic Chicken Casserole
Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum
This honey-garlic chicken casserole is the perfect option for when you want a stir-fry with less mess to clean up. To keep prep to a minimum, we use precooked brown rice. Look for it in pouches at the store or whip up this one-pot meal when you have leftovers to spare.
04of 20Loaded Cabbage SteaksPhotographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Tucker VinesMelted cheese, bacon, scallions and a touch of sour cream are perfect toppings to add to a nicely seared cabbage steak in this low-carb twist on a classic loaded baked potato. To make this meal vegetarian, leave out the bacon, or swap it out for veggie bacon or roasted mushrooms. Roast any extra cabbage you may have separately, or store it and save it for another use.View Recipe
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Loaded Cabbage Steaks
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Melted cheese, bacon, scallions and a touch of sour cream are perfect toppings to add to a nicely seared cabbage steak in this low-carb twist on a classic loaded baked potato. To make this meal vegetarian, leave out the bacon, or swap it out for veggie bacon or roasted mushrooms. Roast any extra cabbage you may have separately, or store it and save it for another use.
05of 20Buffalo Cauliflower Grain BowlPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey LowerThis Buffalo cauliflower grain bowl is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Buffalo wings, packing plenty of gut-healthy fiber and plant-based protein. It features a variety of fresh and colorful vegetables on a bed of precooked brown rice to keep prep speedy. Feel free to swap out the rice for another whole grain.View Recipe
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Buffalo Cauliflower Grain Bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This Buffalo cauliflower grain bowl is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Buffalo wings, packing plenty of gut-healthy fiber and plant-based protein. It features a variety of fresh and colorful vegetables on a bed of precooked brown rice to keep prep speedy. Feel free to swap out the rice for another whole grain.
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Easy Slow-Cooker Potato-Leek Soup with Boursin
07of 20Cabbage Steak MarsalaPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe HauserThis easy vegetarian cabbage steak recipe features thick slices of cabbage roasted and smothered in a classic Marsala mushroom sauce. If you have leftover cabbage, roast it separately or store it and save it for another use. The best substitute for Marsala is Madeira, another kind of fortified wine with a similar flavor profile. If you’re looking for a nonalcoholic substitute, balsamic vinegar can stand in for the Marsala wine.View Recipe
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Cabbage Steak Marsala
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
This easy vegetarian cabbage steak recipe features thick slices of cabbage roasted and smothered in a classic Marsala mushroom sauce. If you have leftover cabbage, roast it separately or store it and save it for another use. The best substitute for Marsala is Madeira, another kind of fortified wine with a similar flavor profile. If you’re looking for a nonalcoholic substitute, balsamic vinegar can stand in for the Marsala wine.
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20-Minute Udon Noodle Soup with Buttery Tomato Broth
The scents of cinnamon and star anise add big flavors to this quick soup. Butter adds body and a silky texture. Fresh udon noodles take only a few minutes to cook, but dry udon noodles work well here too. There’s no need to strain the broth to remove the spices. You can simply remove the spices with a slotted spoon when you pour the broth over the noodles, if desired.
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20-Minute Creamy Mushroom Soup with Sherry
10of 20Cheesy Cauliflower Steak PizzasPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe HauserWe ditch traditional pizza crust in favor of cauliflower “steaks” for these cheesy pizzas. The steaks are cooked just enough to develop a sweet roasted flavor that pairs beautifully with the toppings. While we love this veggie-packed version, you can top your cauliflower-steak pizza with just about anything.View Recipe
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Cheesy Cauliflower Steak Pizzas
We ditch traditional pizza crust in favor of cauliflower “steaks” for these cheesy pizzas. The steaks are cooked just enough to develop a sweet roasted flavor that pairs beautifully with the toppings. While we love this veggie-packed version, you can top your cauliflower-steak pizza with just about anything.
11of 20Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes & BroccoliniPhotographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia PursellChicken thighs and sweet potato get crispy in the oven while broccolini roasts alongside in a foil packet for even cooking and easy cleanup. Pro tip: Place the chicken thighs in the corners of the baking sheet, where there is more air circulation, for crispy skin.View Recipe
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Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes & Broccolini
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Chicken thighs and sweet potato get crispy in the oven while broccolini roasts alongside in a foil packet for even cooking and easy cleanup. Pro tip: Place the chicken thighs in the corners of the baking sheet, where there is more air circulation, for crispy skin.
12of 20Creamy Baked Feta & Butternut Squash SoupPeyton Beckworth, Food Video FellowThis subtly sweet baked feta and butternut squash soup starts in a casserole dish and ends in the blender for a smooth and creamy finish. The chili crisp adds texture and spice that ties everything together. If you want to tame the heat, you can skip the chili crisp and drizzle the soup with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika instead.View Recipe
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Creamy Baked Feta & Butternut Squash Soup
Peyton Beckworth, Food Video Fellow
This subtly sweet baked feta and butternut squash soup starts in a casserole dish and ends in the blender for a smooth and creamy finish. The chili crisp adds texture and spice that ties everything together. If you want to tame the heat, you can skip the chili crisp and drizzle the soup with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika instead.
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Roasted Chickpea & Cauliflower Pitas with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
These pitas are piled high with roasted veggies for a satisfying vegetarian dinner. Be sure to dry the chickpeas well or they won’t crisp up in the oven. Wet chickpeas will also create steam that may prevent the cauliflower from getting nicely browned. Bibb lettuce works well with these pitas, but a handful of arugula leaves would be just as nice. If you have it, a garam masala or shawarma spice blend can be used in place of the spices.
14of 20Slow-Cooker Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta BakePhotographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia PurcellThis simple vegetarian pasta bake is rich in protein and comes together effortlessly in the slow cooker, for a convenient one-pot meal. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, sun-dried tomato pesto and plenty of veggies delivers a mix of sweet and savory flavors with every bite. Feel free to replace the sun-dried tomato pesto with basil pesto, offering a fresh twist on the dish.View Recipe
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Slow-Cooker Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Bake
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
This simple vegetarian pasta bake is rich in protein and comes together effortlessly in the slow cooker, for a convenient one-pot meal. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, sun-dried tomato pesto and plenty of veggies delivers a mix of sweet and savory flavors with every bite. Feel free to replace the sun-dried tomato pesto with basil pesto, offering a fresh twist on the dish.
15of 20Slow-Cooker Spinach & Artichoke Chicken SoupPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Shell RoysterIf you love spinach and artichokes, this is the perfect soup for you. The creamy base is packed with veggies and shredded chicken, which soaks up the broth while adding a boost of protein. Frozen artichoke hearts have less sodium than canned, but canned can be used in their place. Just be sure to give them a good rinse before adding them to the slow cooker.View Recipe
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Slow-Cooker Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
If you love spinach and artichokes, this is the perfect soup for you. The creamy base is packed with veggies and shredded chicken, which soaks up the broth while adding a boost of protein. Frozen artichoke hearts have less sodium than canned, but canned can be used in their place. Just be sure to give them a good rinse before adding them to the slow cooker.
16of 20Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green BeansPhotographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia PurcellThink of this sheet-pan teriyaki salmon as a stir-fry without the stirring! Instead, rice and veggies are baked on a hot sheet pan alongside green beans and salmon coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze. Microwaveable precooked rice or leftover brown rice works well here. Just be sure to break up any clumps of rice that are stuck together so it cooks evenly.View Recipe
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Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green Beans
Think of this sheet-pan teriyaki salmon as a stir-fry without the stirring! Instead, rice and veggies are baked on a hot sheet pan alongside green beans and salmon coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze. Microwaveable precooked rice or leftover brown rice works well here. Just be sure to break up any clumps of rice that are stuck together so it cooks evenly.
17of 20Lemony Chicken & Rice SoupPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell RoysterThe Greek lemon-chicken soup avgolemono is the inspiration for this 20-minute recipe. Eggs and lemon are tempered into the broth to add richness and creaminess. You can use microwaveable brown rice or use 1 cup leftover rice if you have it on hand.View Recipe
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Lemony Chicken & Rice Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
The Greek lemon-chicken soup avgolemono is the inspiration for this 20-minute recipe. Eggs and lemon are tempered into the broth to add richness and creaminess. You can use microwaveable brown rice or use 1 cup leftover rice if you have it on hand.
18of 20Creamy Chicken & Cauliflower Rice CasserolePhotographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia PurcellThis protein-rich, one-skillet dinner features tender chicken thighs baked on a bed of creamy cauliflower rice packed with meaty mushrooms. While chicken thighs are quick and convenient, you can substitute halved bone-in chicken breasts in their place.View Recipe
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Creamy Chicken & Cauliflower Rice Casserole
This protein-rich, one-skillet dinner features tender chicken thighs baked on a bed of creamy cauliflower rice packed with meaty mushrooms. While chicken thighs are quick and convenient, you can substitute halved bone-in chicken breasts in their place.
19of 20Slow-Cooker Marry Me Chicken with BarleyPhotographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia PurcellFall in love with this easy version of Marry Me Chicken—a dish with chicken and julienned sun-dried tomatoes swimming in a creamy sauce. Our version adds cherry tomatoes and zucchini for an added boost of veggies, plus barley, which soaks up the sauce and makes this dish a complete meal all in one pot. Make sure the barley is completely submerged in the liquid so it cooks evenly.View Recipe
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Slow-Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Barley
Fall in love with this easy version of Marry Me Chicken—a dish with chicken and julienned sun-dried tomatoes swimming in a creamy sauce. Our version adds cherry tomatoes and zucchini for an added boost of veggies, plus barley, which soaks up the sauce and makes this dish a complete meal all in one pot. Make sure the barley is completely submerged in the liquid so it cooks evenly.
20of 20Chicken Alfredo & Broccoli Rice CasserolePhotographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia PurcellThis cheesy, creamy rice casserole is full of flavor and exactly what you’re looking for when you need a delicious, quick meal with little to no effort. Packages of microwaveable rice help to expedite the cooking process, but leftover rice works well too as an easy swap.View Recipe
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Chicken Alfredo & Broccoli Rice Casserole
This cheesy, creamy rice casserole is full of flavor and exactly what you’re looking for when you need a delicious, quick meal with little to no effort. Packages of microwaveable rice help to expedite the cooking process, but leftover rice works well too as an easy swap.
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