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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup

This 30-day dinner plan is full of nutritious and tasty meal ideas. Featuring complex carbs like whole grains, vegetables and legumes, low counts of saturated fat and sodium-conscious ingredients, these dinners are well-suited for adiabetes-friendly eating pattern. They’re alsorich in filling fiberwith at least 6 grams per serving. Recipes like our Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup and Lemon-Herb Salmon with Caponata & Farro will have you looking forward to dinner all month long.

01of 30Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone SoupView RecipeA winter classic, this crock pot version of minestrone is heavy on the vegetables and light on the pasta, keeping carbs in check while providing plenty of flavor.

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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup

View Recipe

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup

A winter classic, this crock pot version of minestrone is heavy on the vegetables and light on the pasta, keeping carbs in check while providing plenty of flavor.

02of 30Lemon-Herb Salmon with Caponata & FarroView RecipeDig into your farmers' market haul to cook this colorful and healthy Mediterranean diet dinner recipe that’s packed with vegetables. Feel free to swap in any vegetables or cook up another whole grain, such as brown rice. Serve with a glass of your favorite red wine.

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Lemon-Herb Salmon with Caponata & Farro

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Dig into your farmers' market haul to cook this colorful and healthy Mediterranean diet dinner recipe that’s packed with vegetables. Feel free to swap in any vegetables or cook up another whole grain, such as brown rice. Serve with a glass of your favorite red wine.

03of 30Basil Pesto Pasta with Grilled VegetablesView RecipeThis dish is an easy way to turn grilled vegetables into a satisfying meal, thanks to hearty whole-grain pasta and a quick homemade pesto.

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Basil Pesto Pasta with Grilled Vegetables

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This dish is an easy way to turn grilled vegetables into a satisfying meal, thanks to hearty whole-grain pasta and a quick homemade pesto.

04of 30Cilantro-Lime Shrimp BowlView RecipeJen CauseyThis cilantro-lime shrimp bowl has tons of flavor and texture. The cilantro-lime shrimp is tangy and fresh, with brown rice and creamy avocado to balance the flavor. The two-chile cream sauce is easy to make and brings all the flavors of this bowl dinner together.

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Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Bowl

Jen Causey

cilantro and lime shrimp bowl

This cilantro-lime shrimp bowl has tons of flavor and texture. The cilantro-lime shrimp is tangy and fresh, with brown rice and creamy avocado to balance the flavor. The two-chile cream sauce is easy to make and brings all the flavors of this bowl dinner together.

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Sweet Potato-Black Bean Burgers

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06of 30Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & GreensView RecipeIn this healthy salmon dinner, you’ll get a dose of greens and green dressing! Chowing down on 6 or more servings of dark leafy greens a week can help keep your brain in top shape. This dish features the Test Kitchen’s current go-to method for doctoring a can of chickpeas: spice them up and roast until crispy.

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Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens

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In this healthy salmon dinner, you’ll get a dose of greens and green dressing! Chowing down on 6 or more servings of dark leafy greens a week can help keep your brain in top shape. This dish features the Test Kitchen’s current go-to method for doctoring a can of chickpeas: spice them up and roast until crispy.

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Baked Beans with Ground Beef

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08of 30Chicken & Cucumber Lettuce Wraps with Peanut SauceView RecipeWe love the crunch from sliced cucumber and jicama in these savory chicken lettuce wraps. Serve with the simple peanut sauce for an easy dinner recipe that will impress kids and adults alike.

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Chicken & Cucumber Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

Chicken & Cucumber Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

We love the crunch from sliced cucumber and jicama in these savory chicken lettuce wraps. Serve with the simple peanut sauce for an easy dinner recipe that will impress kids and adults alike.

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Salmon Rice Bowl

Ali Redmond

Salmon Rice Bowl

10of 30Chhole (Chickpea Curry)View RecipeThis healthy Indian recipe is a flavorful chickpea curry that you can make in just 20 minutes. If you want to add a vegetable, stir in some roasted cauliflower. Serve with brown basmati rice or warm naan.

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Chhole (Chickpea Curry)

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This healthy Indian recipe is a flavorful chickpea curry that you can make in just 20 minutes. If you want to add a vegetable, stir in some roasted cauliflower. Serve with brown basmati rice or warm naan.

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Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes

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12of 30Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa BowlsView RecipeThese shrimp, pesto and quinoa bowls are delicious, healthy, pretty and take less than 30 minutes to prep. In other words, they’re basically the ultimate easy weeknight dinner. Feel free to add additional vegetables and swap the shrimp for chicken, steak, tofu or edamame.

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Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa Bowls

Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa Bowls

These shrimp, pesto and quinoa bowls are delicious, healthy, pretty and take less than 30 minutes to prep. In other words, they’re basically the ultimate easy weeknight dinner. Feel free to add additional vegetables and swap the shrimp for chicken, steak, tofu or edamame.

13of 30Cheesy Roasted Eggplant Skillet CasseroleView RecipeAli RedmondLayers of tender eggplant, creamy white beans, ricotta and marinara combine to create a flavorful skillet casserole. Serve this hearty casserole directly from the skillet for a fun presentation. Pair with a side salad for a complete meal.

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Cheesy Roasted Eggplant Skillet Casserole

Cheesy Roasted Eggplant Skillet Casserole

Layers of tender eggplant, creamy white beans, ricotta and marinara combine to create a flavorful skillet casserole. Serve this hearty casserole directly from the skillet for a fun presentation. Pair with a side salad for a complete meal.

14of 30Chicken Chili VerdeView RecipePrepared salsa verde adds tang to this fast weeknight chili recipe and pairs beautifully with the rich caramelized chicken and creamy beans. Don’t shy away from the poblano peppers. They offer a mild heat but deliver a depth of flavor you can’t find in regular green bell peppers.

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Chicken Chili Verde

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Prepared salsa verde adds tang to this fast weeknight chili recipe and pairs beautifully with the rich caramelized chicken and creamy beans. Don’t shy away from the poblano peppers. They offer a mild heat but deliver a depth of flavor you can’t find in regular green bell peppers.

15of 30Chickpea & Potato CurryView RecipeThis fast Indian-style curry comes together with ingredients you most likely have on hand, like frozen peas and canned tomatoes and chickpeas. Plus, using these spices shows how simple it is to make a curry sauce for an easy vegetarian recipe. Serve with whole-wheat naan to sop it all up.

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Chickpea & Potato Curry

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This fast Indian-style curry comes together with ingredients you most likely have on hand, like frozen peas and canned tomatoes and chickpeas. Plus, using these spices shows how simple it is to make a curry sauce for an easy vegetarian recipe. Serve with whole-wheat naan to sop it all up.

16of 30Salmon Power BowlView RecipeCrystal HughesCrush your day with this salmon power bowl! Here, you’ll get protein and a healthy dose of omega-3s from salmon, antioxidants from shredded cabbage, and plenty of fiber from farro. Cumin and coriander flavor the salmon, while a fresh herb dressing coats the veggies.

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Salmon Power Bowl

Crystal Hughes

salmon power bowl

Crush your day with this salmon power bowl! Here, you’ll get protein and a healthy dose of omega-3s from salmon, antioxidants from shredded cabbage, and plenty of fiber from farro. Cumin and coriander flavor the salmon, while a fresh herb dressing coats the veggies.

17of 30Kale & Avocado Salad with Blueberries & EdamameView RecipeBursting with nutrient-rich produce, this California-inspired salad is a delicious and satisfying way to get your vitamins. We love the unique combination of blueberries, edamame, and goat cheese.

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Kale & Avocado Salad with Blueberries & Edamame

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Bursting with nutrient-rich produce, this California-inspired salad is a delicious and satisfying way to get your vitamins. We love the unique combination of blueberries, edamame, and goat cheese.

18of 30Classic Pork StewView RecipePhotographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Karen RankinThis highly adaptable classic pork stew is hearty and comforting. You can use any fresh herb and switch up the root vegetables to suit your taste. Turnips, sweet potatoes or rutabaga would all work beautifully.

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Classic Pork Stew

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

Classic Pork Stew

This highly adaptable classic pork stew is hearty and comforting. You can use any fresh herb and switch up the root vegetables to suit your taste. Turnips, sweet potatoes or rutabaga would all work beautifully.

19of 30Spinach Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, White Beans & BasilView RecipeRoasted sweet potatoes are paired with spinach, cabbage and white beans and tossed together with a bright basil dressing in this healthy main dish salad.

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Spinach Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, White Beans & Basil

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Roasted sweet potatoes are paired with spinach, cabbage and white beans and tossed together with a bright basil dressing in this healthy main dish salad.

20of 30Baked Halibut with Brussels Sprouts & QuinoaView RecipeFish plus two sides? It seems fancy but this healthy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes.

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Baked Halibut with Brussels Sprouts & Quinoa

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Fish plus two sides? It seems fancy but this healthy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes.

21of 30Instant Pot Chicken Soup with Root Vegetables & BarleyView RecipeBe sure to use bone-in chicken here–it enhances the flavor of the broth, and the bones are easy to remove after cooking. This healthy chicken soup can be made in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

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Instant Pot Chicken Soup with Root Vegetables & Barley

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Be sure to use bone-in chicken here–it enhances the flavor of the broth, and the bones are easy to remove after cooking. This healthy chicken soup can be made in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

22of 30Creamy One-Pot Orecchiette with Sausage & PeasView RecipePhotographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie ProbstThis easy one-pot pasta recipe earns the title “creamy” thanks to the addition of sour cream and Parmesan, which combine to create a savory cheese sauce that clings to the orecchiette, peas and sausage. The best part about this recipe is that it only requires one vessel to cook everything—pasta included. By using the exact amount of liquid you need to cook the pasta, the starch that usually gets drained off with your pasta water stays in the pot, adding even more creaminess. If you like spicy but not too spicy, use a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausages.

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Creamy One-Pot Orecchiette with Sausage & Peas

Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst

One-Pot Orecchiette with Sausage & Peas

This easy one-pot pasta recipe earns the title “creamy” thanks to the addition of sour cream and Parmesan, which combine to create a savory cheese sauce that clings to the orecchiette, peas and sausage. The best part about this recipe is that it only requires one vessel to cook everything—pasta included. By using the exact amount of liquid you need to cook the pasta, the starch that usually gets drained off with your pasta water stays in the pot, adding even more creaminess. If you like spicy but not too spicy, use a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausages.

23of 30Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch SauceView RecipeThis veggie burger recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again. Savory chickpea and zucchini patties are topped with a creamy, herb-flecked tahini ranch sauce, juicy tomato slices and peppery arugula for a satisfying and healthy homemade veggie burger. Serve these vegan burgers on buns or stuff them in pitas. We recommend making extra sauce—it’s a great dip for veggie sticks and, thinned with a little water, it makes a wonderful salad dressing.

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Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch Sauce

Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch Sauce

This veggie burger recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again. Savory chickpea and zucchini patties are topped with a creamy, herb-flecked tahini ranch sauce, juicy tomato slices and peppery arugula for a satisfying and healthy homemade veggie burger. Serve these vegan burgers on buns or stuff them in pitas. We recommend making extra sauce—it’s a great dip for veggie sticks and, thinned with a little water, it makes a wonderful salad dressing.

24of 30Three-Bean ChiliView RecipeThis rib-sticking bean chili is richly flavored with cumin, chili, paprika, oregano and an assortment of peppers. Use whatever beans you have in your pantry.

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Three-Bean Chili

Three-Bean Chili

This rib-sticking bean chili is richly flavored with cumin, chili, paprika, oregano and an assortment of peppers. Use whatever beans you have in your pantry.

25of 30Baked Fish Tacos with AvocadoView RecipeInstead of deep-frying, the fish fillets in this quick-and-easy 5-ingredient recipe are coated with a flavorful seasoning blend and baked. Several varieties of flaky white fish can be used for these tacos. When you go to the market to purchase fish, the best strategy is to be flexible and choose the variety that looks freshest that day.

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Baked Fish Tacos with Avocado

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Instead of deep-frying, the fish fillets in this quick-and-easy 5-ingredient recipe are coated with a flavorful seasoning blend and baked. Several varieties of flaky white fish can be used for these tacos. When you go to the market to purchase fish, the best strategy is to be flexible and choose the variety that looks freshest that day.

26of 30Winter Greens BowlView RecipeAli RedmondThis one-pan meal packs in lots of plant-based protein and flavor thanks to beans and quinoa, while a creamy lemon-garlic dressing completes the dish.

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Winter Greens Bowl

Winter Greens Bowl

This one-pan meal packs in lots of plant-based protein and flavor thanks to beans and quinoa, while a creamy lemon-garlic dressing completes the dish.

27of 30Asopao de Camarones (One-Pot Rice & Shrimp Stew)View RecipeAli RedmondThis hearty one-pot rice and shrimp stew is typically enjoyed during the cooler months in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Brown rice adds a boost of fiber and is a good source of complex carbohydrates.

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Asopao de Camarones (One-Pot Rice & Shrimp Stew)

asopao de camarones

This hearty one-pot rice and shrimp stew is typically enjoyed during the cooler months in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Brown rice adds a boost of fiber and is a good source of complex carbohydrates.

28of 30Roasted Chickpea Curry BowlView RecipeYou’ll get a serious dose of plant-based protein with this meal! The curry-infused cauliflower and chickpeas taste hearty and satisfying, while quinoa adds an extra boost of protein.

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Roasted Chickpea Curry Bowl

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You’ll get a serious dose of plant-based protein with this meal! The curry-infused cauliflower and chickpeas taste hearty and satisfying, while quinoa adds an extra boost of protein.

29of 30Broccolini, Chicken Sausage & Orzo SkilletView RecipeWe love this quick skillet meal for busy evenings. The sausage and orzo simmer together in chicken broth, resulting in a creamy, risotto-like dish in under 30 minutes.

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Broccolini, Chicken Sausage & Orzo Skillet

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We love this quick skillet meal for busy evenings. The sausage and orzo simmer together in chicken broth, resulting in a creamy, risotto-like dish in under 30 minutes.

30of 30Loaded Black Bean Nacho SoupView RecipeJazz up a can of black bean soup with your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, avocado and fresh tomatoes. A bit of smoked paprika adds a bold flavor kick, but you can swap in any warm spices you prefer, such as cumin or chili powder. Look for a soup that contains no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.

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Loaded Black Bean Nacho Soup

Loaded Black Bean Nacho Soup

Jazz up a can of black bean soup with your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, avocado and fresh tomatoes. A bit of smoked paprika adds a bold flavor kick, but you can swap in any warm spices you prefer, such as cumin or chili powder. Look for a soup that contains no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.

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