In 2020, I craved more comfort foods, needed extra nourishment for energy that I lacked more than ever, and got bored cooking every meal (I miss you, restaurants!). Being a nutrition coach doesn’t protect me from cravings (or needing a really big plate of pasta after a stressful day at work), and 2020 brought a variety of at-home cooking challenges, like the lack of motivation that comes with stress or the cravings that come with needing comfort. Since I don’t believe in depriving or restricting, my answer was to try out nourishing, hearty, and delicious recipes that also happened to sneak in some extra veggies to help my body feel its best.
Of all the recipes I tried, some have particularly become personal favorites, regular staples, and absolute game-changers for me. BTW, I’m vegetarian and gluten-free, so most of these recipes don’t have meat or gluten. However, that doesn’t mean that the way I eat should be the way you eat. The purpose of these recipes—and every recipe—is to make them work for you. Add your favorite animal protein or leave out a vegetable if you don’t like it. Find some inspiration from these 12 meals that have become my go-tos, but don’t forget to make them your own.
1. Vegetarian Bibimbap
2. Spaghetti Squash Baked Feta Pasta
3. Easy Chickpea Curry
4. Veggie Lovers Flatbread Pizza
5. Vegan Butternut Squash Black Bean Enchiladas with Jalapeño Cashew Crema
6. Cauliflower Fried Rice
7. Vegan Vodka Pasta
8. Buddha Bowl
9. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
10. Daydreamer Soba Noodle Bowl
11. Crispy Baked Buffalo Tofu Bites
12. Creamy Vegan Pasta
What are your go-to healthy meals?