Looking to incorporate more veggies into your daily routine? Vegetables are a key part of every major diet or nutrition tip out there (for good reason), and it’s easier than you may realize to add them in throughout the day.
We’ve got some great ideas on how to do just that — and plenty of Taylor Farms products willing to help your noble pursuit.
Making Veggies the Main Attraction
Rather than going the more traditional route of using protein as the main dish, why not try to showcase vegetables as the star instead? Centering veggies as your main dish is easier than you may think. Here are some simple ideas to get you started:
- Stir-fries and Curries: Create vibrant stir-fries or curries where vegetables take the spotlight. Mix bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and any other favorites with your choice of protein. Make it even easier with our Stir-Fries and Meal Kits, like teriyaki, soy ginger, or coconut curry.
- One-Pot Meals: Craft one-pot wonders like vegetable-packed pasta dishes or quinoa-based stews. Combine veggies like spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers with grains or legumes for a complete and hearty meal.
- Stuffed Veggies: Use bell peppers, zucchinis, or portobello mushrooms as vessels for delicious fillings. Stuff them with mixtures of grains, beans, cheese, and herbs, then bake until tender for a satisfying and veggie-centric dish.
- Vegetable Gratin or Casseroles: Layer sliced vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants in a baking dish, adding cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs between layers. Bake until golden and bubbly for a comforting and veggie-rich gratin.
- Vegetable Pizzas or Flatbreads: Create pizza or flatbread masterpieces by piling on various veggies as toppings. Add tomatoes, spinach, onions, bell peppers, artichokes, or mushrooms for a colorful and flavorful meal.
- Veggie Tacos or Wraps: No meat needed! Fill tacos or wraps with roasted or sautéed vegetables like cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or mushrooms. Add fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, and guacamole for a veggie-packed fiesta.
- Veggie Burgers or Patties: Craft homemade veggie burgers using a mix of beans, lentils, mushrooms, and grated veggies. Serve them on whole-grain buns with lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite toppings.
- Veggie-loaded Soups or Chilis: Create hearty soups or chilis using a medley of vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions, and kale. Add beans or lentils for added protein and depth of flavor.
- Sheet Pan Meals: Cooking up a satisfying meal with just a sheet pan? Absolutely. Check out this Roasted Sweet Potato Sheet Pan Salad with Buffalo Ranch Dressing Recipe to see how easy it is.
- Salads: Make salads more filling by topping with grilled veggie skewers or adding protein options like roasted chickpeas, farro, avocado, beans, nuts and seeds, lentils, quinoa, tofu, and edamame.
Check out these recipes that use veggies as the main star:
- Rainbow Cauliflower Tacos
- Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Bread Pudding
- Teriyaki Lettuce Cups
- Broccoli Crunch Pita Pocket Recipe
- Asiago Kale Chickpea Wraps
- Asian Chopped Salad With Grilled Teriyaki Kebabs
- Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Thai Chili Mango Salad Recipe
- Caesar Chickpea Burgers
- Mini Mediterranean Grilled Pizzas
- Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Acorn Squash Cups
Elevating Favorite Go-To Dishes with Veggies
Transforming your favorite dishes into healthier options by incorporating more vegetables doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little creativity, you can seamlessly add more veggies into beloved meals like nachos, pizza, pasta, and soups, amplifying nutrition and flavor all at once!
Nachos
Revamp your nacho game by loading up on veggie toppings. Dice up some colorful bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, and jalapeños for a burst of flavor and crunch. If you really want to take things even further, swap out traditional tortilla chips for roasted sweet potato or zucchini rounds, providing a healthier base to layer on all your favorite toppings. Finally, consider adding black beans or roasted corn for extra fiber and protein.
Pizza
To no one’s surprise, pizzas are incredibly versatile for incorporating vegetables. Experiment with toppings like sautéed spinach, roasted bell peppers, caramelized onions, and cherry tomatoes for bursts of freshness. You can even opt for a whole wheat or cauliflower crust to boost nutrients and cut out some of the carbs. Want to mix things up even more? Try using a pesto base or sprinkle arugula on top after baking for added greens.
Pasta
Enhance pasta dishes by bulking them up with veggies — just grab whatever you have on hand! Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and arugula are excellent in pasta dishes, as they wilt quickly with the heat of the pasta and complement the flavors of sauces beautifully.
You can also add finely chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or peas to marinara sauces, boosting both texture and flavor.
And here’s one last pasta idea you probably knew was coming: veggie noodles. Replace standard noodles with zucchini, carrots, spaghetti squash, or sweet potato noodles for a nutrient-rich alternative. You can use a spiralizer to make your own or simply purchase pre-made versions in the frozen veggies aisle.
Soups
Soups are always a fantastic medium for veggies. Load up classic soups like tomato, minestrone, or chicken noodle with extra veggies like spinach, carrots, celery, and kale. Here’s another great idea: blend cooked cauliflower into creamy soups for added creaminess and nutrients without altering the taste.
Here are some tasty, veggie-based soup recipes to get you started:
What About Snacks?
Swapping out junk food with veggies is another easy way to get more nutrients. Taylor Farms veggie trays and Snack Packs are an easy way to satisfy cravings between meals for one person or a crowd— just open and enjoy!
No boring options here: Our diverse selection offers up everything from Veggie Chips and Buffalo Bleu Dip to veggie-filled Snack Packs like Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. Convenient, nutritious, and superbly tasty (i.e., the ideal snack!).