17 Veggie-Packed Dinners

These are the kind of weeknight dinner recipes I love to keep in rotation because they already have the vegetables built right in. That means there’s no need to figure out a separate side dish, and dinner feels that much easier. Whether it’s Ratatouille Ground Beef Skillet, Pizza-Stuffed Peppers, or Egg Roll in a Bowl, it’s easy to get a hearty, satisfying meal on the table with plenty of veggies built right in.

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Get Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Casserole

“It offers all of the gooey, melty cheese and zesty tomato sauce your family craves, all on a bed of tender zucchini. You’ll want to serve this dish with a crusty bread—an Italian loaf, baguette, or garlic bread, ideally. It completes the pizza profile and is perfect for wiping your bowl.” —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer

02 of 17

Get Recipe: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

“If you’re craving the flavors of these classic cabbage rolls but don’t have the time and don’t require a super polished presentation, then this is the recipe for you. These unstuffed cabbage rolls use all of the same ingredients but are ready in a fraction of the time.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor

03 of 17

Get Recipe: Summer Tortellini Skillet

“In the thick of summer, my garden teems with tomatoes and zucchini, and my market basket overflows with sweet corn. All of that bounty inspired me to create this easy, one-pan summer supper. It combines fresh cheese tortellini with the aforementioned vegetables, making a quick, lightly saucy situation. Cooking the pasta and vegetables in one pan brings all the flavors together into one harmonious meal.” —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer

04 of 17

Get Recipe: Small-Batch Wisconsin Booyah

“Over the years, I’ve tried booyah at church picnics, Halloween fêtes, dive bars, a kegger in college, and at home. I don’t feed 50 people often, so I tinkered and tested until I arrived at a small-batch booyah that you can whip up in the comfort of your home. It’s ideal for chilly nights when it’s dark by 4 p.m., and you need a steaming bowl of protein-rich goodness. —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer

05 of 17

Get Recipe: Ratatouille Ground Beef Skillet

“To turn ratatouille into a hearty dinner, I’ve added one of my favorite versatile proteins: a pound of ground beef. I go with 90% lean ground beef for this dish—there’s no need to drain off any excess grease, and you can still add plenty of olive oil, too.” —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

06 of 17

Get Recipe: Freezer Fish and Vegetable Bake

“This midweek lifesaver dinner covers ALL the easy bases—no-thaw, freezer-to-oven, and assembled in one baking dish—with nary a single vegetable to chop. My childhood included many versions of this dinner, both in a baking dish and as a campfire-style ‘fish in foil’ offering. It’s simple enough for even the most inexperienced cooks, and my family loves it.” —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer

07 of 17

Get Recipe: Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Zucchini, Tomatoes, and Bell Peppers

“The fresh gnocchi in the refrigerated aisle of your grocery store is pretty similar to homemade versions and is likely to be a bit more tender and more flavorful than shelf-stable versions. That said, the kind you find in the pasta aisle is also great. I like it because I can store it in my pantry for weeks and pull it out whenever I need it.” —Georgia Freedman, Recipe Developer

08 of 17

Get Recipe: Braised Cabbage “Lasagna”

It’s a one-pot recipe that’s hearty, cozy, and satisfying.

09 of 17

Get Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

“If you love the flavors of beef and broccoli, whip up this quick, easy, and affordable version. Ready in only 30 minutes—just enough time to cook up some rice at the same time—it’s an ideal family meal.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor

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Get Recipe: Easy Chicken Fricassee

“Chicken fricassee is a great example of a relatively simple and straightforward meal that ticks all of the boxes. The French recipe brings chicken and savory vegetables with a thick, creamy gravy. It’s a classic, retro recipe worthy of making a reappearance on any modern dinner table.” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

11 of 17

Get Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup

“Using microwaveable rice is a great time-saving hack. You can just toss it in the soup as-is (without microwaving it first), and it will finish cooking while the soup simmers. And, of course, feel free to use microwaveable brown rice if that’s what you prefer.” —Sara Bir, Simply Recipes Editor

12 of 17

Get Recipe: Baked Sweet Potatoes With Black Bean Succotash

“This brings me to the humble roasted sweet potato. The colorful tuber is a fabulous vessel for any number of nutritious toppings; in this case, a flavorful black bean succotash. I particularly love this root vegetable because it’s affordable, available year-round in nearly every supermarket, and packed with antioxidants.” —Alexandra Shytsman, Recipe Developer

13 of 17

Get Recipe: Retro Taco Salad

“There is something about taco salad that just says family meal. Maybe it’s the customization option, so different palates can experience their perfect main salad components. Maybe it’s the ability to bring children into the meal prep ritual, since its varied components are easy to assemble. Or maybe it’s because it’s a one-dish and done meal that still satisfies.” —Stephanie Burt, Recipe Developer

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Get Recipe: Braised Pork Roast and Sauerkraut

“Hands-down, mashed potatoes are the thing you must serve with pork and sauerkraut. Says who? My family. We love how they absorb the savory juice from the roasting pan. Egg noodles would be a decent alternative, as would boiled red potatoes. As for a vegetable side, come on! That wonderful kraut is all the side you need.” —Sara Bir, Simply Recipes Editor

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Get Recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl

“I love this recipe because it uses four easy-to-find ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Ground meat, a bag of coleslaw mix, soy sauce, and ginger are pretty much all you need to make this dish. It’s on repeat in my house because it’s a nutrient-dense meal that tastes like fried food. Win-win!” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

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Get Recipe: Pizza-Stuffed Peppers

“I turn to these pizza-stuffed peppers to incorporate those flavors into an easy weeknight dinner. These tender boats of bell pepper piled high with ground beef, rice, and onion are dressed up even further with pepperoni and cheese. They’re bursting with flavor and can be customized in various ways to match your go-to pizza order.” —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer

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Get Recipe: Spring Carbonara

“A few years ago, after a trip to the first farmers markets of spring, I hit upon an idea: Why not add veggies to carbonara for a pasta primavera-carbonara mash-up? I added a few handfuls of chopped asparagus and snap peas to the pasta water during the last few minutes of cooking and then proceeded with my usual carbonara recipe. Voilà! I had a healthier bowl of an old favorite shot through with all the lovely flavors of spring. ” —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer

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