Chances are, your family has a wide variety of food preferences. One family member wants their “meat-and-potatoes” while another is trying to be a vegetarian; one is very picky about vegetables while another is trying to cut back and lose a few pounds. Does this sound familiar? If so, planning and making dinner can cause a real dilemma.
What do you do? Make several different meals to appease each person? Let everyone be responsible for their own dinners (which could result in some very questionable nutrition…) or just cook one thing and hope everyone will eat it?
Here at Tommy’s Superfoods, we understand the challenge of making a healthy, delicious dinner that can satisfy a variety of dietary preferences. Here are seven meals you’ll love that focus on vegetables but can also be modified to feed the carnivore or picky eater in your life!
7 Delicious Meat Optional Meals
Tortellini with Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, Cheese and Sausage
Find the recipe on Kitchen Treaty
This one-dish dinner is perfect for nights when you don’t have lots of prep time. Nutty Gruyere cheese provides the perfect flavor with roasted butternut squash, mushrooms, and tortellini (or the pasta of your choice). Want more green? Mix in some of our seasoned vegetable medley. Add some sweet Italian sausage for the meat eaters and a meat-alternative substitute sausage for those that are following a plant-based diet. If time allows, make double and store servings in the freezer for a grab-and-go lunch!
Easy Homemade Grilled Pizza
Find the recipe on Two Healthy Kitchens
Grilled pizza is great for summer nights when you’re eating outside on the patio! Everyone loves pizza and has their favorite toppings, and when you use the grill, it’s easy to make healthy pizza pies that use ingredients of your choosing. Does someone want low-fat cheese with red sauce and turkey pepperoni? No problem! Root Fusion on whole grain dough with olive oil? Got it! Extra mozzarella with bacon? Sure! When you grill pizzas at home everyone gets to have it “their way” without ordering out.
Veggie Fajitas
Find the recipe on The Live In Kitchen
Fajitas are perfect for families with a variety of food preferences because everyone gets to “build their own” dinner. This recipe calls for lots of veggies but adds an extra boost with some Super Greens. You can easily add in chicken, shrimp, steak, or a plant-based meat alternative. Serve with a side of black or pinto beans and some of your favorite tortilla chips!
Quinoa Salad with Pineapple and Chicken
Find the recipe on Food Faith Fitness
Quinoa gets mixed with pineapple, macadamia nuts and chicken (or a plant-based chicken substitute) for a sweet and smoky bowl of deliciousness! Serve alone, on a bed of mixed greens, or as a side dish. Speed up cooking time and add a little mango by using our Fiesta Quinoa.
Refried Bean and Cheese Burritos with Optional Chicken
Find the recipe on Kitchen Treaty
Refried beans, brown rice, salsa, and cheese rolled up into a burrito make a hearty lunch or dinner and can easily be made in advance and stored in the freezer. For meat-eaters, add in some grilled chicken. To boost the protein, add in some Fiesta Quinoa. Serve with additional salsa or guacamole.
Chilli with Acorn Squash, Beets and Sweet Potatoes
Find the recipe on Farm Fresh Feasts
This smooth, thick, tomato chilli features acorn squash, beets, and sweet potatoes. The recipe is vegan (without milk or meat), but it can be modified to include hamburger or ground turkey as well as a topping of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Want to save time peeling and chopping? Add in our organic sweet potatoes.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Find the recipe on Snappy Gourmet
This pasta salad does double duty as a side salad or main dish, and it can be served hot or cold. Need something for a BBQ potluck or picnic? This recipe is your go-to choice! While the recipe calls for chicken, you can swap in shrimp or your favorite meatless chicken substitute. Trying to add more veggies to your diet? Add in more of your favorites for a boost in flavor and nutrition. Cauliflower goes great with buffalo sauce, so this recipe would be great with our Cauliflower & Green Beans added in.
What’s your favorite meat optional meal?
Do you have a favorite meat-optional veggie-friendly recipe? Share some inspiration by posting in the comments, tagging us on social media, or submitting your favorite recipes right here on our website.
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