18 Recipes with Built-In Vegetables for Every Meal of the Day

We're going way beyond boring sides of steamed broccoli here.

By: Foodlets

If you’re looking for ways to feed your family more veggies (aren't we all?!), don’t wait for dinner. We’ve got ideas for adding fresh, good-for-you ingredients to your breakfast, lunch and, yes, dinner recipes to round out your plan.

For Breakfast:

Ham, eggs and spinach are a pretty perfect way to start the day (and you won’t believe our simple pastry shortcut!).

If you have even a couple minutes to spare, let the kids watch (or help!) add every colorful ingredient.

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

Bake this on Sunday and you’ll have breakfast ready for busy weekday mornings.

Make your kids’ day with these chocolatey pancakes that just happen to include a bonus helping of veggies.

Chef Name: Melissa d'Arabian

Full Recipe Name: Chocolate-Chocolate Veggie Pancakes 

Talent Recipe: Melissa d'Arabianâ  s Chocolate-Chocolate Veggie Pancakes, as seen on Ten Dollar Dinners

FNK Recipe: 

Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/Sides

Show Name: Ten Dollar Dinners

Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

MelissadArabian_ChocolateChocolateVeggiePancakes_H1

Chef Name: Melissa d'ArabianFull Recipe Name: Chocolate-Chocolate Veggie Pancakes Talent Recipe: Melissa d'Arabian’s Chocolate-Chocolate Veggie Pancakes, as seen on Ten Dollar DinnersFNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/SidesShow Name: Ten Dollar DinnersFood Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network,Chef Name: Melissa d'Arabian Full Recipe Name: Chocolate-Chocolate Veggie Pancakes Talent Recipe: Melissa d'Arabian’s Chocolate-Chocolate Veggie Pancakes, as seen on Ten Dollar Dinners FNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/Sides Show Name: Ten Dollar Dinners Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Zucchini, bananas, carrots, bananas and broccoli mingle together in one of our kids’ favorite muffins.

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

For Lunch:

Transform cornbread from a side dish to a hearty lunch by adding any combination of chicken, sausage, tomatoes, spinach, corn or cheese.

For a fast lunch that’s loaded with flavor, The Pioneer Woman layers hearty turkey with crunchy carrots and cucumbers on a bed of herbed cream cheese.

SHOW:
The Pioneer Woman
EPISODE:
Paige and Friend

SHOW:The Pioneer WomanEPISODE:Paige and Friend,SHOW: The Pioneer Woman EPISODE: Paige and Friend

Photo by: Jackie Alpers ©2014 Television Food Netword All rights reserved

Jackie Alpers, 2014 Television Food Netword All rights reserved

Got extra marinara sauce from dinner? Sautee a handful of veggies, and use a store-bought pizza crust to whip up make-ahead lunches kids love.

What makes this homemade mac abd cheese so magical? Pureed sweet potatoes and cauliflower baked right into that creamy cheese sauce.

And Giada De Laurentiis has her own portable version. Score!

Chef Name: Giada De Laurentiis

Full Recipe Name: Baked Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes

Talent Recipe: Giada De Laurentiis’ Baked Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes, as seen on Giada at Home

FNK Recipe: 

Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/Sides

Show Name: Giada at Home

Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

GiadaDeLaurentiis_BakedMacaroniAndCheeseCupcakes_H

Chef Name: Giada De Laurentiis Full Recipe Name: Baked Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes Talent Recipe: Giada De Laurentiis’ Baked Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes, as seen on Giada at Home FNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/Sides Show Name: Giada at Home Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

For Dinner:

A lighter version of a creamy classic, this family-friendly dinner is packed with veggies.

Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie; Ellie Krieger

Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie; Ellie Krieger

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

“More peas, please!” That’s what my kids say every time, bowl after bowl. (Yes, really.)

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

This is the only turkey meatball recipe you’ll ever need. It’s simple, delicious and full of vegetables that aren’t only there for nutrition: all those carrots, onions and spinach add tons of flavor too.

From kale to chard to escarole, the greens are key to this 30-minute meal.

Trust me: This is a crowd pleaser you will be making for YEARS.

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

With two kinds of cheese (including one that might surprise you), these crispy roll-ups are filled with savory ground turkey, cumin and the perfect amount of fresh spinach to keep them light.

Chef Name: Giada De Laurentiis

Full Recipe Name: Turkey and Spinach Taquitos

Talent Recipe: Giada De Laurentiisâ   Turkey and Spinach Taquitos, as seen on Giada at Home

FNK Recipe: 

Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/Sides

Show Name: Giada at Home

Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

GiadaDeLaurentiis_TurkeyAndSpinachTaquitos_H

Chef Name: Giada De LaurentiisFull Recipe Name: Turkey and Spinach TaquitosTalent Recipe: Giada De Laurentiis’ Turkey and Spinach Taquitos, as seen on Giada at HomeFNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/SidesShow Name: Giada at HomeFood Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network,Chef Name: Giada De Laurentiis Full Recipe Name: Turkey and Spinach Taquitos Talent Recipe: Giada De Laurentiis’ Turkey and Spinach Taquitos, as seen on Giada at Home FNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/Sides Show Name: Giada at Home Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Full of gooey melted cheese and tangy tomato sauce, all you need is a warm loaf of crusty bread and dinner’s served.

This weeknight meal gets a glowing 5-star rating for a reason: It delivers consistent results every time.

Food Network Kitchen’s Freezer Bag Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry, as seen on Food Network.

Food Network Kitchen’s Freezer Bag Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

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