MyPlate-Inspired Breakfast Recipes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Start Your Day with a Nutritious Breakfast

Cooking Light is working with the Partnership for a Healthier America and USDA’s MyPlate to give anyone looking for healthier options access to thousands of recipes that will help them create healthy, tasty plates. For more information about creating a healthy plate, visit www.choosemyplate.gov. Find recipes at http://pinterest.com/MyPlateRecipes/.

Breakfast doesn't have to be boring. MyPlate encourages eating a breakfast that helps you meet your food group needs. People who skip breakfast often weigh more, and eating a nutrient-dense breakfast may help you lose weight and keep it off.

First up is our Greek Yogurt Parfaits. Try making these parfaits for a nutritious and delicious breakfast. Grano, which means "grain" in Italian, are the polished whole berries from durum semolina wheat. Look for them in health-food stores or Italian markets. If you can't find grano, try wheat berries, barley, or brown rice instead.

View Recipe: Greek Yogurt Parfaits

Photo: Randy Mayor

Eggs Blindfolded over Garlic Cheddar Grits

Blindfolded eggs are a short-order cook’s version of poached eggs. The grits in this recipe make a divine bed for the perfectly cooked eggs.

View Recipe: Eggs Blindfolded over Garlic Cheddar Grits

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Quick Breakfast Burritos

We love how easy it is to take this breakfast on the road. A full breakfast wrapped up in a nice neat little package—and it tastes delicious too.

View Recipe: Quick Breakfast Burritos

Photo: John Autry

Libanais Breakfast

This Middle Eastern-inspired breakfast is a popular selection at Medina, a Belgian breakfast spot in Vancouver, where the dish includes a boiled egg and three salads—tabbouleh, cucumber salad, and baba ghanoush—complemented with crisp pita toasts. Our simplified version features just one salad: tabbouleh.

View Recipe: Libanais Breakfast

Photo: William Dickey

Blueberry-Passion Fruit Smoothie

With plenty of fruit, fiber, and protein, this quick shake is a sweet snack you can feel good about. You can also enjoy a larger serving as a healthful breakfast. Look for canned passion fruit nectar with other bottled and canned juices or in the Latin food section of your grocery store. If you can't find it, substitute pineapple juice.

View Recipe: Blueberry-Passion Fruit Smoothie

Photo: John Autry

Egg White and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata

The frittata gets a healthy makeover by only using egg whites instead of the whole egg. Also, you can substitute feta if ricotta salata is unavailable.

View Recipe: Egg White and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata

Photo: Randy Mayor

Three-Grain Breakfast Cereal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit

This mixture of barley and oats with nuts and raisins will keep you going all morning. Walnuts provide omega-3 fatty acids, but pecans also work nicely in this high-fiber cereal. Serve with yogurt or milk, and top with fresh fruit.

View Recipe: Three-Grain Breakfast Cereal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mushroom Frittata

This vegetarian egg recipe is ideal for a light breakfast or brunch, but you can also serve it for dinner paired with a simple side salad.

View Recipe: Mushroom Frittata

Photo: John Autry

Baked Egg-in-a-Hole

These bacon-and-egg toasts make for a fun breakfast or easy dinner. This kid-friendly recipe is sure to be a hit, any time of day.

View Recipe: Baked Egg-in-a-Hole

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Banana Breakfast Smoothie

This breakfast smoothie is loaded with protein and easy to take along with a handful of granola for a quick breakfast on the go. Adding the yogurt at the very end imparts a creamy texture to the smoothie.

View Recipe: Banana Breakfast Smoothie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Baked Oatmeal

Try baked oatmeal for a unexpected morning treat. It's a mix between an oatmeal bar and traditional creamy breakfast oatmeal.

View Recipe: Baked Oatmeal

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Summer Vegetable Frittata

Garden-fresh summer vegetables will make this frittata a special breakfast or brunch treat.

View Recipe: Summer Vegetable Frittata

Photo: John Autry

Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

We like the creamy, custardy consistency of this quiche when it's baked for 35 minutes. If you prefer a firmer texture, bake an additional 5 minutes.

View Recipe: Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Tony's Breakfast Couscous

You can prepare this dish the night before and serve warm or cold. The recipe is easy to double to serve more people. Use any combination of dried fruits you like–cherries, apples, blueberries, or raspberries. You can substitute one cup fat-free milk for dry, and decrease the water to 1/4 cup.

View Recipe: Tony's Breakfast Couscous

Photo: Randy Mayor

Classic French Omelet

Pull the pan off the heat as needed, while stirring, to control how fast the eggs cook. The finished omelet should be golden outside and unbrowned, while still creamy at the very center.

View Recipe: Classic French Omelet

Photo: Kang Kim

Cinnamon Banana Crunch Bowl

Mix up your oatmeal routine with bulgur in this crunch bowl. The results are a quick and easy breakfast of champions.

View Recipe: Cinnamon Banana Crunch Bowl

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Baked Eggs en Cocotte with Onions

Keep an eye on the eggs as they cook, bearing in mind that cook times vary depending on the thickness of the ramekins and your personal preference for the texture of the eggs.

View Recipe: Baked Eggs en Cocotte with Onions

Photo: Oxmoor House

Blackberry-Mango Breakfast Shake

Silken tofu gives this drink a smooth, creamy consistency. If you don't like the seeds in blackberries, substitute frozen blueberries.

View Recipe: Blackberry-Mango Breakfast Shake

Photo: John Autry

Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs

Comfort food isn't strictly reserved for dinnertime. Start your day with something warm and delicious to keep you fueled throughout the morning. To trim Swiss chard, pull or cut the stems out of the leaves. The dish goes from stovetop to tabletop using just one pan.

View Recipe: Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs

Photo: Randy Mayor

Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey

These sandwiches are equally good for breakfast or dinner. Mixing honey with the goat cheese makes it easier to spread over the cinnamon-raisin bread.

View Recipe: Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey

Photo: Randy Mayor

Gingered Carrot Smoothies

Start your morning off with a tasty smoothie full of veggies and fresh ginger.

View Recipe: Gingered Carrot Smoothies

Photo: John Autry

Breakfast Quinoa

Like most whole grains, quinoa is surprisingly filling, but if you need more for breakfast, serve with an egg on the side.

View Recipe: Breakfast Quinoa

Photo: John Autry

Sunflower Granola Breakfast Parfaits

To make this portable breakfast a snap, prepare the granola in advance and store it in an airtight container. Be sure to keep a close eye on the broiler so the granola doesn't burn. You can also sub pitted fresh cherries or any ripe berry for the raspberries.

View Recipe: Sunflower Granola Breakfast Parfaits

Photo: Randy Mayor

Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Smoothies

The sweet taste of watermelon and cucumbers mix deliciously with creamy Greek yogurt and fresh mint in this easy-to-make smoothie.

View Recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Smoothies