MyPlate-Inspired Quick and Easy Recipes

Photo: John Autry

Nutritious Quick and Easy Recipes

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/.

Our quick and easy recipes are ideal meal options for families and individuals during busy weekdays. MyPlate recommends varying protein food choices, avoiding redundancy, and providing an array of nutritional values for your body, making these dishes (which include seafood, chicken, lamb, and more) perfect for a healthy diet.

First up is our Prosciutto, Peach, and Sweet Lettuce Salad. Serve this light main-course salad with a piece of crusty baguette for a delicious dish. Choose ripe, juicy peaches, and leave the peel on for more texture.

View Recipe: Prosciutto, Peach, and Sweet Lettuce Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Double-Sesame Grilled Tuna

Ready in just 20 minutes, this tuna dish is the perfect way to incorporate more seafood into your weekly diet without much effort needed. Serve with quick-cooking rice and steamed baby bok choy to round out the meal.

View Recipe: Double-Sesame Grilled Tuna

Photo: Randy Mayor

Eggs Blindfolded Over Garlic-Cheddar Grits

Blindfolded eggs are a short-order cook’s version of poached eggs. The Garlic-Cheddar 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

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

A three-minute dip into a pungent cilantro-lime marinade is all that's needed to deliver big flavor to chicken breasts. Serve with saffron rice.

View Recipe: Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Bacon Mac

This macaroni and cheese meal is sure to gather rave reviews from kids and adults alike. This family-friendly one-dish meal gets its richness from sharp cheddar cheese, which mellows the heat from the hot sauce.

View Recipe: Bacon Mac

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad

Small rice-shaped pasta, orzo cooks quickly and soaks up flavor from the vinaigrette. Double the vinaigrette and spoon some over the top of the fish, if you like.

View Recipe: Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Grilled Chicken with Mustard-Tarragon Sauce

A tangy sauce enlivens simple grilled chicken breasts and a hint of sugar balances out the flavors.

View Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Mustard-Tarragon Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor

Tofu with Red Curry Paste, Peas, and Yellow Tomatoes

The red curry paste in this ethnic dish is a blend of clarified butter, curry powder, vinegar, and other seasonings. Use either Indian or Asian curry paste; it comes in mild and hot versions and can be modified to suit your preference.

View Recipe: Tofu with Red Curry Paste, Peas, and Yellow Tomatoes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Wasabi-Ponzu Sauce

This tuna recipe takes on an Asian flair with a coating of sesame seeds and a sauce of wasabi paste, soy sauce, and fresh ginger.

View Recipe: Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Wasabi-Ponzu Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor

Lamb Chops with Sautéed Apples

Our succulent lamb chops are a hearty source of protein and pair perfectly with this side of sautéed Braeburn apple slices.

View Recipe: Lamb Chops with Sautéed Apples

Photo: Randy Mayor

Mango Shrimp Kebabs

These fresh-flavored mango shrimp skewers are ready to enjoy in just 25 minutes and are a great option for entertaining when the weather is warm.

View Recipe: Mango Shrimp Kebabs

Photo: John Autry

Sautéed Striped Bass with Lemon-Caper Sauce

Wild striped bass is plentiful along the Easy Coast, but might be hard to find if you live inland. Look for farmed bass, which is a hybrid of striped bass and white bass, and will work as a great substitute in this dish.

View recipe: Sautéed Striped Bass with Lemon-Caper Sauce

Photo: John Autry

Thai Steak Salad

Lots of veggies and herbs pack our flavorful salad. It’s quick and easy to prepare and also tastes great with grilled chicken or lamb.

View Recipe: Thai Steak Salad

Photo: John Autry

Seared Filet with Mixed-Herb Gremolata

You only need 20 minutes and a really hot pan to create these delicious seared filets. Tip: a great sear on the steaks depends on the heat of the pan and not moving the meat too much while it’s cooking.

View Recipe: Seared Filet with Mixed-Herb Gremolata

Photo: Randy Mayor

Linguine with Clam Sauce

This recipe is easy to make in just three simple steps. Enjoy with a small side salad or breadsticks for a meal everyone in the family will enjoy.

View Recipe: Linguine with Clam Sauce

Photo: John Autry

Halibut à la Provençal over Mixed Greens

This dish is the perfect way to incorporate more fish and veggies into your healthy lifestyle. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's easy to make and bursting with rich flavors.

View Recipe: Halibut à la Provençal over Mixed Greens

Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine

Lemony Grilled Shrimp Salad

Combine citrusy grilled shrimp with arugula, avocado, and jicama to make a Mexican-inspired main dish salad.

View Recipe: Lemony Grilled Shrimp Salad

Photo: John Autry

Apple, Goat Cheese, and Pecan Pizza

Take a walk on the culinary wild side with this adventurous pizza. Thinly sliced Fuji apples, goat cheese, toasted pecans, baby arugula, and fresh thyme meld together in a tantalizing blend of flavors for a unique dinner pizza.

View Recipe: Apple, Goat Cheese, and Pecan Pizza

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Korean Sesame Beef with Lettuce Wraps

Based on the classic Korean barbecue dish bulgogi, this recipe offers savory-sweet-garlicky beef wrapped in lettuce leave with rice and kimchi.

View Recipe: Korean Sesame Beef with Lettuce Wraps

Photo: John Autry

Tempeh and Broccolini Stir-Fry

Streamline your stir-frying process by prepping all ingredients before you start cooking. For a whole-grain base, use brown rice.

View Recipe: Tempeh and Broccolini Stir-Fry