CookingLight diet CookingLight diet

Top-Rated Egg Recipes

June 22, 2009
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
These high-protein recipes received high marks for versatility and deliciousness.
Start Slideshow

1 of 68

Eggcellent Recipes That Will Never Be Boring

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Brown Rice Bowl with Miso, Poached Egg, and Kale Radish Slaw

Whether it's a hurried weekday morning, a romantic meal in bed, or a big family gathering, the occasion will be memorable with our most popular egg dishes. Readers couldn't get enough of the featured recipes, and we know why—they just sound too cozy to pass up.

First up: This nutrient-rich bowl features tender kale and a deliciously runny poached egg. Mix and match those greens and grains! Sub farro or quinoa for brown rice, and spinach, chard, or cabbage for kale.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 68

Shirred Eggs with Marinara and Feta

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Shirred Eggs with Marinara and Feta

For a breakfast both simple and special make shirred eggs. Just crack eggs into small vessels and bake until set, adding flavorful toppers for extra flair. Ramekins will work, but colorful mini cocottes make the dish a dazzler.

3 of 68

Acorn Squash Egg-in-the-Hole

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Acorn Squash Egg-in-the-Hole

Remember that childhood breakfast favorite, a piece of toast with an egg cooked into its cutout center? Well, try this stunning grown-up twist that replaces the bread with baked slices of acorn squash. Mornings are looking sunny-side up!

Advertisement

4 of 68

Bacon and Egg Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Arugula

Photo: John Kernick
View Recipe: Bacon and Egg Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Arugula

This upscale twist on the traditional breakfast sandwich features sweet, tender caramelized onion and peppery arugula. A fresh fruit salad would be a good accompaniment.

5 of 68

BLT Salad with Eggs Sunny Side Up

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: BLT Salad with Eggs Sunny Side Up

This bacon, lettuce, and tomato salad with sunny side eggs is a healthy alternative to the classic BLT sandwich. It's a light and fresh veggie-packed salad that's hearty enough for a satisfying meal.

6 of 68

Lemon Curd with Berries

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Lemon Curd with Berries

In this custard, citrus juice stands in for milk as the base liquid, thickened by egg yolks. Butter gives the curd a glorious sheen. Garnish with mint leaves for a spot of green color.

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 68

Vegetable Hash with Poached Eggs

Photo: Stephen Devries
View Recipe: Vegetable Hash with Poached Eggs

If pizza or pasta is your go-to solution for meatless meals, switch it up and try a vegetable hash instead. Here, a beautiful poached egg tops a bowl of hearty, fibrous vegetables to create a balanced vegetarian meal in a flash.

8 of 68

Minced Beef with Bok Choy and Fried Egg

Photo: Brian Kennedy
View Recipe: Minced Beef with Bok Choy and Fried Egg

In just 20 minutes, this meaty dish pops with flavor. For a little extra heat and a pop of color, drizzle a few drops of Sriracha over the eggs right before serving.

 

9 of 68

Deviled Eggs with Pickled Onions

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Deviled Eggs with Pickled Onions

Be sure to offer finger foods like deviled eggs that guests can enjoy with a drink in one hand. Steaming produces perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel eggs every time. You can cook the eggs and prepare the filling two days in advance, but wait to fill the whites until the day you plan to serve them.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 68

Eggs Poached in Curried Tomato Sauce

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Eggs Poached in Curried Tomato Sauce Recipe

This egg-and-sauce dish is a far cry from the classic Benedict, yet not completely unrelated. A whole-wheat English muffin is a nice vehicle for the sauce and egg, but so is brown basmati rice, or a whole-grain paratha or other chewy flatbread.

 

Reader cbenz2295 served the dish with warm naan and a green salad. "My whole family loved this dish and asked that I make it regularly for dinner...It's easy, inexpensive and super fast to make."

 

11 of 68

Green Pea and Asparagus Soup with Poached Eggs and Toast

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Green Pea and Asparagus Soup with Poached Eggs and Toast

Light, lovely, and lush, this egg-topped soup is all you need for a well-rounded spring supper.

 

12 of 68

Herbed Ricotta Tart

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Herbed Ricotta Tart

Perfect any time of day, this Herbed Ricotta Tart gets a headstart by incorporating a refrigerated pizza crust dough. Dill and chives add fresh, fragrant flavor.

 

"I followed this recipe exactly and it was fabulous," praises sprater1. "Used fresh herbs from my garden. My kids (4 and 6 years old) loved it too!"

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 68

Sunny-Side-Up Pizza

Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Sunny-Side-Up Pizza

If you love starting your day with eggs sunny-side-up, you'll certainly love this pizza version of the morning favorite. With spinach, red onion, garlic, and Parmesan, it's a new and exciting take on breakfast for dinner.

14 of 68

Migas con Salsa Verde

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Migas con Salsa Verde

Enjoy this one-skillet dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With salsa verde, red bell pepper, queso fresco, and jalapeño, it's full of flavors everyone will enjoy.

15 of 68

Summer Squash, Bacon, and Mozzarella Quiche

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Summer Squash, Bacon, and Mozzarella Quiche

Fill this homemade pie crust with a mixture of summer squash, bacon and creamy mozzarella. It is hard to believe this decadent quiche recipe has less than 300 calories.

 

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 68

Open-Faced Fried Egg BLT Sandwiches

Photo: Stephen Devries
View Recipe: Open-Faced Fried Egg BLT Sandwiches

This egg-cellent version of a BLT boasts baby arugula, fresh tomatoes, and hearty slices of focaccia bread. Top this beauty off with a fried egg for a savory lunch or dinner.

 

 

17 of 68

Sausage, Gravy, and Egg Breakfast Sandwiches

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sausage, Gravy, and Egg Breakfast Sandwiches

This sandwich will rival what you get at the drive-through. Freezing the gravy in ice-cube trays makes portioning easy. 

 

18 of 68

Egg White and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 68

Zucchini and Red Pepper Frittata

Photo: Stephen Devries
View Recipe: Zucchini and Red Pepper Frittata

This delicious frittata recipe uses a summer veggie that many gardeners have in abundance—zucchini. Boost the flavor by topping it with a creamy pesto, tzaiziki sauce, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

20 of 68

Open-Faced Sandwiches with Ricotta, Arugula, and Fried Egg

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Open-Faced Sandwiches with Ricotta, Arugula, and Fried Egg

This open-faced sandwich might be more commonly devoured with a fork and knife, but we won't judge you if you opt to lose the utensils. You won't be able to resist the combination of peppery arugula, creamy ricotta, and salty Parmigiano-Reggiano all topped with a beautiful fried egg.

 

21 of 68

Eggs Barbacoa

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Eggs Barbacoa

Because you have to cook the beef a day in advance, you’ll get a head start on this hearty meal. You’ll have to use more beef than necessary–use it for another meal to avoid wasting ingredients.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 68

Peppered White Bean, Kale, and Egg Stack

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Peppered White Bean, Kale, and Egg Stack

One egg adds 6g protein to this vegetarian plate; the yolk is also a creamy dressing.

 

23 of 68

Fried Egg BLT Sandwiches

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Fried Egg BLT Sandwiches

Opt for focaccia without cheese or herbs, and choose one that doesn't look oily. Serve with a fruit salad of 1 cup blueberries and 2 cups strawberries.

24 of 68

Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup with Poached Eggs

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup with Poached Eggs

This hearty vegetable soup will warm you up from the inside out. Save time by prepping the eggs a day ahead: poach for 2 minutes instead of 3, strain, and refrigerate in cold water. Simmer gently for 1 minute just before serving.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 68

Arugula Pizza with Poached Eggs

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Arugula Pizza with Poached Eggs

You can also try using fresh dough. Look to your local pizzeria for homemade dough, as many will sell theirs for only a few dollars.

 

26 of 68

Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce with Onions and Peppers

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce with Onions and Peppers

Vegetarian delight: A chunk of hearty toast soaks up savory deliciousness from tangy sauce and creamy egg yolk.

27 of 68

Poached Eggs with Spinach and Walnuts

Photo: Johnny Autry & Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Poached Eggs with Spinach and Walnuts

Serve protein-packed eggs over a side of spinach sauteed with mushrooms, walnuts, and Gruyère cheese.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 68

Fried Egg and Avocado Toasts

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Fried Egg and Avocado Toasts

Sunny-side up eggs, fresh sprouts, and salsa amp up avocado toast for a fast, no-fuss meal. It's a sure winner at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

29 of 68

Creole Deviled Eggs

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Creole Deviled Eggs

Chef Stage, of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in New York City, remembers his mother's deviled eggs, which he updates with vibrant Creole seasonings. This game day recipe will be a winner.

 

30 of 68

Open-Faced Sandwiches with Mushrooms and Fried Eggs

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Open-Faced Sandwiches with Mushrooms and Fried Eggs

This open-faced sandwich is savory and delicious. It's perfect for breakfast, lunch or a light dinner.

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 68

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Kale, Poached Eggs, and Toasted Breadcrumbs

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Kale, Poached Eggs, and Toasted Breadcrumbs

Tuscan kale, sometimes labeled cavolo nero or lacinato or black kale, has dark leaves that are richly flavored. Combined with whole-wheat spaghetti and poached eggs in this dish, the kale brings out a deep and irresistible flavor in just under an hour.

 

32 of 68

Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs

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

To trim Swiss chard for this main dish, pull or cut the stems out of the leaves. Learn how to prepare Swiss chard in 4 simple steps. 

33 of 68

Eggs with Chickpeas, Spinach, and Tomato

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Eggs with Chickpeas, Spinach, and Tomato

If you can find them, use farm-fresh eggs to make this quick one-skillet ­supper really shine.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 68

Egg and Hash Brown Casserole

Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Egg and Hash Brown Casserole

This make-ahead dish is like enjoying an omelet stuffed with spinach, Swiss cheese, and mushrooms, with hearty sides of bacon and hash browns, all in one package.

35 of 68

Roasted Asparagus and Arugula Salad with Poached Egg

Photo: Kang Kim
View Recipe: Roasted Asparagus and Arugula Salad with Poached Egg

Pair this light entrée with some roasted new potatoes for a complete and satisfying weeknight meal.

 

36 of 68

Marinara Poached Eggs

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Marinara Poached Eggs

Switch up your regular breakfast routine with something tasty. Poaching eggs in marinara is easy since the sauce is quite thick. The sauce gives so much more flavor to the eggs compared to the normal water-poaching method. Keep some toasted Italian or French bread handy – you will want to dip.

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 68

Tunisian Brik-Style Eggs

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Tunisian Brik-Style Eggs

Tucked inside crisp, flaky phyllo dough pastry, tender potato chunks and a perfectly cooked egg mingle.

 

38 of 68

Walnut-Breadcrumb Pasta with a Soft Egg

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Walnut-Breadcrumb Pasta with a Soft Egg

A soft-cooked egg coats the pasta and adds rich flavor to this rustic dish. The key to success with the eggs is to plunge them quickly into ice water to stop the cooking.

 

39 of 68

Poached Egg and Arugula Salad Bruschetta

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Poached Egg and Arugula Salad Bruschetta

Top toasts with bacon-y arugula salad, or break the egg and let the golden yolk run over all. For a simple side, riff on hash brown potatoes by tossing refrigerated potato wedges with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast until golden.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

40 of 68

Green, Egg, and Ham Waffle

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Green, Egg, and Ham Waffle

This savory tip-of-the-hat to Dr. Seuss's classic will go a long way with the kids on name recognition alone, but it's the flavor that will make it one of your breakfast staples. Avocado and prosciutto complement the poached egg for a snack you'll crave breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

41 of 68

Egg with a Kick

Photo: Grant Cornett; Styling: Alistair Turnbull 
View Recipe: Egg with a Kick

Make a batch of hardboiled eggs on Sunday to have on hand throughout the week. Slice the egg in half and drizzle ½ teaspoon of Sriracha for a spicy 80-calorie snack.

 

42 of 68

Mushroom Burgers with Fried Egg and Truffle Oil

Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Mushroom Burgers with Fried Egg and Truffle Oil

Between the beef, egg, cheese, mushrooms, and truffle oil, this burger is an absolute umami bomb, exploding with meaty, savory flavor. Chopped, sautéed mushrooms in the burger mixture add low-fat moisture to the lean beef as it cooks.

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

43 of 68

Tuna, Arugula, and Egg Salad with Pita Chips

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Tuna, Arugula, and Egg Salad with Pita Chips

The bold flavors of red onion, piquant capers and kalamata olives, and peppery arugula elevate hum-drum tuna salad to new heights. If your budget allows, try a premium jarred tuna, like Ortiz, which is rich, firm, and meaty. And purchase precooked, peeled eggs from your supermarket. You can also substitute arugula with baby spinach.

44 of 68