Cooking Light Ready-Made Meals

Plump, tender chicken breast and sautéed spinach build a flavor-packed base made creamy and rich with a trio of cheeses: ricotta, savory parmesan, and aged Romano. A hit of fresh garlic and cream cheese make for a tasty finish. Try it with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, or a spoonful of homemade pesto and freshly ground black pepper– we left some room for it.

The classic combination of fresh, juicy heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella cheese make even the coldest days seem brighter, made creamy and rich with light ricotta cheese and sautéed spinach. Fill up on the warmth of our heirloom tomato and spinach ravioli, and make it yours with a splash of extra-virgin olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of rustic Parmesan cheese.

In this classic Italian dish, tender chicken breast is grilled, then sliced and layered over pasta that's tossed with aged Parmesan cheese and a zesty vine-ripened tomato sauce, simmered low and slow with garlic, onion, basil, and extra-virgin olive oil. A toasted panko topping adds a crispy touch – our way of bringing the pleasures of crunch without deep-frying the chicken.

Aromas of chipotle, lime, and garlic fill the kitchen as this succulent roast warms in the oven. A staff favorite, our pork shoulder is seared and slow-cooked to perfection – yielding tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat and a smoky sauce that’s crazy good and packed with flavor.

A hearty puree of fresh tomatoes sets the base for our Minestrone, which bursts with the goodness of seven vegetables. A colorful medley of zucchini, spinach, and tender-sweet corn are balanced with the bright flavors of extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, and fresh oregano. Plump navy beans, fresh pasta, and a hit of Parmesan cheese bring comfort and depth to this healthy weeknight soup.Try it with some crusty whole grain bread, a handful of baby spinach, and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese—we left some room for it.

Plump, juicy chicken breast and earthy-sweet carrots simmer slowly in a lemon-infused broth, building a deep, flavor-packed base that’s thickened with tender orzo pasta. Garlic, fresh parsley, and mint brighten this dish with the flavors of the Mediterranean, made rich with a touch of sweet cream butter. Enjoy with a crusty slice of whole grain bread, a handful of fresh herbs, or an extra slice of fresh lemon.

Oven-toasted corn tortillas build a deep, flavor-packed base for this casserole, layered with slow-roasted chicken, smoky black beans, Monterey Jack cheese, and a bounty of sautéed vegetables. Roasted chile peppers add depth and a touch of spice to a slow-simmered sauce of tomatoes, garlic, and onions, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese makes for a bold, tasty finish.

We love this dish for its simplicity, which starts with juicy grilled chicken breast and semolina pasta. Our creamy sauce brings it all together; it’s a silky Alfredo made rich and deceptively indulgent with milk and aged Parmesan cheese, softened with a touch of cream. Fresh garlic makes for an earthy, rustic finish.

This bright, creamy primavera tosses loads of spring vegetables – artichokes, asparagus, spinach, and bell peppers – together with semolina pasta and juicy chicken breast. Our silky sauce brings it all together; it's made rich with part-skim mozzarella and aged Parmesan cheeses, and softened with a touch of cream.

Earthy, farm-fresh potatoes are thinly sliced and layered into a creamy sauce that's made lighter with milk instead of cream. The bold flavors of Gruyère, gorgonzola, and aged Parmesan cheese pack savory punch, balanced with the caramelized notes of slow-roasted garlic. Toasted breadcrumbs give this dish a crisp, golden crust – a warm invite into the starchy goodness within.

All-natural lean chicken breast is seared to perfection in extra-virgin olive oil, and lightly seasoned with salt, thyme, and freshly ground black pepper. Our simple preparation gives you full creativity for a balanced plate.

All-natural lean turkey breast is rubbed in canola oil, and lightly seasoned in salt and pepper for a simple, classic preparation—giving you full creativity for a balanced plate. Toss it into crisp green salads, pile it onto sandwiches, bake it into casseroles, or enjoy alongside farm-fresh veggies and toasty whole grains.

Lean top sirloin beef is seared and slow cooked to perfection—yielding tender, juicy meat that’s surrounded in a savory, peppery crust. A hit of garlic, oregano, thyme, and basil keep this simple cut bright and fresh. It’s perfect by itself, but works deliciously when tucked inside sandwiches, tossed into crisp green salads, or enjoyed alongside farm-fresh veggies and fluffy mashed potatoes. Serve a steak-house worthy meal any night of the week with the addition of simple and delicious Cooking Light recipes that pair perfectly with sirloin; scroll down for a list of our favorites.

Pairing Ideas

Watercress-Bibb Salad with Apples and Blue Cheese
Parmesan Potatoes
Individual Spinach-Asiago Gratins
Balsamic Roasted Asparagus
Basic Beer-Cheese Bread

In this classic French dish, hand-cut beef gets a quick sear in extra-virgin olive oil, then it's braised low and slow until juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s simple and delicious, with a robust sauce of red wine, plump tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of honey.

Simple-yet-elegant chicken and dumplings brings all the goodness you expect from Cooking Light for days when you need a fast way to slow food. Plump, juicy chicken breast and earthy-sweet carrots are simmered slowly in a rich, savory stock – building a deep, flavor-packed base that’s thickened with fluffy, tender dumplings. Parsley, rosemary, and lemon add a bright, clean finish. Fill up on the vibrant flavors of Cooking Light’s Chicken and Dumpling Soup, and make it yours with one of these fresh side salads solutions, or if you feeling adventurous, our from-scratch homemade cracker recipe.

Pairing Ideas

Tomato and Arugula Salad
Green Beans with Toasted Garlic
Greens and Sherry Vinaigrette
Three Bean Salad
Farmhouse Crackers

 

 

Lean, hand-cut pork gets a quick sear to lock in moisture and is then braised low and slow in an aromatic vegetable stock of carrot, celery, and onion until it is juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s simple and delicious, with earthy-sweet carrots, garlic, and a touch of black pepper. A hit of thyme and oregano make for a bright, herby finish. This dish is just perfect by itself, but works deliciously when paired with a crisp green salad or one of our favorite, filling side recipes, like those listed here.

Pairing Ideas

Celery-Apple Salad
Cider-Glazed Carrots
Creamy Two-Cheese Polenta
Herb-Roasted Potatoes
Roasted Brussels Sprouts 

Savory, tender cuts of beef are simmered slowly in a hearty stock that’s made rich with burgundy wine, black pepper, and mushrooms. Sweet carrots, turnips, and potatoes add comfort-food goodness, while crisp green beans, peas, and celery add a bright, vibrant finish. The whole family will love this hearty one dish meal. Round out our rich, warming stew with fresh from the oven flaky dinner rolls, a crunchy kale salad or another satisfying Cooking Light recipe from this list of suggested sides.

Pairing Ideas

Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
Corn Pudding
Flaky Dinner Rolls
Apple-Walnut Kale Salad
Autumn Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

In this hearty dish, hand-cut beef is seared to lock in moisture then braised low and slow in a robust red wine sauce until juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s simple and delicious, with earthy carrots, pearl onions, a touch of brown sugar and sea salt for a rich, savory-sweet satisfaction. A hit of thyme and garlic make for a bright finish. Serve this luscious braised beef with one of the vegetable based side recipes listed here for a gourmet-quality, wholesome family meal any night of the week.

Pairing Ideas

Green Salad with Simple Vinaigrette
Creamy Herb Mashed Potatoes
Caramelized Onion-Stuffed Baked Potato
Onion Bread Pudding
Creamed Spinach and Mushrooms