From drab to fab: 19 fun and innovative ways to eat your veggies

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Are you looking for creative ways to incorporate more vegetables into your diet? Look no further! Here are 19 delicious and inventive recipes that showcase the versatility of vegetables. From a bell pepper sandwich, to asparagus pasta, to cucumber boats, these dishes are not only nutritious but also packed with flavor.

Bell pepper sandwich cut in half on a plate.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Bowl of creamy bacon asparagus pasta with a fork.
Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta is a fun and innovative way to incorporate asparagus into a dish. Whip this low-carb and gluten-free dinner together in just 30 minutes and enjoy a nutrient-dense and filling meal.

Get the recipe: Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta.

Golden Baked Jicama Fries

Golden baked jicama fries garnished with parsley on a plate.
Golden Baked Jicama Fries. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

These Golden Baked Jicama Fries are cooked in the oven and are a perfect low-carb side dish for weeknight dinners. To make them, you’ll prepare the fries by first boiling them in water, seasoning, and then baking them in the oven.

Get the recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is a delicious weeknight dinner choice that can be made in only 30 minutes. It features frozen broccoli and frozen cauliflower that are steamed and then combined with a creamy cheese sauce and bacon before being baked to golden, bubbling perfection.

Get the recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole.

Bell Pepper Sandwich

Bell pepper sandwich cut in half on a plate.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Looking for a tasty alternative to traditional sandwiches? Try making a bell pepper sandwich! Instead of bread, this sandwich uses sliced bell peppers as the outer layers. This recipe is a great way to incorporate extra veggies into your diet, yet still enjoy a delicious and filling lunch.

Get the recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich.

Cauliflower Potato Salad

Cauliflower potato salad garnished with green onions in a bowl with a fork.
Cauliflower Potato Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cauliflower Potato Salad is a low-carb variation of your beloved potato salad. Instead of potatoes, you’ll use cauliflower florets, along with bacon, cheese, and a dash of hot sauce for some added heat and flavor.

Get the recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad.

Cauliflower Risotto With Mushrooms

Cauliflower risotto in a pan.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushroom. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms can be prepared in only 30 minutes! This flavorful and satisfying one-pot dish features cauliflower as the star ingredient, creating a delicious and lighter spin on traditional risotto. Perfectly paired with mushrooms, this dish is sure to impress.

Get the recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms.

Everything Bagel Seasoning Cucumber Boats

Everything bagel seasoning cucumber boat being held in a hand.
Everything Bagel Seasoning Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Everything Bagel Seasoning Cucumber Boats are a 5-minute low-carb recipe that features fresh cucumbers that are cut and then de-seeded before being topped with cream cheese and mashed avocado. Garnish the cucumber boats with a sprinkle of Everything Bagel Seasoning for a light, refreshing, and crunchy snack.

Get the recipe: Everything Bagel Seasoning Cucumber Boats.

Bacon Wrapped Mini Peppers

Baked bacon wrapped mini peppers on a baking sheet.
Bacon Wrapped Mini Peppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Bacon Wrapped Mini Peppers are stuffed with cream cheese that’s been mixed together with Everything Bagel seasoning. Prepped and baked in under 1 hour, this easy appetizer features the perfect combination of flavor and texture.

Get the recipe: Bacon Wrapped Mini Peppers.

Loaded Zucchini Boats

Three loaded zucchini boats on a plate.
Loaded Zucchini Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Loaded Zucchini Boats are like low-carb potato skins and are a perfect appetizer for parties, game days, holidays, or any time you want a flavorful and filling snack. You can have this baked zucchini appetizer prepped, baked, and ready to enjoy in less than 1 hour!

Get the recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats.

Pan-Fried Broccoli Parmesan Fritters

A stack of pan-fried broccoli Parmesan fritters on a plate.
Pan-Fried Broccoli Parmesan Fritters. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Pan-Fried Broccoli Parmesan Fritters include finely chopped broccoli florets with grated Parmesan cheese combined with eggs and ground sunflower seed meal to yield golden brown fritters that are seasoned to perfection. Serve these fritters with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a delicious main dish, snack, or appetizer!

Get the recipe: Pan-Fried Broccoli Parmesan Fritters.

Baked Tomatoes With Parmesan And Mozzarella Cheese

Baked tomatoes with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese garnished with parsley.
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese are a great choice for using tomatoes in a new and fun way! Made with ingredients like Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and Italian seasoning, these baked tomatoes with cheese are juicy, soft, flavorful, and easy to prepare – in less than 30 minutes!

Get the recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese.

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is made with sour cream and mayo and is crisp, light, refreshing, and can be made and served in only 30 minutes. It’s a perfect family dinner side dish when you need to quickly get dinner on the table.

Get the recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad.

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats with Cream Cheese

Spicy tuna cucumber boats on a plate.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats with Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats with Cream Cheese are a refreshing, crunchy, low-carb 10-minute snack with a kick. Featuring fresh, crisp cucumbers that are cut and de-seeded, each cucumber half is stuffed with cream cheese and spoonfuls of tuna before being topped off with Everything Bagel Seasoning, coconut aminos, and hot sauce.

Get the recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats with Cream Cheese.

Bang Bang Cauliflower

Bang bang cauliflower garnished with fresh parsley in a bowl.
Bang Bang Cauliflower. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In only 30 minutes, you can make this Bang Bang Cauliflower. It’s a delectable oven-baked dish that’s bursting with sweet and savory flavors. Cauliflower is the star of this recipe and is coated in a delicious sauce that’s sure to make you come back for seconds.

Get the recipe: Bang Bang Cauliflower.

Tajin Cucumber Boats with Lime Juice

Tajin cucumber boats on a plate next to a slice of lime.
Tajin Cucumber Boats with Lime Juice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Tajin Cucumber Boats with Lime Juice are low-carb, gluten-free, and can easily be made dairy-free. They are light, refreshing, full of flavor, and can be made in only 5 minutes.

Get the recipe: Tajin Cucumber Boats with Lime Juice.

Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Cucumber Boats

A plate of chive and onion cream cheese cucumber boats.
Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Cucumber Boats are a delicious cucumber snack recipe featuring cream cheese, avocado, mustard, bacon bits, and Everything Bagel Seasoning that can be made in just 10 minutes. They are low-carb and can easily be made dairy-free.

Get the recipe: Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Cucumber Boats.

Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Easy keto cauliflower cheddar cheese bacon soup in a pot with a spoon.
Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup is cozy and delicious. It’s like potato soup, but just a little lighter. Cauliflower is steamed with chicken broth and cooked to perfection with the ideal blend of seasonings. The broth is then thickened with butter, heavy cream, and cheese, resulting in an extra creamy texture. Then, top it with some bacon for added flavor and texture!

Get the recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup.

Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats

A plate of bacon tomato avocado cucumber boats.
Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats can be made in just 10 minutes and feature fresh cucumbers that are stuffed with softened cream cheese and mashed avocado. Top off the cucumber boats with crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Everything Bagel Seasoning for a light, refreshing, filling, and crunchy snack.

Get the recipe: Bacon Tomato Avocado Cucumber Boats.

Everything Bagel Mini Pepper Boats

Everything bagel mini pepper boats garnished with bacon.
Everything Bagel Mini Pepper Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Everything Bagel Mini Pepper Boats are so easy to make, require only 5 ingredients, and yield a perfect low-carb snack or appetizer option.

Get the recipe: Everything Bagel Mini Pepper Boats.

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