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This month-long meal plan of Mediterranean diet dinner recipes will keep you feeling satisfied and healthy this January. These recipes feature ingredients prioritized in the Mediterranean diet like high-fiber whole grains, lots of nutrient-rich veggies, lean sources of protein and heart-healthy fat sources. Research shows that eating more of these good-for-you foods can help keep your heart healthy, protect against certain types of cancer and even support brain health as you age. Options like our Baked Brie, Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta and our Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup are delicious meals that will leave you satisfied and nourished all month long.
Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This cheesy chicken-broccoli orzo is the ultimate weeknight game-changer. This dish brings crowd-pleasing flavors together in one pan for easy cleanup. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying, comforting and delicious. Sharp Cheddar cheese adds savory flavor, but another easy-melting cheese like Gruyère or Swiss would work well too.
Baked Brie, Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This baked Brie, sun-dried tomato and spinach pasta is the ultimate comfort dish with a touch of sophistication. The creamy, melted Brie creates a velvety sauce that fills in the ridges of fusilli pasta, ensuring the sauce clings to every bite, while Parmesan cheese adds nutty, savory depth. Sun-dried tomatoes bring a tangy sweetness that balances the richness. Add a hint of heat with a little crushed red pepper, plus wilted spinach for earthy notes and nutrients, and you’ve got a balanced dish that feels both hearty and refined.
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This creamy tortellini vegetable soup is the perfect weeknight dinner for chilly nights. This veggie-packed meal is easy to prepare, ideal for those busy nights when you want a delicious, homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. Just pair it with some crusty bread and a side salad, and you’ve got a warm, comforting dinner the whole family will love!
Chicken & White Bean Skillet
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This chicken and white bean skillet is so easy, creamy and cheesy you’ll want to eat it on repeat! With minimal prep and easy-to-find ingredients, it’s the perfect weeknight meal that’s sure to satisfy. Pepper Jack cheese and a jalapeño pepper add kick to the sauce. If you want to reduce the heat, swap out the pepper Jack for Monterey Jack and skip the jalapeño.
Spaghetti Squash Nests with Kale, White Beans & Mushrooms
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Cutting spaghetti squash into horizontal rings or “nests” not only cuts down on cooking time, it also makes for a fun presentation. Here, we stuff the nests with roasted mushrooms, white beans and kale for a hearty plant-based dinner
Marry Me Chicken–Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
This chicken and sun-dried tomato–stuffed spaghetti squash is like Marry Me Chicken with a twist, offering the same rich, creamy flavors that make the original dish so delicious, but with a veggie-packed spin. We combine a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and shredded rotisserie chicken with sweet and tender strands of spaghetti squash.
Cauliflower Spanakopita Melt
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This cauliflower spanakopita melt is a dream come true! It blends the flavors of the Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, into the hand-held comfort and convenience of a grilled cheese sandwich. Chopped roasted cauliflower brings a healthy, veggie-packed twist.
Sick-Day Chicken Noodle Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This sick-day chicken noodle soup, packed with tender chicken, warm broth and soft noodles, is designed to soothe and nourish when you’re feeling under the weather. The combination of tender chicken breast, ginger and garlic boosts flavor, while the warm broth helps clear congestion and keep you hydrated.
Lemon-Garlic Clams with Brown Rice Risotto
Ali Redmond
Littleneck clams are steamed in a white wine and garlic sauce and served over no-stir brown rice risotto that’s baked in the oven and made creamy by adding Parmesan cheese and a little butter. The clams are garlicky and briny, with a pop of heat from red pepper and a bit of acidity from lemon, a perfect contrast to the creamy risotto.
Broccoli Melts
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
These broccoli-cheese melts combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food—satisfying and packed with that cheesy goodness everyone loves.
Spaghetti Squash Nests with Vodka Sauce, Broccoli & Chicken Meatballs
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
These spaghetti squash nests with vodka sauce, broccoli and chicken meatballs are every bit as delicious as they sound. By cutting the spaghetti squash into rings, you reduce the cooking time and also create “nests” that make the perfect low-carb base.
Lemon-Garlic Sheet-Pan Salmon with Potatoes & Green Beans
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Sally McKay, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This sheet-pan salmon with green beans recipe is a game-changer for weeknight dinners, offering a balanced meal made entirely on one sheet pan. With tender salmon, crispy potatoes and fresh green beans drizzled with lemon, this dinner is not only delicious but also easy to prepare and clean up. It’s the perfect solution for busy nights when you want a nutritious meal without the hassle.
Gut-Friendly Veggie Sandwich
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This high-fiber sandwich features a tangy yogurt spread for a probiotic boost, plus shaved asparagus for a healthy dose of prebiotics to support a healthy gut. Shaved asparagus is a great way to enjoy raw asparagus.
Skillet Spinach, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This wild rice and mushroom casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining hearty, wholesome ingredients with rich, savory flavors all in one skillet. The earthiness of the wild rice pairs beautifully with the meaty mushrooms, while fresh spinach adds a burst of color and nutrients.
Sheet-Pan Salmon with Melting Leeks
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This panko-crusted salmon roasts alongside tender leeks, which offer a boost of prebiotics to support a healthy gut. Yogurt offers probiotics and enhances the flavor, while black lentils offer fiber that helps maintain a balanced and healthy digestive system.
Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This creamy spinach-and-artichoke chicken skillet serves up the classic combo often reserved for dips and elevates it to main-dish status with the addition of quick-cooking chicken cutlets. It’s a one-pan wonder that comes together quickly, perfect for those busy nights when you crave something comforting yet sophisticated without spending hours in the kitchen.
High-Protein Veggie Sandwich
Ali Redmond
From beans to tofu to tempeh bacon, this high-protein veggie sandwich formula can help mitigate blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full until your next meal.
Make-Ahead Cabbage Salad
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay
This make-ahead cabbage salad is the perfect dish that only gets better with time. As it sits, the flavors meld together, with the crisp cabbage and tender, nutty farro soaking up the tangy dressing. It’s an ideal choice for meal prep or entertaining, as it not only holds up well but also improves with time, making your life easier and delivering a delicious meal.
Chicken Parmesan Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay
This chicken Parmesan soup combines the rich flavors of a traditional chicken Parm—juicy seasoned chicken, tangy marinara sauce and savory Parmesan cheese—with the warmth and comfort of a soup. It’s a perfect dish for those chilly days when you crave something familiar with a fun, innovative twist! We love the punchy burst of flavor that Parmesan crisps offer as a garnish, but feel free to add freshly grated Parmesan in their place.
Orange Chicken & Broccoli Skillet
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This protein-packed orange chicken and broccoli skillet casserole is a vibrant dish that combines the sweet and zesty flavor of oranges with the savory richness of chicken thighs. Baked together with fresh, crisp broccoli and hearty brown rice, it’s a complete meal that’s both nutritious and easy to clean up.
French Onion Cabbage Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay
This French onion cabbage soup is a creative twist on the classic, bringing a new level of comfort to this warming soup. This version swaps out some of the onion for caramelized cabbage. The savory broth, infused with sweet onions and topped with cheesy croutons, remains just as satisfying, but with a veggie-packed twist.
Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This sweet potato and chickpea bowl will make your gut happy! This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, which support a healthy digestive system. Sorghum, a gluten-free ancient grain, is packed with fiber and essential nutrients that aid digestion and support gut health; the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle offers a probiotic boost.
Chicken Fajita Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This chicken fajita soup combines the vibrant, smoky flavors of traditional fajitas with the comforting warmth of a soup. This versatile dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, and can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences. To kick up the heat, add a chopped jalapeño to the veggie mixture.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This rich and creamy butternut squash mac and cheese has hints of roasted squash whirled into a cheesy sauce flavored with fresh sage for a delicious plant-based meal any day of the week.
Sticky Sesame Tofu & Broccoli
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This sticky sesame tofu and broccoli packs a powerful punch with 18 grams of plant-based protein. This meal features crispy tofu coated in a sticky sesame sauce, paired with tender broccoli, and is served over short-grain brown rice, although any brown rice or even a whole-grain noodle will work well too.
Creamy Chicken Florentine Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This creamy chicken Florentine casserole combines tender pieces of chicken, fresh spinach and a rich, creamy sauce, all baked to perfection with a golden, cheesy crust. Whether you’re looking to cozy up on a chilly evening or share a hearty, home-cooked dinner with family, this casserole delivers an experience that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Roasted Broccoli & Kimchi Rice Bowl
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman
This well-rounded kimchi rice bowl is packed with fiber and probiotic foods like kimchi and yogurt to support a healthy gut. Prebiotic foods like edamame and garlic add flavor and additional gut-healthy benefits. Gochugaru is a Korean chile powder with a smoky-sweet flavor and mild heat. You can use a combination of crushed red pepper and paprika in its place.
Stracciatella
Reprinted with permission from Italian American Forever: Classic Recipes for Everything You Want to Eat: A Cookbook by Alex Guarnaschelli. Copyright © 2024 by Alexandra Guarnaschelli. Photographs copyright © 2024 by Johnny Miller. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
Alex Guarnaschelli says: “Stracciatella means ‘little rags’ and its definition finds its name on a type of cheese, a type of gelato and this simple chicken soup layered with Parmesan cheese and eggs. My mother would randomly make this soup and I have rarely made any form of chicken soup without Parmesan since. It’s a hearty broth, eggs making little ‘rags‘ in the broth and the salt from the cheese are super nostalgic and always delicious.”
Sheet-Pan Chicken with White Beans & Mushrooms
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This sheet-pan chicken and mushroom recipe features kale, mushrooms and beans—all prebiotic foods that offer plenty of fiber to help you maintain a healthy gut.
Fajita-Inspired Pasta Bake
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This easy chicken fajita pasta bake perfectly blends the vibrant flavors of classic fajitas with a rich and creamy pasta dish. The result is a mouthwatering fusion of flavors, offering the best of both worlds in a single, satisfying meal.
Roasted Vegetable Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This roasted vegetable soup uses a diverse and delicious array of vegetables, supporting gut health with prebiotic ingredients like sweet potato, leeks and chickpeas, plus you get a probiotic boost from white miso. While we love the veggies in this recipe, feel free to get creative by adding winter squash or another root vegetable.
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