Vegetarian

If you haven't worked with soba yet, it's time to acquaint yourself these protein- and fiber-filled, gluten-free buckwheat noodles. They help bulk up many salad and soup recipes, but they also stand strong on their own. Treat your taste buds to this Thai-inspired salad, perfect for warmer weather. Smooth and tangy ginger peanut dressing complements the chewy noodles and crisp veggies. This is one recipe you'll love having for leftovers the next day, since the flavors develop with time. Keep reading for this quick and satisfying gluten-free recipe.

Simple, spicy, and satisfying, this weeknight-friendly kale and egg dish is just the sort of fodder I eat on an average night in. Sure, it's fun to fuss around prepping a more involved meal whose effort is worth the while, but when it comes to everyday dinners, I, like many, prioritize speed, relative wholesomeness, and a large payoff for relatively little effort. This recipe ticks all three boxes.

Even better, this versatile vegetarian option can serve dual duty. Here, gussied up with a couple poached eggs and a slab of hearty toast, it's a well-rounded meal in its own right. Omit the eggs and toast and it's a stellar side, perfect for pairing with roast chicken, steak, and the like.

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Paleo dieters craving a big bowl of stir-fry will find delicious comfort in this fresh, bright, and satisfying cauliflower "rice" recipe. Beyond being a Paleo-friendly offering, this grain-free stir-fry has zero cholesterol, is low in sodium, and offers your entire daily recommended intake of vitamin A and vitamin C in just one meal. While this recipe requires a decent amount of chopping in the kitchen, once the prep is done, the cook time is under 15 minutes — just trust me on this one, the healthy result is well worth the effort.

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Do you, like me, equate sun-filled May days with outdoor eating and drinking? If so, then you'll spring for this speedy, supersimple, no-cook bean salad.

Macaroni and potato salads may get most of the love, but I'd argue the unsung hero of the picnic is actually the bean salad: it's light, full of wholesome ingredients, and satisfying. This six-bean version in particular boasts a symphony of flavors; it's sweet, savory, tangy, a little bit spicy, and bright (thanks to the addition of fresh dill). Best of all, it's free of any cream or mayonnaise, so you'll never have to worry about it baking in the Summer sun.

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High in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, red bell peppers make a perfect accompaniment to protein-rich lentils in this low-calorie recipe. Even better news? You'll be surprised at how large an under-250-calorie portion of this cheesy red pepper and lentil bake really is. Make a batch of this dish ahead of time and reheat throughout the week for a quick evening meal.

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If your hair is dull, dry, and brittle, forget spending tons of money on shampoos and styling products that claim to offer shine and moisture. You need to replenish your hair from the inside out! Made from hair-healthy ingredients like Greek yogurt, blueberries, and kidney beans, this smoothie will help moisturize the scalp and encourage growth. The beans also offer biotin, which is not only great for your hair, but for your skin as well.

This under 400-calorie smoothie contains almost 20 grams of protein. If you're skeptical about the beans and spinach, the fruit overpowers their mild flavors so you hardly even notice they're there.

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A grain-free life does not have to be free of comfort food! When you're craving a big bowl of garlicky pasta, cook up these zucchini noodles aglio et olio (garlic and oil) instead. The real comfort here, other than that fragrant garlic, comes from "breadcrumbs" created from toasted almond meal; I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed their flavor and texture.

Keep reading for this protein-packed, Paleo-friendly recipe for pasta.