Have you sailed through steps 1 and 2 and are looking for new ways to incorporate veggies onto your plate that are still fun, creative, and tasty? Step 3 recipes use a variety of veggies in combinations you may not have thought of! This opens a whole new door to new tastes and textures—and keeps meals exciting! Here are some of my favorite recipes for those building their veggie arsenal.

Woman in a white shirt eating a muffin.

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How do I know if I should start at Step 3 in the Veggie-Loaded Roadmap

You might be at Step 3 if…..

  • you consider yourself a veggie-lover and eat lots of different vegetables.
  • you are okay with vegetables being a very obvious part of a meal.
  • you are looking for recipes that keep veggies interesting.

Feel like Step 3 isn’t right for you? Check out Step 2 recipes to see if that is a better fit for you!

Some tips when transitioning to Step 3

  • Don’t feel discouraged if a specific recipe or vegetable isn’t your favorite.
  • Allow yourself (and your family!) to simply eat around the more obvious vegetable components of the meal.
  • If you know someone at the table will not want the veggie being served but you don’t want to make a whole other meal, you can either move the vegetables to a small bowl and place alongside the main dish or, if you know it won’t cause an issue, leave the vegetables on the plate and allow people to eat around it.
  • Consider using a mixed approach. If the recipe allows for it, try chopping some of the vegetables up smaller (or blend them in) and leave a few pieces a bit larger. NOTE: Always be upfront about what is in a meal if asked.
  • Remember: Meals should be FUN and NOURISHING! Stressing is NOT a part of the veggie-loaded approach! See what works for you and your family and go from there.
  • Veggie-loading is not always linear! Allow yourself to enjoy vegetables in a variety of ways. The beauty of Step 3 is the freedom to eat veggies in all different forms! This keeps meals fun, creative, and delicious!

What if different people in my family are at different Veggie-Loaded Steps?

That is the beauty of The Veggie-Loaded Roadmap is that you can easily use recipes from different steps to make meals that the whole family will love. While often enjoyed by those with a bit more veggie experience, these Step 3 are still delicious and versatile enough to try for those still dipping their toes in veggie-loading. While some still in earlier steps (especially our kiddos!) may want to pass on the veggie pieces on their plate, just normalizing them being there is a huge step!

I often will make a Step 2 recipe as part of meal for my 10-year-old daughter and add a Step 3 to the meal for me and my husband. This not only allows my daughter to eat veggie-loaded food that she enjoys and is where she is at on her own veggie-loaded journey, but exposes her to Step 3 veggie recipes for when she is ready.

Table of Contents

  1. Breakfast
  2. Lunch
  3. Dinner
  4. Sides
  5. Desserts
Muffin tin with brown muffins on a counter. The muffins are surrounded by summer squash, a bell pepper, a container of radishes, cabbage, cauliflower, a colander with greens, and other vegetables.

Breakfast

Mango Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie served in two glasses

Mango Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie

This light, bright, and refreshing Cucumber Pineapple Mango Smoothie is the perfect no-cook breakfast to start your morning. It blends cucumber, with pineapple and mango chunks (fresh or frozen work well), spinach, plain Greek yogurt, and almond milk. Creamy and nourishing, with the perfect level of sweetness! Ready in 5 minutes.
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Cheesy Broccoli Egg Bake served with apples on the side

Easy & Cheesy Broccoli Egg Breakfast Bake

Simple, delicious, and done in 40 minutes this Cheesy Broccoli Egg Bake is the perfect thing to make during meal prep or to feed to a crowd!
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Zucchini Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

This Zucchini Blueberry Baked Oatmeal is the perfect weekend breakfast or make-ahead meal that makes for dreamy leftovers. Full of delicious flavors, this healthy baked oatmeal recipe will become a breakfast staple.
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Crustless Potato Asparagus Quiche

This Crustless Potato and Asparagus Quiche recipe is the perfect easy vegetarian meal. Enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! It’s a delicious and simple way to eat more veggies. Plus, it’s naturally gluten free.
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5-minute Kale and Spinach Smoothie

Naturally sweetened with fruit and packed with protein, this kale and spinach smoothie is easy, filling, done in 5 minutes, can be made with fresh or frozen greens and nourishing way to start your day!
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Feta Spinach Scones

This feta spinach scone recipe is packed with flavorful cheese, herbs, and greens. The perfect veggie-loaded addition to any meal.
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Rainbow Veggie Breakfast Casserole

This Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole with egg is LOADED up with all the colorful mixed veggies: sweet potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, and more! It’s a great option for breakfast meal prep—leftovers are quick and easy to reheat. Unlike a lot of breakfast casseroles, this recipe doesn’t use hash browns!
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Beet Vegan Waffles

These Vegan Waffles are made beautiful and extra good for you with addition of a special healthy ingredient: beet! They are super fluffy, simple to make, and are as easy on the eyes as they are on the taste buds!
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Mushroom Kale Frittata

This mushroom kale frittata is the perfect veggie-loaded breakfast or lunch that is packed with flavor.  Easy to make and made extra delicious with the addition of cheddar cheese, you will love this healthy recipe with a side fo fresh fruit or some mixed greens.
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Lunch

Lemony Kale + Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Lemony Kale + Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

This Kale + Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is delicious, easy, and the perfect side dish to any meal. Tossed with an easy homemade lemon vinaigrette, it is flavorful, satisfying, and requires no cooking! The perfect thing to add to dinner.
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Baked Egg in an Avocado served in a small skillet with green onions on the side

Baked Egg in an Avocado

Baked Egg in an Avocado is the flavor combination to top all other flavor combinations. Rich, savory and creamy. You will leave the plate clean and feel like you ate better than a king.
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Easy Smoked Salmon Salad with Quick Lemon Dijon Dressing

This Easy Smoked Salmon Salad is colorful, bursting with flavor and colors, and is the perfect no-cook side to any meal during the warmer months. The quick lemon dijon dressing brings this salad next level and is always a crowd pleaser!
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Veggie-Loaded Tortellini Soup (vegetarian)

Veggie-Loaded Tortellini Soup (vegetarian)

This Veggie-Loaded Tortellini Soup is packed with flavor, is simple to make, and is the perfect cozy vegetarian soup recipe. Make it on the stovetop in one pot in under 30 minutes and enjoy it as a comforting dinner.
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30-minute Sausage Veggie Soup served in two bowls

30-minute Sausage & Veggie Soup

Planning in life is always great, but sometimes you have to see where inspiration, circumstance and broth will take you. This 30-minute Sausage & Veggie Soup is a living proof!
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Warm Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

Warm Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

Warm Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes is one of the best flavor combinations ever!
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Mexican-Style Corn Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

These Mexican-Style Corn Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are easy to make and bursting with flavor. The perfect vegetarian veggie-loaded side to any healthy dinner.
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Kale and White Bean Soup

This Kale and White Bean Soup is cozy, hearty, and super simple to make! Full veggies and protein from beans, it is the perfect easy dinner to curl up with at the end of a busy day.
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Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup is hearty, delicious and like a hug in a bowl. This soup is easy to make and leaves you feeling so satisfied and good from the inside out. Full of veggies, your favorite broth and oh-so-good for you lentils, this dish is vegan, gluten free and your new best friend.
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Dinner

Vegetarian Stuffed Delicata Squash

This perfectly tender stuffed delicata squash is filled with fluffy quinoa, chopped walnuts, sautéed veggies, and dried fruit. Topped with melty goat cheese, this vegetarian recipe is the perfect flavorful veggie side or as a satisfying meatless main dish.
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30-Minute Sheet Pan Chicken & Veggies

This Sheet Pan Chicken recipe is the perfect complete one pan dinner for busy weeknights! Made with chicken breasts, baby potatoes and fresh green beans, it is brought next level in the flavor department with a lemon herb marinade. Done in 30 minutes and cooked on one sheet pan, it will be a new dinner staple!
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Lemon Parmesan Brussels Sprout Pasta

This Lemon Parmesan Brussels Sprout Pasta is quick to make in under 30 minutes and is made with shredded Brussels sprouts, lemon zest, lemon juice, and grated parmesan cheese. Simple, flavorful, and fast…the perfect easy, healthy dinner.
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30-Minute Sheet Pan Salmon with Mixed Veggies

This recipe for Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables is a terrific, easy salmon dinner that’s packed with a ton of great flavor! Green beans, sweet potato wedges, and sliced bell peppers, plus perfectly cooked baked salmon, are all tied together with a quick-to-make homemade teriyaki sauce. Deliciously simple, dinner is done in roughly 30 minutes!
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Miso Green Bean & Eggplant Stir-Fry

Quick to make and flavorful, this Miso Green Bean and Eggplant Stir-Fry is the perfect vegetarian recipe for those busy weeknights. Full of veggies and simple (yet incredible) flavors, enjoy it as a side or toss it over rice with your favorite protein for a delicious healthy dinner.
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Sheet Pan Orange Tofu & Veggies

This Sheet Pan Orange Tofu & Veggie recipe is full of flavor, cooks up in about 30 minutes and is a simple, delicious vegetarian dinner for those busy weeknights!
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Easy Garlic Shrimp & Broccoli

Quick to make and delicious, this easy garlic shrimp and broccoli is the perfect weeknight dinner. Made with a handful of ingredients and ready in about 15 minutes.
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Slow Cooker Chickpea Vegetable Curry

This slow cooker vegetable curry is flavorful, satisfying, and loaded with 5 different veggies and protein from chickpeas. Easy to make in your crockpot, this healthy vegetarian dinner is the perfect way to end a busy day.
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One-Skillet Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes served in a skillet

One-Skillet Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes 

One-Skillet Sausage, Cabbage and Potatoes is going to be a new favorite! Quick and easy to make, it is flavorful and the perfect dinner for a busy weeknight.
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30-minute Minestrone Soup (vegan)

This Vegan Minestrone Soup is full of white beans, pasta, and delicious, flavorful veggies! This recipe comes together in just one pot and is the perfect hearty, comforting dinner recipe.
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Sesame Ginger Chicken & Leek Stir Fry

Cooking up in under 30 minutes and in one skillet, this Chicken & Leek Stir Fry recipe is loaded with veggies, protein, and a delicious homemade sesame ginger sauce. The perfect healthy dinner recipe!
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Sides

25-Minute Roasted Delicata Squash Slices

These Roasted Delicata Squash Slices are one of the easiest, most delicious veggie sides you can make during the cooler months. No need to peel and using just 4 ingredients, this simple recipe will make you fall in love with an underrated veggie.
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Flavorful Roasted Eggplant Dip

This Roasted Eggplant Dip is a truly delicious way to enjoy eggplant! Easy to make, full of flavor, and delicious as a spread on a sandwich, with cut veggies, or scooped onto pita, this healthy dip is going to make you an eggplant lover!
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15-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower

Simple and delicious, this Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower is the perfect easy veggie side!  Perfectly seasoned with simple ingredients and cooking up in under 15 minutes, you'll find yourself eating this cauliflower right out of the air fryer basket!
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7-Minute Sautéed Asparagus

Easy and quick, this sautéed asparagus recipe is a fast (done in 7 minutes, start to finish) and delicious way to get a healthy and flavorful veggie side on the table in no time!
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Tex-Mex Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Avocado Sauce

These roasted cabbage steaks are a delicious, easy, and flavorful veggie side dish! Seasoned with tex-mex spices and drizzled with a quick avocado lime sauce, these cabbage steaks are done in about 20 minutes and will have your tastebuds singing!
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The Easiest Instant Pot Beets

Cooking whole beets in the Instant Pot is the easiest way to prep this healthy veggie! Simple and quick, steaming beet sin your pressure cooker is perfect for having them on hand for salads, soups, sauces, smoothies, or however you love to eat them! Cooking times for different sized beets included.
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Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Shallots

These Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with shallots are a delicious way to get excited about veggies! Simple to make but bursting with flavor, you can enjoy these beautifully roasted Brussels sprouts as is or level them up with the addition of optional Parmesan cheese and/or pomegranate seeds.
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25-Minute Roasted Radishes

Wondering how to cook radishes? This easy recipe for roasted radishes is so delicious. Roasting radishes cuts the bite out of this root veggie big time, and gives them a lovely flavor and texture, similar to that of a roasted potato. They’re the perfect healthy vegetable side dish for any dinner.
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Turmeric Roasted Carrots looking extra bright and delicious in a white plate on top of a wooden surface

Turmeric Roasted Carrots

You guys know how I looooovvveeee to roast veggies. Well, now I’ve brought turmeric into the mix. These Turmeric Roasted Carrots are absolutely amazing!
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Desserts

Red Velvet Smoothie

This Red Velvet Smoothie is a fun and delicious way to get veggies in at breakfast! It comes together in minutes, easily vegan and Paleo, and super kid-approved!
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Easy Sweet Potato Cookies

These easy Sweet Potato Cookies are a simple and flavorful dessert. Easy to make in minutes, can easily be gluten free and vegan. Roll them in a little coconut sugar before baking to make these cookies a little extra-special!
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Sweet Whole Wheat Butternut Squash Bread

This sweet Butternut Squash Bread is moist, delicious and mixed together in one bowl. Made with whole wheat flour, butternut squash puree, warm spices, and perfectly sweetened with applesauce and brown sugar, it is the perfect fall treat!
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Carrot Paleo Muffins

Delicious and easy to make in one bowl, these Carrot Paleo Muffins are going to dazzle your tastebuds! Full of nutrient dense carrots, almonds and other amazing ingredients, but these surprisingly fluffy and soft muffins are naturally gluten free and dairy-free!
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