Chicken Avocado Wraps
I came up with this sandwich while trying to figure out what to make for lunch one day. This chicken avocado wrap recipe is now a favorite at my house. —Shiva Houshidari, Plano, Texas
Turkey and Pasta Ranch Salad
This easy pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies, and the classic ranch dressing makes it appealing to kids. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Turkey Tortilla Soup
My wife created this recipe as a healthy way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. It’s a nice alternative to the typical fare, and it’s so easy. Our family looks forward to this soup every year. —Matthew Szyndler, Maumee, Ohio.
Blueberry Cantaloupe Salad
The simple citrus and poppy seed dressing in this fruit medley really dresses up the refreshing mix of berries and melon. —R. Jean Rand, Edina, Minnesota
Carrot Cookie Bites
This recipe is a longtime family favorite. The cookies are soft and delicious, and the aroma while baking…absolutely irresistible! I'm always being asked for the recipe. —Jeanie Petrik, Greensburg, Kentucky
Lunch Box Chicken Wrap
This lunchbox-friendly wrap is a tasty way to use leftover chicken and get kids to eat more veggies. Using colorful, thin strips of vegetables adds visual interest when the wrap is cut into slices. Suddenly spinach is too pretty to refuse. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Honey Poppy Seed Fruit Salad
Though fresh fruit steals the show in this morning medley, the subtle honey sauce makes it an especially sweet treat. Don't have those fruits on hand? Try blackberries, mangoes or peaches instead. —Dorothy Dinnean, Harrison, Arkansas
Satisfying Tomato Soup
After craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn't puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontario
Raspberry Pecan Chicken Salad
I gave this sweet-savory chicken salad a little zip with Chinese five-spice powder, which tastes a bit like pumpkin pie spice. Sprinkle some on roasted carrots for an awesome meal. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Sweet Potato & Bean Quesadillas
Sweet potatoes and black beans roll up together for a quesadilla that’s easy, fast, fun and delicious. —Brittany Hubbard, St. Paul, Minnesota
Really Good Snack Mix
I grew tired of my family picking through a snack mix for their favorite ingredients and leaving the rest. So I experimented using only their most-loved mix-ins and came up with this recipe. Now there's never any left! —Lori Genske, Waldo, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter, Honey & Pear Open-Faced Sandwiches
I work a 12-hour night shift at a hospital, and when I come home in the morning, I don't feel like cooking a big breakfast. I love these sandwiches because they're versatile; sometimes I use apples instead of pears, and different cheeses, such as Brie or grated Parmesan. —L.J.Washington, Carpinteria, California
Chicken Sausage Pita Pockets
Chicken sausage comes in many flavors, so I try different ones when I make pitas with fresh basil and veggies, inspired by the Greek gyro. —Christina Price, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Grapes with Lemon-Honey Yogurt
We like to sweeten up Greek yogurt with honey, cinnamon and vanilla. It’s a tasty counterpoint to plump grapes and crunchy nuts. —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
Cold-Day Chicken Noodle Soup
When I was sick, my mom would make me this heartwarming chicken noodle soup. It was soothing when I had a cold, but this soup is a bowlful of comfort on any chilly day. —Anthony Graham, Ottawa, lllinois
Slow-Cooked Applesauce
This chunky, sweet applesauce is perfect alongside main entrees. Because it's prepared in a slow cooker, you can fix it and forget it before you and the family head out for some winter fun.—Susanne Wasson, Montgomery, New York
Turkey Sandwich with Raspberry-Mustard Spread
My hearty sandwich has different yet complementary flavors and textures. Make it even cozier by adding slices of cooked sweet potato slices. —Sarah Savage, Buena Vista, Virginia
Easy Hamburger Soup
Lunches on the run will be a little tastier with this hot and hearty beef and barley soup. The recipe is very simple to prepare. —Mary Prior, Rush City, Minnesota
Chia Seed Protein Bites
I keep these little bites on hand in my refrigerator and grab them for breakfast or snack on when I'm in a hurry. We have a lot of food allergies in our family and I like to keep healthy snacks around that everyone can eat. This recipe has no gluten, eggs, dairy or corn, so it's the perfect go-to treat in our house. —Tanja Miller, Peoria, Arizona
Garden Vegetable Beef Soup
This soup is my go-to healthy lunch option. It's a great way to eat my vegetables, and it's so comforting during the cold winter months. —Dawn Donald, Herron, Michigan
Thyme-Sea Salt Crackers
These homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North Carolina
Turkey Quesadillas with Cranberry Salsa
A sweet-tart cranberry salsa is the ideal accompaniment to leftover turkey in this breezy quesadilla. With a hint of lemon and pear, the salsa is also good with chicken or pork. —Jodi Kristensen, Macomb, Michigan
Turkey Chili
I've taken my mother's turkey chili recipe and made it thicker and more robust. It's a favorite, especially in fall and winter. —Celesta Zanger, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Mint Watermelon Salad
I invented this refreshing fruit salad one sultry afternoon while my friends were gathered around my pool. It was quick and easy to prepare and disappeared from their plates even quicker. Even the kids loved it! —Antoinette DuBeck, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Feta Chicken Salad
I grew up eating chicken because my father was the manager at a poultry facility, but this is the one dish that never gets boring. —Cheryl Lundquist, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Roasted Cauliflower & Red Pepper Soup
When cooler weather comes, soup is one of our favorite meals. I developed this recipe for my husband and me. I wanted it to be a healthier version of all the cream-based soups out there. After a bit of trial and error, this is the keeper. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Homemade Peanut Butter
We eat a lot of peanut butter, so I decided to make my own. When I compared the cost of my own to store-bought, homemade was much cheaper. Plus it's a whole lot tastier, and you know what goes into it! —Marge Austin, North Pole, Alaska
Chicken Pasta Caesar Salad
My colleagues and I made a pact to eat healthier, and we took turns sharing dishes. I'm happy to report that, thanks to recipes like this crisp and tangy salad, we all trimmed down. —Teresa Jordan, Springville, Utah
Honey-Melon Salad with Basil
Put the taste of summer in your salad! Loaded with juicy cantaloupe and honeydew and glazed with a sweet honey dressing, this dish will be gone in minutes. Watermelon is a great addition, too. —Khurshid Shaik, Omaha, Nebraska
Bruschetta Chicken Wraps
As an Italian-American, I love, love, love garlic, tomatoes and basil, all of which are musts for good bruschetta. This recipe was created in celebration of the first tomatoes to come out of our home garden this year. —Gina Rine, Canfield, Ohio
Tangy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad
For a fruit salad that’s delightful, we combine berries and citrus with a honey-lime dressing flecked with poppy seeds. —Carrie Howell, Lehi, Utah
Creamy Chicken Rice Soup
I came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We like this soup for lunch with a crisp roll and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado
Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up
I had a sandwich similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it.—Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana
Sausage Pizza Pasta
It's pizza in a bowl! Here's a terrific (and tasty) way to make sure your kids get the whole grains and vegetables they need to grow up big and strong. —Danna Holt, Shoals, Indiana
Southwest Chicken Barley Chowder
Mashed squash helps make this chowder creamy but not heavy, and it's a favorite way to get barley on the table. My kids even ask for leftovers for lunch. —Pamela Cleghorn, Campbellsburg, Indiana
Sunflower Strawberry Salad
We have an annual Strawberry Festival in our town, so recipes with strawberries are popular here. I've served this salad at luncheons and have always received a lot of compliments.
Chicken Gyros
This yummy chicken gyro recipe is a cinch to prepare. Just take tender chicken, coat it in a creamy cucumber-yogurt sauce, then tuck it into pita pockets. Some folks like lettuce and diced tomato on top. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Soup
My husband is Greek, so I'm always trying new Mediterranean recipes. This soup is his favorite dish that I make. Serve it with a little feta or Parmesan and a side of toast. —Kristine Kosturos, Olympia, Washington.
Chicken & Spanish Cauliflower "Rice"
I learned about the paleo diet from some friends who now have tons of energy and are super fit. Since then, I’ve changed my eating habits, too. Everyone from my dad to my little nephew loves this chicken in Spanish cauliflower rice. —Megan Schmoldt, Westminster, Colorado
Apple-Raisin Baked Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal is a popular breakfast in my house. I make it often for my husband and seven children because it's budget friendly and versatile. I like to add a variety of dried fruits or nuts to mix it up. —Christina Smeal, Fairmont, West Virginia
Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches
I'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. They're all ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey
Easy Homemade Chunky Applesauce
Here's a comforting, home-style treat that never loses its appeal. Dish up big bowlfuls and wait for the smiles! —Marilee Cardinal, Burlington, New Jersey
Pizza Spaghetti
This recipe came to me when I saw someone dip a slice of pizza into a pasta dish. My wife and kids love it and so do my friends! —Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada
Parmesan Fish Sticks
I wanted a healthier approach to fish sticks and developed a baked tilapia with a slightly peppery bite. My husband and sons love the crispy coating. —Candy Summerhill, Alexander, Arkansas
White Chicken Chili
Folks will enjoy a change from traditional chili when they dip their spoons into this flavorful blend of tender chicken, white beans and just enough zip. This is our favorite white chicken chili recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Roasted Fresh Pumpkin Seeds
I learned how to roast pumpkin seeds from my mother, who learned it from her mother. Keep an eye on the seeds so they don’t scorch. —Margaret Drye, Plainfield, New Hampshire
Mediterranean Orzo Chicken Salad
On hot days, I pull out this recipe for a cool supper. The lemon dressing is so refreshing. If you have it, used grilled chicken. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
Honey-Yogurt Berry Salad
I wanted my family to eat more fruit but not more sugary ingredients. This berry salad lets you play with different low-fat yogurts and fruits. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Black Bean Turkey Chili
This busy-day chili is packed with flavor. We make it ahead and freeze some to eat later. —Marisela Segovia, Miami, Florida
Whole Wheat Orzo Salad
In less than 30 minutes, I can put together this hearty salad of pasta, white beans and veggies – and it’s good for a crowd. — Mya Zeronis, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Asian-Style Turkey Pitas
Tired of turkey sandwiches? Try Beverly Graml's fresh-tasting adaptation—a warm spicy stir-fry tucked into pita bread. "A neighbor game me this quick-and-easy recipe years ago," she pens from Yorktown, Virginia. "It's been my most popular day-after-turkey dish ever since."
Power Berry Smoothie Bowl
While you can't taste the spinach in these smoothies, you get all its nutrients with big berry flavor. —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida
Avocado & Garbanzo Bean Quinoa Salad
This delicious quinoa avocado salad is high in protein and holds well in the fridge for a few days. If you make it ahead, add avocados and tomatoes right before serving. —Elizabeth Bennett, Seattle, Washington
Melon with Serrano-Mint Syrup
This is just one of the recipes I developed to take advantage of the fresh mint I grow nearly year-round. The serrano pepper is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the syrup and salad. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Dill Chicken Soup
I could eat soup for every meal of the day, all year long. I particularly like dill and spinach—they add a brightness to this light and healthy soup. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Shredded Chicken Gyros
We go to the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival for the awesome food. This chicken with lemon and spices is a great way to mix up our menu, and my kids are big fans! —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
Honey-Lime Berry Salad
I picked up this dish a couple of years ago, and really like the mint and fruit combo. Cilantro is one of my summer favorites so sometimes I use it instead. Turns out, this recipe's really two in one! —Kayla Spence, Wilber, Nebraska
Nutty Apple Butter
Being a New England native, I love apple-picking season. Grab some apples and peanut butter to make your own creamy riff on a PB&J. Of course it’s great on a sandwich, but you can dunk sliced fruit or graham crackers in it, too. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota
Hearty Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
This satisfying soup with a hint of cayenne is brimming with vegetables, chicken and noodles. The recipe is from my father-in-law, but I tweaked it to make it my own. —Norma Reynolds, Overland Park, Kansas
Rosemary Walnuts
My Aunt Mary started making this recipe years ago, and each time we visited her she would have a batch ready for us. The use of cayenne adds an unexpected zing to the savory combo of rosemary and walnuts. When you need a good housewarming or hostess gift, double the batch and save one for yourself. —Renee Ciancio, New Bern, North Carolina
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Caroline Stanko