Day 1 Breakfast: Overnight Baked Eggs Bruschetta
I like to spend as much time as I can with my guests when they stay with me for the holidays, so I rely on make-ahead recipes to help make that happen. Because most overnight brunch casseroles are so similar, I came up with a breakfast bruschetta for a fun change of pace. —Judi Berman-Yamada, Portland, Oregon
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Day 1 Lunch: Arborio Rice and White Bean Soup
Soup is the ultimate comfort food, and this hearty, satisfying soup with arborio rice is low in fat and comes together in less than 30 minutes. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Day 1 Snack: Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
We came up with this fresh and fruity summer snack idea. It's easy to make ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Recipe Contest: Vegetarian Favorites
Going meatless has gone mainstream, and we want to hear how you’ve mastered the trend. If your chicken-fried cauliflower has everyone fooled, hand the recipe over. And is it true your falafel sliders make ’em swoon? Plus, we’re just waiting on your pressure-cooker chicken noodle soup that skips the bird but none of the flavor. Send in your best vegetarian recipes with 12 ingredients or less for a chance to see it here.
Day 1 Dinner: Garden-Fresh Grilled Veggie Pizza
I have four gardens and, between them, I grow a pretty good spread of veggies. I created this loaded-up pizza as a fun summer appetizer using some of my best garden goodies. —Dianna Wara, Washington, Illinois
Day 2 Breakfast: Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a dish of poached eggs with tomatoes, onion and cumin. I learned it while traveling through Southeast Asia, and it's been my favorite way to eat eggs since. —Ezra Weeks, Calgary, Alberta
Day 2 Lunch: Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey-Maple Vinaigrette
This salad makes a beautiful presentation for the holidays with the bright colors of the sweet potatoes, cranberries and spinach. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Day 2 Snack: Portobello Bruschetta with Rosemary Aioli
Caramelizing onions, broiling peppers and whipping up a homemade aioli with fresh herbs adds dimensions of flavor you won't find in a store-bough bruschetta. —Stephanie Kalina-Metzger, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Day 2 Dinner: Farmers Market Enchiladas
These vegetarian enchiladas use a lot of garden favorites in a quick weeknight meal. Feel free to substitute whatever vegetables you have from your garden—yellow summer squash, eggplant and corn all taste great here, too. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah
Day 3 Breakfast: Powerhouse Protein Parfaits
Parfaits have marvelous taste and texture, but many are loaded with sugar and leave you peckish for more. Here’s my protein-inspired option with yogurt, fruit and nuts. —Jen Hubin, Minnetonka, Minnestoa
Day 3 Lunch: Mediterranean Bulgur Bowl
You can also transform this tasty bowl into an Italian version with mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes, spinach and basil. —Renata Smith, Brookline, Massachusetts
Day 3 Snack: Horseradish Deviled Eggs
People say, "Wow!" when they taste these flavorful tangy deviled eggs. The bold combination of ground mustard, dill and horseradish is so appealing. The plate is always emptied whenever I serve these eggs. —Ruth Roth, Linville, North Carolina
Day 3 Dinner: Tasty Lentil Tacos
When my husband's cholesterol numbers rose, I quickly lowered the fat in our family's diet. Finding dishes that were healthy for him and yummy for our five children was a challenge, but this fun taco recipe was a huge hit with everyone. —Michelle Thomas, Bangor, Maine
Day 4 Breakfast: German Apple Pancake
If you're looking for a pretty dish to make when having guests for brunch, try this. Everyone I've served it to has enjoyed it—except for one time, that is, when my husband tried to make it following my recipe, which I'd written down incorrectly! If you don't leave out the flour as I did, it'll turn out terrific! —Judi Van Beek, Lynden, Washington
Day 4 Lunch: Roasted Sweet Potato & Chickpea Pitas
Here's a hearty take on Mediterranean food, this time with sweet potatoes tucked inside. These unique pockets are delicious for lunch or dinner. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Day 4 Snack: Broccoli & Chive-Stuffed Mini Peppers
There's plenty of both crunch and cream in these party appetizers. Fresh chives help them really stand out. —Jean McKenzie, Vancouver, Washington
Day 4 Dinner: Pepper Ricotta Primavera
Garlic, peppers and herbs top creamy ricotta cheese in this meatless skillet meal you can make in just 20 minutes. —Janet Boulger, Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador
Day 5 Breakfast: Family-Favorite Oatmeal Waffles
These healthful, good-tasting waffles are a tried-and-true family favorite—even with our two children. My husband and I have a small herd of beef cattle and some pigs. A hearty breakfast really gets us going! —Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa
Day 5 Lunch: Mozzarella Mushrooms with Garlic Toast
I came up with this dinner using ingredients I had on hand. It turned out to be so delicious, my wife and I now make it for special occasions. —Marc Bushee, Moorhead, Minnesota
Day 5 Snack: Roasted Beetroot and Garlic Hummus
This tasty beetroot hummus is the prettiest pink snack I’ve ever seen. The healthy recipe is handy to make in large batches and keep in the fridge for lunches and snacks throughout the week. —Elizabeth Worndl, Toronto, Ontario
Day 5 Dinner: Vegetarian Pad Thai
This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Day 6 Breakfast: Portobello Mushrooms Florentine
A fun and surprisingly hearty breakfast dish packed with flavor and richness. —Sara Morris, Laguna Beach, California
Day 6 Lunch: Quinoa-Stuffed Squash Boats
My colorful “boats” with quinoa, chickpeas and pumpkin seeds use delicata squash, a winter squash with edible skin that’s cream-colored with green stripes. In a pinch, acorn squash will do—but don't eat the skin! —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Day 6 Snack: Chewy Honey Granola Bars
These bars have sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. They freeze well, too. — Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont
Day 6 Dinner: Black Bean Tortilla Pie
I found this southwestern entree a while ago but decreased the cheese and increased the herbs originally called for. It's one of my toddler's favorite meals. She always smiles when she sees it on the table. —Wendy Kelly, Petersburg, New York
Day 7 Breakfast: Black Bean & White Cheddar Frittata
This is one of my favorite comfort foods for breakfast or even a quick dinner. I like to make it with lime salsa. But if you're looking for something with more kick, use hot salsa or add some chipotle pepper. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
Day 7 Lunch: Spinach Quesadillas
My family gave these cheesy quesadillas oohs and aahs. Remove the spinach from the heat as soon as it wilts so it keeps a little bit of crunch. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri
Day 7 Snack: Homemade Guacamole
Ever wonder how to make guacamole? Just whip together this delicious blend of your favorite fresh ingredients.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Day 7 Dinner: Grilled Bean Burgers
These juicy veggie patties have major flavor with cumin, garlic and a little chili powder. They hold their own against any veggie burger you‘d buy at the supermarket. —Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey
The post 7-Day Vegetarian Meal Plan for Anyone Trying to Eat Less Meat appeared first on Taste of Home.
Katie Bandurski