As you get older, it’s important to eat foods with essential nutrients like fiber, protein, calcium and vitamin D. The good news? All of these dishes help support healthy aging and have at least 20% of the recommended daily value of two or more of these nutrients to meet our parameters for healthy aging. They are also high in protein, with at least 15 grams per serving, to support healthy muscles, bones and more. Recipes like High-Protein Lemon Chicken & Rice Skillet and Marry Me White Bean Soup are nourishing options to enjoy a balanced and delicious meal.
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Loaded Broccoli & Chicken Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This cozy, one-pot meal has all the flavors of a classic baked potato with a fresh, hearty twist. Tender potatoes, rotisserie chicken and broccoli simmer into a creamy base. Cheddar and sour cream give it that signature “loaded” flavor, along with a finishing touch of crispy bacon and scallions.
Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard Greens
Dipping tofu in buttermilk makes the coating stick for a crispy pan-fried tofu, reminiscent of fried chicken. Spicing up the collards with paprika coats them with smoky flavor while keeping this dish vegetarian. This quick, easy and healthy dinner comes together in just 25 minutes, so it’s great for busy weeknights.
High-Protein Lemon Chicken & Rice Skillet
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
This savory dish comes together in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze. Juicy chicken breast, brown rice and Parmesan cheese deliver a hearty boost of protein and fiber to keep you full and energized.
Marry Me White Bean Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
Here, the flavors of Marry Me Chicken (sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream and Parmesan) are transformed into a hearty, soul-warming vegetarian soup. Finished with basil and extra cheese, it’s cozy, crowd-pleasing and sure to win hearts at the table.
One-Pan Chicken Florentine
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.
Classic chicken Florentine—creamy spinach served alongside sautéed chicken—is a fast and easy meal. This dish is simple enough for weekdays but also elegant enough for a dinner party.
Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli
photography / Caitlin bensel, Food Styling / Emily Nabors Hall
The vibrant combo of cheese, cilantro, chili and lime—inspired by Mexican street corn—makes this salmon sheet-pan dinner burst with flavor.
Rotisserie Chicken, Mushroom & Rice Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Tender shredded rotisserie chicken is combined with earthy mushrooms, rice and a creamy sauce that brings everything together. A layer of melted cheese on top adds a golden, bubbly finish.
Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This cozy dish will remind you of broccoli-Cheddar soup—in a convenient skillet. Tender butter beans add creaminess and plant-based protein, making the dish filling enough for a main course. Broccoli florets bring color, while sharp Cheddar cheese melts in for that classic flavor.
Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This skillet is a hearty, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chunks of sweet potato and shredded chicken combine with store-bought enchilada sauce for a flavorful shortcut.
Marry Me Tortellini
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
This Marry Me Tortellini is a quick and creamy pasta dish inspired by the viral “Marry Me” chicken recipe known for its sun-dried tomato sauce. Cheese tortellini are simmered right in the skillet in a brothy mix of tomatoes, shallots and garlic finished with cream.
Mini Meatloaves & Veggies
Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
The mini meatloaves, made with either meatloaf mix or lean ground beef, cook alongside tender carrots and zucchini for a balanced meal with minimal cleanup.
Spaghetti Squash Caprese
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Here’s a fun twist on the classic Italian salad—combining traditional caprese ingredients with tender strands of roasted spaghetti squash. The squash is tossed with juicy plum tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant fresh basil and great northern beans for a boost of plant-based protein. A drizzle of balsamic glaze ties the dish together with a sweet-tangy finish.
Tuna Niçoise Melt
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
This sandwich brings together the elegance of a Niçoise salad with the comfort of a classic tuna melt. It combines tuna with briny olives, chopped hard-boiled egg and tomato—all piled onto crusty sourdough bread and topped with melted fontina cheese.
Ground Turkey Fajita Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This rice bowl features lean ground turkey cooked with savory seasonings like chili powder, cumin and oregano, and tossed with pico de gallo. Serve the mix over brown rice with sautéed onions and peppers for a hearty dinner.
Creamy Basil-Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist:Hannah Greenwood
This comforting pasta bake combines tender chicken breast with juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy Boursin cheese for a rich, herby sauce. The chicken is shredded and returned to the dish with cooked pasta and fresh basil, then baked with fontina cheese on top until bubbly.
Black Bean & Pepper Jack Quiche
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
This quiche is packed with fiber-rich black beans, sweet peppers and spicy pepper jack cheese for a flavorful kick. If you want to tame the heat, Monterey Jack cheese can be used in its place. Serve it with a simple green salad or fresh salsa on the side.
Lemony Orzo & Tuna Salad with Broccoli
Leigh Beisch
This pasta-salad and tuna-salad mashup gets a boost of color and texture from broccoli. Plenty of Kalamata olives add a briny bite, which pairs perfectly with the lemony dressing.
Chicken Guacamole Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
Juicy chicken thighs and colorful veggies are served over a fresh and creamy guacamole with a sprinkle of tangy cotija cheese. A squeeze of lime at the end brightens up the dish and ties all the bold, fresh flavors together.
High-Protein Black Bean Salad
Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
In this high-protein salad, black beans take center stage. As the main source of plant-based protein, they make the salad satisfying, with their creamy texture pairing perfectly with sweet potato, crisp veggies and a citrusy dressing. It’s an easy, filling option for dinner.
Chicken Alfredo Bake
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
This chicken Alfredo bake is a comforting, creamy casserole that combines tender chicken breast, whole-wheat pasta and a silky homemade Alfredo sauce, all baked together until golden and bubbly.
Sheet-Pan Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini & Potatoes
Photographer Victor Protasio, food stylist Chelsea Zimmer, and prop stylist Hannah Greenwood.
Juicy turkey meatballs are seasoned with spinach and feta cheese, then roasted alongside tender chunks of zucchini and crispy golden potatoes. A creamy, cooling yogurt dip at the base ties everything together.
Skillet Shrimp with Rice & Peas
Jennifer Causey
This simple skillet dinner can be on the table in 20 minutes flat. The shrimp cooks quickly and pairs well with the tender veggies and crisped rice.
Sheet-Pan Balsamic-Parmesan Chicken & Vegetables
This flavorful dish—with the combination of balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese—makes a great weeknight meal since it requires only one pan. The marjoram adds a distinct earthy aroma.
Buffalo Cauliflower Grain Bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This cauliflower grain bowl is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Buffalo wings, packing plenty of gut-healthy fiber and plant-based protein. It features a variety of fresh and colorful vegetables on a bed of precooked brown rice to keep prep speedy.
Chicken Hummus Bowls
The spiced chicken atop these bowls is ready fast with the help of the broiler. Serve with warm whole-wheat pita for scooping up extra hummus at the bottom of the bowl.
Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Fajitas are an excellent weeknight meal. These come together fast, using quick-cooking shrimp and veggies on one sheet pan.
Crispy Cod with Charred Snow Peas & Creamy Herb Sauce
This crispy cod recipe shows you how to make golden fish that’s not deep-fried, to put a healthy twist on a classic. Pat it dry and dredge it with a bit of flour before sautéing in a hot pan.
