The shortest month of the year is almost over, and we’ve rounded up some of EatingWell readers’ favorite dishes. These popular recipes are lower in carbs, calories, sodium and saturated fat, making them ideal for those looking to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. From hearty dinner options like our Garlicky Cabbage Soup to easy breakfasts like our High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bowl, these are some of the top dishes of February you’ll want to make ASAP.
Garlicky Cabbage Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This garlicky soup is pure comfort in a bowl. Warm, hearty and nourishing, it’s rich with the aromatic flavor of garlic and tender-sweet cabbage.
Frozen Lemon-Ginger-Turmeric Shots
Photographer: Brie Goldman Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
When hot water is poured over these frozen lemon-ginger-turmeric ice cubes, they melt to create a soothing hot beverage that’s perfect for cold and flu season. Bright, strong and punchy, you’ll want to sip on this beverage all day long.
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This cottage cheese bowl is loaded with capers, dill and a soft-cooked egg for the ultimate high-protein meal. This bowl will keep you going strong throughout the morning, while an egg adds richness and even more staying power.
Spiced Roasted Walnuts
Photographer: Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
These spiced nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with warming spices like cinnamon and ginger. These walnuts are not only a flavorful, crunchy snack on their own, but also a great topping for salads.
Creamy Honey-Mustard Chicken Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
With tender chicken and rice baked in a creamy honey-mustard sauce, layered with vegetables and baked until bubbly, this chicken casserole is the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out.
Lentil Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Olives
This Mediterranean-inspired lentil salad, with chopped veggies, feta cheese and a light dressing, is perfect to have on hand for a quick lunch.
Ultimate Healthy Breakfast Smoothie
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Energize your morning routine with this smoothie loaded with protein, fiber, healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals. It’s a frosty beverage that tastes great and keeps you full until lunchtime.
Roasted Cabbage Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Cabbage sweetens in the hot oven and is paired with a sharp, cheesy Caesar-like dressing for a deeply satisfying side dish that pairs well with roasted chicken, pork or steak.
Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
These wraps are packed with chopped apple, onion and celery to provide a welcome crunch. Tuna provides protein and omega-3 fatty acids, while the addition of Greek-style yogurt in the dressing helps amp up the protein.
Okonomiyaki (Japanese Cabbage Pancake)
This cabbage pancake is a popular dish throughout Japan and is easily adapted to one’s preferences. While the fillings and toppings can vary, from pork and fried eggs to ginger and bonito flakes, the base features a cabbage pancake made with a savory batter.
Turmeric & Ginger Shots
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman
This zippy, anti-inflammatory shot captures the earthy flavor of fresh turmeric, a hint of heat from fresh ginger, and Cara Cara orange for just the right amount of sweetness.
High-Protein Strawberry & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Sue Mitchell
These overnight oats get a protein boost thanks to Greek-style yogurt, peanut butter and soy milk, which leads to 17 grams of protein per serving. We mix it up with chopped strawberries, but any berry or chopped fruit will pair nicely with this easy grab-and-go breakfast.
Balsamic Butter Chicken Bites
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
These balsamic butter chicken bites are crispy and sticky sweet, thanks to balsamic glaze. Serve these tasty bites on a platter with wooden picks for guests to enjoy, or get creative by wrapping them up in a sandwich or using them as a flavorful salad topper.
Spinach-Tortellini Soup
When you need a quick and flavorful dinner, turn to this easy tortellini soup with spinach. Refrigerated cheese tortellini bulk up the soup and cook in just minutes.
Breakfast Lemon, Raspberry & Cream Cheese Oatmeal Cakes
Fresh lemon juice and zest add the perfect pop of brightness and acidity to these delightful oatmeal cakes. You can use fresh or frozen raspberries, depending on what you have on hand. Enjoy these oatmeal cakes for an easy breakfast or snack.
Sheet-Pan Garlic-Soy Chicken & Vegetables
This sheet-pan meal is the quick and easy one-pan dinner you need this week. Colorful veggies like peppers and snap peas cook at the same time as the protein-packed chicken thighs.
Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark
Greek yogurt gets studded with fresh strawberries and chocolate chips and then frozen so you can break it into chunks just like chocolate bark (but healthier!). This colorful snack is perfect for kids and adults alike.
Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Natalie Ghazali
In this tasty one-pan meal, ground beef and potatoes are paired with colorful veggies, including kale, tomato and peppers. Everything is cooked in one skillet, which builds layers of flavor while also cutting back on the number of dishes.
Avocado Toast
Ali Redmond
We love avocado toast because it’s packed with healthy fats and fiber, so you’ll stay satisfied until your next meal. Use this as a jumping-off point to customize your toast—the variations are endless!
Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
These delicious peanut butter and chocolate energy balls deliver a mixture of simple and complex carbohydrates to help fuel you up whenever you need a little boost.
One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli
Diana Chistruga
Shrimp and broccoli cook quickly in this easy, one-pot recipe, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve this garlicky and flavorful shrimp over whole grains or rice for a satisfying meal.
Breakfast Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal Cakes
Fiber-rich rolled oats are mixed with warm and comforting cinnamon and vanilla, plus a double dose of apples, with dried apples and applesauce in these oatmeal cakes.
Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cabbage
Alexandra Shytsman
Cabbage gets transformed in the oven with garlic, Parmesan and olive oil in this simple vegetable side. This irresistible side dish would make a welcome addition to any meal—try serving it alongside chicken or steak.
Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats
Diana Chistruga
It takes just minutes to assemble this easy no-cook breakfast, and you’ll have meal-prepped grab-and-go breakfasts on hand for the rest of the week.
