By Vista Springs Assisted Living
As the weather starts to cool down, it’s time to start looking for ways to keep warm. While cozy blankets and cranking up the heat can help, so will having hot food. At the same time, it’s important to keep your health in mind and remember that as you age it’s not as easy as it once was to whip up complicated meals.
Having recipes in hand that are hot, healthy, and easy to prepare can make a big difference when it comes to planning out your meals and shopping trips. Take a look at these fifteen different dishes from Good Housekeeping and Delish that meet all these criteria—and taste amazing as well!
Satisfying chicken dishes
1. Light Chicken Parmesan⼁Cook Time: 25 minutes
This light take on a classic Italian dish can be prepared in under a half hour and will meet your cravings without packing on calories the same way a heavier, traditional Chicken Parmesan would.
Get the recipe here.
2. Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken⼁Cook Time: 30 minutes
Both flavorful and healthy, this baked chicken can be paired with some roasted fall vegetables for a full meal that chases the cold away!
Get the recipe here.
3. Healthy Chicken Casserole⼁Cook Time: 1 hour
Casseroles are a great way to make a delicious meal without having to spend a long time in front of the stove—just combine the ingredients and bake! This dish features healthy grains like wild rice and great vegetables like brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes.
Get the recipe here.
4. Apple Cider Glazed Chicken⼁Cook Time: 35 minutes
What better way to celebrate fall than with a recipe featuring everyone’s favorite autumn drink, apple cider! This sweeter take on chicken will help you get into the fall spirit while ensuring you keep eating healthy at the same time.
Get the recipe here.
Soups, stews, & chilis
5. Savory Pumpkin & Sage Soup⼁Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Nothing else can warm you up and satisfy your taste buds the way good soup will! This pumpkin soup is simple, but the sage and mushroom garnish will make you feel like a professional chef.
Get the recipe here.
6. Easy Black Bean Soup⼁Cook Time: 35 minutes
This flavorful soup combines black beans, red onion, and jalapeño to make a deliciously spicy dish that will make you forget about the chilly weather, all while taking only a half hour to make.
Get the recipe here.
7. Cauliflower Soup⼁Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cauliflower is a great versatile food that can hold a lot of flavor. This simple soup only uses a few ingredients, but the outcome is so hearty and healthy that you wouldn’t believe it was so easy to put together.
Get the recipe here.
8. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup⼁Cook Time: 40 minutes
When it comes to fall food, butternut squash soup is a classic. This soup doesn’t take long to make, but it will impress anyone you share it with.
Get the recipe here.
9. Butternut Squash & White Bean Soup⼁Cook Time: 45 minutes
If you love butternut squash soup but want to add a little more, then try this variation. With white beans and chickpeas, this take on the original adds some extra heartiness and flavor.
Get the recipe here.
10. Chicken Pumpkin Stew⼁Cook Time: 40 minutes
This healthy stew uses plenty of fresh vegetables like pumpkin, red pepper, and green beans to satisfy both you health needs and your taste buds.
Get the recipe here.
11. Turkey Slow Cooker Chili⼁Cook Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Don’t let the long cook time scare you away! This meal only requires about 20 minutes of prep, and the rest takes care of itself in a slow-cooker. Start it in the morning and have a delicious meal ready for dinner!
Get the recipe here.
Recipes featuring fall veggies
12. Spaghetti Squash Alfredo⼁Cook Time: 35 minutes
Cut back on carbs normally found in pasta with this spaghetti squash substitution. Spaghetti squash is easy to prepare and can help you get your favorite flavors in a healthier way.
Get the recipe here.
13. Spaghetti Squash Pizza Boats⼁Cook Time: 55 minutes
Another recipe featuring spaghetti squash, this cheesy dish has all the makings of a great pizza without the empty calories. Warm and tasty, this meal will fill you up in the same amount of time it would take to get delivery.
Get the recipe here.
14. Cauliflower & Broccoli Carbonara⼁Cook Time: 20 minutes
This cauliflower and broccoli dish is a great way to get the recommended helping of vegetables while making a recipe for the cold weather in only 20 minutes.
Get the recipe here.
15. Cheesy Bacon Butternut Squash⼁Cook Time: 45 minutes
Cheese, bacon, and butternut squash? Whether you use this as a side dish for a family meal or make it by itself, this recipe has it all!
Get the recipe here.
Being able to make simple, healthy meals that taste great is a useful skill, especially as you continue to age. Cooking shouldn’t be an all-day task, and it’s important to find foods that aren’t just delicious, but provide additional benefits for you and your health as well. Try these dishes out and stay warm and healthy all year long!
Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.
