This is one of those recipes that could pass for any meal of the day - breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's savory, substantially filling, and well rounded with protein, veggies, fruit, and even grains if you opt to serve with whole grain toast or tortillas.

It's an adaptable recipe where you can add other veggies, switch out the protein, or include other fillers such as breakfast potatoes. And if you prefer a make ahead breakfast it does work well for meal prep, just hold the avocado and add that when you're ready to serve it.

As a time saving tip you could skip this homemade version of pico de gallo and use a fresh store-bought option, or simply try it with your favorite salsa.

Burger bowls may seem all wrong at first glance because many of us grew up eating a classic burger not long after we could chew. So to take that special something that's American tradition that we've eaten for decades and modifying it to something that looks like a salad can just seem so strange. But to that I'd say, wait to give it your final opinion until you've tried them yourself and tasted of their exceptional flavor!

Burger bowls are simply a deconstructed burger made with the best things you get in a diner style burger and then some. The typical bun is traded for golden brown oven fries and it's polished off with a generous drizzle of savory burger sauce. A sauce that's similar to the spread at In-n-Out or Smash Burger sauce - being lightly sweet, slightly tangy, and extra creamy.

It's an exciting new way to switch up the typical piled high burger on a bun, into a piled high bowl spread out into an appetizing blend of colors and a satisfying variety of textures. It's a must try recipe for all burger lovers!

Who doesn't love a abundantly cheesy tortellini dish drenched in a rich, creamy tomato sauce or smothered with fresh pesto? Those are family favorites but during these really hot months it's so nice to have something like this that's served at room temperature not steaming hot.

This tortellini pasta salad doubles as a weeknight dinner or a summer lunch for a picnic at the park or a barbecue cook out.

Its blend of flavors pair so harmoniously together with it's cheesy, bacon, tomato combo and the arugula, bell pepper and lemon for added flavor enhancement. Plus the chewy, crisp, and soft textures of each layered bite compliment each other beautifully.

Then to highlight it all let's not forget the final finish of parmesan. And please not the shelf stable kind, if you really want to elevate the dish use high quality fresh ingredients.

This tuna pasta salad can be served as a cool summer lunch, a cook out side dish, or even passes a dinner entree since it also includes a filling protein of nutritious tuna.

It's brimming with layers of flavor thanks to the lemony dressing, its duo of herbs, the rich tuna in oil, and the various blend of veggies which are a blend of fresh, roasted and marinated.

This is also a great dish to make ahead of time. So if you have a busy day the following day you can prep the day before and have it in the fridge ready to go for serving guests or an on the go meal prep.

Canned tuna got a major upgrade thanks to this recipe!

Summery Grilled Chicken Salad

This ultimate grilled chicken salad is piled high with all the best ingredients, each one adding to it's well balanced fusion of flavors and satisfying variety of textures.

And I think you'll appreciate that the dressing also doubles as a chicken marinade so you won't need to make a separate seasoning for the grilled chicken.

This salad is a perfectly filling, ideal entree for a lunch get together but it also makes for an exceptional dinner salad as well.

You can also easily adjust it to use up what you have by substituting different vegetables or create a new flavor profile by using different fresh herbs in the dressing (basil or cilantro would be welcomed options).

If you are looking for a salad people will remember this is it! It includes that trio people just can't get enough of - chicken, bacon and avocado.

And here everything is highlighted by an unapologetically lemony dressing to really make it sing. It will get compliments all around!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

In this bountiful salad you find it's rich in Tex-Mex flavor and has so much freshness in every bite. There's a beautiful variety of color, flavor and textures, with each ingredient enhancing the dish.

It's layered with nutritious Romaine lettuce, crispy tortilla chips, a zesty citrus marinated chicken, salsa coated beans and veggies, plus rich cheese, sour cream, and avocado.

The chicken is pan seared then the taco salad filling is cooked in that same pan. And it's convenient that you don't need a grill for this recipe and it can be made any day of year no matter the season.

If you happen to have any leftover filling you can use it in tacos, quesadillas or burritos the following day for lunch. There's just so much to love about this delicious Chicken Taco Salad!

Baja Bowl Inspired by Panera

These flavorful bowls, inspired by Panera version, include layer after layer of fresh flavor and a variety of textures. You get some nutty chewiness with the grains, tender softness and sweet flavor from the sweet potatoes, tart tang from the cilantro lime dressing, and a crisp bite from the fresh bell pepper and corn.

Collectively they create one beautifully colorful and deliciously satisfying grain bowl.

After you try this Mexican spin on grain bowls you can try building your own grain bowl from scratch. Wondering how to build a grain bowl? Simply include a base layer of grains, add fresh and/or roasted vegetables, a protein (such as legumes, meat, tofu, eggs) or cheese, fresh greens, and finish with a dressing or sauce of choice.

They make such a filling dinner and are an excellent option for make ahead meal prep for lunch too.

Possible Variations

To build these bowls include the grain and black beans, from there you can add your own substitutions:

• Protein: These can also be made with chicken thighs or chicken breasts in place of the sweet potatoes, I've included instructions in the note of the recipe.
• Cheese: You can add cheese such as feta, cheddar or queso fresco.
• Sauces: They are also delicious with a heaping spoonful of salsa, pico de gallo or a finishing drizzle of Mexican hot sauce.  If you want more creaminess try serving them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Veggies: You can subsistute some of the vegetables here for others you may have on hand, that's the beauty of a grain bowl. Poblano pepper, zucchini, winter squash, or tomatoes are a great fit.
• Grains: These could also be made with farro or barley. Or you can use all brown rice or all quinoa rather than a blend.

Looking for more ways to make meatballs? Also, try my super popular Italian Meatballs and the healthier Turkey Meatballs.

Greek Keftedes

Keftedes are a popular Greek dish made with ground meat like beef, lamb or pork, bread crumbs (dried panko breadcrumbs or fresh) with a liquid to soak, egg to bind, and to flavor they include onion and fresh herbs such as mint and parsley. Traditionally they are pan-fried in oil but for a healthier alternative, they can be oven-baked (I've included both methods in the recipe).

They have a delicious rich meaty flavor paired with fresh herby notes, they are beautifully browned, and you'll find them to be incredibly hearty and filling (5 meatballs may not seem like much but it's quite a generous serving).

These can be served bowl style as a main dish combined with other sides, or stuffed in a sandwich, or you can opt to serve them as an appetizer on a mezze platter or tray. See serving suggestions below.

Lentil Salad

This makes a great lunch or dinner side. It has an abundance of freshness along with a good heartiness to it, and it's easy to make.

You'll find it has a great blend of textures and flavors and it pairs beautifully with chicken or salmon.

You can use a variety of herbs based on what you have. I always like to include parsley then for the second herb addition opt for either cilantro, basil or mint - each will give a different flavor profile so it's nice to switch things up.

Serve it room temp or nice and chilled for a refreshing salad (just keep in the fridge within 2 hours of preparing).

Vegetable Stir Fry - A beautiful, colorful rainbow of fresh vegetables are sautéed together in a hot skillet or wok and seasoned with a abundantly flavorful sweet and savory stir fry sauce. It's nutritious and completely delicious!

Rainbow Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe

Our favorite takeout-style easy vegetable stir fry! Made with a lovely blend of colors and boasting with plenty of fresh flavor.

It makes a delicious vegetarian main dish (with a vegan option) that you can serve with brown rice or white rice, or it can double as a side to a healthy protein such as salmon, shrimp or chicken.

In it you'll find a tasty variety of vegetables and the stir fry sauce will leave you craving more!

It's easy to substitute here using other vegetables you may have on hand (see ideas below).

So clean out the fridge with all those veggies and make this delicious stir fry!