Eating to curb chronic inflammation doesn’t have to mean cooking every night. Each recipe in this gallery can be prepared fully or partially in advance, so you’ll have nourishing dinners ready for hectic weeknights. To earn EatingWell’s anti-inflammatory tag, a dinner must deliver at least two inflammation-fighting foods per serving, including ingredients like omega-3-rich fish, dark leafy greens, berries, deeply-colored veggies or legumes. So, if you’re following an anti-inflammatory diet and want to cut down on prep time, try out our High-Protein Lemon & Turmeric Chicken Soup or our Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls for a fuss-free dinner.
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High-Protein Caprese Chickpea Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This caprese chickpea salad is a fresh, protein- and fiber-packed, plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite. It combines creamy mozzarella pearls, juicy cherry tomatoes and fragrant fresh basil with hearty chickpeas for a satisfying dish. A simple balsamic vinaigrette ties everything together with a tangy-sweet finish. It’s quick to prepare, colorful and bursting with summery flavor. Plus, you can make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for an easy dinner.
High-Protein Lemon & Turmeric Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This lemon and turmeric chicken soup is comforting and packed with protein. Turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, gives the soup its vibrant yellow hue. It’s the perfect meal for when you’re sick or simply warming up on a chilly day. We love tender-crisp baby kale, but chopped kale or baby spinach can be used in its place.
Creamy Lemon-Parmesan Broccoli & White Bean Casserole
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
This broccoli and white bean casserole is the ultimate comfort food dinner. This hearty dish combines tender broccoli and creamy white beans in a velvety lemon-Parmesan sauce with a bubbly, cheesy top. It’s perfect for cozy family dinners or for bringing to someone as part of a meal train. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad for a meal that feels like a warm hug on your plate.
Get Your Greens Quiche
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
This loaded vegetable quiche packs in the greens and skips the crust, making it easy to pull together while keeping all the savory flavors of a traditional quiche. We love earthy and tender-crisp collard greens in this quiche, but you can easily swap them out for another sturdy green like kale or Swiss chard.
Sheet-Pan Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower
Roasting the vegetables in the oven before blending them intensifies their flavors, resulting in a deeply rich and flavorful fall soup. We love the sweet and nutty flavor of butternut squash, but any winter squash with a similar texture, such as acorn, honeynut or kabocha squash, can be used in its place.
Roasted Broccoli & Kimchi Rice Bowl
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman
This well-rounded kimchi rice bowl is packed with fiber and probiotic foods like kimchi and yogurt to support a healthy gut. Prebiotic foods like edamame and garlic add flavor and additional gut-healthy benefits. Gochugaru is a Korean chile powder with a smoky-sweet flavor and mild heat. You can use a combination of crushed red pepper and paprika in its place. Make this bowl ahead and keep for up to four days!
Make-Ahead Cabbage Salad
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay
This make-ahead cabbage salad is the perfect dish that only gets better with time. As it sits, the flavors meld together, with the crisp cabbage and tender, nutty farro soaking up the tangy dressing. It’s an ideal choice for meal prep or entertaining, as it not only holds up well but also improves with time, making your life easier and delivering a delicious meal.
Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This sweet potato and chickpea bowl will make your gut happy! This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, which support a healthy digestive system. Sorghum (a gluten-free ancient grain) is packed with fiber and essential nutrients that aid digestion and support gut health, and the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle offers a probiotic boost.
Anti-Inflammatory Chicken & Beet Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Tart cherry juice concentrate adds flavor and helps fight inflammation when teamed up with other anti-inflammatory foods like beets and walnuts in this quick salad. Buying packaged cooked beets cuts down on time (and mess!). Look for them in the produce section where other prepared vegetables are sold.
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. Store in the fridge and enjoy up to three days later.
