19 Gut-Healthy Dinners to Help Lower Cholesterol

Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

Fiber is a busy nutrient; it supports beneficial gut bacteria and can also help reduce your body’s uptake of cholesterol. So when you eat these flavorful dinners that are low in saturated fats and packed with at least 6 grams of fiber per serving, you’re doing a lot of good for both your digestive system and your heart. Plus, these dinner recipes feature prebiotic-rich ingredients like garlic, legumes and potatoes, and probiotic foods like yogurt and miso. Recipes like our Cheesy French Onion Chickpeas and Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes are delicious and nourishing dinners you’ll want to make again and again.

01 of 19

Creamy White Chili with Cream Cheese

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

This rich yet healthy white chicken chili recipe comes together in a flash thanks to quick-cooking chicken thighs and canned white beans.

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02 of 19

High-Protein, High-Fiber Swamp Soup Is on the Table in 25 Minutes

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

This swamp soup, named for its vibrant green color, is made from a combination of spinach and parsley blended into a silky base, with fiber-rich white beans, shredded chicken and brown rice stirred in for a satisfying texture. A sprinkle of fried garlic and crushed red pepper adds savory crunch and gentle heat to each spoonful.

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03 of 19

Cheesy French Onion Chickpeas

Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

These French onion chickpeas are a twist on classic French onion soup that adds chickpeas for an extra boost of fiber and protein. Slow-cooked onions and savory broth create a rich, comforting base, while melted Gruyère cheese and toasted whole-wheat baguette slices bring the iconic flavors home—no soup bowl required.

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04 of 19

High-Protein Butternut Squash & Lentil Soup

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

This hearty, plant-based soup is packed with protein from lentils and gets cozy flavors from warming spices like cinnamon, cumin and coriander. A swirl of tangy Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley finish each bowl with brightness and creaminess. Serve with lemon wedges for an extra pop of flavor.

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05 of 19

Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

This Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes is a bright, flavorful dish that comes together quickly. Pasta is cooked alongside frozen sweet peas, then tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes and basil pesto for a fresh, herbaceous finish. You can serve it warm or chilled, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks or picnics. A sprinkle of Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon add the perfect final touch.

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06 of 19

Fall Vegetable Stew

Credit: Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
Credit: Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

This vegetable stew is a cozy dish for two that highlights the best of late-summer, early-fall produce. Simmered with warm spices and a savory broth, the vegetables become tender and absorb the flavors of the broth. It’s delicious served with warm naan on the side for dipping .

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07 of 19

Marry Me White Bean Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

This Marry Me White Bean Salad is a bright, flavor-packed dish that’s hard not to fall for and pulls inspiration from Marry Me Chicken. Tender white beans are tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and a creamy dressing that soaks into every bite. It’s quick to throw together and perfect for meal prep, picnics or pairing with grilled meats.

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08 of 19

Lemon-Turmeric Cabbage & White Bean Soup

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

This cozy soup turns humble ingredients into a bowl of golden comfort. Tender cabbage and creamy cannellini beans simmer together with aromatic spices for warmth and depth, while a splash of lemon juice at the end brightens every spoonful. It’s light yet satisfying, full of fiber and antioxidants, and easy enough for a weeknight.

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09 of 19

Lemony Orzo & Tuna Salad with Broccoli

Credit: Leigh Beisch
Credit: 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. Be sure to monitor the pasta-cooking carefully, as orzo can go from al dente to mush in a minute. If in doubt, drain it a little early—it’ll soften further in the lemon dressing.

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10 of 19

Sheet-Pan Chickpeas & Spring Veggies

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

This sheet-pan dinner is a fresh way to celebrate the season. Chickpeas roast alongside tender vegetables on one baking sheet, making cleanup a breeze. Served over a creamy, tangy yogurt base, the warm veggies and chickpeas create a satisfying contrast that feels both comforting and light.

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11 of 19

Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.

This herb-marinated veggie-and-chickpea salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. Since it requires no stove or oven time, it’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.

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12 of 19

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

We took the best parts of chicken Parmesan—ooey-gooey cheese, crispy breadcrumbs and plenty of tomato sauce—and spun them into an easy family-friendly casserole.

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13 of 19

Ginger-Dill Salmon with Cucumber & Avocado Salad

Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christina Daley
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christina Daley

This ginger-dill salmon with cucumber and avocado salad is a light, refreshing meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Tender, flaky salmon is infused with the unusual combination of warm ginger and fresh dill, making it the perfect complement to the cool, creamy salad.

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14 of 19

Saag Aloo Matar

Credit: photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle

This cozy one-skillet recipe draws inspiration from two Indian dishes: saag aloo and aloo matar. It’s packed with plenty of vegetables, including leafy greens, potatoes and peas, all simmered in an aromatic tomato-based sauce. Saag aloo matar is perfect on its own or served with warm naan or basmati rice.

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15 of 19

Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchiladas

Credit: Greg DuPree
Credit: Greg DuPree

A crisp, citrusy slaw contrasts nicely with the enchiladas' creamy squash filling.

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16 of 19

High-Protein White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is quick and requires no stove time. White beans bring plant-based protein and fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.

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17 of 19

Chicken Fajita Soup

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

This chicken fajita soup combines the vibrant, smoky flavors of traditional fajitas with the comforting warmth of a soup. This versatile dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, and can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences. To kick up the heat, add a chopped jalapeño to the veggie mixture. You can swap out the rotisserie chicken for another protein like leftover steak, or make it vegetarian by using no-chicken broth and subbing tofu in place of the chicken.

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18 of 19

Brothy Lemon-Garlic Beans

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

These brothy lemon-garlic beans offer a comforting dinner that comes together in minutes. The creamy beans soak up the garlicky, lemon-infused broth, which is perfectly sopped up with a piece of toasted whole-wheat bread. For a little extra flair, finish the dish with a drizzle of good olive oil—or, for a creamier take, a dollop of Greek-style yogurt.

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19 of 19

The Best Gut-Healthy Soup

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This garlicky cabbage soup is pure comfort in a bowl. Warm, hearty and nourishing, it’s rich with the aromatic flavor of garlic and tender-sweet cabbage. Packed with veggies and a savory broth, this soup is perfect as a light meal on its own or as a starter.

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Original Source:

https://www.eatingwell.com/gut-healthy-dinner-recipes-to-help-lower-cholesterol-11920888