3 Easy Mediterranean Diet Meals You Can Make with a Can of Chickpeas—No Recipes Required
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Healthy Living
7 Skillet Dinner for Healthy Cholesterol
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Pizza-Bean-Skillet-Beauty-47_preview_maxWidth_4000_maxHeight_4000_ppi_300_quality_100-be95ebbfcd4c42d88f3ef2030f47746f.jpg "Cheesy baked skillet dish with tomato sauce beans and basil garnish with a serving spoon")
Support your heart health with these delicious skillet dinners. Each recipe promotes healthy cholesterol levels by containing less than 4 grams of saturated fat and at least 6 grams of fiber per serving while still delivering plenty of flavor. Featuring ingredients like vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, these one-pan meals make it simple to enjoy a balanced and delicious dinner. Try our Pizza Bean Skillet for a cozy, veggie-packed meal or our French Onion Chickpeas for a flavorful twist on a comforting classic.
01 of 07
Tomato-Lentil Ratatouille Skillet
This one-skillet dish is inspired by classic ratatouille, combining tender vegetables with hearty lentils in a rich tomato base. Precooked lentils keep the recipe quick while adding plant-based protein and fiber. Finished with fresh herbs, it’s a satisfying, vegetable-forward entree that works well for weeknights.
02 of 07
Pizza Bean Skillet
This one-pan vegetarian dinner captures all the savory, cheesy flavors of pizza in a hearty skillet of beans and vegetables. It’s quick enough for a weeknight and perfect for scooping up with crusty bread or serving over whole grains for a more filling meal.
03 of 07
High-Protein Dill Chicken Orzo
This one-pan dinner delivers on protein and flavor with tender chicken cutlets, whole-wheat orzo and wilted kale in a creamy, lemony herb sauce. Dill and scallions add fresh brightness, while a bold homemade spice blend brings the flavor.
04 of 07
Cheesy French Onion Chickpeas
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.
05 of 07
Saag Aloo Matar
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.
06 of 07
Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes
This healthy copycat recipe of the comfort food classic trades beans for some of the meat to bump up fiber by 7 grams. We also cut back on the sugar and ketchup in this Sloppy Joe recipe makeover to save you 12 grams of added sugar.
07 of 07
Chhole (Chickpea Curry)
This healthy Indian recipe is a flavorful chickpea curry that you can make in just 20 minutes. Also called chana masala, this dish is a comforting and delicious dinner.
Rosalynn Carter’s 5-Ingredient Appetizer Is a Classic
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Rosalynn-Carters-5-Ingredient-Appetizer-Is-a-Classic-dcb9f13761ff46f1b4a4008cfdc4502c.jpg "Rosalynn Carter smiling")
Key Points
- Rosalynn Carter’s “Plains Special” is a simple, shareable six-ingredient cheese ring recipe.
- The recipe is customizable, allowing you to choose your preferred cheese, nuts and optional preserves.
- This retro-inspired dish is perfect as an appetizer or paired with other Southern-style favorites.
Rosalynn Carter may be best known for her decades of public service—from campaigning for national mental health legislation to fighting to pass the Equal Rights Amendment—but the former first lady also leaves behind a legacy of delicious Southern cooking.
According to a post on X by the U.S. National Archives, one of Carter’s favorite recipes was an easy, six-ingredient appetizer. Aptly named the “Plains Special” after Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, this recipe reimagines the classic cheese ball into a festive cheese ring—strawberry preserves optional.
Here's another #RosalynnCarter favorite - the "Plains Special" Cheese Ring! (strawberries optional this time).https://t.co/JH508WYzKm pic.twitter.com/KUl3Am45wn
— U.S. National Archives (@USNatArchives) November 21, 2023
In the recipe, Carter recommends serving the shareable dish with crackers, but it could also be served alongside an entree at the dinner table. The recipe is made up of only six ingredients: a sharp cheese, chopped nuts, mayo, onion, black pepper, cayenne and the optional strawberry preserves to place in the middle.
A great thing about this recipe is that it leaves multiple elements up to your preference—calling for a nonspecific sharp cheese and nut. Unfortunately, we’d have to guess at which type of cheese or nut was Carter’s favorite, but you’re free to pick and choose exactly how you enjoy this dish.
Start with grating your pound of cheese and small onion, then combine with the rest of your ingredients (except for the strawberry preserves, if you choose to include them). Carter does not recommend following a specific order when mixing, but we imagine that everything will combine nicely no matter what.
Once everything is mixed together, it’s time for the fun part! Use your hands to mold your cheese into a ring and make sure to refrigerate until firm—this will take five to six hours, but letting it chill overnight could be a smart move. If you do decide to spice it up with the strawberry preserves, add them into the center of your ring just before serving.
And just like that, you’re ready to enjoy one of the former first lady’s favorites! Despite the recipe’s retro feel, sharing a dish made with love will always be a timeless experience.
So the next time you need a quick and easy appetizer, honor the Carters with this cheese ring. We think it would pair particularly well with other Southern-inspired shareables like our black-eyed peas or our some soft green beans. Need some more appetizer ideas to remind you of down South eats? Here are a few of our favorites:
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20 Corn Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/EatingWell-LWWD-Cucumber-Corn-White-Bean-Salad-3x2-f57bfec4a09e4f5dbd4277c047cda86a.jpg "A recipe image of High-Fiber Cucumber, Corn & White Bean Salad.")
Whether you choose fresh, frozen or canned corn, these corn recipes showcase its versatility and flavor. Ready in 30 minutes or less, this collection includes everything from vibrant salads and side dishes to satisfying pastas and skillet dinners. Try our Cucumber Corn White Bean Salad or Corn Salad with Tomatoes and Feta for meals that are perfect for busy weeknights that you’ll want to make again and again.
01 of 20
High-Fiber Cucumber, Corn & White Bean Salad
This colorful chopped salad is packed with crisp vegetables, creamy white beans and a bright herb vinaigrette that comes together in minutes. Serve it as a light lunch or pair it with grilled chicken, fish or burgers for an easy weeknight meal.
02 of 20
Corn Salad with Tomatoes & Feta Is an Easy Summer Side
This easy corn salad is bursting with fresh summer flavor. Be sure to let the salad sit for 10 minutes—this step allows the onion to soften slightly and the tomatoes to release their juices, leading to a more flavorful salad. Serve alongside your favorite grilled protein.
03 of 20
High-Protein Corn Muffins
These high-protein corn muffins are tender, lightly sweet and perfect alongside soups, salads or chili. With a boost of protein from eggs and milk, they’re a more satisfying take on a classic muffin.
04 of 20
Tomato Toast with Charred Corn Butter
This tomato toast is a fresh, summery take on a simple classic. Sweet corn kernels are charred until golden and smoky, then blended into butter. Slathered on toasted bread and topped with ripe, juicy tomatoes, this dish is a vibrant combo of sweet, savory and tangy flavors. The corn butter is easy to make ahead and can be kept on hand to add to everything from grilled vegetables to seafood or pasta.
05 of 20
High-Protein Veggie Salad
This colorful, protein-packed salad combines black beans, fresh vegetables and a zesty lime dressing for a quick, satisfying meal. With fiber-rich beans, leafy greens and healthy fats from avocado oil, it delivers bold, fresh flavor in every bite.
06 of 20
Brown-Butter Corn Pasta
This brown-butter corn pasta is perfect for late-summer dinners when corn is at its peak. Butter is cooked until golden and fragrant, then tossed with sautéed corn kernels, garlic, shallots and a splash of pasta water to create a silky sauce. Whole-wheat pasta soaks up all that buttery flavor, and a sprinkle of Parmesan adds depth. Fresh basil brings a pop of brightness, but another fresh herb like chives or parsley will work well too.
07 of 20
Sautéed Corn with Basil & Shallots
This sautéed corn recipe is a fresh and easy way to highlight summer’s most iconic vegetable. We add just a touch of butter, shallot and fresh basil to let the flavor of sweet corn straight from the cob do the talking. To remove the kernels mess-free, stand the corn up in a medium bowl and use a paring knife to cut the kernels from the cob starting from the top down. Voilà! You’ll have a bowl of neatly captured kernels ready for cooking.
08 of 20
Quinoa-Black Bean Salad
Enjoy this quinoa and black bean salad as a delicious and quick vegetarian main dish or as a side for grilled chicken or steak. And don’t forget the leftovers! They make an easy lunch on the go.
09 of 20
Bean & Beef Taco Soup
This taco soup is filled with quintessential taco ingredients and flavors—from two types of hearty beans to corn and ground beef—but it’s the toppings that really make this soup stand out. Better yet, this healthy soup is easy to make and leftovers freeze beautifully for later.
10 of 20
No-Cook Black Bean Salad
The dressing for this vegan black bean salad gets its creaminess from blended avocado. Any mix of salad greens will work well, but try arugula if you want to give this hearty salad a peppery kick.
11 of 20
Skillet Corn
This skillet corn recipe features plenty of sweet, fresh summer corn. A small amount of aromatics complement the corn but don’t overpower it. Parsley adds color and freshness.
12 of 20
One-Pot Beans & Rice with Corn & Salsa
This one-pot dinner is like a deconstructed burrito bowl--especially when topped with salsa, sliced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy accent. You can also enjoy it as a meal on its own, or as a vegetarian taco or burrito filling or a side dish on taco night.
13 of 20
Chicken Chili Verde
Prepared salsa verde adds tang to this fast weeknight chili recipe and pairs beautifully with the rich caramelized chicken and creamy beans. Don’t shy away from the poblano peppers. They offer a mild heat but deliver a depth of flavor you can’t find in regular green bell peppers.
14 of 20
Garlic Butter Campfire Corn
This flavorful corn couldn’t be easier to prepare. Just cover the ears of corn in a quick garlic-and-chive-flavored butter and wrap in foil, and they’re ready to throw on the grill at home or over coals at the campsite.
15 of 20
Make Cilantro-Lime Corn on the Cob in an Air Fryer
Your air fryer can turn out a fantastic batch of corn on the cob. A quick turn halfway through cooking yields crispy, juicy corn that soaks up the tasty garlic-lime butter like a champ. Pick out small ears, or trim them slightly so that they fit into the air fryer basket. If you have any leftovers, cut the kernels off the cob and stir into a dip or sprinkle over a salad.
16 of 20
Esquites (Mexican Corn)
This street corn dish, known as esquites, is served in cups instead of on the cob for all the flavor of elote without the mess.
17 of 20
Creamy Mac & Cheese with Corn
This creamy mac and cheese pops with the sharp flavor of Cheddar cheese combined with sweet pops of fresh corn kernels. Cooking whole corncobs in the sauce brings the flavor of fresh corn to the forefront, but if you’re in a pinch you can add 1½ cups of thawed frozen corn kernels to the mixture before baking instead.
18 of 20
Hot Honey Corn Salad
Sweet corn combines with hot honey for a nice overall balance of hot and sweet flavors in this delicious summer side dish. Serve this easy salad alongside grilled chicken or steak, or ditch the greens on the bottom and enjoy the corn mixture as a taco or burrito bowl topping.
19 of 20
Elote-Inspired Pasta Salad
This zesty pasta salad draws inspiration from the flavors of elote—a Mexican recipe with grilled corn on the cob that’s smothered in a creamy mayo-based sauce and sprinkled with chili powder, cotija cheese and lime.
20 of 20
Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa
Bring the flavors of your favorite salsa from restaurant to home with this copycat Chipotle corn salsa recipe. This smoky salsa can top tacos or burrito bowls or be served with chips for dipping. Don’t forget to pair it with our Copycat Chipotle Chicken.