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Five Healthy Recipes for the Holiday Season

Posted by Nutrition.gov staff, National Agricultural Library in Food and Nutrition
Dec 07, 2021
Cheesy asparagus parmesan in a dish

The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. Often, those celebrations involve sharing a meal together. With Thanksgiving and the winter holidays here, it is a great time to start looking for recipe ideas! These five, healthy holiday recipes from Nutrition.gov combine vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other nutritious ingredients in one delicious dish:

  1. Baked Acorn Squash with Apples: Apples and acorn squash are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin C. Serve this apple-stuffed squash with protein foods and whole grains.
  2. Asparagus Parmesan: This historical USDA recipe from 1969 is still a hit today. Bake this Asparagus Parmesan in the oven while your other holiday dishes are being prepared.
  3. Cranberry Apple Farro Stuffing: If you are looking to try something new, this “stuffing” is packed with flavor from vegetables and fruit.
  4. Easy Stroganoff: This easy, kid-friendly entrée is made with whole grain noodles, ground beef, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and plain yogurt. Try it with a side of steamed vegetables.
  5. Healthy Carrot Cake Cookies: End your holiday meal with something sweet. These carrot cake cookies are made with oats, carrots, raisins, applesauce, and whole wheat flour.

Cooking methods and recipes can vary based on your culture. Find healthy recipes for different traditions and more seasonal recipe inspiration on our Culture and Food page.

Category/Topic: Food and Nutrition