Favorite Staff Recipes

Need a little inspiration when meal planning? We asked the Full Plate Living team to share their favorite staple recipes, and we're excited to pass along five delicious picks that have earned a regular spot on our menus.

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Dense Bean Salad

How Abbey Makes it a Full Plate Meal:  Dense bean salads went viral on social media last year for a great reason - they are simple, high-fiber, and delicious. I meal-prep this one all summer long, often pairing it with fish, throwing it on top of cooked grains like brown rice and quinoa, or stuffing it into tacos.

75% water-fiber foods –  chickpeas, cannellini beans, red and yellow bell pepper, small cucumbers, red onion, fresh parsley, kalamata olives
25% foods – grilled fish, dressing

Slow Cooker Refried Beans

How Trish Makes it a Full Plate Meal:  I’m always making a big pot of beans. I like this one because we can serve it inside burritos, on tostadas, or with a healthy 7-layer dip.

75% water-fiber foods – refried beans, guacamole, grape tomatoes, black olives, pico, cilantro
25% foods – taco yogurt, shredded cheese, chips

Instant Pot Thai Curry

How Michelle Makes it a Full Plate Meal:  I love it because a large batch will feed my family for a couple of days. I double the amount of veggies and add frozen riced cauliflower. We plate it atop farro or brown rice. This time of year, we serve it with chilled watermelon.

75% water-fiber foods – broccoli, red bell pepper, snap peas, green beans, onion, garlic, ginger, riced cauliflower, farro/brown rice, watermelon – low-fat coconut milk, tofu

Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

How Amy Makes it a Full Plate Meal:  I love it because you can make a large batch and eat it all week. Plus, it also freezes well. I serve it topped with a few nuts and a side of berries or other in-season fruit. This time of year, it’s peaches for me.

75% water-fiber foods – steel-cut oatmeal, apples or pumpkin, peaches, berries
25% foods – almond milk, brown sugar, nuts

Skinny Enchilada Casserole

How Janet Makes it a Full Plate Meal: I customize it with sautéed onions, fresh garlic, jalapeño, smoked paprika, extra cumin and chili powder, and sometimes Roma tomatoes, along with additional black or pinto beans—the quinoa base makes it easy to add more vegetables, beans, and bold flavors we love. I serve it with sliced avocado and fresh tomatoes, and usually have a green salad on the side. We often have leftovers, and I’ll freeze part of it to enjoy later. I am thawing a portion in my fridge now. Each time I serve this dish to guests, they ask for the recipe. There are lots of Skinny Enchilada lovers out there now!

75% water-fiber foods – chickpeas, cannellini beans, red and yellow bell pepper, small cucumbers, red onion, fresh parsley, kalamata olives
25% foods – grilled fish, dressing

Chickpea Cookie Dough

How Jon Makes it a Full Plate Meal: This is my healthy way to get a sweet treat in. It’s easy to make a big batch on the weekend for the family to enjoy or to last the week. I typically eat it as a side or dessert to a fiber-filled lunch salad. The recipe can be modified to change the sweetness or texture as you like. Note: you cannot bake it into cookies (trust me, I tried! 😃)

75% water-fiber foods – chickpeas/white beans, oats
25% foods – almond flour, nut butter, chocolate chips, sweetener, milk

👉 Water-fiber foods are 75% zone foods – whole, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, beans, and cooked whole grains.