20 Wholesome Buddha Bowl Recipes to Nourish Your Body (2024)

Instant Pot Tuscan White Bean Soup

This hearty soup is loaded with veg upon veg, with some white beans and sausage swimming throughout the savory broth. It's perfect for chilly evenings and makes a ton of leftovers to chow down on! (via Brit + Co)

Turkish White Bean Salad

This light, peppery white bean recipe combines red onion, bell pepper, and a tangy dressing that ties all of the components together perfectly. Eat it as a side dish or as the main course! (via Give Recipe)

Broccoli Dill Pickle Soup with White Beans and Potatoes

Any meal that includes pickles piques our interest, and this vibrant green soup is going on our to-make list immediately. (via The First Mess)

White Bean Avocado Sandwich

If you're searching for a high-protein lunch, this sandwich filling is the solution! It's super easy to make – just mash some avocado, white beans, oil, and seasonings together and smear it across your go-too bread. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Sun-Dried Tomato, White Bean & Artichoke Pesto Pasta Salad

When it comes to summer recipes, pasta salads are that girl. This one gets doctored up with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and of course, a yummy, zesty dressing that lightens up the vibe. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

White Bean Salad with Roasted Red Peppers and Miso Dressing

The miso dressing on this white bean salad takes it to a whole other level! While the onions and peppers bring a zingy-ness to each bite, the miso tames it down with umami, salty goodness. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Spicy Sriracha White Bean Dip

You can easily blend down some white beans to create a dip or a sauce. This recipe takes a spicy direction with notes of Sriracha. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Creamy White Chicken Chili

White chicken chili is a total classic when it comes to white bean recipes. The best part is adding a bit of *spice* via some jalapeños! (via Vikalinka)

Creamy Portobello Mushroom Soup

Mushrooms are the ultimate flavor companion for white beans, and this balanced soup highlights their partnership tucked into a creamy, savory broth. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Polenta with Broccoli Rabe and White Beans

This unique whit bean recipe sits atop a bed of hearty polenta, which hits so hard on chilly winter and spring nights. If you're not into the broc, just swap it for any other veg! (via Earthly Provisions)

White Bean Artichoke Burgers

Tender artichokes meet high-protein white beans in this recipe for burger patties. Eat 'em inside a bun or not, these are absolute perfection. Even the kids will be tempted! (via A Virtual Vegan)

Simple Cheesy Bean Dip

You could add cheese to practically any recipe, and it'd be tasty. In this case, a hearty medley of beans hides under a generous layer of melted, broiled monterey jack. (via The Original Dish)

Vegan Minestrone alla Milanese

Minestrone is a staple meal when it comes to healthy white bean recipes. This vegan version features​all​ the veg for a truly plant-powered bite.(via Gastroplant)

Orzo White Bean Salad

This lively salad mix would be the perfect thing to make for a summertime picnic or potluck. It's uber-fresh, and packed with healthy ingredients, plus it just looks gorgeous! (via Barley & Sage)

Hearty White Bean and Cabbage Soup with Potatoes

Cabbage can be hard to cook since one head of it results in so many leftovers! Luckily, this white bean recipe exists, simmering down the leafy veggie in a dense broth so it soaks up all the good flavors.(via Vanilla and Bean)

Slow Cooker Creamy White Bean Noodle Soup with Rosemary Bacon

When beans and noodles join forces, we are 100% here for it. This filling soup carries tons of mix-ins, including rosemary-cooked bacon, which is just heavenly. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Vegan Alfredo Sauce (No Cashews)

If you're craving pasta, but still want that healthy edge for your meal, try whipping up a round of this "cheesy" vegan Alfredo sauce! It uses white beans for texture and taste, though you'd never guess it. (via The Edgy Veg)

Spinach and White Bean Patties with Yogurt Sauce

These nutrient-dense white bean and spinach patties can be made ahead of time, then frozen until ready to eat. (via Bowl of Delicious)

About The Recipe Critic

Photo by Erin Thunell

The Recipe Critic started out as a small blog that Alyssa created after moving cross-country from Utah to North Carolina. Though she was far away, the blog connected her Utahn friends and family members to her most-loved recipes.

“Interestingly enough, growing up, I didn't come from a cooking background,” she says. “It really wasn't until I had to learn for myself and cook for myself and for my family. That's when the love for cooking started for me.”

And after her efforts with The Recipe Critic started showing monetary returns, Alyssa was so excited about its potential – she lets that feeling guide her even today.

“Honestly, if you would have told me when I started it that I would be here today and have one of the world's largest food blogs, there is no way I would have ever believed it,” she says. “I try to go back to how amazing it felt in the very beginning when I realized that I could contribute something for my family.”

The Best Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Photo by Alyssa Rivers

“[Swedish Meatballs] is always a favorite,” Alyssa says. “Every time I make it, I truly believe that it’s one of the best Swedish meatball recipes. The creamy sauce on it is just so good and I could just serve it over noodles for my family.”

For a quick recipe hack, you can substitute making your own meatballs for frozen meatballs, Alyssa says.

“It honestly tastes like it’s from a restaurant, and you can ‘wow’ your family thinking it was a lot more complicated than it is.”

Let’s get into the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1lb (450g) ground beef
• 1⁄4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1⁄4 tsp ground allspice
• 1⁄4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped white or yellow onion
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 1⁄8 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, parsley, allspice, nutmeg, white or yellow onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and egg.
2. Portion the beef mixture into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs, and roll into shape.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add the meatballs in batches, and cook, turning continuously, for 5 to 8 minutes or until brown on every side and cooked through. Transfer to a plate, cover with foil, and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
4. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the all-purpose flour to the skillet, and whisk for 2 or 3 minutes or until it turns brown. Slowly stir in the beef broth and heavy cream. Add the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Add the meatballs to the skillet, simmer for 1 or 2 minutes, and serve.

Get Even More Recipes From The Recipe Critic

The Tried & True Cookbook: 150 Quick and Easy Recipes for Busy Families

What do vegans eat?

Photo by Pixabay / PEXELS

Vegans eat any food that's not derived from animals. Nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables, tofu, lentils, soy beans, leafy greens, seeds, and more plant-based foods are all part of the vegan diet.

Can vegans eat eggs?

Photo by Rusiru Bhagya / PEXELS

Vegans cannot eat eggs since eggs are an animal product.

Foods You CAN'T Eat On A Vegan Diet

Meat, Eggs, Seafood

Meat, eggs, seafood, and any products derived from them (like gelatin and collagen) are not part of a vegan diet. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your favorite foods!

These substitutions will sate your cravings without breaking your plant-based diet.

• Beyond Meat sausage
• Plant-based meatless chicken
• Chickpea salad
• Pulled jackfruit

Dairy

Traditional dairy is a no-go when you’re a vegan. But that doesn't mean mean milk, cheese, yogurt, and even ice cream have to be off the table. Luckily, there are plenty of nut-, grain-, and soy-based substitutes for you to enjoy!

Try these when you get a craving for something creamy.

• Coconut or aquafaba whipped cream
• Homemade vegan nice cream
• Store-bought vegan coffee creamers
• Store-bought vegan ice creams
• Store-bought vegan milks
• Vegan cashew cream “cheese” sauce
• Vegan milkshakes
• Vegan queso dip
• Vegan baked brie

Butter, Ghee, Lard, or Schmaltz

You can eat almost any fat on a vegan diet, such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. One gray area is palm oil. While palm oil doesn’t come directly from an animal source, many vegans are concerned about how areas are deforested in order to plant palm oil plantations, leading to habitat loss for millions of animals. The problem is especially affecting fragile orangutan populations.

Try cooking with these vegan butters and recipes:

• Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread
• Miyoko's Creamery European-Style Salted Plant Milk Vegan Butter
• Vegan butter board

Foods You CAN Eat On A Vegan Diet

Vegetables

Eat all the vegetables you want, vegan babes! Beans, nuts, and peas are especially rich in protein, but you may be surprised to learn that even the humble white potato contains 3 to 7 grams of protein, depending on its size! Try to eat a rainbow of veggies every day to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.

This is one food category you can embrace with joy. Peep this list of veggie-packed vegan recipes to whip up:

• Vegan casserole
• Vegan curry
  
• Stuffed avocados
  
• Vegan ratatouille

Fruit

Ripe, juicy fruit is like vegan candy. Eat on its own (raw) or turn some into gorgeous smoothie bowls, but anyway you slice it, fruit’s definitely on the menu.

Some recipe inspo:

• Raspberry cacao chia seed pudding
• Mermaid smoothie bowl
  
• Banana nice cream
  
• Strawberry Banana Bread Bars
  
• Layered smoothie

Whole Grains

The fiber you get from grains will help keep you full and satisfied when eating vegan. Don’t get stuck eating just white bread, pasta, and rice. Instead, branch out and experiment with whole grains like bulgur, millet, amaranth, steel cut oats, and more.

Get your grains in with these vegan recipes:

• Strawberry oatmeal cookies
• Pear baked oatmeal
  
• Cherry oatmeal banana bread
  
• Bulgur bowls
  
• Oatmeal lattes

Vegan Snacks

We think snacks are important no matter what your diet. Healthy snacks will keep you energized between meals and liven up any movie night, party, or lazy Netflix-marathon weekend. Thankfully, these days there are tons of vegan snack options for you to munch on.

• Cheesy vegan snacks
• Healthy store-bought vegan snacks
• Vegan cookie dough bites
• Vegan peppermint chocolate bark
  
• Vegan red velvet brownies

Ingredients For Our Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Photo by Antonio Filigno / PEXELS

• 1 (10 oz) package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (14 oz) can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Image via StableDiffusion

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well until combined.
3. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish, and spread it out evenly.
4. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
5. Once baked, remove the dip from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with chopped green onions for an extra pop of flavor!
6. Serve warm with tortilla chips, crispy bread slices, or vegetables for dipping!

Notes For This Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Image via StableDiffusion

• Using frozen spinach and canned artichokes makes this recipe easier and quicker. You have the option to use fresh ingredients, if you want to!
• Add a sprinkling of red pepper flakes if you want the spinach artichoke dip to have a kick of spice.
• Keep an eye on the dip while it bakes, making sure it doesn't bubble over. If you're struggling to get that golden brown layer on the top, broil the dip for a few minutes at the end of its baking time.
• You aren't totally limited to Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Though these cheeses make for the most traditional flavor, you can throw in some different kinds of cheeses to amp up the taste.