Healthy Living Recipes

Healthy Recipes for Meals and Snacks

The path to healthy eating can be easy and fun with delicious recipes from the YMCA of Central Florida! Browse our collection for nutritious tips and menu ideas that the whole family will enjoy.

Dinner / Lunch

Spinach and Feta Quesadilla Pizza

V

Breakfast

Easy 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

GF
LS
V

Dessert

Chocolate Mousse

GF
LS
V

Appetizers / Sides

Grilled Zucchini Caprese

GF
LC
V
A photo of white bean soup with super greens

Dinner / Lunch / Seasonal – Winter / Soup

White Beans with Super Greens

GF
HF
LF
LS
PB
V+
A photo of oatmeal with blueberries on top with a spoon of honey next to it

Breakfast

Baked Oatmeal

HF
LS
PB
V
White beans and tomatoes on bruschetta on a marble countertop

Appetizers / Snacks

Tomato and White Bean Bruschetta

LF
LF
PB
V+
V
Pumpkin Pancake stack on white plate next to fork

Breakfast / Seasonal – Fall

Pumpkin Pancakes

GF
V
Baked cod on a plate on top of greens with lemon and tomatoes

Dinner

Oven Baked Cod with Lemon and Tomatoes

KF
LS
SC
Spaghetti with Bolognese Meat Sauce in a White Pasta Dish with Forks

Dinner / Lunch

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Blueberry Muffins on Cooling Rack with Blueberries

Breakfast / Snacks

Heart-Healthy Blueberry Muffins

HH
LF
V
Tray of Zucchini Nachos

Dinner

Zucchini Nachos

GF
HF
Apple Couscous Dish

Seasonal – Fall / Sides

Couscous with Butternut Squash, Apple, and Cranberry

HF
LF
LS
V
Penne Pasta with Pesto Sauce on White Plate

Dinner

Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Salmon

GF
HF
Grilled Eggplant Parmesan in Pan

Dinner

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

GF
LC
V
Lentil and chickpea soup in pot with oranges and topped with parsley

Dinner / Soup

Lentil and Chickpea Soup

GF
HF
LF
V+
V
Homemade Marshmallows in White Ceramic Bowl on Blue Wooden Table

Dessert / Seasonal – Winter

Homemade Marshmallows

GF
LF
LS
Sweet potato fries on parchment paper with a yogurt dip

Sides

Sweet Potato Fries with Balsamic Onion Jam

GF
LS
V
Grilled Lemon Chicken with Garnish on Cutting Board

Dinner

Lemon Chicken

Deviled eggs topped with paprika and garnish on a square plate

Sides

Simple Deviled Eggs

GF
KF
LF
LS
SC
V
Homemade apple sauce in square glass bowls with cinnamon sticks and Washington red apples on a dark top

Seasonal – Fall / Snacks

Classic Homemade Applesauce

GF
HF
LF
LS
V+
V
Spring risotto on a gray plate on top of

Seasonal – Spring / Sides

Spring Risotto

GF
LF
LS
SC
V

Dinner

Salmon with Mustard Sauce

GF
KF
LF
LC
LS
SC
Watermelon arugula salad on a plate next to a fork

Salad / Seasonal – Summer

Watermelon Arugula Salad

GF
V

Dinner / Salad / Seasonal – Summer

Grilled Vegetable Salad with Fresh Herbs

GF
HF
V
Eggplant Involtini

Dinner

Eggplant Involtini

GF
HF
V
Vegetarian chili in a bowl topped with cheese and chives next to a spoon and napkin

Dinner / Seasonal – Winter

Vegetarian Chili

GF
HF
LF
V+
V

Dinner

Indian Spiced Lentils

GF
HF
LF
LS
V+
V

Dessert

Black Bean Brownies

HF
LS
V
Wok Shrimp with Spinach on white square plate with lemon

Dinner

Wok Shrimp with Spinach

GF
KF
LF
LC
P
SC
Energy bite balls together in a white bowl

Snacks

Energy Bites

KF
LS
Baby Greens Salad with Orange Citronette on a plate with a blue napkin and fork beside it

Salad

Baby Greens Salad with Orange Citronette

GF
LS
V
Pancakes on blue plate

Breakfast

Everyday Pancakes

LF
V+
V
Muffin Tin Tostadas

Dinner / Lunch

Muffin Tin Tostadas

GF
SC

Breakfast / Seasonal – Fall

Pumpkin Oatmeal

HF
LF
V
Salmon Pasta with Pea Pesto

Dinner

Roasted Salmon With Spring Pea Pesto

Dijon Chicken in Cast-Iron Skillet

Dinner / Lunch

Dijon Chicken

GF
SC
Penne Pasta with Lentils

Dinner

Pasta with Lentils

GF
HF
LF
V+
V
Roasted Brussel sprout salads in two white bowls

Dinner / Seasonal – Fall

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

GF
HF
LF
LS
P
V

Dinner / Seasonal – Summer

Grilled Steak with White Bean “Hummus”

HF
LF

Dinner

Pesto Chicken Casserole

GF
KF
LC
SC

Sides / Snacks

Shrimp Ceviche

GF
LF

Breakfast

Microwave Breakfast Sandwich

HF

Dinner / Lunch

Chicken Fingers with Blackberry Honey Mustard

GF
LF
LS

Lunch

Open Face Tuna Melt

Baked chicken quarters with lime

Dinner

Cilantro Lime Chicken

GF
LF
LC
P
No-Knead Bread

Sides

No-Knead Bread

SC
V+
V

Dinner / Seasonal – Fall

Parmesan Crusted Brussel Sprouts

GF
SC
V
Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

Dinner

Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

KF
LC
SC

Seasonal – Fall / Seasonal – Winter / Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

GF
LF
V+
V
Beef Chili

Dinner

Beef Chili

GF
HF
LF

Dinner

Rigatoni Carbonara with Turkey Sausage

SC

Dinner / Seasonal – Winter

Chanukah Brisket

GF
LF
Mushroom soup in bowl on top of wooden table

Seasonal – Winter / Soup

Mushroom Soup

GF
KF
LC
LS
SC
V
Carrot and ginger soup in a bowl on a table next to a carrots, seasoning, and ginger on a plate

Seasonal – Winter / Soup

Carrot Soup with Ginger

GF
LF
LS
V+
V
Corn chowder in a white bowl with a spoon

Dinner / Soup

Corn Chowder

GF
LF
LS
V+
V

Sides / Snacks

Classic Potato Latkes

KF
LF
LS
SC
V
Anytime Frittata

Breakfast / Dinner / Lunch

Anytime Frittata

GF
KF
LC
SC
Lemon Ginger Semifreddo on white plate with lemons surrounding

Dessert

Lemon Ginger Semifreddo

GF
V
Honey Garlic Lemon Chicken

Dinner

Honey Garlic Chicken

LF
Lemon Pasta with Grilled Chicken

Dinner

Lemon Pasta with Grilled Chicken

Basic omelete on plate with radishes

Breakfast

Basic Omelet

GF
KF
LF
LC
SC
V

Seasonal – Winter / Snacks

Holiday Spiced Pecans

GF
KF
LF
LC
LS
V
Stir-Fried Cauliflower Rice in white bowl

Dinner

Cauliflower Fried Riced

GF
V
Grilled Barbecue Ribs with Sauce Brush

Dinner

BBQ Ribs

LF
Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup

Chicken Soup

GF
LF
Close up photo of sweet and spicy chicken with limes and cashews

Dinner

Sweet and Spicy Chicken

GF
KF
LF
Shrimp Fra Diavolo in white plate

Dinner

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

GF
20-Minute Weeknight Pasta Caprese

Dinner

20-Minute Weeknight Pasta Caprese

Breakfast

Jammie Strawberry Hand Pies

V
Nut butter and chocolate protein bars on square plate on top of blue tablecloth

Dessert / Snacks

Nut Butter Protein Bars

GF
LS
V
Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

Breakfast

Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

HF
LS
V
Yogurt holiday bark stacked on top of white plate with raspberries and pecan

Dessert / Seasonal – Winter

Holiday Yogurt Bark

GF
V

Dinner / Seasonal – Summer

California Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

HF
Butternut squash mac and cheese in white bowls

Seasonal – Fall / Seasonal – Winter / Sides / Snacks

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

SC
V
Frittata with asparagus and spinach in pan

Breakfast

Frittata with Spinach and Asparagus

GF
KF
LC
SC
V
Banana Oatmeal Cookies on cooling rack

Dessert / Snacks

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Herbed Quinoa in Pan

Salad / Sides

Herbed Quinoa

GF
LS
V+
V
Hummus in a bowl with celery and carrots

Appetizers / Snacks

Creamy Everyday Hummus

GF
HF
LF
LC
SC
V+
Butternut Squash Quesadillas

Dinner

Butternut Squash and White Bean Quesadilla

GF
HF
LS
SC
V
Close image of jumbo shrimp being sauteed in a pan with oregano, chive, rosemary, garlic and paprica creating Shrimp Scampi

Dinner / Lunch

Shrimp with Green Sauce

GF
KF
LF
LC
SC
Chicken with Deconstructed Pesto on plate

Dinner

Chicken with Deconstructed Pesto

GF
KF
LC
SC
Tomatoes stuffed with goat cheese on white platter

Appetizers

Goat Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes

GF
KF
SC
V
Image of broccoli quiche on a plate next to a broccoli with cheese on top

Breakfast

Crustless Broccoli and Cheese Quiche

GF
KF
LC
SC
V

Dinner / Seasonal – Summer

Chicken Enchilada Meatballs

GF
LC
Rigatoni with Chicken and Marinara Sauce in a bowl on a wooden table next to a loaf of bread

Dinner

Rigatoni with Chicken and Red Pepper Sauce

LS
SC

Dinner

White Chicken Chili

GF
HF

Snacks

Peanut Butter Cookies

GF
LF
LS
V

Breakfast

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast

LF
V+
V
Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie in mason jar glass next to yogurt and blueberries in bowl

Breakfast / Drinks / Snacks

Blueberry Banana Smoothie

HF
LF
V

Appetizers / Dinner

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

KF
LC
SC
No-Bake Carrot Cake Snacks

Dessert / Snacks

No-Bake Carrot Cake Snacks

GF
LF
P
V
Spring rolls on a plate with chopsticks

Lunch / Seasonal – Summer

Summer Spring Rolls

HF
LF
LF
LS
V+
V
Black bean burgers on wooden cutting board with vegetable condiements

Dinner / Seasonal – Fall

Black Bean Burgers

HF
SC
V
Herbed yogurt dip in a green bowl with wooden spoon and dills

Appetizers / Lunch / Snacks

Herbed Yogurt Dip

GF
KF
LS
SC
V
Pumpkin and goat cheese risotto in plate on a wooden table with a brown plaid tea towel

Dinner / Seasonal – Fall

Pumpkin Goat Cheese Risotto

GF
V
Curried carrot and squash soup in bowls with squash seeds on top

Seasonal – Fall / Soup

Curried Carrot and Squash Soup

GF
HF
LF
LS
SC
V+
V
Healthier Chocolate Cake

Dessert

(Healthier) Chocolate Cake

LC

Snacks

Crispy Apple Chips

GF
LF
LF
LS
V+
V
Baked Apples with Maple Yogurt in bowl

Dessert / Seasonal – Fall

Baked Apples with Maple Yogurt

HF
LF
LS
V
Mediterranean Mahi Mahi with Lemon Butter and Capers with Asparagus

Dinner

Mediterranean Mahi Mahi with Lemon Butter and Capers

GF
KF
LC
SC
Roasted carrots with herbs

Seasonal – Fall / Sides

Roasted Carrots with Fresh Herbs

GF
HF
LF
P
V+
V
Image of guacamole in a red serving bowl next to a lime and sheet pan chicken fajitas

Appetizers / Snacks

Homemade Guacamole

GF
HF
KF
LC
LS
PB
V+
V
Yogurt Parfait with Berry Jam

Breakfast / Dessert / Snacks

“Yogurt” Parfait with Berry Jam

GF
HF
LS
V
Plum Tomato Burrata Salad

Salad / Seasonal – Summer

Plum, Barrata, and Tomato Salad

GF
LC
V

Breakfast / Snacks

Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast

HF
LF
Spring pea pasta with beans and parmesan cheese on a green plate

Spring Pea Pasta

HF
PB
V
Homemade Chicken Fajitas with Vegetables and Tortillas

Dinner / Lunch

Sheet Pan Fajitas

GF
KF
LF
LC
SC
Sweet potato and apple soup

Seasonal – Fall / Soup

Sweet Potato Soup with Apples and Fennel

GF
HF
LF
LF
V+
V

Breakfast

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

GF
KF
LC
LS
V
Chocolate energy bites in white container

Dessert / Snacks

Chocolate Energy Bites

GF
HF
LS
V
Grilled peach halves on white plate with raspberry yogurt sauce and topped with raspberries

Dessert

Grilled Peaches

GF
LS
V

Dessert / Seasonal – Winter

Holiday Peppermint Bark

GF
LS
V
Orange chicken on plate with orange slices

Dinner

Orange Chicken

GF
LF
LS
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Breakfast

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

GF
V

Dessert

Plum Upside Down Cake

GF
V
Mango banana and spinach smoothie in glass surrounded by bananas and a bowl of spinach

Breakfast / Drinks / Snacks

Mango Banana Smoothie

GF
HF
LF
P
V+
V

Dinner / Soup

Chicken Soup with Matzoh Balls

KF
SC
Potato Salad with Roasted Tomatoes in a white plate

Salad / Sides

Potato Salad with Roasted Tomato

GF
V
Strawberry Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

Lunch / Salad / Sides

Strawberry Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette

GF
LS
V
Shrimp Salad with Lemon Thyme Dressing in blue bowl

Lunch / Seasonal – Spring / Seasonal – Summer

Shrimp Salad with Lemon Thymed Dressing

GF
LF
LC
SC

Dinner / Lunch

Fettuccini Alfredo

SC
V
Blueberry yogurt parfait in glass with granola on the bottom

Breakfast / Snacks

Blueberry Parfait

Sides

Jollof Rice

GF
LF
LS
SC
V+
V
Nine lemon squares dusted with powder sugar

Dessert

Lemon Squares

LS
V
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Energy Bar broken in half on white surface

Dessert

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Energy Bars

HF
LS
V

Dinner

Tomato Basil Tart

KF
SC
V

Dinner

Fish Tacos

GF
HF
LF
Cucumber lemon water in mason jar glass with paper straw on wooden surface

Drinks / Seasonal – Summer

Cucumber Lemon Water with Strawberries

GF
KF
LS
P
SC
V+
French toast with caramelized bananas on a white plate with creme and syrup

Breakfast

French Toast with Caramelized Bananas

V+
V

Seasonal – Summer / Snacks

Peach Avocado Salsa

GF
SC
Watermelon blueberry water in mason jar cup on stone surface

Drinks / Seasonal – Spring / Seasonal – Summer

Watermelon Blueberry Basil Water

GF
LF
LS
P
V+

Snacks

Classic Hard-boiled Eggs

HH
LC
LF
LS
V
Scrambled eggs on a plate topped with tomatoes and basil next to slices of bacon

Breakfast

Tomato and Basil Scrambled Eggs

GF
KF
LC
SC
V
Avocado toast with poached egg in a white plate being held by a person

Breakfast

Avocado Toast

HF
LF
SC
V

Salad / Sides

Chickpea Salad

GF
HF
V+
V
Cucumber lime strawberry water in a mason jar

Drinks / Seasonal – Spring

Cucumber Lime Water with Strawberries

GF
LF
LS
P
V+
Zucchini Pancakes on Wooden Plate with Greek Yogurt and Thyme

Breakfast

Zucchini Pancakes

GF
LF
V+
V

Breakfast

Farmer’s Market Frittata

GF
KF
LC
SC
V
Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding

Breakfast / Dessert

Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding

GF
LF
V+
V
Chocolate Holiday Bark pieces with cranberry and pistachio

Dessert / Seasonal – Winter

Chocolate Holiday Bark

HF
LS
V
Three Ginger Lime Sparkling Waters in Glasses surrounded by limes and ginger on a wooden surface

Drinks / Seasonal – Fall

Ginger Lime Sparkling Water

GF
LF
LC
LS
SC
Two bowls of split pea soup with a jar of green split peas beside them

Dinner / Lunch / Soup

Split Pea Soup

HF
LF
LF
LS
V+

Dinner / Seasonal – Fall

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

GF
LF
SC
Cornish Game Hen in pan with lemon wedge

Dinner / Seasonal – Fall

Oven Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Pumpkin Seed Pesto

GF
KF
LF
P
SC
Bluberry mint water in glasses with straw

Drinks / Seasonal – Summer

Blueberry Mint Water

GF
LF
LS
P
V+
Grilled cheese turkey bacon sandwich sliced into triangles on a square plate on top of a wooden table

Lunch / Seasonal – Fall

Grilled Cheese with Turkey, Apples, and Bacon

Dinner

Stir Fry Beef with Broccoli

GF
KF
LF
LC
SC

Lunch / Salad

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Caesar Salad

KF
LC
SC
Basic Dinner Rolls

Sides

Basic Dinner Rolls

SC
V
Coffee Marinated Steak

Dinner

Coffee Marinated Sirloin Steaks

GF
LF

Dinner

Stuffed Bell Peppers

GF
Homemade chocolate truffle with chocolate chips

Dessert / Snacks

Coffee Chocolate Truffles

GF
LS
V
Leftover Lunchbox Tacos

Lunch

Leftover Lunchbox Tacos

Raspberry Lemon Muffins

Breakfast / Snacks

Raspberry Lemon Muffins

V
Mixed Berries with Fresh Herbs

Breakfast / Dessert / Salad / Seasonal – Spring / Snacks

Berry Salad

FF
GF
LF
LC
LS
V
Not-Too-Sweet Granola with Fresh Berries

Breakfast / Snacks

Not-Too-Sweet Snacking Granola

LS
V+
V
Asparagus and cream cheese puff pastry tart

Appetizers / Snacks

Asparagus and Cheese Tart Recipe

LC
LS
SC
V
Oranges and grapefruits in a salad bowl on a wooden table

Salad / Seasonal – Fall / Snacks

Fall Citrus Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

GF
LF
LS
P
Tomato Feta and Potato Salad with Capers

Salad

Tomato, Feta, and Potato Salad with Capers

GF
V
Image of thai peanut noodles with chicken and vegetables on a plate with chop sticks

Dinner / Lunch

Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken

LF

Seasonal – Fall / Seasonal – Winter / Sides

Roasted Carrots Three Ways

GF
HF
V

Virtual Chef

Because the Y is here for you in spirit, mind, and body, we want to help you reach your wellness goals in the kitchen, too! If you need help with topics like dining out with confidence, how to read a nutrition label, or simply want to submit a recipe, contact Chef Gary.

Virtual Chef
Healthy Recipes

About Chef Gary

Chef Gary Appelsies has been the Director of Healthy Eating at the YMCA of Central Florida since November of 2014. His passion for healthier eating has led him on a lifelong journey of helping people feel better through food.

Chef Gary

Check out our latest blog articles by Chef Gary!

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