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A collage of the best healthy recipes of 2020

I’m back with another of my favorite annual traditions. In addition to sharing YOUR Favorite Recipes of 2020, I love to follow up with a list of my own personal picks.

Before we dive in, I wanted to take a moment to wish you a happy, safe New Year, and to say THANK YOU!

I know many of us are eager to turn the page on 2020. It has undoubtedly been one of the most difficult years of our lives. As I reflect back on it today, I am doing so with gratitude.

Thank you for your incredible support this year, and an extra special THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a copy of The Well Plated Cookbook.

I spent nearly four years working on my book and having its release end up being in the current environment has been challenging and disappointing in many ways.

At the same time, however, seeing your positive reaction to it and your tremendous support (THANK YOU to everyone who bought a copy and who left a review!) was the highlight of my year.

NOW, speaking of highlights…let’s get to my favorite recipes of 2020!


The Unsung Recipe Heroes of 2020

I pour my heart into every recipe on this website, but at the same time, I know that (despite my certainty that every single one of them is The! Best! Ever!), the way of the internet is such that sometimes you hit publish and…crickets.

So, as a way of shining a light on some of the recipes that I loved most but that didn’t explode across the interwebs, I’ve started sharing my top picks of the year.

In no particular order, the unsung but epically delicious recipe heroes of 2020.

If you missed these recipes the first time, I hope you give them a try first thing in 2021!

Pumpkin chili in a bowl with chips

Pumpkin Chili. Thick and rich, this chili tastes like it’s been cooking all day but comes together quickly. It’s lightened up with turkey and fresh veggies, but it tastes decadent and cozy, like the real deal.

Homemade hamburger helper in a skillet

Homemade Hamburger Helper. This was Ben’s favorite recipe of the year, and one of mine too. It’s a no brainer for kids, but the flavor is elevated enough for adults. Plus it cooks in just ONE pan.

Salmon burgers with tomato, arugula, and sauce

Salmon Burgers. I unlocked the secret for salmon burgers that are moist, but not mushy. I could eat these every week!

Baked zucchini fries with panko and Parmesan

Zucchini Fries. These were a smash hit at an outdoor distanced BBQ this summer. When a vegetable disappears more quickly than the potato chips, you know you have a winner.

sweet potato tempeh tacos topped with avocado slices

Tempeh Tacos. Even carnivores won’t miss this meat in this satisfying, plant-based recipe. Tempeh crumbles just like taco meat, is quicker and easier to prep than tofu, and its hearty flavor and texture give it wide appeal.

Adult Mac & Cheese. This recipe is so good, I made it twice in one week. Other than the Ultimate Creamy Mac & Cheese from The Well Plated Cookbook, this is my favorite mac & cheese of all time.

Chewy and moist chocolate vegan brownies with chocolate chips

Vegan Brownie Recipe. No one will ever—and I mean ever—guess these are vegan. These brownies are supremely fudgy, moist, and they bake in just 15 minutes.

A pan with a vegetarian breakfast casserole sliced for a crowd with a slice of the casserole on a plate

Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole. The perfect inexpensive, clean-out-the-refrigerator, budget-friendly recipe. I ate this every day for lunch and never grew weary of it.

Healthy Korean beef bowl with vegetables on rice

Korean Beef Bowl. Don’t be fooled by the short ingredient list and freaky fast cook time. This healthy ground beef recipe is all flavor.

A bowl of vegan potato soup with croutons

Vegan Potato Soup. The recipe that made Ben a soup lover. It’s lusciously thick and creamy, but is entirely dairy free!

A bowl of apple walnut salad

Apple Walnut Salad. I could write this salad a love letter. The cinnamon maple dressing combined with the toastiness of the walnuts and the crispness of the apples is a masterpiece.

A Look Back—My Favorite Recipes from Prior Years

Not finding what you are looking for? I have hundreds of more easy, healthy recipes in my Recipe Index.

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Follow @wellplated on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #wellplated. I love to know what you are making!

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

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  1. I made the vegetarian breakfast casserole and loved it! Looking forward to making many more recipes from your blog and cookbook in 2021!

  2. I made three of these more than once this year: pumpkin chili, homemade hamburger helper, and Korean beef bowls! All yummy! I’m a big fan of your recipes & looking forward to more in 2021. Thanks for all you do and happy new year!

  3. I’ve made the pumpkin chili and walnut salad, both were so good! I’m going to have to give some of these others a try. That Korean beef bowl looks super yummy!

  4. Good morning Erin from Norway!

    Thanks for the Best of list; I just found a new recipe to try that I’ve missed throughout the year.
    In a way, the cookbook has been (sort of) in luck.. With all things happening in 2020, I spent more time in the kitchen than usual, and I spend quite a lot of time there already.
    But the weekdays were less hectic, so I had more time.
    So I had time to “test” recipes from the cookbook in weekdays and in weekends. A surprising hit in our house is the oven baked sausage and brussel sprouts main course.
    My to guys eat what they are served, but brussel sprouts is not even on a top 20 favorites list of vegetables. This meal has been wiped out.

    A wish? A link for a good cooking conversion site; I use kg, gr., milliliters etc. I haven’t found “THE” converter yet, so sometimes I mess up with the recipe! :-D

    Happy new year, and keep the great recipes coming.

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