13 Recipes to Sneak in Greens (for People Who Hate Vegetables)

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We get it—vegetables don’t always scream “exciting.” But what if we told you that greens can be sneaky, delicious, and downright crave-worthy? Whether you’re a veggie hater or just looking for ways to add more greens to your day, these recipes are here to save the day (and your health).

Say goodbye to boring salads and hello to clever, tasty ways to sneak greens into your diet without even realizing it. Let’s make eating veggies fun!

Recipe Ideas to Get More Green Veggies in Each Day (without anyone noticing!)

1. Green Smoothie That Doesn’t Taste Green

Ingredients:

• 1 cup spinach
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add spinach, banana, pineapple, yogurt, and almond milk to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Taste and add honey if you’d like it sweeter.
4. Pour into a glass and enjoy the tropical vibes.

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2. Hidden Veggie Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 box whole-grain pasta
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Add broccoli to the pot during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
2. Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
3. Blend spinach with milk until smooth.
4. In the same pot, melt butter, then stir in the spinach milk, cheese, garlic powder, and reserved pasta water.
5. Add pasta and broccoli back in, stirring until creamy.

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3. Cheesy Spinach Quesadilla

Ingredients:

• 1 large whole-grain tortilla
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup diced cooked chicken (optional)
• Olive oil spray

Instructions:

1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and lightly spray with olive oil.
2. Place tortilla in the pan, sprinkle cheese on half, then add spinach and chicken if using.
3. Fold the tortilla in half and cook until golden on both sides.
4. Slice and serve with salsa or guacamole.

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4. Green Eggs (No Ham)

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup spinach, blended into a puree
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Blend spinach and milk until smooth.
2. Whisk eggs and spinach mixture together with salt and pepper.
3. Heat butter in a skillet and scramble the green egg mixture until fluffy.

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5. Zucchini Noodles with Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Toss in zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Sprinkle with Parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

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6. Spinach and Banana Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup spinach
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup almond milk

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook small pancakes for 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Serve with maple syrup or nut butter.

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7. Creamy Avocado Pasta Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 cup spinach
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Toss with cooked pasta, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash.
3. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.

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8. Kale Chips (That Actually Taste Good!)

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves torn into pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss kale with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt.
3. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy.

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9. Hidden Veggie Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey or beef
• 1 cup finely grated zucchini (squeeze out excess moisture)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
3. Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
5. Serve with marinara sauce or pasta of choice.

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10. Green Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 slices whole-grain bread
• 1/4 cup spinach or kale pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh spinach leaves
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Spread pesto on one side of each bread slice.
2. Add mozzarella and spinach leaves, then top with the second slice of bread.
3. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and grill the sandwich until golden brown and the cheese is melted.

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11. Broccoli Tater Tots

Ingredients:

• 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pulse broccoli in a food processor until finely chopped.
3. Combine broccoli, cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings in a bowl.
4. Shape into small tots and place on the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

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12. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

• 12 large pasta shells, cooked and cooled
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen and drained)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Stuff each shell with the mixture and place in a baking dish.
4. Pour marinara sauce over the shells and bake for 20-25 minutes.

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13. Sweet Green Breakfast Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spinach leaves
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. Blend spinach, banana, applesauce, egg, and honey until smooth.
3. In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon).
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then spoon into muffin tins.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Final Thoughts

For all of you who hate vegetables, we hope these recipes will help inspire you to get more greens in each day. If you have any other suggestions, we are all ears!

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