Getting more veggies into your meals can feel like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need to choke down a kale smoothie or pile your plate with steamed broccoli just to feel like you’re eating right. There are plenty of sneaky ways to add more greens, roots, and veggies into your day without even noticing. Here are some of our favorite, more sneaky ways to do it.

A basket full of vegetables on a wooden table.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Blend Veggies into Smoothies

Papaya pumpkin smoothie in a glass with metal straw.
Papaya Pumpkin Smoothie. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Adding spinach, kale, or zucchini to your morning smoothie is a simple, effective way to get more veggies. The mild flavors blend seamlessly with fruits like bananas, berries, or mangoes, so you won’t even taste them. Spinach adds iron and vitamins, while zucchini provides fiber without changing the texture. For an extra boost, try adding a handful of baby carrots or a small slice of avocado for creaminess.

Grate Veggies into Sauces

A bowl of meaty tomato sauce beside fresh ingredients and uncooked spaghetti.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Finely grating carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers into sauces allows them to cook down and practically disappear. The result? More fiber, vitamins, and a natural sweetness that improves the flavor of dishes like marinara, chili, or stews. This method also thickens sauces without needing additional flour or cream, making it a healthier option all around and a really great way to trick picky eater kids.

Mix Veggies into Ground Meat

A skillet filled with ground turkey, cauliflower rice and greens.
Buffalo Turkey Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Sneak diced mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, or even shredded carrots into burgers, meatballs, or meatloaf. Not only do these veggies blend right into the meat, but they also help keep it moist and flavorful. It’s a clever way to make your meals more nutritious without compromising on taste or texture. You’ll also stretch your protein budget by adding bulk from the veggies.

Add Pureed Veggies to Soups and Pasta

A bowl of macaroni and cheese made with creamy sweet potato sauce with baby spinach on a wooden table. A fork rests in the bowl, and a striped cloth is nearby. A pan with more pasta and spinach leaves is visible beside the bowl.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Puree veggies like cauliflower, squash, or sweet potatoes and stir them into your favorite soups. This technique adds a velvety texture and richness, giving you the feel of a creamy soup without the extra calories from cream or butter. It’s perfect for dishes like potato soup, tomato bisque, or even mac and cheese. You get a smooth, hearty texture plus a load of vitamins and minerals.

Use Cauliflower for Rice or Pizza Crust

Curry Cauliflower Rice.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cauliflower rice and pizza crusts have gained popularity for a reason. Swapping out regular rice for cauliflower rice cuts down on carbs and calories, while still absorbing all the flavors of your dish. Cauliflower pizza crust is another genius move—crispy, tasty, and packed with nutrients, it’s a great way to satisfy cravings without the guilt. Plus, the added fiber keeps you fuller longer.

Make Veggie-Based Pasta

Zucchini noodles with avocado sauce on a white plate.
Creamy Avocado Zucchini Noodles. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pasta made from veggies like zucchini (zoodles), spaghetti squash, or even pasta made from lentils or chickpeas can be a great swap. They’re lower in carbs and packed with extra fiber, vitamins, and protein. Zoodles and spaghetti squash are easy to prepare, and they take on the flavor of whatever sauce you add, so you can still enjoy your favorite pasta dishes with a fraction of the carbs.

Sneak Greens into Pesto or Sauces

A bowl of zucchini pesto garnished with basil leaves and pine nuts on a wooden board, with a gold spoon nearby.
Zucchini Pesto. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Traditional pesto is made with basil, but you can easily throw in spinach, kale, or arugula without altering the taste too much. Spinach or kale pesto is nutrient-rich, and the added greens blend well into the sauce, making it easy to get your veggies without even realizing it. You can also do this with Alfredo or even tomato sauces for a boost of nutrients.

Bake Veggies into Breads and Muffins

A loaf of zucchini bread on a cloth.
Cheesy Zucchini Bread. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Adding shredded zucchini, carrots, or even beets to breads and muffins gives you a burst of vitamins and moisture. Zucchini bread, carrot muffins, or beet brownies sound indulgent, but they’re a clever way to sneak in some extra veggies. The moisture from the veggies keeps baked goods soft and flavorful without needing extra butter or oil.

Use Veggie Chips Instead of Tortilla Chips

Roasted carrot slices on parchment paper, showing a range of sizes and degrees of charring. some pieces are deeply caramelized.
Baked Carrot Chips. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Swap out regular chips for kale chips, carrot chips, sweet potato chips, or beet chips. They’re easy to make at home with a bit of olive oil, salt, and your favorite seasonings. Not only are they crunchy and satisfying, but they’re also packed with nutrients and lower in calories than your standard store-bought chip. A perfect snack for guilt-free munching.

Add Veggies to Scrambled Eggs or Omelets

Asparagus omelette souffle slices on white plates.
Asparagus Omelette Souffle. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Start your day with an extra serving of veggies by mixing spinach, mushrooms, peppers, or even grated zucchini into your scrambled eggs or omelets. They add color, flavor, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. It’s an easy way to get more greens before you’ve even finished your morning coffee, and they don’t overpower the taste of the eggs.

Use Veggie Purees in Mashed Potatoes

Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen .

Blend in pureed cauliflower, parsnips, or carrots with your mashed potatoes. This adds extra vitamins, fiber, and a subtle flavor twist without overpowering the dish. You still get that creamy, comforting texture, but with a nutritional boost. Plus, the pureed veggies help cut down on the need for extra butter or cream, making it a lighter, healthier side.

30 Desserts That Are Secretly Veggie-Packed

A piece of chocolate chip cookie bar on a piece of paper.
Chocolate Chip Blondies. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Desserts can be a fun way to sneak some veggies into your diet without anyone noticing. We found 30 delicious treats that hide vegetables in clever ways, so you get the best of both worlds. These recipes are easy to make and taste so good, you won’t even realize you’re eating something healthy.

See Them Here: 30 Desserts That Are Secretly Veggie-Packed

15 Easy Ways To Add More Fiber To Your Diet

Sweet potato bran muffin on a wooden plate.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Tired of feeling sluggish and bloated? It’s time to fix your fiber game. Forget bland bran flakes; there are way better (and tastier) ways to get things moving. From popcorn to chia seeds, these hacks will have your gut thanking you. If you’r ready to shake up your diet and feel amazing, here are some fiber-packed tips that will change the way you eat.

Read it Here: 15 Easy Ways To Add More Fiber To Your Diet

*Select images provided by Depositphotos.

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *