Preparing for retirement? Use the AARP Retirement Calculator to see where you stand.

Content starts here

5 Ways to Make Vegetables the Star of Your Meal

AARP

Published April 14, 2026

Getty Images

Vegetables don’t have to play a supporting role. With a few simple techniques, they can easily become the highlight of your plate — full of flavor, satisfying, and budget-friendly.

Chef Donald reminds home cooks that it’s not about complicated recipes — it’s about how you treat your ingredients, put your own twist to your dishes and how you cook for your family’s preferences!

FREE COOKING CLASS: Join Chef Donald for What’s Cookin’ With AARP? — a virtual cooking class where he will show us how to prepare a healthy delicious meal. Sign Up Now >>

Now, check out Chef Donald’s 5 tips for getting the most out of veggies:

1. Roast for Flavor
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. A little olive oil, salt, and pepper go a long way — just give them space on the pan so they caramelize instead of steam.

2. Don’t Skip Seasoning
Vegetables need seasoning just as much as proteins do. Try adding garlic, herbs, citrus, or a splash of vinegar to brighten flavors and keep things interesting.

3. Add Texture
Contrast makes a dish more satisfying. Pair soft vegetables with something crunchy like toasted nuts, seeds, or even crispy breadcrumbs.

4. Make It a Meal
Turn vegetables into the main event by adding grains or protein. Think roasted vegetables over rice, tossed into pasta, or layered into a hearty grain bowl.

5. Use What You Have
Vegetables are one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste. Mix and match what’s already in your fridge — soups, stir-fries, and sheet pan meals are perfect for using it all up.

Chef Donald’s Featured Recipe
Zucchini Parmesan

11/2 lb Ground Beef
1 can 26oz Spaghetti Sauce
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder
4 medium zucchinis, sliced ½ inch thick 6 ½ cups
1 Cup grated parmesan cheese
3 Cups mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350f. In a large skillet cook ground beef until brown. Drain off fat. Stir spaghetti sauce and seasoning into meat.
In a 3-quart rectangular baking dish layer half of zucchini, half of sauce mixture, half of parmesan cheese and half of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers but leave off the mozzarella cheese on the second layer.
Cover and bake for about 45 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Uncover and sprinkle on remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 minutes more.

Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares. Garnish each serving with additional spaghetti sauce.

Serves 6 to 8

Chef D’s Tip!

This is one of my favorite vegetable recipes because it’s quick, easy, and flavorful. You can substitute squash if you’d prefer, or my favorite, spice it up with fresh jalapenos! No matter what veggies you choose, make sure you rinse them under cold water before you cook.