In this recipe, lightened-up turkey meatballs cook low and slow in an aromatic pomodoro sauce. In place of pasta, we add lacinato kale and canned chickpeas. This meal is a great one to assemble before the work or school day, then dish up when you’re ready to serve dinner. The meatballs hold well on the warm setting of your slow cooker until you’re ready to eat.

Try this recipe for dinner after a workout. Because the prep is done ahead of time, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend your evening doing a hard workout and then refuel with protein, carbohydrates and a vegetable in a hearty dish.

Active time: 20 minutes | Total time: 4–8 hours

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (454g) ground turkey
• 1/2 cup (54g) plain breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
• 1/4 cup Italian parsley, finely chopped
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 large garlic clove, finely grated
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp ground black pepper

For the sauce

• 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 large sprigs fresh basil
• 2 (28-oz/1,588g) cans no salt added crushed tomatoes
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ bunch lacinato kale, stemmed and chopped
• 1 (15-oz/425g) can no salt added chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Optional garnishes (not included in nutrition totals)

• Basil leaves, torn
• freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
• Crusty bread

Directions

Drizzle the olive oil in the bottom of a 6–8-quart slow cooker.

In a large bowl, gently combine the remaining meatball ingredients. Using your hands or a 1 3/4-in ice cream scoop, portion out the meatballs and arrange in the bottom of the slow cooker. You should have about 12 meatballs.

To make the sauce, scatter the sliced garlic and basil sprigs over the meatballs, then pour the crushed tomatoes over the top. Add the onion powder and crushed red pepper and season with salt. Do not stir.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6–8 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and register 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove basil sprigs and discard. Gently stir in the kale and chickpeas and cook on high for 30 minutes, or until the kale is wilted. Stir in the butter until melted and season the sauce with salt, if needed.

Ladle the meatballs and sauce into four shallow bowls. Garnish with torn basil leaves and freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve right away, passing slices of crusty bread to mop up the sauce (optional).

Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 3 meatballs, plus 1 cup of sauce

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 499; Total Fat: 20g; Saturated Fat: 6g; Monounsaturated Fat: 8g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 147mg; Sodium: 910mg; Carbohydrate: 46g; Dietary Fiber: 15g; Sugar: 14g; Protein: 36g

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 1687mg; Iron: 24%; Vitamin A: 93%; Vitamin C: 28%; Calcium: 13%

Originally published September 22, 2020; Updated May 2026

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Robust spices toasted with canned chickpeas form the anchor of this quick lunch. The spiced chickpeas are piled onto a bed of lemony, salted yogurt, along with tomato, cucumber and avocado. The result is a filling vegetarian meal packed with fiber.

RD Tip: Chickpeas are a good source of fiber and protein. In fact, this recipe provides 48% of the daily fiber recommendations for women and 32% of daily fiber for men (1).

Active time: 10 minutes | Total time: 15 minutes

Shawarma-Spiced Chickpea Bowls

Ingredients

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 (16-oz./454g) can low-sodium chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 3/4 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup tomato, diced
• 1 English cucumber, diced
• 1/2 medium avocado, peeled, pitted and diced

Directions

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add oil to the pan and swirl to coat. Stir in cumin, garlic powder, paprika and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds. Add chickpeas to pan; cook until lightly toasted, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, combine tomato, cucumber and remaining 1/4 tsp salt.

Spread about 1/4 cup yogurt mixture onto the bottom of two shallow bowls. Arrange about 3/4 cup chickpeas, 1 cup tomato mixture and half of the avocado into each bowl.

Serves: 2 | Serving Size: 1 bowl

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 409; Total Fat: 14g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 7g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 5mg; Sodium: 416mg; Carbohydrate: 51g; Dietary Fiber: 12g; Sugar: 13g; Protein 24g

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 1127mg; Iron: 18%; Vitamin A: 26%; Vitamin C: 37%; Calcium: 18%

Originally published June 5, 2020; Updated February 2026

The post Shawarma-Spiced Chickpea Bowls appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.

Plant-based proteins make for a simple but hearty meal loaded with fiber and heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats (1). Sweet potatoes serve as a comforting base for this flavor-packed bowl, laced with rosemary and tangy balsamic vinegar. Roasting chickpeas makes them crunchy and irresistible — the perfect topper for a colorful bowl of goodness.

Active time: 20 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes

Sweet Potato and Roasted Chickpea Bowl

Ingredients

• 1 15-oz. can low sodium chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped, divided
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 cups cubed sweet potato, from about 2 medium potatoes
• 4 cups chopped kale
• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Place the drained chickpeas on a kitchen towel and fold the towel over to enclose them. Rub gently to loosen the skins, then discard the skins. Transfer the chickpeas to a sheet pan.

Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the chickpeas, add 2 tsp of the chopped rosemary, and toss to coat. Roast for 25–30 minutes, or until the chickpeas are crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, remaining 1 tsp rosemary, garlic, and salt to make the dressing.

Cube the sweet potatoes and place them in a steamer basket set over simmering water. Steam for about 5 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a paring knife. 

Meanwhile, place the chopped kale in a large bowl and pour the dressing over it. Massage the kale with your hands for about 1–2 minutes, until slightly softened and well coated. Divide the dressed kale evenly among 4 bowls, then top each bowl with sweet potatoes.

Top each bowl with one-quarter of the roasted chickpeas and sprinkle with the chopped walnuts. Serve immediately.

Serves: 4 | Serving Size: About 2 1/2 cups per serving

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 371; Total Fat: 17g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 8g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 493mg; Carbohydrate: 48g; Dietary Fiber: 12g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 10g

Nutrition Bonus: Calcium: 15%; Iron: 18%; Potassium: 723mg; Vitamin A: 377%; Vitamin C: 45%

Originally published August 25, 2018; Updated March 2026

The post Sweet Potato and Roasted Chickpea Bowl appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.