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  4. Best-Ever Meals in a Bowl (That Are NOT Soup)

Best-Ever Meals in a Bowl (That Are NOT Soup)

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By Katlyn Moncada Updated February 25, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Fried Chicken Dinner in a Bowl
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Not soup. And not cold cereal either. These meals are just as flavor-packed and nutrient-filled as any other meal, but they're served in a bowl. (Which, in our opinion, makes them way cooler.) Get in on the trend of burrito bowls, smoothie bowls, noodle bowls, and other bowl meals to inspire this week's menu.
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Quinoa and Butternut Bowl

Quinoa and Butternut Bowl
Credit: Con Poulos
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Stir cinnamon-and-nutmeg-infused butternut squash, maple syrup, and lemon juice into cooked quinoa. While this is technically a brunch recipe, we think it's savory and filling enough to pass for lunch or dinner. A poached egg on top complements the flavors perfectly.

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Sesame-Shrimp Noodle Bowl

Sesame-Shrimp Noodle Bowl white plate wooden forks
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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With colorful veggies, succulent shrimp, and an irresistible sesame-soy sauce, this noodle bowl is practically a work of art. Since we've added shrimp and tofu to the mix, it packs a whopping 33 grams of protein per serving. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's truly a dinner bowl recipe worthy of bookmarking for later.

Related: 5-Ingredient Dinners You (Yes, You!) Can Create on the Busiest Evenings

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Fried Chicken Dinner in a Bowl

Fried Chicken Dinner in a Bowl
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Winner, winner, chicken dinner (in a bowl). This well-rounded recipe ensures everyone gets enough of everything: fried chicken, slaw, beans, bread, and veggies. Make sure the whole family is hungry—this dinner bowl makes 10 servings!

Buy It: 84-Ounce Classic Glass Serving Bowl ($8, Target)

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Korean Bibimbap

Korean Bibimbap on bamboo surface
Credit: Hannah Bigot
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Build your own Korean-inspired rice bowl at home using our DIY formula that starts with a delish bulgogi-marinated steak and ends with a just-spicy-enough gochujang (red chili paste) sauce. Don't forget to put an egg on it!

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Butternut Burrito Bowls

burrito bowl with butternut squash noodles
Credit: Blaine Moats
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This burrito bowl is going to taste amazing to anyone, but especially those following a Paleo diet. The classic burrito bowl gets a healthy makeover here by using spiralized butternut squash as the base instead of rice. It's a delicious plant-based meal as-is, but you can definitely add some chicken or protein of choice to the dish.

Buy It: OXO Good Grips Tabletop Spiralizer ($42, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Chicken and Chickpea Buddha Bowls

Chicken & Chickpea Buddha Bowls
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Veggies galore, a bit of chicken, and crunchy chickpeas. This healthy buddha bowl recipe feeds your soul and stomach. You can opt for purchased chickpeas, but we highly recommend roasting your own. That way, you'll have leftovers for a nutritious snack later.

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Bacon and Egg Rice Bowls

Bacon egg Rice Bowls
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Is it breakfast? Is it lunch? We won't judge if you make this cheesy bacon and egg breakfast bowl for every meal of the day. It's a 5-ingredient meal (plus a few pantry staples) you can easily make whenever you need a bowl of nourishment.

Related: Our Best Breakfast-for-Dinner Ideas

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Winter Garden Polenta

Winter Garden Polenta
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Creamy polenta is topped with a variety of vegetables in this healthy bowl recipe that's perfect for warming up cold nights. Top with crumbled Parmesan for a cheesy garnish (because why wouldn't you?). Even better, this easy bowl meal comes together in your slow cooker.

Buy It: Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker ($25, Kohl's)

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Pork and Noodle Bowl

pork and noodle bowl
Credit: Blaine Moats
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With only a handful of ingredients, this colorful dinner bowl is super easy to make. Just combine pork chops, Asian salad dressing, whole wheat spaghetti, and broccoli slaw for a healthy dish with surprising flavor. Then top with sliced almonds for extra crunch.

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Ginger-Berry Smoothie Bowl

Ginger-Berry Smoothie Bowl
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Breakfast in a bowl is not limited to cereal. For this smoothie bowl recipe, we've combined beautiful strawberries (or your favorite berry) and beets. Bonus: The berries, beets, and ginger can help reduce inflammation.

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Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry

Chickpea Curry with Butternut Squash
Credit: Blaine Moats
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No need to order takeout tonight with this easy bowl recipe for dinner. Make a sauce, add the squash and chickpeas, and voila! Serve over your favorite hot-cooked whole grain and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Related: Homemade Curry Recipes You Can Make in Under 45 Minutes

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Chicken Meatball Noodle Bowl

Chicken Meatball Noodle Bowl
Credit: Andy Lyons
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This recipe is part salad, part pasta with meatballs on top. Just toss the mixture in a bowl with the delicious from-scratch lime juice and honey sauce and no one will ask questions. Complete with rice noodles, this bowl recipe for dinner is also entirely gluten-free.

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Farro, Bean, and Sweet Potato Braise

Farro Bean Sweet Potato Braise
Credit: Karla Conrad
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Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and celery don't just add color to this grain-based dish, they add tons of flavor too (oh yeah, and some nutrition). Using chewy farro in this slow-cooker grain bowl recipe makes it easy to let the flavors meld without risking the grain getting mushy.

Related: Slow Cooker Soups, Stews, and Chilis to Fill Your Stomach (Not Your Schedule)

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Spicy Beef-Noodle Bowl

Spicy Beef-Noodle Bowl
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Skip the takeout menu drawer and make this beef and broccoli dish at home instead. With only seven ingredients and a start-to-finish time of 20 minutes, making it yourself is probably easier anyway. Chopsticks aren't required, but will definitely complete the takeout experience.

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Veggie and Fish Noodle Bowl

Veggie and Fish Noodle Bowl
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Looking for a new way to use that tilapia sitting in the fridge? This is the bowl meal for you! Fresh broccoli and carrots add nutrients and color to this stunning noodle bowl. By quickly baking the fish under high heat, your dinner will be ready in 25 minutes flat.

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Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Mint

Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Mint
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Subtly-flavored bulgur and chickpeas collide with feta, mint, lime, and lots of garlic in this whole-grain salad. If you prefer, swap bulgur for cooked brown rice or quinoa (just omit step 1). And eliminate chicken for a vegetarian meal.

Related: Your Complete Guide to Cooking Grains in Your Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, or Stove Top

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Lentil, Quinoa, and Baby Kale Bowls

Lentil, Quinoa, and Baby Kale Bowls
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Lentils and quinoa both bring enough plant-based protein to this bowl meal without having to add meat. We used a berbere spice blend (popular in Ethiopian cuisine) to amp up the flavors. Top with radishes or apples for a crunchy finish.

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Hot Grains Power Bowl

Hot Grains Power Bowl
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Sure, oatmeal is always served in a bowl. But this recipe is so much more filling than typical hot cereal. Multigrain hot cereal combined with carrots and dried fruit takes plain oatmeal to an almost carrot cake-like status. We use almond milk to keep the dish nondairy, but you can use whatever milk or milk alternative you like.

Related: Love Oatmeal? Try These Overnight Oats!

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Quinoa with Sausage and Peppers

Quinoa with Sausage and Peppers
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Sausage and peppers, plus vinegar and mustard, give quinoa a zesty flavor in this three-step recipe. Mix the ingredients together in the morning, then let your slow cooker do the rest of the work. Serve with shredded cheese (because everything is better with cheese!).

Related: 25 Quinoa Recipes That Will Have You Excited to Eat Whole Grains for Every Meal

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Soba Noodle Bowl

Soba Noodle Bowl
Credit: Andy Lyons
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At first glance, you may think "this looks like soup." It might, but we'd argue that the ratio between broth and chicken, soba, carrots, and sugar snap peas disqualifies it from the soup category. Either way, jalapeño pepper and soy sauce give the noodle bowl an unexpected kick.

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Burrito Bowls

Burrito Bowls with bowls of cheese, guac, and pilo
Credit: Blaine Moats
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With how delicious these burrito bowls taste, the kids will never know you swapped the rice for cauliflower rice. The toss-together one-dish dinner is an easy, low-carb meal anyone can enjoy by adding their favorite toppings. Oh, and you can use pork loin or chicken to utilize whatever's in the fridge this week.

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    1 of 21 Quinoa and Butternut Bowl
    2 of 21 Sesame-Shrimp Noodle Bowl
    3 of 21 Fried Chicken Dinner in a Bowl
    4 of 21 Korean Bibimbap
    5 of 21 Butternut Burrito Bowls
    6 of 21 Chicken and Chickpea Buddha Bowls
    7 of 21 Bacon and Egg Rice Bowls
    8 of 21 Winter Garden Polenta
    9 of 21 Pork and Noodle Bowl
    10 of 21 Ginger-Berry Smoothie Bowl
    11 of 21 Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
    12 of 21 Chicken Meatball Noodle Bowl
    13 of 21 Farro, Bean, and Sweet Potato Braise
    14 of 21 Spicy Beef-Noodle Bowl
    15 of 21 Veggie and Fish Noodle Bowl
    16 of 21 Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Mint
    17 of 21 Lentil, Quinoa, and Baby Kale Bowls
    18 of 21 Hot Grains Power Bowl
    19 of 21 Quinoa with Sausage and Peppers
    20 of 21 Soba Noodle Bowl
    21 of 21 Burrito Bowls

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