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Chunky Chicken Chili
ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Poultry,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,Z2-Soup
We made this during a snow storm, the taste took off the chill of the day.
Roasted Tomato Sauce
Z2-Vegetarian,Z2-Sauces & Dressings
You’ll think you’re eating at an Italian Grandma’s house when you taste this.
Vegetable Soup
As the weather gets colder and the nights get longer this makes a wonderful soup. Or if you get a cold while on Plan Z this might be just the ticket!
Chicken Pot Pie Bake (for Turkey leftovers, too!)
ZS-Holiday,Z3-Poultry,ZSpecialties,ZS-Zola to Go,Z3-Entrees
The inside of this pie bake tastes just like Midwest comfort food. You won't even notice the potatoes are missing. It has just enough carrots to remind you how sweet they are. Same for the peas. The onion, celery and the mushrooms give it the depth of flavor you'll remember from childhood. The topping isn't your average pie crust. This one is low carb. So it's not like a biscuit either. I'm still trying to perfect low carb biscuits, so this is sort of a cross-breed.
Seafood Crepes
These crepes are very low carb and EASY to make. You can even make them ahead and store them in the refrigerator or freeze them. I made them at the same time I was working on my seafood and sauce for the stuffed crepes but if you’re not that coordinated in the kitchen, you can make the crepes first and just store them. You do have to keep a close eye on the crepes as they cook. Don’t get distracted. It’s much less stressful to make the crepes and then make the sauce. Both come together really fast so you’ll be out of the kitchen in a jiffy anyway.
Turkey Meatball, Sweet Potato, and Kale Soup
Z3-Poultry,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Soups & Stews
With the winter months peeking over our shoulder this hearty soup will shake off the chill while the leaves are still falling. ZTeam coach Grace made this at home and enjoyed it so much she wanted to share it with the Plan Z community!
Authentic Italian Meatballs
ZS-Zola to Go,ZSpecialties,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Beef
These meatballs are my take on an authentic meatball recipe from New York city. These actually have a cheesy element to them that make them super yummy. BIG YUM!
Pumpkin Mousse
ZS-Holiday,Z3-Desserts,ZSpecialties
Light and dreamy. If you like pumpkin you’ll love this smooth and easy dessert.
BBQ Bean Hash
Z3.5-Beef,Z3.5-Entrees,Z3.5-Sides
When I was a kid my father traveled a lot. When he was gone, sometimes my mom would let us just fry up some hamburger meat and add a can of Campbell’s baked beans. We called it bean hash. I loved it.
Turkey or Chicken Meatloaf
For a change of pace you can try a unique meatloaf. This one comes with an optional extra sauce in case you want to really ramp up the flavor.
Creamy, Cheesy, Garlicky Shrimp
This dish tastes very much like Shrimp Scampi that you might order in an Italian restaurant. The addition of cheese takes it over the top in terms of BIG YUM.
Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Bread
Everyone loves pumpkin, right? Well, how about a tea bread that’s made with pumpkin? Sort of like banana bread. Or even make it with sweet potato puree.
Turkey Fricassee
ZSpecialties,ZS-Holiday,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Poultry
I love to take the leftover turkey and transform it into something different. French comfort food. BIG YUM.
Tomato Shrimp Chowder
Talk about easy to make. This dish is done in a flash. If you’re like me, you’ll make a triple batch of the tomato base. You can freeze the portions.
Roasted Fennel
ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,Z2-Vegetarian,ZSpecialties,Z2-Sides
Fennel has a distinct flavor, but when it's roasted, the flavor mellows. If you like fennel, this recipe is great, and it's very easy to make.
Sunday Chicken
Pierre Franey was a cooking hero of mine. He was the original “60 Minute Gourmet.” I adapted this recipe from one of his and turned it into a wonderful diet meal.
Butternut Squash Casserole
Z3-Sides,Z3-Vegetarian,Z3-Entrees
Serve this at your next family event instead of potatoes and you’ll save 30% of the carbs.
Can be a vegetarian entrée or a side dish. SUPER Yummy because as the squash bakes it becomes sweet.
Southern Tomato Pie
Z3.5-Vegetarian,ZS-Holiday,Z3.5-Sides,ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Appetizers
Two things I love about living mid-South: fried green tomatoes, and tomato pie.
French Chicken with Lemon-Tarragon Cream Sauce
ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Poultry
A delightful chicken dish that tastes very French. This is super easy to make and dieters are enjoying it all over the country.
Mexican Avocado Soup with Chicken or Turkey
ZS-Holiday,Z3-Soups & Stews,ZSpecialties,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Poultry
I love this soup. You can make this with leftover turkey and have a colorful way to use your extras.
Zola Lasagna
What makes this Zola lasagna is a reasonable amount of pasta. Most lasagna recipes run at least 3 or 4 layers of noodles. This one has 2. And I promise, you won’t miss the other two layers.
Creamed Orzo with Leeks and Parmesan
ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Entrees,Z3.5-Vegetarian,ZS-Holiday,Z3.5-Sides
Orzo is a wonderful, tiny pasta. This is the most requested side dish recipe I get from dinner guests–but watch your portion size. Enjoy!
Lockdown Chili (Z2 Version)
ZSpecialties,ZS-Dieter Favorites,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Beef
What better time to have a spicy chili than when I am in lockdown, practicing social distancing.
Creamy Tomato Shrimp Chowder
Talk about easy to make. This dish is done in a flash. If you’re like me, you’ll make a triple batch of the tomato base. You can freeze the portions.
Shrimp and Mushroom Casserole
This is elegant comfort food. It’s sort of like the American version of the French dish called Coquille St. Jacque.
Hot Brown Open-faced Sandwich
This is fast to make and is a wonderful comfort food addition to your recipes.
Beef and Vegetable Soup
Tastes very much like the traditional version but this one doesn’t include higher carbohydrate vegetables like carrots and potatoes. Still quite delightful, though. Brings back memories of grandma.
Seafood Chowder
This is not the usual, thick, gloppy chowder since you are on ZReduction, but it will pass as a fancy, flavorful meal.
Beef Over Noodles
Our Plan Z “cafeteria” smelled just like Grandma’s house today. This beef over noodles recipe is a hit. Serve this when you have family around at holidays or other times when there’s a crowd.
Famous Burger Meatloaf
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees,ZSpecialties,Z2-Beef
This is a “Whopper” of a meatloaf, designed to taste like the famous burger. I hope you enjoy.
Seared and Baked Pork Chops
This is an easy preparation with a homey vibe, when you want comfort food this is a sure bet.
Dieter Angela’s Ground Turkey “Meatzza” Crust
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z3-Poultry,ZSpecialties,Z3-Pork
Angela says, "I love pizza, so I was looking for alternatives. I was disappointed to find cauliflower crust is not much lower in carbs than a traditional pizza crust. I came across that recipe for a meatzza crust and was pleasantly surprised. It satisfied my pizza craving, and I could have a slice of pizza without needing a fork! For those pizza cravings, here’s a recipe for a meatzza crust."
Salmon Casserole
With this recipe, I’ve included about 25% of the pasta that would be in most similar recipes. That’s a big secret. Just cut it back. You won’t miss it. This casserole focuses on the veggies, the protein and the sauce.
Roasted Cream of Asparagus Soup
It may not feel like it here in Chicago, but spring and asparagus season are just around the corner. Gear up with this flavorful soup.
Curried Asparagus Soup
Serve in soup bowls with a protein of choice. In Z2 this is your veggie portion. You can have plain salad greens on the side if you need more. It’s very filling though.
Corn Dip
I came up with this recipe at the end of summer. I took what I call an “inspiration” recipe and Zolified it so we can enjoy it. It’s really tasty.
Mushroom-Bacon Soup
I had a hankering for bacon. My husband wanted mushroom soup. And this recipe was born.
Strawberry “Almost Ice Cream”
ZSpecialties,Z2-Beverages,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Vegetarian,Z2-Desserts
Dieter Claire invented this recipe by modifying the fruit parfait recipe and adding extra frozen strawberries. She says, "it's as close to ice cream as you can get." We agree.
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Dieter Jessica made this meal on one of her first days of ZReduction. It was so delicious she wanted to share it with everyone.
Taco Casserole
This is a throw it together FAST meal for any weeknight. It is not a spicy dish but you can if you wish, add hot sauce at the table for a little extra zing.
Potatoes Brabant (Zola Style)
I don’t eat potatoes very often but these are worth the splurge a few times a year. The yellow potatoes they are made from in my recipe are lower in carbohydrates than a Russet potato, so that’s a bonus, too.
Shrimp Scampi (ZReboot 3.5 Version)
This is a classic Italian dish. The one you order at Olive Garden will have WAY more pasta than this dish will have. That’s okay. The shrimp are the real star of this dish. Plus, you’ll be better off without all that starch.
Spinach Stuffed Roasted Chicken
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Poultry,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees
A unique way to stuff a chicken! From our dieting friend from Canada…Loretta.
Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip
ZSpecialties,Z3-Vegetarian,ZS-Holiday,Z3-Appetizers & Snacks
Talk about comfort food. This is the pure definition. Thankfully fat doesn’t make you fat so you can eat this at parties and not feel the guilt.
Mexican Chicken Stew
ZSpecialties,Z2-Poultry,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Soup
This is a great Zola to Go! dish, perfect for those cold days for lunch.
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage “Stew”
I’ll admit it. I found this inspiration recipe online. I did not have to change it up much to Zola-fy it..it is soooo good!
Beef Stew in a Dutch Oven
Z3.5-Beef,Z3.5-Soups & Stews,Z3.5-Entrees
I’m Irish, so beef stew was a staple in our family. Trouble is there are so many carbs in most beef stew recipes. So with this recipe I have adjusted it to keep the carbs lower and introduce some other veggies that are lower carb to the mix.

















































