Easy Recipes

I love my acorn squash roasted with just butter in the center and a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper. But I know tons of people want brown sugar in the middle and more. So this version can satisfy the sweet tooth and add an optional spice/heat factor.

This sauce is so versatile. Serve over cooked chicken breast (or tenderloins) or fish of any kind. Even use it as a pool of sauce with broiled scallops on top. This can be comfort food or fancy dinner party food depending on how you serve it or what you serve with it.

This simple Italian Soup is packed with flavor and convenience. It travels well and heats in the microwave too. Leftovers are a BIG YUM.

As far as brunch casseroles go, this one is very easy to make and pleases the crowd. It can be made ahead and heated the day of the party.

Pears and chocolate go great together. Who needs candy apples when you've got these?

This is my favorite new creation. I think I have made this three times in the last two weeks and that’s pretty much a record for me.

This is a yummy dish with the creamy peanut butter sauce, the tamari and ginger.

Coffee on a steak? Heck yes! This combo is a steak-house classic that will leave your mouth watering for more but won't keep you up all night from a caffeine buzz.

A tasty dish you can have on the table in under thirty minutes!

This cherry tart is so easy and it’s fancy enough to serve at a dinner party.

A variation of my sea salt crusted snow peas recipe - but with snap peas!

This simple salad can be prepared in minutes and offers a light flavor, a bright bowl full of color and cool crunch on a warm day!

This is an easy and nutrient dense option for our dieters on the go!

This delicious recipe was submitted by Plan Z dieter Bruce. Bruce says, "We saw this sixteen years ago on a trip to visit our daughter in-law. They keep it from day to day and just add to it when more is needed."

The first time I made this, I put it on top of a wedge salad...and felt like I was eating dinner in a steakhouse. It's that good.

This stuff is addictive and so refreshing. RARELY do I take seconds on a dessert. With this one I did.

So light and decadent - YUM! Serve with fruit, or any other dessert for extra special deliciousness.

This is a great Zola to Go! dish, perfect for those cold days for lunch.

Once your weight has solidly stabilized you can handle something like this; just not every day.

Making avocado toast is a very free-form exercise. You can build it the way you want to; that's what makes it so easy - and delicious!

I think this makes a beautiful, refreshing dessert. If you can’t get fresh strawberries go ahead and use frozen. Slices are best so they don’t get caught in the blender. For a special occasion top it with whipped cream! 

These cookies are SOOOO good. And no flour! Just be careful what peanut butter you buy and be sure to order the sweetener ahead so you are prepared to bake and eat.

This is an easy and tasty meal that comes together in a jiffy. Big Yum!

You won’t ever need potato chips again.

This chili is tasty but not overly spicy.

This dish is similar to the fancy French dish called Coquilles St. Jacques but it’s much easier to make. Simple ingredients, a little sautéing and then pop it under the broiler. With a salad and side veggie this is fancy enough to serve to company.

This dish will be ready in about 20 minutes. All you have to do is a little chopping.

This pie comes together easily, and your family will never know they aren’t eating the usual pecan pie pile of sugar.

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. 

You could also add some of this roasted garlic to a batch of cooked green beans or asparagus for a nice flavor combo.

If you miss soda but know in your heart that it’s bad for you, try a recipe like this one.

Sinfully delicious...with only three ingredients.

I had a hankering for bacon. My husband wanted mushroom soup. And this recipe was born.

I designed this broccoli cheese soup for the average cook. It only takes a few minutes to chop the veggies and then put it in the pot and let the magic happen. All you have to do is stir it. How easy is that?

This is super easy. A great summer entrée that comes together in a flash.

I came up with this recipe as a tribute to Dieter Ron and his wife Jean. This darling couple drove from Wisconsin to Chicago just to meet me and my team.

The parfait is a serious twist on a Cooking Light recipe I came across, so I need to give them credit but I also wanted you to know it's light and rather healthy.

This recipe was contributed by Plan Z dieter Amy from Chicago. Good thinking, Amy! Great idea!

Raspberry coulis is often used by dessert chefs to decorate your dessert at a restaurant. They put a swirl of it on your plate or maybe drizzle it over the top of the dessert. You can be fancy or plain as you wish.

I adapted this recipe for Plan Z from one of Bobby Flay’s ideas. I love a good grilled peach in the summer. Even if you have a crowd over for a barbecue you can grill up a bunch of these in a jiffy and everyone will enjoy a healthy dessert.

This chicken is super moist and yummy. The ranch dressing gives it a gourmet feel without any work at all!

This is a more exotic lemonade but a refreshing one. You’ll feel fancy drinking this.

I would not drink this all day while on ZReduction, but a couple of glasses should be fine.

This is a super easy side dish that can be mixed up in a flash and then baked. It will go well with any piece of roasted meat and can work on a buffet for a party.

This recipe was submitted by dieter Gene. A delicious and easy ketchup without sugar!

I had a hankering for ribs. I ordered some as an appetizer at a restaurant and they just didn’t cut it. I could not get the craving out of my head, so I came up with the barbecued meatloaf recipe.  Hope you love it. 

If you are going totally low carb you can serve this over lettuce. Bib lettuce would look nice.

If you are a coffee-flavored dessert lover, your dream boat just docked!

This is a super simple version I made up for a quick weeknight meal. It only takes a few minutes to make and really ramps up the flavor of your beef cut.

This is a hearty and satisfying casserole for those who would love a traditional lasagna but know the noodles are not smart.