7 easy meals to give you a veg boost this summer

Eating your five portions of fruit and veg a day can sometimes feel like a challenge. But it doesn’t have to! Here, food editor Angela Romeo rounds up seven delicious and easy dinner-time dishes that will get you well on your way.

According to the World Health Organisation, we should be eating a minimum of five portions of fruit and veg a day in order to reduce the risk of serious health problems. To help you out, I’ve pulled together seven simple dinner-time recipes that, on top of tasting fantastic, all contain at least two portions of fruit and veg.

Rainbow pizza with broccoli base

Not only is this colourful spin on everyone’s favourite takeaway guaranteed to entice kids and adults alike, but it also contains two of your five a day. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s also vegan and gluten-free, making it an ideal option if you’re catering for a range of dietary needs. We’ve used peppers and red cabbage to make the rainbow topping, but you can mix it up with whatever veg you’ve got to hand.

2. Hidden veg spaghetti bolognese

This is a family favourite recipe – but with a secret: as well as plenty of chopped veg, we’ve added a can of kidney beans, which also count towards your five a day. You can either grate or finely chop the carrots and celery, depending on how textured you want the bolognese to be. The recipe is ready in 30 minutes and contains two of your five a day.

 3. Tuna & sweetcorn burgers

Burgers are a summer must-have! In this recipe, they’re made from storecupboard ingredients, with the classic beef patty swapped for one made from tinned tuna and sweetcorn. And with the sweet potato fries served on the side, plus the vibrant salsa, this dish gives you a tasty two of your five a day.

Fruity chicken curry

What I love most about this mild but flavour-packed curry is how versatile it is. You can swap the veg for whatever’s in your fridge or freezer, such as substituting the baby corn for frozen sweetcorn. It also contains an impressive three of your five a day, with the fruit and veg helping the chicken go further, so you only need two chicken breasts for a curry that easily serves four.

Mango & chicken stir-fry

Stir-fries are celebrated for being super quick to make, and this dish will be on the table in 25 mins. The mango brings a delicious tropical fruit taste and pairs perfectly with your standard stir-fry veg. This recipe is also low in saturated fat and contains three of your five a day.

Sweetcorn fritter with new potatoes & salsa

This speedy vegetarian dish is a great midweek veggie option. The tangy salsa ramps up the flavour of the fritter and boosts the amount of fruit and veg, too, so the dish contains two of your five a day. Serve with wild rocket and potatoes on the side for an effortless summery meal.

Cod & chick pea traybake

For pure convenience (and to save on washing up!) traybakes are one of my favourite things to cook. And this recipe couldn’t be simpler: once you’ve done the prep, the oven does the rest for you. Roasted peppers and onions draw out the flavour, as does a squeeze of lemon juice at the end. Thanks to the peppers and chick peas, you’ll get two of your five a day from this mouthwatering dish.