Build-A-Meal Ideas: Protein Bowls, Taco Bar & More
Mar
28
2025
Now on Shelves: A Look Inside the Sheet Pan Cookbook!
Woman’s World Magazine (April 7, 2025 Issue)
How exciting is this? Lisa’s on the COVER of Woman’s World magazine! This issue is currently available online and wherever mags are sold, and it features an exclusive look at FOUR delicious recipes from the new cookbook, Hungry Girl Sheet Pan Cookbook: One-Pan Wonders Under 400 Calories! Grab your copy STAT…
Sometimes, we’re inspired by a kitchen product or tool we see online, and that’s exactly what happened here. Grab this handy server from Amazon, then Build Your Own [Fill in the Blank] Bar to shake up weeknight dinners or your next get-together…
Must-Have Serving Tool!
Chilled Condiment Server
This condiment server comes in clutch for cookouts, barbecues, and other parties. The ice compartment keeps everything cool for hours, there’s a drainage plug for the melted ice, and it includes a silicone mat to prevent slippage and leakage. But storing toppings isn’t the only thing it can do. Use it to build a customizable meal bar like the ones below! Plus, it's part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale and is currently 15% off.Build Your Own Taco Bar
More Options: Sliced black olives, diced onion, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
For the Base: Cook up some ground taco meat, meatless crumbles, and/or shredded chicken for protein. Stock up on taco-sized tortillas (love these low-carb options) and taco shells (like these flavored versions!). Or go the taco-bowl route with seasoned cauliflower rice and extra lettuce for taco salads.
Build Your Own Bagel Bar
More Options: Hummus, sliced cucumber, capers, and hard-cooked eggs. (We love our egg cooker we got on Amazon!)
For the Base: Bagels! Go for skinny store-bought options (like Thomas’ Bagel Thins) or homemade bagels (like this recent protein-bagel recipe). For a low-carb twist, load your favorite toppings onto large lettuce leaves instead.
Build Your Own Protein Power Bowl Bar
More Options: Hummus, dips, pickled veggies, and any other toppings that best fit your favorite flavor profile.
For the Base: We like hot + cold pairings in these bowls! For hot veggies, consider riced cauliflower, zucchini noodles, and steamed broccoli slaw. Cooked grains (like brown rice) and canned beans are healthy & filling additions. And then for the protein, we like chopped chicken breast, tuna, shrimp, extra-lean ground meat (chicken, turkey, or beef), and meatless crumbles or chopped veggie patties.
Build Your Own Yogurt Bowl Bar
More Options: Chia seeds, peanut butter (whip up some low-calorie spread using PB2 powdered peanut butter), and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.
For the Base… Most of these toppings don’t require chilling, and you could absolutely fill all five wells with various fruits and leave the other toppings on the counter. For the base itself, you can use plain fat-free Greek yogurt or explore the various flavored zero-sugar Greek yogurts on the market.
Build Your Own Pizza Bar
More Options: Grated Parmesan cheese, light/low-fat ricotta cheese, fresh basil, and sliced black olives.
For the Base… Hello, pizza night! Stock up on whole-wheat pitas or par-bake some single-serving crusts ahead of time. To do this HG style, make a dough of 1 cup self-rising flour, 1 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt, and 1 tsp. garlic powder. Divide into fourths, and roll each piece into a 6-inch circle about 1/4" thick; then bake at 450ºF for 7 minutes. Then whenever you're ready, just add sauce, cheese, and toppings, then bake each pizza for about 5 minutes, until cheese has melted.
HG Dough Tips: To prevent the dough from sticking, lightly dust your hands and work surface with flour. Refrigerate dough for at least 5 minutes. It’s even easier to work with if you make the dough a day in advance.
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale Continues: Up to 40% Off!
Our favorite online retailer’s Big Spring Sale is currently underway, but only through Monday night (3/31)! Scope out our top finds & deals from Wednesday’s email before you start digging through all the great offers. And for even more amazing ones you'll want to know about, check out our big easy-shop list!Chew on this:
Today, March 28th, is National Something on a Stick Day. Ever had a burger on a stick? Now you can.
Share today’s build-a-meal ideas with all your friends. Yes, ALL of them! (OK, some of them.)
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*The WW Points® values for these products and/or recipes were calculated by Hungry Girl and are not an endorsement or approval of the product, recipe or its manufacturer or developer by WW International, Inc., the owner of the Points® trademark. For those on the Diabetic Plan, values may vary.
Questions on the WW Points® values listed? Click here.
Hungry Girl provides general information about food and lifestyle. This information and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. Click here for more information.
