Savory Oatmeal Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Oatmeal. It's what's on the table for breakfast in many households. You may enjoy your oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins. Your children probably love it doused in maple syrup. Can you imagine oatmeal without these sugary toppings? Have you ever wondered how oatmeal can be reinvented as a delightful feast for lunch, dinner, or a different kind of breakfast? Enter savory oatmeal.

If you're tired of the usual brown rice or quinoa, try a savory twist on oatmeal. Oats are known to promote heart and digestive health, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. So why limit their consumption to a basic breakfast? For some tasty oat meals, check out the following recipes and ideas.

Breakfast: Garlic 'n' Herb Oatmeal

For a single serving, sauté one clove of garlic in olive oil. Separately, prepare your oatmeal as directed on the packaging. Add the oatmeal to the garlic and mix well. If desired, add one teaspoon of chopped, fresh basil and dairy-free cheese and mix. Add salt and other spices, as desired. Spoon the oatmeal into a bowl and enjoy!

Lunch: Oatmeal with Kale, Tomatoes, and Avocado

Prepare your oatmeal as directed on the packaging for two servings, but replace the water with vegetable broth. Dice one large tomato and set it aside. In a separate pan, sauté three cloves of garlic in olive oil. Add three cups of chopped kale and mix them with the garlic and oil. Add a few tablespoons of water, stirring occasionally until tender.

Divide the oatmeal into two bowls. Place the sautéed kale and tomatoes on the oatmeal. Top with sliced avocado.

Dinner: Oatmeal with Spinach, Mushrooms, and Pine Nuts

Prepare two servings of oatmeal as directed on the packaging, but use vegetable broth instead of water. In a separate pan, sauté three chopped garlic cloves and a quarter cup of chopped onion in two tablespoons of olive oil. Once the onions become tender, add one cup of chopped shiitake mushrooms to the pan, sautéing until slightly browned. Add two cups of chopped spinach until coated and tender. Add up to a quarter cup of pine nuts to the pan and heat the mixture.

Divide the oatmeal into two bowls. Top it with the spinach mixture and you have a hearty bowl of oatmeal for dinner!

Other Savory Toppings

There really is an endless array of flavors that match well with oatmeal. Here are some other potential toppings for your savory oatmeal:

• tamari sauce
• peas
• green onions
• caramelized onions
• lentils
• pesto
  
• chopped sweet potatoes
• curried pumpkin or chickpeas
• seasoned black beans

Unleash your oatmeal from its usual sugary confines. Don't be afraid to get creative and be bold!

What are some of your favorite savory oatmeal toppings and recipes? Share them with us on Twitter!

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