15 of the BEST Vitamin C Recipes to Beat the Common Cold

When it comes to vitamin C, orange juice is old news. We’ve hunted far and wide and rounded up a bevy of recipes that will upgrade your family’s daily dose of this all-important vitamin. From healthy Dole Whip to irresistible brussels sprouts, these foods are high in vitamin C and worthy of any winter menu. Keep on scrolling to see for yourself just how many delicious ideas are out there.

photo: Love & Risotto

1. Cauliflower Macaroni & Cheese

How about some vitamin C with your macaroni and cheese? It's easy to give your usual mac a healthy boost, once you add some cauliflower. This version has great flavor and is a cinch to whip up. Get the recipe over at Love & Risotto.

photo: Oat & Sesame

2. Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Parmesan Cream

Brussels sprouts are an excellent choice if you want to boost your vitamin C consumption. And if you're looking for a recipe that'll be a winner with kids and adults alike, you're in luck. This dish is a comfort food classic, sporting bacon, and a cheesy sauce. Click on over to Oat & Sesame for more!

photo: Almost Supermom

3. Healthy Dole Whip

If you're a fan of Disneyland's Dole Whip, we've got a double dose of good news. We have a recipe that not only promises a healthy version of your favorite treat but also includes a good dose of vitamin C, thanks to pineapple. Grab your Mickey Mouse ears and get the recipe from Almost Supermom.

photo: Savory Tooth

4. Broccoli Cheddar Risotto

Broccoli actually has more vitamin C than an orange, so it's a great green bet for your family's diet! This recipe from Savory Tooth is a kid-friendly way to welcome broccoli to your dinner table—and it doesn't require constant stirring! Snag the recipe here.

photo: The Seasoned Mom

5. Zucchini Pizza Casserole

Zucchini is a good source of vitamin C (the skin especially), and this recipe is great for a quick and delicious dinner. It has the melty cheese and pepperoni of your favorite pizza, but with a healthy twist. Best of all, it's a dump-and-bake kind of meal! Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.

photo: Chelsea of A Duck's Oven

6. Lemon Chicken Veggie Bake

Oranges may get a lot of the vitamin C glory, but lemons are a powerhouse source, too. The best way to take advantage? This one-dish meal that’s homey, tasty, and bursting with lemon flavor. Get the recipe from A Duck’s Oven.

photo: Gimme Delicious

7. Broccoli Tots

If your tots love tots, you've got to give this version, courtesy of Gimme Delicious, a try. Here, broccoli is the star, along with its hefty dose of vitamin C. Plus, they're baked, not fried, and perfect for a snack or main meal. Get the recipe here.

photo: Valerie's Kitchen

8. Roasted Cauliflower Corn Chowder

Cauliflower has a surprising amount of vitamin C, but the trick is finding a kid-friendly recipe spotlighting this particular veggie. Cue this chowder that pairs roasted cauliflower with sweet corn, bacon bits, and cheesy goodness. Get the recipe from Valerie’s Kitchen.

photo: My Second Breakfast

9. Stuffed Red Peppers

Just a cup of red bell peppers has a whopping amount of vitamin C and this recipe uses whole peppers in a super delicious way! They’re also so easy to make that kids can even help out. Get the recipe from My Second Breakfast.

photo: Downshiftology

10. Mango Smoothie Bowl

This colorful smoothie bowl isn’t just a beautiful way to start your day. It’s also chock-full of healthy fruit, including vitamin C-rich mangos. And if you don’t live in a tropical climate? Just grab the majority of your ingredients from the frozen aisle. Get the recipe from Downshiftology.

photo: Dinner at the Zoo

11. Salmon Teriyaki with Pineapple Salsa

We have just one word for this salmon dish: yum! Not only does it get points for being easy to whip up, there’s also a pineapple salsa that’s full of fresh flavor and vitamin C. Sounds like a dinner winner to us! Get the recipe from Dinner at the Zoo.

photo: Lola's Cocina

12. Strawberry Agua Fresca

There are tons of ways to enjoy strawberries and their sweet vitamin C benefits, but we’re partial to this three-ingredient agua fresca. It’s a perfect summer drink (or a perfect drink if you want to pretend that it’s summer). Get the recipe from Lola’s Cocina.

photo: Abi Porter

13. Crispy Kale Chips

Put down the store-bought kale chips and step away from the crowded grocery store aisle! These homemade kale chips are ultra easy to make and feature all the awesome nutritional perks of kale (including vitamin C!). Eat ‘em for a snack, and you’ll be raring to go. Get the recipe from A Little Yumminess.

photo: Lindsey Johnson

14. The Green Goblin Smoothie

Not only can you prep all the ingredients for this smoothie ahead of time, you can also feel good about those ingredients (Think healthy superfoods: spinach, oranges, pineapple, and banana.). Get the recipe here.

photo: Catherine McCord of Weelicious

15. Kiwi Popsicles

Did you know kiwi is a killer source of vitamin C? It also makes an excellent popsicle—and this no-fuss recipe is proof! Grab dixie cups and frozen peas (yes, peas!), and you’re halfway to enjoying a delish frozen treat. Get the Weelicious recipe here.

—Abigail Matsumoto

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