Let’s face it, cooking healthy dinners can feel like a daunting task. After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. But with a little planning and some creative recipe ideas, healthy dinners can be easy, delicious, and even enjoyable!
This article will provide you with a variety of healthy dinner recipes that are both nutritious and flavorful. We’ll cover everything from quick and easy weeknight meals to more elaborate dishes for special occasions. So, let’s get cooking!
1. Sheet Pan Roasted Salmon with Vegetables
This is a simple and delicious one-pan meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
Ingredients:
1 pound salmon fillets
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Toss the vegetables with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Place the salmon fillets on top of the vegetables.
5. Roast for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
2. Lentil Soup
This hearty and flavorful soup is a great way to warm up on a cold night.
Ingredients:
1 cup dried lentils
Instructions:
1. Rinse the lentils and pick out any debris.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
3. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 minute more.
5. Stir in the lentils and vegetable broth.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
7. Stir in the diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes more.
3. Chicken Stir-Fry
This quick and easy stir-fry is a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and cornstarch.
2. Add the chicken and marinate for 10 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the onion, green pepper, and broccoli and cook until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes more.
6. Stir in the peanuts and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Vegetarian Chili
This hearty and flavorful chili is perfect for a cold winter night.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and green pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes and green chilies, vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until thickened.
5. Quinoa Bowls
Quinoa bowls are a healthy and versatile meal that can be customized to your liking.
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked quinoa
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, mixed greens, chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the hummus, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the quinoa bowl and toss to coat.
6. Baked Cod with Lemon and Herbs
This light and flavorful dish is a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
4 cod fillets
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a small bowl, combine the lemon slices, dill, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Place the cod fillets on the baking sheet and top with the lemon mixture.
5. Drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cod is cooked through.
7. Spaghetti Squash with Marinara Sauce
This healthy and delicious alternative to traditional spaghetti is a great option for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise.
3. Remove the seeds and scrape out the insides with a spoon.
4. Place the spaghetti squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until tender.
6. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
7. Using a fork, scrape the flesh from the spaghetti squash into strands.
8. In a large bowl, combine the spaghetti squash, marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
9. Toss to coat.
8. Black Bean Burgers
These healthy and delicious burgers are a great option for a meatless meal.
Ingredients:
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, mash the black beans with a fork.
2. Add the rolled oats, onion, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix well.
4. Stir in the egg white.
5. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
7. Cook the patties for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
9. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
These healthy and flavorful tacos are a great option for a quick and easy meal.
Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the sweet potatoes, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.