Once you start living on your own, you realize dinner comes every night. Well, of course, you knew that before. But what we mean is that suddenly, you’re the one who has to come up with something to eat.
Going out to eat frequently isn’t good for your wallet, but it’s easy to see why it’s tempting. Cooking takes a lot of time and planning, and sometimes, a busy schedule makes that hard to do. And then, there’s the health factor. Most Americans don’t eat enough vegetables and way too much fat, salt, and sugar than they should.
So, how are you supposed to cook healthy meals for yourself that don’t take hours to make? You can, and without using ready-made foods or skimping on the quality of your meals. The fact is, it’s easier to make delicious, healthy meals than you think. It all comes down to choosing the right recipes.
Eating healthy also doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. It’s about balancing different elements of the dish and making sure you have a meal that’s both satisfying and filling. Not only are these 70 recipes healthy and delicious, but they’re also super easy to prepare.
1. Korean beef bowl
This Korean beef bowl recipe looks complex, but you can throw this dish together in roughly 30 minutes or less. That’s not bad for a delicious and protein-packed dinner full of beef, avocado, and a variety of veggies.
Minestrone is a classic Italian soup that’s loved by people around the world. Although it’s packed full of vegetables, it’s still hearty enough to leave you feeling satisfied. Pair it with some bread and enjoy.
What’s better than a spicy fajita? One in deconstructed form. These chipotle shrimp fajita bowls bring all the best parts of a fajita together. All you have to do is throw the ingredients in a bowl.
Minestrone is a classic Italian soup that’s loved by people around the world. Although it’s packed full of vegetables, it’s still hearty enough to leave you feeling satisfied. Pair it with some bread and enjoy.
This version of a skillet meal combines white Cannellini beans with artichoke hearts, kale, and tomatoes. This dinner is so yummy and surprisingly filling.
There are a few great things about this recipe. First, it comes together in 30 minutes. Second, it’s full of veggies but tastes like pizza. It’s an easy way to trick your kids (or yourself).
When it comes to healthy and easy dinners, stir fry should be your new favorite phrase. It’s an excellent method of cooking dinner — all you have to do is throw everything into a frying pan. This version substitutes rice for cauliflower rice.
If you love food from India, you’ll appreciate this curry soup. It’s jam-packed with vegetables while having plenty of protein from the chickpeas — not to mention it’s full of intense flavor.
If you love the flavor and crunch of egg rolls but want a healthier version, these “egg rolls” in a bowl are a perfect solution. They have an abundance of flavor but without the excess grease and fat.
Who said you can’t have nachos for dinner? You can prepare this delicious version in 10 about minutes. It’s also full of protein, which means you’ll feel full and satisfied.
If you’ve never heard of shakshuka, you’re in for a treat. This dish of eggs poached in tomatoes, chili, and other spices has been enjoyed in the Mediterranean for hundreds of years. For this version, all you need is a single pot.
As the name implies, this delicious stir fry consists mostly of veggies. They’re paired with delicious steak, so you’ll feel like you’re getting a robust meal along with a healthy serving of green stuff.
Every kid loves macaroni and cheese, but it’s not the healthiest dinner option. This version includes butternut squash to add a veggie kick to everyone’s favorite dinner.
Fish and chips are a deliciously greasy treat, which means it’s not necessarily healthy. Instead of frying the fish, you can bake it to get the same delicious flavor without the excess grease.
If you love sandwich wraps, you’re in good company. But you can substitute flatbread for lettuce to add some vitamins and cut back on the carbs. Cabbage also makes a delicious wrap.
If you’re not a fan of traditional chili, you might prefer this easy chicken version. For this, you would combine chicken, corn, cumin, and white beans — and the secret ingredient — yogurt. Best of all, it’s ready to enjoy in roughly 30 minutes.
When hearing the word “chowder,” we usually think of seafood. But this version leans on roasted garlic and cauliflower to make a sweet meal that’s totally unique.
If you love Chinese delivery but want a version that’s a little (or a lot) healthier, try this teriyaki shrimp broccoli stir fry. It has all the flavors of a Chinese buffet but without extra sugar and fat.
When it comes to skillet dinners, there’s no end of options. This version combines tart citrusy salmon with orzo, a grain that’s growing in popularity as an alternative to rice.
Sweet cashews and flavorful chicken make a hearty and delicious dinner, but they don’t have to stand on their own. The dish is also full of vegetables like broccoli, peppers, and green onions.
It only takes about 30 minutes to make these delicious meatballs, and they’re completely vegetarian. Unlike many vegetarian recipes, this one skips on the beans in favor of yummy quinoa, eggs, cauliflower, and spices.
There’s no rule that you have to make chili with ground beef and tomatoes. This version combines ground turkey with sweet potatoes for a lighter and healthier meal.
Quesadillas are an easy and delicious dinner that can be thrown together in just a few minutes. They’re simple to keep healthy by loading them up with veggies covered in cheese.
Fish is a delicious and healthy meal choice, and it doesn’t have to be difficult to cook. This lime and ginger salmon combination is both flavorful and simple to make.
You can never go wrong with stuffing meat into vegetables, right? Okay, maybe that’s not a rule of thumb, but it’s true nonetheless. This Italian sausage-stuffed zucchini is sweet, spicy, and super healthy.
You might wonder what harvest means in this context. Well, it means that this casserole is full of autumn vegetables like onions, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Mark your calendars for October.
Is there anything better than chicken and vegetables smothered in parmesan cheese? I have a hard time imagining that ca beat this over-the-top cheesy dish.
If you haven’t heard of zoodles, get ready to have your world rocked. The word refers to “noodles” made from vegetables — in this case, zucchini. This version is smothered in a delicious sauce.
You might not think of grilled cheese as being a healthy dinner option. But this recipe proves it can be. If you or your family isn’t a fan of cauliflower, you’ll change your mind after tasting this cheesy version.
Hash is an amazing word because it can mean almost anything. If you cut up a bunch of ingredients and throw them together in a pan, you’ve made a hash, like this delicious version that includes sweet potatoes and kale.
Forget about the tomato sauce and reach for pumpkin puree instead. This pumpkin fettuccine recipe is incredibly creamy, but it’s also completely vegan and super yummy.
Pizza is usually considered junk food, but there are tons of ways to make it healthy and nutritious. In this case, you would use naan instead of pizza dough, covering it with spinach and fresh mushrooms.
Quinoa is a protein-packed grain that’s received a lot of attention in recent years because of its health benefits. Combined with chicken and vegetables, it makes a delicious dinner that’s also good for you.
These harvest bowls are perfect for the fall, but we won’t judge you for enjoying them any time of the year. They combine fall vegetables with chicken, rice, and cranberries.
These blackened shrimp bowls bring a delicious Cajun flavor to your dinner table — but despite what you think, they’re incredibly easy to make. This is a great way to add healthy seafood to your diet without putting in a lot of effort.
One of the best ways to improve vegetables is by adding cheese and bacon. Who can complain about eating veggies when they’re covered in delicious, salty decadence?
This recipe combines all the flavors of chicken enchiladas with super-healthy quinoa. There are so many ways to improve on traditional recipes while making them healthier and heartier.
Beans are a staple of vegan cuisine for a good reason. Not only are they packed with protein, but they’re also versatile and delicious. This scrumptious black bean soup is just one example.
Making Asian-inspired dishes at home won’t just save you money on delivery, but they’re also healthier than what you’ll find in restaurants. In many cases, they even taste better, like this delicious veggie Lo Mein.
If you struggle to find fish recipes that you like, try a scrumptious fish taco recipe. Packed with vegetables and delicious sauce, they’re a perfect way to develop your palate to enjoying healthy seafood.
When you make pizza at home, you end up with a delicious, easy, and budget-friendly dinner. It also gives you more freedom in choosing healthier toppings. One option…this delicious roasted tomato chive pizza.
Chicken and rice are enjoyed around the world. If you’re looking for a sneaky way to get vegetables in your diet, swap out rice for rice cauliflower. It’s super flavorful with Caribbean seasoning.
If you’re a lover of peanut butter, you’ll enjoy these soba noodles in peanut sauce. The nuts and chicken are a great way to get protein and feel fuller for longer.
Orzo is a healthy grain that’s gained popularity in recent years. It’s no wonder. It’s delicious and versatile, perfect for all kinds of recipes like this hearty mushroom soup.
If you think you don’t like tofu, think again. These crispy tofu bowls might just change your mind. They’re packed to the brim with quinoa, cashews, and vegetables, all covered in sweet chili sauce.
While edamame’s a healthy snack, a lot of people don’t know how to incorporate it into meals. This peanut edamame and noodle salad combination is super flavorful and of course, good for you.
Who doesn’t love a big bowl of pasta at the end of the day? This version is full of herbs, making it extra flavorful. And don’t forget that in terms of nutrition, herbs count as vegetables.
Who said chili had to have meat in it? This recipe swaps out the meat for lentils, but that doesn’t mean it’s not packed with flavor. It’s called chipotle chili for a reason.
Essentially, this dish consists of homemade Ramen noodles with an extra umami flavor that comes from miso paste. With a fraction of the salt and the addition of spinach, it’s way healthier than the store-bought version.
Three kinds of beans and a helping of sweet potatoes make the kind of hearty dinner that’s perfect for a cold winter night. It’s sure to fill your belly, and it contains delicious vegetables.
Everyone loves a delicious burrito, but this version manages to improve on the original recipe. How? By swapping out the tortillas for cabbage leaves. That’s a perfect substitute.
It’s no wonder Chipotle’s so popular — people just can’t get enough of Tex-Mex cuisine. With these chicken and corn enchiladas, you can save money and enjoy a healthy and delicious dinner.
Making a skillet dinner is as easy as combining ingredients and throwing them into a pan. This version uses ground turkey and zucchini for a healthy and super-flavorful meal.
If you have a hard time eating vegetables, remember you can elevate them simply by choosing the right pairing. These goat cheese veggie wraps are so yummy, you might forget they’re good for you.
What could be more delicious than a skillet of cheesy quinoa seasoned with garlic and paired with sour cream and broccoli? It’s so simple, but also healthy and full of flavor. You may find yourself eating the whole pan.
There’s no one alive that doesn’t enjoy a good burger with a side of fries, but they’re not the healthiest food choices. Swapping out the red meat for ground turkey and regular potatoes for sweet potatoes creates a much healthier meal.
Stir fry is great for dinner because there are so many possibilities. You can spice the dish up with Mexican flavors, add Indian-inspired curry, or make this Asian ginger chicken combo.
Couscous is yet another grain that people have started gravitating to. It’s incredibly easy to make and its mild flavor is ideal for carrying any seasoning you want. This recipe leans on Mediterranean flavors with parsley, Kalamata olives, and dried tomatoes.
Here’s a fun fact: Margherita pizza was the original type, invented in the 1800s. This recipe takes the classic flavors and adds them to pita bread. Oh, and they only take 10 minutes to put together.
If you love a spicy kick to your meals, you’ll enjoy this chili mango quinoa salad. It’s healthy and packed with flavor, with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
Egg salad is a classic dish commonly served at picnics and potlucks. But it’s also made with mayonnaise, which is quite fatty. This version swaps the mayo for avocado, making it healthier yet still delicious.
Not only is Indian food flavorful but it also consists of a lot of vegetables. So, it’s not hard to find vegan and vegetarian recipes. This potato curry contains no animal products yet it’s hearty and satisfying.
Eggs are a staple in every house but they’re not just for breakfast. A vegetable frittata is a delicious and satisfying meal at any time of the day. It’s also super easy to make.
There’s everything to love about chicken and pasta, especially when it’s this easy to make. You place all the ingredients in one pot and it’s ready to enjoy in just a few minutes.
These salad bowls offer wonderful flavors of the Mediterranean with a heaping helping of Lebanese barbecue meatballs. Just reading the description is enough to make your mouth water.
Does anything more need to be said about these hearty, delicious mashed potato bowls? Well, at least one thing does — they’re completely vegan and loaded with tasty, healthy ingredients.
Chicken-fried rice is known and loved all over the world. But making the classic dish doesn’t have to be hard. This tasty version comes together in about 30 minutes.
Soup is a great choice for the health-conscious since it’s easily loaded with vegetables. This beef barley soup is hearty and it takes great while also providing tons of health benefits.
70 no-fuss, health-conscious recipes that you’ll actually have time to make
Cedric Jackson
01.23.20
Once you start living on your own, you realize dinner comes every night. Well, of course, you knew that before. But what we mean is that suddenly, you’re the one who has to come up with something to eat.
Going out to eat frequently isn’t good for your wallet, but it’s easy to see why it’s tempting. Cooking takes a lot of time and planning, and sometimes, a busy schedule makes that hard to do. And then, there’s the health factor. Most Americans don’t eat enough vegetables and way too much fat, salt, and sugar than they should.
So, how are you supposed to cook healthy meals for yourself that don’t take hours to make? You can, and without using ready-made foods or skimping on the quality of your meals. The fact is, it’s easier to make delicious, healthy meals than you think. It all comes down to choosing the right recipes.
Eating healthy also doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. It’s about balancing different elements of the dish and making sure you have a meal that’s both satisfying and filling. Not only are these 70 recipes healthy and delicious, but they’re also super easy to prepare.
