70 Healthy Dinner Recipes That Definitely Don’t Skimp on Flavor (2024)

70 Healthy Dinner Recipes That Definitely Don’t Skimp on Flavor (1)

Throwing on a pot of mac 'n' cheese or grilling up a juicy steak are pretty incredible ways to get dinner on the table — but trying to incorporate more whole grains and veggies in that p.m. meal? That can be tricky. No fear: We rounded up our best healthy dinner recipes so you'll have no shortage of options when it comes to nutritious, delicious and totally satisfying meals.

Whether you and your partner are looking to incorporate more healthy recipes for two in your repertoire or lighten up dinnertime with some low-calorie meals, we've got options. Here you'll find flavorful and nourishing soups, vibrant, hearty salads, healthy chicken dinners, tacos, pasta, rice bowls and so much more. Nothing is off limits!P lus, a lot of these recipes can work if you are looking for a healthier lunch option.

The secret to healthy dinners you'll actually want to eat? Focus on packing in the produce, especially non-starchy vegetables and fruit rather than reducing portion sizes or cutting out your favorite foods. Opt for whole grains and complex carbohydrates over white refined carbohydrates, as well as low-fat and fat-free dairy, plus lean protein sources (think: fish fillets, chicken breasts, turkey or eggs). Say "yes" to beans, legumes, unsalted nuts, fresh herbs and dry spices.

Many of these meals are made with budget-friendly ingredients like healthy canned foods and frozen vegetables. We also made sure to feature dishes that fit into a variety of diets, which include vegan recipes, vegetarian recipes and gluten-free dinners. They all have one thing in common, though: These recipes make it easy (and tasty!) to eat healthier. Now, who's hungry!?

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1

Creamy Kale Pasta

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We blended cottage cheese (really!) into the sauce for a dose of richness and serious boost of protein.

Get the Creamy Kale Pasta recipe.

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2

Gingery Spring Soup

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Though this soup is low-cal, it'll fill you up because tofu and shelled edamame offer up gobs of protein. To bulk it up even more, stir in leftover shredded chicken.

Get the Gingery Spring Soup recipe.

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3

Skillet Lemony Chicken and Artichokes

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This one-skillet dish relies on a can of artichoke hearts for extra veggies that don't require much prep. To speed it up even more, look for pre-halved or quartered artichoke hearts.

Get the Skillet Lemony Chicken and Artichokes recipe.

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4

Pea and Ricotta Omelets

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When you're in a recipe rut, remember this: There's always breakfast-for-dinner. This light omelet is even better served with a piece of crispy toast.

Get the Pea and Ricotta Omelets recipe.

RELATED: 36 Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day Off Right

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5

Adobo Glazed Portobello Tacos

Calling all vegetarians! These sweet 'n' tangy glazed mushroom tacos will make all the meat eaters jealous.

Get the Adobo Glazed Portobello Tacos recipe.

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6

Steak with Pickled Veggies

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Looking for a gluten-free option? This punchy, peppery salad served with juicy steak is so much better than a roll.

Get the Steak with Pickled Veggies recipe.

RELATED: 37 Delicious Healthy Salads That Are Fresh and Filling

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7

Peanut Sauce Soba with Crispy Tofu

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Soba is made from buckwheat flour, which is a good source of fiber (and so delicious).

Get the Peanut Sauce Soba with Crispy Tofu recipe.

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8

Air Fryer Falafel Salad

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Pulsing the chickpeas in a food processor until chopped but chunky (not smooth, like hummus) is the key to light and crisp falafel – a great source of plant protein.

Get the Air Fryer Falafel Salad recipe.

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9

Italian-Marinated Chicken

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The herby dressing does double duty: It acts as both the marinade for the chicken and the dressing for the salad (which means less overall work for you).

Get the Italian-Marinated Chicken recipe.

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10

Smoky Black Bean and Quinoa Soup

Packed with creamy black beans, nutty quinoa and sweet chunks of butternut squash, you won't even notice that this hearty soup is 100% vegan.

Get the Smoky Black Bean and Quinoa Soup recipe.

RELATED: 30 Soup Recipes That Are Perfect for the Winter (Or Anytime of the Year)

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11

Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads

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Spice mixes like tandoori masala, a robust blend of paprika, coriander, cumin and more, mean you can have big flavor without the need for excess salt.

Get the Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads recipe.

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12

Green Soup with Crispy Tofu

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Golden-brown tofu nuggets, made extra-crispy in a hot oven, act as low-carb "croutons" for this creamy broccoli-based soup. Genius!

Get the Green Soup with Crispy Tofu recipe.

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13

Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads

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Raise your hand if you don't have an air fryer, yet. If your hand is up, go ahead and use it to order one of the best air fryers online stat. This popular countertop appliance is the secret to cooking up crispy foods sans the oil — plus, it makes flaky, tender fish in no time at all.

Get the Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads recipe.

RELATED: 55 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That You Absolutely Need to Try

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14

Roasted Mediterranean Shrimp Bowls

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Meal prepping is a great way to set yourself up for success when it comes to healthy eating. By cooking up a batch of grains, roasted vegetables, pickled red onions and seasoned proteins in advance, you're ready to mix and match your way to a delicious, nutritious dinner in 20 minutes or less.

Get the Roasted Mediterranean Shrimp Bowls recipe.

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15

Crispy Chicken and Buttermilk Salad

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For a lightened-up take on fried chicken salad, coat breasts with crushed cornflakes and bake 'em before tossing with lettuce, fennel and cucumbers. We also skipped the bottled dressing and whipped up our own ranch-inspired version.

Get the Crispy Chicken and Buttermilk Salad recipe.

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16

Green Goddess Sandwiches

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This meatless meal is packed with 16 grams protein and 8 grams fiber per serving, so you know it'll keep you full. Plus, it's super portable and easy to eat on the go. Picnic, anyone?

Get the Green Goddess Sandwiches recipe.

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17

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Red Grapes and Cabbage

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A bed of caramelized shallots, red cabbage and juicy roasted grapes is the ideal pairing for tender slices of pork in this hearty winter main that’s impressive enough to serve to guests but will take you less than half an hour to make (yes, really!).

Get the Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Red Grapes and Cabbage recipe.

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18

Beef and Lentil Meatballs with Chipotle Sauce

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Let's take a moment to appreciate lentils — they are high in iron and fiber, affordable and versatile. Plus, they're a great way to cut back on how much ground beef you use to make meatballs or meatloaf.

Get the Beef and Lentil Meatballs with Chipotle Sauce recipe.

RELATED: 25 Tasty Lentil Recipes for Healthy and Easy Weeknight Meals

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19

Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes

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This umami-rich dish features just five ingredients. Radishes are roasted until slightly caramelized and golden brown, then tossed with its leaves until wilted. White miso, sesame seeds and a smidge of butter add so much flavor with little to zero effort required on your end. Stunning.

Get the Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes recipe.

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20

Air Fryer Squash Soup

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Cozy up with a big bowl of comfort that is good for you, too! This soup is packed with potassium-rich butternut squash and is easy to prep in advance and reheat. Just freeze soup (minus cream and seed topping) in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm and top as desired.

Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.

RELATED: 37 Best Butternut Squash Recipes That Are Easy to Make for Fall

70 Healthy Dinner Recipes That Definitely Don’t Skimp on Flavor (2024)

FAQs

What to make for dinner when you don't have much food? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  1. 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  2. 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  3. 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  4. 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  5. 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  6. 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What is an example of a balanced meal? ›

Balanced Meal Plate Examples

Toast + Avocado + Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Tomatoes. Pasta + Vegan Meatballs + Salad with Olive Oil. Baked Potato + Vegan Butter + BBQ Beans + Roasted Broccoli. Smoothie with Mixed Fruit + Protein Powder + Peanut Butter + Plant-Based Milk + Granola on Top.

What is non greasy food? ›

Tasty Low-Fat Foods
  • Leafy greens like kale, spinach, arugula.
  • Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and mushrooms.
  • Fruits, beans and legumes and sweet potatoes.
  • Whole grains including farro, bulgur, spelt, quinoa.
  • White fish, chicken breast, low-fat dairy and egg whites.

What to cook for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What is a healthy meal when you have no time? ›

Choose veggie-based entrees or those with baked, broiled or grilled fish or skinless chicken. Look for meals that aren't greasy or oily. For example, instead of ordering cheese-covered chicken enchiladas, get the grilled chicken or fish tacos. Choose food items without creamy sauces or gravies.

What to cook when broke? ›

65 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Sweet Potato And Black Bean Burritos. tasty.co. ...
  • Barbecue Beer Can Chicken. tasty.co. ...
  • Zucchini Noodles with Kale Pesto. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Chicken Alfredo Penne. ...
  • Avocado Quinoa Power Salad. ...
  • Tofu Scramble. ...
  • Egg Pizza With Scallions.
Dec 21, 2023

What to eat instead of dinner? ›

Healthy dinner options include:
  • Grilled Chicken: Lean protein source with minimal fat.
  • Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids for heart health.
  • Quinoa: Protein-packed and fiber-rich grain.
  • Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, or Swiss chard for vitamins and minerals.
  • Sweet Potatoes: High in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Apr 20, 2023

What is the cheapest meal to make? ›

Budget dinner recipes
  • Sardine pasta with crunchy parsley crumbs. ...
  • Miso lentil & cabbage soup. ...
  • Air-fryer meatballs. ...
  • Black bean & tortilla soup. ...
  • App onlyOne-pan hot honey & mustard parsnips & chicken thigh traybake. ...
  • Turbo beans & cheese on toast. ...
  • Chole with cumin rice & raita. ...
  • Spicy jerk potato & pineapple hash.

What are the 5 balanced meals? ›

eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day (see 5 A Day) base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta. have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein.

What is the perfect nutrition meal? ›

Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Includes a variety of protein foods such as seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, nuts, and seeds. Is low in added sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.

What is a nutritionally complete meal? ›

The combination of a lean protein, slow digesting carbohydrates, healthy fats, and a micronutrient-rich vegetable round out a “complete” meal because it contains macronutrients and vitamins and minerals. These are essential nutrients.

What's the healthiest fast food to eat? ›

  • Subway Turkey Breast Sandwich. ...
  • Domino's Thin-Crust Pizza With Chicken and Veggies. ...
  • Chipotle Burrito Bowl. ...
  • Panera Bread Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken. ...
  • Panda Express Eggplant Tofu. ...
  • Starbucks Rolled and Steel-Cut Oatmeal. Starbucks. ...
  • Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap. Chick-fil-A. ...
  • Starbucks Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites. starbucks.
Feb 14, 2024

What food is not fattening? ›

The healthiest lower energy-dense choices are foods that are high in protein but low in fat and calories, such as:
  • Beans, peas and lentils, which are also good sources of fiber.
  • Fish.
  • Lean meat and poultry.
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Egg whites.

What foods are totally fat-free? ›

Top 10 Fat-Free Foods to Add To Your Diet
  • Beans and Legumes: Excellent quantities of fiber, protein, and other necessary elements can be found in beans and other legumes. ...
  • Related Articles: How to Make Fish Farming: A Comprehensive Guide. ...
  • 2. Fruits: ...
  • Vegetables: ...
  • Whole Grains: ...
  • Fish:
  • Skim Milk: ...
  • Egg Whites:
May 15, 2023

What do I want for dinner tonight? ›

50 Easy Dinner Ideas
  • Spaghetti alla Carbonara.
  • Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni.
  • Chicken Piccata Pasta.
  • Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Peas.
  • Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo (or Stovetop)
  • Pasta Puttanesca.
  • One-Pot Penne Pasta with Ground Turkey and Spinach.
  • Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli with Whole Wheat Pasta.

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