Getting the family to eat healthier meals is a worthwhile goal. But resolving to prepare more nutritious meals and actually having the time to follow through can be two vastly different things. On top of that, finding dishes your whole brood will enjoy is an added challenge.
These healthful dinner ideas tick all the boxes. Chock-full of wholesome ingredients? Check. Appetizing to even the picky eaters? Yup. Easy enough for weeknight meals? Absolutely! Discover enough nourishing and nom-worthy recipes to take you through an entire month of meals.
Bruschetta Chicken
Chicken breasts are a healthy dinner go-to, but finding tasty new ways to make them can be difficult. This recipe from Dishing Up Dinner tops the plump white meat with fresh bruschetta fixing. You can fix it in the oven or, if the weather is nice enough, take it out to the grill.
Five minutes of prep work and 20 minutes in the oven is all this dinner idea from Life Made Simple requires. Place sliced bell peppers, onions and chicken strips on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and season. In no time, you have a delicious DIY meal that rivals your favorite Mexican restaurant.
You know those weeknights when you get home and realize you forgot to take something out for dinner? This quick dish from Chelsea’s Messy Apron can be a lifesaver. Grab that package of sausage, add your favorite veggies and prep it all in a single pan.
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Breast With Brussel Sprouts
Veggies tend to be more tantalizing when they’re roasted. Brussels sprouts are no exception. This recipe from Organize Yourself Skinny combines simple yet delectable Brussels sprouts with flavorful chicken breasts. The chicken is coated in tangy mustard, sweet honey and savory garlic.
You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare a nutrient-packed meal. This dinner from Catz in the Kitchen features three superfoods — and only a single pan. Just add a few herbs and spices (which you likely have on hand) and pop the pan in the oven.
Who says a taco needs a tortilla? Load up on healthy fats with creamy avocados serving as boats to hold taco filling. These boats from Bless Her Heart, Y’all are filled with light, seasoned chicken breast and other fresh toppings.
It’s nice to have some meatless meals in your recipe arsenal, and when they are quick and easy to whip up, that’s a bonus. This frittata from In Fine Balance turns some common fridge contents into a nutritious, protein-packed dinner.
Some evenings call for warm, comforting soup. Before you grab the can opener, consider this simple recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod. This hearty dish only requires 10 minutes of prep time. Another half-hour of cooking and dinner is served.
This childhood favorite might not sound like a very healthful dinner option. However, the sloppy Joe recipe from JoyFoodSunshine uses simple, whole ingredients and less sugar than traditional versions. Other swaps to make the meal more wholesome are offered, as well.
If you have ever grown zucchini, you probably harvested more than your family could eat. This abundant squash is full of important vitamins and minerals and its mild taste makes it a hit with kids, as well. With this recipe from Making Thyme for Health, you’ll stuff scooped-out zukes with black beans, brown rice and other burrito filling faves.
Stuffed bell peppers have been a weeknight staple for decades. Blogger Dear Crissy gave the recipe a healthy upgrade with ground turkey. Not only are the simple ingredients nutritious, but they are affordable and kid-friendly, as well.
Simple, whole foods are so much healthier than processed, packaged meals or take-out. This gorgeous, tempting dish from Table For Two looks like restaurant food, but it’s homemade from scratch. And although it looks complicated, it’s actually ready in a matter of minutes.
Looking to add more fish to your dinner rotation? Garnish and Glaze suggests this tantalizing recipe combining tasty salmon and fresh asparagus. Add some rice and dinner is on the table in 20 minutes.
Shrimp is one of those main courses that many home cooks avoid, thinking it’s too complicated or time-consuming to prepare. Sally’s Baking Addiction provides a dish simple enough for a weeknight meal. Marinate the shrimp during the day, then saute it, and serve with rice and veggies.
Looking for ideas for a meatless Monday or ways to increase your plant-based meals? Love and Lemons offers this mouthwatering meal idea. Your family won’t feel deprived and you can put it together fast.
Zoodles are in — and with good reason. They’re easy to prepare, take on the flavors of sauces and other ingredients and they’re a terrific alternative to pasta. Skinny Fitalicious tops zucchini noodles with artichokes and chunky meat sauce for a quick meal.
You can make quick dinners and stick to a vegan diet. These hummus quesadillas from This Savory Vegan are the perfect combination of crisp and creamy. Tortillas loaded with hummus, spinach, red pepper and garlic can be ready to serve in mere minutes.
When you want dinner made simple, your slow cooker can be your best friend. This crispy chicken carnitas bowl from Kim’s Cravings are as healthy as they are scrumptious. You can customize the bowls with your favorite fillings and toppings.
Take dinner from everyday to exotic without too much effort. The Girl on Bloor dishes up this peanut-based stew, which also has chickpeas, sweet potatoes and other luscious ingredients. Dump it in your Crock-Pot and have dinner waiting when you come home.
Can’t get enough kale? Sneak it in to your family’s dinner with this heavenly Italian dish from Becky’s Best Bites. Combined with whole grain pasta, quinoa or brown rice, it is even healthier. Did we mention it’s ready in 15 minutes?
It doesn’t get easier than a meal cooked all in one pan. Mushrooms and rosemary accompany the chicken in this recipe from Life Made Sweeter while lemon ties it all together. After 20 minutes of prepping, you can let it cook while you put your feet up for a bit.
Gather your family around the dinner table with a hearty soup and some crusty bread. The Wanderlust Kitchen shared this recipe, which is perfect for a chilly or rainy evening. Prep for five minutes and then enjoy the appetizing aroma for about half an hour while the soup simmers.
Nachos are quick and simple, but you might not consider them healthy. The Thriving Home blog turns this kid favorite into a nutritious dinner with the addition of black beans and grass-fed beef. You can even cook some of it in advance to make it even faster.
No need to resort to delivery when you’re craving the flavors of pizza. Peace, Love and Low Carb shares tips on applying a popular potato preparation to zukes. Slice up a zucchini, fill it with your favorite pizza toppings and pop in the oven.
Although it might look as though it came from a box, this hamburger helper is all homemade. This guilt-free upgrade from A Mindfull Mom starts with ground sirloin or turkey and whole wheat pasta. We’ll bet it ends with a bunch of satisfied tummies.
Chicken doesn’t have to be extravagant to be exciting. This dish from How Sweet Eats is the perfect example. Chicken and green beans team up with delectable flavors, such as soy sauce and sesame oil, to create a tantalizing dinner.
Roasting brings out the divine flavors in both vegetables and chicken. Gimme Delicious shows you how to combine these nutrient-packed ingredients and make a meal in minutes.
Some foods are so naturally yummy, they don’t need much prep work to make an amazing meal. The creative mind behind Damn Delicious coats salmon with teriyaki sauce, then pops it in the oven alongside beans and carrots. This recipe would impress company, but it’s ideal for family dinners, as well.
Tricia Goss is a Texas-based writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience. She is passionate about helping readers improve their skills, gain knowledge and attain more happiness in life. When she’s not working, Tricia enjoys traveling with her husband and their dog, especially to visit their five grandchildren.
