Easy, Healthy Dinner Recipes to Simplify Your Weeknight Meals

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Dinner doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming to be delicious and nutritious. With a few simple ingredients, you can create vibrant, flavorful meals that are both satisfying and easy to prepare. Today, I'm sharing some easy, healthy dinner recipes that you can whip up in under 30 minutes. Plus, we’ll include a few tips and ideas for building on these recipes to keep your meals fresh and exciting!

Enjoy Easy, Healthy Dinner Recipes

1. MEDITERRANEAN SHRIMP QUINOA BOWL

Serves: 2
Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa

  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced

  • 1 small cucumber, roughly chopped

  • 1 medium tomato, roughly chopped

  • 1/4 cup red onion, roughly chopped

  • 8-12 ounces grilled shrimp

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2-4 tablespoons balsamic glaze

  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Divide the quinoa, chickpeas, olives, cucumber, tomato, and red onion evenly between two bowls.

  2. Add the grilled shrimp to each bowl.

  3. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze over each bowl.

  4. Sprinkle with feta cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.

Nutrition (per serving):

  • Calories: ~430

  • Protein: ~32g

  • Fat: ~18g

  • Carbs: ~40g

 
 

2. MEXICAN-INSPIRED FRESH BOWL

Serves: 2
Ingredients:

  • 1 small cucumber, chopped

  • 1/2 red onion, chopped

  • 1 medium tomato, chopped

  • 1 medium avocado, chopped

  • 1 cup cooked brown rice

  • 8-12 ounces grilled chicken breast, seasoned with fajita seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • Sea salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Divide the cucumber, red onion, tomato, avocado, and brown rice evenly between two bowls.

  2. Top each bowl with grilled chicken.

  3. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the juice of half a lemon over each bowl.

  4. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.

Nutrition (per serving):

  • Calories: ~450

  • Protein: ~35g

  • Fat: ~20g

  • Carbs: ~35g

3. ASIAN-INSPIRED VEGGIE STIR FRY

Serves: 2
Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 small carrot, thinly sliced

  • 1 cup broccoli florets

  • 1/2 cup bell pepper, sliced

  • 1/2 cup snap peas

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced

  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari

  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice

  • 8 ounces firm tofu or chicken breast, cubed and cooked

  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the carrot, broccoli, bell pepper, snap peas, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.

  2. Mix in the soy sauce and honey. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

  3. Divide the cooked rice between two bowls, top with the stir-fried vegetables and tofu or chicken.

  4. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving):

  • Calories: ~380

  • Protein: ~22g

  • Fat: ~12g

  • Carbs: ~50g

Tips and Ideas for Easy Dinner Recipes

  1. Batch Cooking Grains: Cook a large batch of grains like quinoa, brown rice, or farro at the start of the week. Store them in the fridge to use as a base for quick bowls.

  2. Prep Your Protein: Grill or bake chicken breasts, shrimp, or tofu ahead of time to have a variety of proteins ready to go for your meals.

  3. Add More Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables to any of these bowls. Roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed spinach, or steamed broccoli are great options.

  4. Use Dressings Wisely: Light dressings like olive oil with lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or a simple vinaigrette can enhance flavor without adding too many calories.

  5. Keep It Fresh: Mix up your meals by changing the seasoning or sauce. Adding different herbs, spices, or sauces can completely change the flavor profile.

    These easy dinner recipes are just a starting point! Get creative with what you have in your pantry or fridge. Building healthy, delicious dinners doesn't have to be difficult—just mix and match your favorite ingredients, and you'll have a nutritious meal in minutes.

sAY HELLO TO EASY MEALS ALREADY DONE FOR YOU

Say hello to a more healthful way of eating! Take the guesswork out of meal planning and grocery shopping with The Mediterranean Diet Lifestyle Pack.

WHAT'S INSIDE:

  • Mediterranean Diet Introduction

    • Introduction Starter Guide: A step by step guide gives you clear instructions for use of the program.

  • 4-Week Meal Plan

    • Day-by-Day Structure: Follow a comprehensive 4-week meal plan covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, perfectly aligned with Mediterranean diet principles.

    • Weekly Grocery Lists

    • Meal Prep Tips: Get meal prep tips for each week instructing when to prepare meals and how to implement left overs.

  • Recipe Bundle

    • 70 Total Recipes

  • Snack Ideas

    • Healthy Snacking Options

  • Macro Guide

    • Macro Guide: Understand how to balance proteins, carbs, and fats in your diet, complete with portion sizes and nutritional information.

    • Foods To Include/Limit

  • Guilt-Free Eating Out Guide

    • Dining Out Tips

  • Meal Builder

    • Customize Your Meals

  • Healthy Condiment Guide: Simple, delicious recipes for healthy condiment options.

  • Biofeedback Guide

    • Listen to Your Body: Track key biomarkers such as sleep, hunger, mood, energy, and cravings, helping you fine-tune your dietary choices.

    • 4 Fillable Biofeedback score cards

  • Energy Balance Guide (energy in vs energy out)

    • Manage Your Energy: Learn to balance your calorie intake and expenditure, tailored to your personal goals and lifestyle.

  • Weekly Reflection

    • Reflect and Adjust: Use weekly reflection prompts to evaluate your progress, celebrate successes, and identify areas for improvement.

    • 4 Weekly Reflection Pages

  • BONUS: Meal Prep Worksheets

GET STARTED: THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET MEAL PLAN + LIFESTYLE PACK