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30 Healthy Dinner Recipes You Can Make in 30 Minutes
When you need a healthy dinner on the table, turn to one of these quick recipes. Each of these meals comes together in 30 minutes or less, so they’re perfect for busy nights. Recipes like our High-Protein Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet and our Sticky Orange Tofu Bites are quick, nutritious and flavorful.
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High-Protein Cheeseburger Salad
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams , Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee
This cheeseburger salad is a fun twist on a classic burger. It features a crisp base of chopped iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, pickles and juicy cherry tomatoes. A melty cheeseburger patty is served warm on top, along with a tangy ketchup-mayo-pickle sauce that ties all the flavors together.
High-Protein Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet
This ground beef and sweet potato skillet is a fast, hearty meal made with just five simple ingredients (not counting oil, salt and pepper) for a flavorful one-pan dinner. The sweet potatoes cook until tender, soaking up the savory flavors from the beef and veggies.
High-Protein Pasta Salad
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Crunchy cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers and red onions are all mixed together in a heart-healthy vinaigrette for a dish that is as delicious as it is eye-catching. Chickpea pasta, whole chickpeas and fresh mozzarella pearls provide the dish’s protein.
Sticky Orange Tofu Bites
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
These sticky orange tofu bites are the perfect balance between sweet and savory, thanks to the flavorful orange glaze made from fresh orange juice and zest. Cooking the tofu with a bit of cornstarch on the outside helps the glaze cling to the pieces.
High-Protein Enchilada Skillet
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This enchilada skillet is a one-pan meal packed with plant-based protein. Crumbled tofu soaks up the sauce, while corn tortillas soften into it for a rich, satisfying filling. Black beans provide protein and fiber, and a sprinkle of cheese on top adds melty goodness to every bite.
Creamy Pesto Beans
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These creamy pesto beans are pulled together in just 30 minutes. The sauce clings to tender white beans, and whatever is left is perfect for sopping up with a warm, crusty baguette. For a heartier meal, serve the beans over whole-grain pasta, letting the sauce coat every bite.
Sesame-Crusted Tuna Rice Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Get ready for these sesame-crusted tuna rice bowls to make over your weeknights! This easy meal features seared tuna steaks coated in sesame seeds, precooked brown rice for speedy prep and a medley of fresh and flavorful toppings.
Cauliflower alla Vodka
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Clarie Spollen
This cauliflower alla vodka is the plant-based meal you need right now! Cauliflower soaks up the creamy vodka sauce beautifully, making it a satisfying alternative to pasta.
Loaded Chicken & Broccoli Salad
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
With tender, juicy chicken and crisp, fresh broccoli as the base, this salad delivers a satisfying bite in every forkful. A creamy dressing ties everything together, while mix-ins like crispy bacon, shredded cheese and scallions add layers of flavor.
Marry Me Chicken Salad Sandwich
Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This sandwich takes the satisfying combination of creamy, savory and tangy flavors from the original dish and gives it the sandwich treatment. We add a handful of peppery arugula to give a vibrant bite to every mouthful, but you can use baby spinach in its place if you prefer.
Curried Butter Beans
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
Tender butter beans combine with red curry paste and aromatic spices in this hearty, plant-based dish. Enjoy it on its own or serve it over brown rice or whole-grain noodles for a more filling meal.
Sheet-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus
Ali Redmond
Chicken cutlets are coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze, roasting right alongside tender asparagus for an easy, well-balanced dinner. It’s a simple one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
By swapping in fiber-packed white beans and spinach as the main ingredients, we’ve given Marry Me Chicken a vegetarian spin. You’ll want to sop up every last bit of sauce, so serve this with a nice hunk of crusty whole-grain bread.
Sheet-Pan Salmon and Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Lemon-Garlic Drizzle
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Heart-healthy salmon is nestled among shaved Brussels sprouts, both of which soak up amazing flavor from the double drizzle of lemon-garlic sauce.
Summer Chicken Parmesan
Skip canned tomatoes and serve these crispy, cheesy chicken cutlets with a fresh tomato-and-zucchini sauté instead. Round out the meal with a simple green salad and garlic-rubbed toasted bread slices.
High-Protein Penne with Ground Turkey & Mushrooms
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This pasta is a delicious, protein-packed meal, thanks to its powerhouse ingredients. Lean ground turkey teams up with cottage cheese, which not only boosts protein but also adds creaminess without relying on heavy cream. Mushrooms bring a savory depth of flavor while being low in calories, and whole-grain penne contributes fiber for a hearty and balanced meal!
Lemon-Roasted Salmon with Green Herb Sauce
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
The star of this salmon dish is the vibrant green herb sauce, made with fresh parsley and dill; it adds a burst of freshness that complements the fish beautifully.
Spiced Cauliflower & Whipped Ricotta Pitas
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
Spiced cauliflower bites sit atop a bright and nutty walnut spread layered with creamy whipped ricotta in this delicious open-face sandwich. The cauliflower bites are flavored with shawarma seasoning, a complex Middle Eastern spice blend that can include cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric and more.
Broccoli-Pesto Pasta
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This broccoli pesto pasta is a delicious fiber-rich dinner that can help maintain a healthy gut. Seek out artichoke hearts packed in water or use thawed frozen artichokes in their place. Serve this plant-based meal with a green salad and a hunk of whole-grain bread on the side to sop up the leftovers.
Turmeric Chicken & Avocado Wraps
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
These chicken salad wraps are packed with ingredients that help reduce inflammation. Turmeric brings a bright golden hue, while chickpeas add fiber and plant-based protein. Mix up the chicken salad at the beginning of the week to enjoy in a wrap or serve it over greens if you prefer.
Baked Brie, Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Creamy melted Brie creates a velvety sauce that fills in the ridges of fusilli pasta, while Parmesan cheese gives it a nutty, savory depth. Sun-dried tomatoes bring a tangy sweetness that balances the richness. A little crushed red pepper adds heat, and wilted spinach provides earthy notes and nutrients.
Broccoli Melts
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Here, we combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food.
Roasted Salmon & Broccoli Rice Bowls
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Gochujang, mayonnaise and honey combine to bring a spicy-sweet flavor to roasted salmon fillets. The honey allows the sauce to cling to the salmon while also providing a slight caramelization. Store-bought kimchi adds a nice tang to complete these weeknight-friendly rice bowls.
Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Prop stylist: Shell Royster, Food stylist: Emily Hall
This speedy dinner combines shrimp with pillowy gnocchi, pesto and peas in a creamy sauce. Sprinkle in some crushed red pepper for a bit of heat, or garnish with grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the savory flavor.
Crispy Orange Cauliflower
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Ruff, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
This crispy orange cauliflower is a plant-based twist on the classic Chinese American dish, orange chicken. It features cauliflower florets coated in a light, crispy batter, fried until crispy and then tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Enjoy it as an appetizer or serve it over steamed brown rice with stir-fried tofu and veggies for a vibrant, wholesome meal.
Cheesy Spinach-&-Artichoke-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
This spaghetti-squash-for-pasta swap slashes both carbs and calories by 75% for a delicious, creamy casserole you can feel good about eating. It’s worth roasting the squash versus cooking it in the microwave if you have the time—the flavor gets sweeter and more intense.
Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Chicken & Fresh Berries
This flavorful salad is packed with tender rotisserie chicken, juicy berries and hearty quinoa for a filling and satisfying meal.
One-Skillet Garlicky Salmon & Broccoli
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This dish combines tender, flaky salmon with crisp, garlicky broccoli and bell pepper, all cooked in one pan for easy prep and cleanup. Packed with lean protein, omega-3s and a generous serving of veggies, this is one recipe you’ll want on repeat!
Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Whip up this quick and easy teriyaki chicken casserole in just one skillet—it’s the perfect go-to recipe for hectic weeknights, sure to satisfy a crowd. It’s ideal for making use of any leftover chicken and rice you have on hand. If you’re short on leftovers, a rotisserie chicken paired with a package of microwaveable brown rice is a good substitute.
Creamy Chicken Pasta with Brussels Sprouts & Artichokes
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The creamy white wine–garlic sauce brings together artichokes and shaved Brussels sprouts with nutty whole-wheat pasta in this quick dinner. If you opt for pre-packaged shaved sprouts, note that they might be on the thicker side, requiring a few extra minutes of cooking time.
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