Looking for healthy dinner ideas the whole family will love? Look no further!
Here are 10 delicious, nutritious recipes to get you started.
You want your kids to eat right and stay healthy, but it can be hard to come up with something that they’ll both love and that you feel good about serving them. We’ve got 10 delicious, nutritious recipes to get you started! These recipes are quick and easy to make, but they’re also as creative as you want to make them! Your family will be so happy you took the time to make them dinner when they get home from school or from practice!
1) Roasted Salmon with Asparagus
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Roast asparagus spears on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish with a little olive oil and salt until cooked through (about 12 minutes). Meanwhile, mix together salt and pepper with garlic powder and paprika in a shallow bowl or plate; coat salmon fillets on both sides with mixture. Place fillets on pan and cook until browned on each side (about 3-5 minutes). Serve salmon atop roasted asparagus spears. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!
2) Grilled Chicken with Sweet Potato Wedges
Get ready for summer grilling with this dish that's loaded with flavor and sure to please everyone at your table. This recipe features a grilled chicken breast and sweet potato wedges served over a bed of lettuce, all drizzled with a creamy honey mustard dressing. If you're looking for something lighter than mashed potatoes and still want that classic baked potato taste, try these roasted red skin potatoes instead! The best part is they cook in less than 30 minutes so there's no need to wait until it cools off outside before making them. Another easy side dish option for those who don't like tomatoes or corn would be vegetable fried rice. Combine one cup of cooked brown rice with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 2 tablespoons canola oil and stir-fry vegetables like carrots, onions, peas, bell peppers, mushrooms, celery or any other veggies you have on hand; add seasonings if desired. For dessert tonight, why not make a healthy fruit salad? Start by washing fresh fruits like strawberries or oranges then cut into pieces or slices. Add sugar free syrup or agave nectar if desired then serve chilled!
3) Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
In a large pot of boiling water cook 4 cups of quinoa according to package instructions and drain well. In a large skillet add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and saute 3 diced green bell peppers and 5 diced garlic cloves until tender but not browned. Add cooked quinoa, 1 can chopped green chilies, 1 can crushed tomatoes with liquid, 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer mixture 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Layer mixture in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
4) Turkey Burger Sliders
These turkey burger sliders are a healthier alternative to hamburgers and they're just as tasty and filling. The best part is that they're so easy to make! You can prep everything in advance and then just pop them in the oven when your guests arrive. They'll be ready in about 25 minutes and everyone will be asking for seconds (trust us).
1/2 pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Olive oil spray or brush
8 slider buns (can also use Hawaiian rolls) 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce 1 roma tomato sliced into 8 rounds
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5) Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
This recipe is great for those days when you just don't have time to cook a big meal and want something that tastes good and doesn't take hours in the kitchen. It's easy, it's fast, it's tasty AND it tastes like take-out! This meal gets lots of flavor from garlic, honey and soy sauce with a little kick from red pepper flakes.
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into 1 inch pieces)
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons dry white wine or dry sherry
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar) 2 teaspoons cornstarch
6) Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meatballs
1 spaghetti squash 1 lb ground turkey
1 small onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried oregano leaves
1⁄4 tsp salt
1⁄4 tsp ground black pepper
7) Sheet Pan Fajitas
This recipe is a one-pan wonder that has everything your family needs for a well-balanced meal: protein from chicken and sautéed veggies; carbs from brown rice; and veggies of all kinds. Pile it high with condiments and toppings like sour cream, cilantro, avocado slices and fresh lime juice to round out this dish into a complete meal. It's also customizable - serve these fajitas as tacos by wrapping them up in warm corn tortillas or simply spoon over some cooked quinoa or rice to keep things gluten-free. Serve them as a main course or add on some side dishes like refried beans, black beans or Spanish Rice.
Two other great entrees include Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie and Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers. The former is hearty comfort food made easy; just spread mashed sweet potatoes in the bottom of a deep dish pie plate, top with frozen peas and carrots mixed together with seasoned meatless crumbles (or bacon if you're feeling indulgent), then pour canned beef gravy over top until everything is nicely moistened. Then layer cheese on top and bake until golden brown.
8) One Pot Thai Coconut Curry
Makes 12 muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
6 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 and 1/4 cups)
9) Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans
1/2 cup pecans 1/2 tablespoon olive oil 2 cups Brussels sprouts (halved) salt and pepper 4-5 tablespoons dried cranberries or raisins
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spread nuts on baking sheet and toast until fragrant and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer nuts to a plate with a kitchen towel to cool; set aside. In same baking sheet, stir together sprouts and oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until golden brown on bottom of sprouts or about 10 minutes total time roasting at 400 degrees F., flipping halfway through roasting time so that both sides brown evenly.
10) Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
The best part about these muffins is they're naturally sweetened with bananas so they're perfect for breakfast or a quick snack at any time of day. They're also gluten free, oil free and vegan - so everyone in your family can enjoy them too!
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas)
1/4 cup almond butter
2 cups gluten-free flour blend (or 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 tbsp cornstarch)
3 tbsp ground flaxseed meal 2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 4 oz unsweetened chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare muffin tin with paper liners; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour blend, cornstarch, ground flaxseed meal, baking powder and baking soda; set aside. In another medium bowl mix together wet ingredients: mashed banana (make sure it's smooth), almond butter, vanilla extract and melted chocolate chips until well combined; add wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated then fold in chocolate chips. Spoon batter evenly into prepared pan then bake for 16 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center of one muffin when inserted into middle of batter.
