If you need simple and healthy dinner ideas for your meal plan, you’ve come to the right place!
I know all about that dreaded weeknight dinnertime rush. Especially if you do not meal plan.
Now if you do, in order to make it easier for you, I’ve put together a list of 10 dinner ideas for your meal planning. These are all pretty simple to put together yet a lot more nutritious than your typical quick meal.
1. Chickpea curry
If you’ve got canned chickpeas on hand, you’ve already won half the battle. This healthy and quick curry can be made in just minutes. If you want to up the veggie content, you can also add some roasted cauliflower.
2. White chicken chili
You can make a white chicken chili in under half an hour with chicken breast, white beans, cumin, corn and yogurt, or set it in your Crock-Pot and forget it! It’s a fun change from traditional chili and easily feeds a crowd.
3. Pesto pasta with grilled shrimp or chicken
Is there anything quicker to make than pasta? I usually keep pesto on hand, so I can whip up quick meals like this. Boil pasta, toss with pesto, and add some grilled shrimp or chicken on top for a protein boost. When I have a few extra minutes, I like to pulse some spinach or kale in the food processor and mix it into the pesto – no one will even notice!
4. Fish piccata
Lemon juice and capers are a classic combo, and this simple and healthy dinner comes together in no time. This recipe makes a complete meal in 15 minutes, with fish piccata, smashed potatoes and green beans (it also works with asparagus or broccolini).
5. Chicken and avocado wraps
I don’t know how it goes in your house, but with my elder child, he was significantly more likely to eat any type food when I put it inside a wrap when he was younger. In the time it takes a few chicken breasts to grill, slice up some avocado, tomato, and red onion. You can use taco seasonings and dress with sour cream and cheese to take this in a Mexican direction, or spread hummus on the wraps for an entirely different flavour profile.
6. Frittata
Great for meatless Mondays, a frittata is the perfect way to use up all those scraps of veg in your fridge. Honestly, almost any type of vegetable will work, so use a combination you know your family will love to make this simple and healthy dinner. Feta and spinach are one direction you could take it, or try roasted red pepper and asparagus or even potato and broccoli. The sky’s the limit!
7. Baked fish and potatoes with spinach
Thinly slice enough potatoes to satisfy your family’s hunger – I like to add a thinly sliced onion here, too, for flavour – and toss with olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Bake the potatoes for around 20 minutes by themselves. Then, place whatever white fish filets you want on top, cover them with tomato slices so they don’t dry out, and give it another 20 minutes or so in the oven. Serve over spinach for extra nutrition – it will wilt slightly from the heat of the potatoes.
8. Lentil soup
There are lots of ways to make iron-rich lentils, but sometimes less is more. A basic lentil soup with carrots, potatoes and simple seasonings like this one is so much more than the sum of its parts. Serve with pita or garlic bread for mopping up all that tasty broth!
9. Grilled salmon with couscous and a salad
The great thing about salmon is that it tastes good even without a fancy glaze. I like to sprinkle it with dill, garlic powder and salt and pepper before grilling. I often serve it with couscous, which cooks in just a few minutes and is delicious with some orange zest, dried cranberries and almonds. Throw together a quick side salad, and you’re set!
10. Pasta primavera
My kids are far more receptive to vegetables when I tuck them inside a pasta dish. Healthy versions of Primavera like this one with carrots, peppers and courgettes let your oven the work for you. You can adjust the veg to suit your family’s tastes – I like to toss in a little broccoli as well to give it some colour and make it more well-rounded.
If you struggle with meal planning – then this is for you….
….’5 days to quicker meals’ is BACK!
This time, we will be focusing on meal planning, hence it is called ‘the meal plan edit’ 🥳
If you find meal planning overwhelming
Don’t have time for it
Struggle to find meals everyone loves
Give up after a few tries
Leave it up to the last minute
—or just don’t know what to cook
Then this virtual challenge is just what you need!
All you need is a few minutes a day, for just 5 days.
Join me as I spill the secrets on how I went from non-meal planner, to consistent meal planner, for the last 12 years!
Get more details & sign up here!
PS: of course we have some AMAZING prizes in store for you!
– The FoodSaver Handheld gadget, including bags + pack of 2 containers
– The Crock-Pot digital 4.7 litre
– 2 spots to my online slow cooking course: ‘Slow Cooking, Fast Batching’
Are you ready? —>>>>>> SIGN UP NOW – it’s free!
Leave a Comment