Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes for Winning Weeknight Meals

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Looking for easy healthy dinner recipes? The key is keeping your kitchen stocked with some basics so when those hungry weeknights arrive, you're ready to cook without any energy-draining, time-consuming, last-minute trips to the supermarket. Add the ingredients below to your grocery list, then whip up one of the tasty recipes that follow for a healthy meal any night of the week.

Healthy Meal Essentials

Avoid the need for takeout or delivery with these must-have foods that will help you create a healthy meal no matter how little time you have.

Chicken Breast, Ground Beef, Ground Turkey, and Seafood

You can buy these fresh or frozen depending on how long you will keep them in the fridge before you cook. If frozen, simply thaw in the morning before heading to work, and you'll have protein ready to go by the time you get home. Of course, vegans and vegetarians can skip this and load up on plant-based protein sources such as tempeh, tofu, lentils, and quinoa.  

Olive Oil, Seasoning, and Spices

Is your spice cupboard getting a little bare or boring? Make sure you have cooking oil (olive oil is among the healthiest) and seasonings that aren't expired. Along with your old standbys, let the recipes on our list inspire you to try new flavors that will perk up your palate.

A Variety of Vegetables That Stay Fresh Longer

Veggies are a must when it comes to healthy meals, so look for long-lasting staples such as broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, bell peppers, and cabbage that fare well in the crisper for at least a week. Most potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic will keep in the pantry for at least a few weeks.

An Assortment of Canned and Jarred Goods

Not only will canned goods last years, but they can majorly reduce your meal prepping time. Stock up on a mix of legumes and beans like lentils, chickpeas, cannellini, and black beans. Don't forget the chicken broth (it's a must for many recipes!), tomato sauce (jarred is best because of its high acid content), and other canned veggies that can make a quick side dish for any weeknight dinner.

Dry Goods, Pastas, and Grains

Even if you're following a low-carb diet, having some pastas and grains on hand can be a life-saver when you've run out of dinner ideas. Look for gluten-free pasta, noodles, brown rice, and quinoa for fast fixes for your weeknight dining dilemmas.

Healthy Dinner Recipes

When you're short on time but still want a healthy meal that's big on flavor, try these recipes that are done in 40 minutes or less. Even better, try Tovala Meals for freshly cooked dinner without the work. Simply scan the meal's barcode, press start, and within 20 minutes you’ll have a delicious, home-cooked dinner. Meals are always 400-800 calories with gluten-free, high-protein, and vegetarian options available.

Maple Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

Prep & Cooking Time: 40 minutes

With just three main ingredients and a few pantry staples, this one-pan salmon recipe is a keeper. To make sure the sweet potatoes cook quickly, cut them into thin slices (a mandolin works great) and give them a little head start before adding the salmon and asparagus. This healthy meal not only offers an ideal mix of sweet, savory, crispy, and flaky goodness in every forkful, but you'll have virtually no clean-up thanks to the one-pan meal prep.

Chicken Thighs With Shallots & Spinach

Prep & Cooking Time: 30 minutes

This juicy chicken recipe kicks things up a notch with a tasty side dish that can be made in the same skillet. All you need are some chicken thighs, spinach, and chicken broth along with a little salt, pepper, and sour cream. While chicken breast would work, thigh meat adds more flavor and usually costs less. Use frozen or canned spinach if you don't have any fresh leaves on hand. And if you don't have shallots, onions will do just fine.

Greek Turkey Meatball Gyro With Tzatziki

Prep & Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Packed with protein and flavor, this easy Mediterranean-inspired recipe will be ready for you to devour in less time than it would take to get delivery. While this classic Greek dish is usually made with thinly sliced lamb, beef, or pork, this DIY version adds a healthier yet no less tasty twist with ground turkey that is rolled into meatballs and cooked in mere minutes.

Place them inside piping hot pita and finish with tomato, onion, and yogurt sauce for a delicious dinner (and healthy lunch) that's just 429 calories.

Orange-Sage Pork Chops

Prep & Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Tired of chicken? Treat yourself to this simple one-pan dish, featuring scrumptious pork chops seared in a skillet. Garlic, chicken broth, and orange juice simmer together for maximum flavor while a sprinkle of fresh sage adds an aromatic layer. Although the recipe calls for margarine, feel free to use olive oil instead for added antioxidants.

Serve with a side of green beans, Brussels sprouts, or any other veggies you might have for an easy, healthy dinner that looks like it took hours to prepare.

15 Minute Lo Mein

Prep & Cooking Time: 15 minutes

When you're in the mood for oodles of noodles, this 15-minute lo mein delivers and tastes way better than takeout. With just a package of ramen, a few splashes of soy sauce, and a handful of chopped veggies, you'll have a sensationally simple and savory Asian stir-fry in practically no time at all. Toss in some tofu or tempeh to keep it plant-based or add whatever protein you like for a more filling weeknight dinner.

One Pan Chicken and Veggies

Prep & Cooking Time: 35 minutes

After a long day at work, this one-pan chicken dish is precisely the kind of easy recipe you'll go back to again and again. With only 10 minutes of prep, this dish practically cooks itself. Since the veggies bake alongside the chicken breast, choose vegetables that can withstand 25 minutes in the oven—think butternut squash, sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, cauliflower, or green beans.

Want to go meat-free? Swap the chicken for tofu, tempeh, or mushrooms for a meaty texture and add high-protein greens like broccoli.

Zucchini Pasta With Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Prep & Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Don't have enough time to boil pasta? No problem! This pasta-free take on classic shrimp and linguine is not only ridiculously easy to make, it's also low-carb, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and sure to satisfy your Italian comfort food cravings. Simply sauté shrimp in a pan with lemon, garlic, and a few other ingredients, then toss in the zucchini noodles. You can use a spiralizer to make them or pick up pre-packed spirals to minimize prep time. Boom. Dinner is done.

Fiesta Chicken

Prep & Cooking Time: 25 minutes

When you need a healthy chicken recipe that gets dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, look no further than this one-skillet fiesta chicken casserole. Skinless chicken breast and black beans punch up the protein while the array of seasoning gives it a deliciously spicy kick. Add a layer of cheese along with some sliced avocado, and you have an instant Mexican favorite any night of the week.  

Easy, Healthy, Yummy

Whether you commute, work at home, or simply prefer not to spend your time worrying about what's for dinner, having a well-stocked kitchen and some easy, healthy recipes at the ready can make things a lot easier.

But why stop there? Rather than standing over a stove, let the Tovala Oven cook your food with the touch of a button or tap of an app. This cutting-edge countertop oven is sure to become your culinary BFF thanks to its ability to bake, toast, reheat, broil, and steam your food with the precision of a pro—and all for a price that you can afford. It doesn't get any easier or healthier than that.