10 Quick & Healthy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Weeknights are notorious for their time crunch. Juggling work, family, and everything in between leaves little room for elaborate cooking. But healthy eating shouldn't be sacrificed! These 10 quick and healthy dinner recipes are designed to get a nutritious meal on the table in under 30 minutes, without compromising on flavor.

1. One-Pan Lemon Herb Roasted Salmon and Veggies:

* Time: 20 minutes * Ingredients: Salmon fillets, broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, lemon slices, olive oil, herbs (dill, thyme, rosemary). * Method: Toss veggies with olive oil and herbs. Arrange on a baking sheet with salmon fillets and lemon slices. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.

2. Quick Chickpea Curry:

* Time: 25 minutes * Ingredients: Canned chickpeas, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, coconut milk, curry powder, spinach. * Method: Sauté onion and garlic. Add curry powder, chickpeas, tomatoes, and coconut milk. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in spinach until wilted. Serve with rice or naan.

3. Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles:

* Time: 15 minutes * Ingredients: Shrimp, zucchini (spiralized or thinly sliced), garlic, butter, lemon juice, white wine (optional), red pepper flakes. * Method: Sauté garlic in butter. Add shrimp and cook until pink. Stir in zucchini noodles, lemon juice, white wine (if using), and red pepper flakes. Cook until zucchini is tender-crisp.

4. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas:

* Time: 25 minutes * Ingredients: Chicken breast (sliced), bell peppers (sliced), onion (sliced), fajita seasoning, tortillas. * Method: Toss chicken and veggies with fajita seasoning and olive oil. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

5. Lentil Soup:

* Time: 30 minutes (can be made in a slow cooker for even less hands-on time) * Ingredients: Lentils, vegetable broth, diced carrots, celery, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, spices (cumin, turmeric). * Method: Sauté vegetables. Add lentils, broth, and spices. Simmer until lentils are tender.

6. Tuna Melts with Avocado:

* Time: 10 minutes * Ingredients: Canned tuna, whole-wheat bread, avocado, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato. * Method: Mix tuna with mayonnaise. Spread on bread with avocado slices, lettuce, and tomato. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Corn:

* Time: 15 minutes (if using pre-cooked quinoa) * Ingredients: Cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil. * Method: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss.

8. Turkey and Veggie Burgers:

* Time: 20 minutes * Ingredients: Ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped vegetables (onion, carrots, zucchini), burger buns, toppings of your choice. * Method: Mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, and vegetables. Form into patties and cook in a pan or bake. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.

9. Caprese Salad with Grilled Chicken:

* Time: 15 minutes * Ingredients: Grilled chicken breast (pre-cooked or quickly grilled), fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil leaves, balsamic glaze, olive oil. * Method: Arrange chicken, mozzarella, and tomatoes on a plate. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and olive oil. Garnish with basil leaves.

10. Pasta with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes:

* Time: 15 minutes * Ingredients: Pasta (whole wheat preferred), pesto (store-bought or homemade), cherry tomatoes, parmesan cheese. * Method: Cook pasta according to package directions. Toss with pesto, halved cherry tomatoes, and parmesan cheese.

These recipes are just a starting point. Feel free to adjust ingredients and seasonings to your liking. The key is to keep it simple, use readily available ingredients, and embrace the convenience of one-pan or one-pot cooking to minimize cleanup! Enjoy your delicious and healthy weeknight dinners!