Good vibes all around.
Though we're always the first to shout from the rooftops about wildly impressive recipes that are sure to wow guests or loved ones, making it seem like all we do is have constant elaborate dinner parties or romantic date nights, in reality... not so much. Really, most weeknights we turn to easy, healthy dinners that come together quickly and for low effort. If they don’t cost an arm and a leg, even better! We firmly believe saving money doesn’t have to mean giving up flavor or convenience. Check out our list of 72 quick and healthy meals that won’t break the bank for easy weeknight dinner inspiration.
When it comes to healthier meals, we LOVE a veggie for pasta ingredient swap. Cauliflower and zucchini are forever faves, but we’re branching out into other veggies too, like spaghetti squash and butternut squash. We swear, you’ll barely miss the pasta (and can enjoy multiple servings, no problem).
We’re a big fan of the ease of Mexican-inspired tacos, quesadillas, and tostadas for simple weeknight meals. You can fill them with pretty much anything—like we did in our fish taco bowls, our black bean tostadas, or our taco salads—and every member of your household can add as few or as many toppings as they like.
Another great option? Grain bowls and bakes. All you need is a great sauce, like our herby green goddess, our salsa verde, or our tahini sauce; some rice (brown, white, or cauliflower all work), quinoa, or even noodles; some protein; and any combination of vegetables. Add some crunchy nuts or seeds and you'll have a solid, satisfying dinner. Bonus: They’re GREAT for cleaning leftover ingredients out of your fridge. Check out our warm tahini ramen noodles, our goddess bowls, our , or our for variations, then get creative and make them your own.
1
Chicken Stir-Fry
A stir fry is our go-to weeknight dinner when we just don’t have the energy to spend a long time in the kitchen—this recipe is no exception. Make it as is, then use it as a jumping-off point to create your perfect chicken stir-fry.
Get the Chicken Stir-Fry recipe.
2
Egg Roll Bowls
If you're a fan of crispy savory egg rolls, then you might consider this unwrapped version your dream healthy dinner. Without the need to wrap or fry, this veggie-packed meal comes together in well under an hour.
Get the Egg Roll Bowls recipe.
3
One-Pan Chicken & Quinoa
Here’s a quick and easy dinner that’s extra high in protein (thanks quinoa!) and takes very little effort. We love the Tex-Mex spices here; the chili powder and cayenne add a nice kick (but feel free to go lighter on them if you're sensitive to heat!).
Get the .
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4
Stuffed Butternut Squash
After baking brown-sugar-butter-slathered squash until perfectly tender, you'll top the squash with a hearty filling of quinoa, kale, and chickpeas. Flecked with dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds, the savory pilaf has the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and pops of color.
Get the Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
5
White Chicken Chili
We’ve created our fair share of chili recipes, but this white chicken version is one of our all-time favorites. Adding white beans make this heartier than your average chicken noodle soup, and the addition of green chiles, jalapeño, and sour cream add the perfect amount of heat and creaminess.
Get the White Chicken Chili recipe.
6
One-Skillet Creamy Thai Basil Chicken
This totally delicious mashup of coconut rice and Thai basil chicken gets dinner done in one skillet and brings all the flavors of Thai cuisine you crave into your home with ingredients you can find in most grocery stores.
Get the One-Skillet Creamy Thai Basil Chicken recipe.
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7
Paleo Pizza
Wait, you can eat pizza on the paleo diet?! Sure can! You just have to make a almond flour crust and use dairy-free cheese. We went supreme-style with mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, and red onion, but you do you!
Get the Paleo Pizza recipe.
8
Cashew Chicken With Cauliflower Rice
Craving cashew chicken, but not the rice? This recipe ups the veggies and swaps in cauliflower rice for a lighter take on the takeout classic.
Get the Cashew Chicken With Cauliflower Rice recipe.
9
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Typically deep- or pan-fried in oil, the option to air fry orange chicken instead saves a ton of calories and fat. Looking for a low-carb side? Serve this over simple air fried vegetables, letting them soak up the extra sauce in place of grains.
Get the Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe.
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10
Butternut Squash Curry
Butternut squash is toothsome and savory, kale is earthy and green, and coconut milk wraps everything here in a delicious, creamy sauce. The curry spice adds a little warm punch to each spoonful, while a squeeze of lime juice and fresh parsley brighten each bite, cutting out some of the richness.
Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe.
11
Baked Salmon
We have no shortage of creative salmon recipes, but there’s a reason this simple version is one of our most popular recipes. Whether you’re looking for the easiest way to feed a crowd or a simple, hands-off weeknight dinner, this is a recipe you’ll want to keep up your sleeve.
Get the Baked Salmon recipe.
12
One-Pan Salsa Verde Shrimp & Rice
Use your favorite jarred salsa verde to make this extremely easy and flavorful shrimp dish that's sure to impress. Want to take it over the top? Use homemade salsa verde instead!
Get the .
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13
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
The fact that crispy golden chicken can be achieved without the use of any oil whatsoever is amazing (not to mention how quickly the air fryer can do it!). This chicken Parm tastes every bit as good as the traditional version with much less effort to get there.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe.
14
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
We love lentil soup for its versatility. For this rendition, we add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic as a base, plus canned tomatoes and fresh thyme. Simply add ingredients, set your Instant Pot to high, and press go!
Get the Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe.
15
Fish Taco Bowls
Crispy fish and a creamy, spicy cabbage slaw are the base of these veggie-packed takes on everyone’s favorite taco. Here, sweetness from the diced mango and creaminess from cool avocado blends perfectly with the drizzle of a spicy crema, making this summer-y salad an instant staple.
Get the Fish Taco Bowls recipe.
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16
Warm Tahini Ramen Noodles
This quick meal lands somewhere between savory instant ramen and creamy peanut noodles. Throw in your favorite raw veggies for a dish that's healthy, filling, and delicious. (The trifecta!) For a little extra oomph, whisk in part of a ramen flavor packet little by little, tasting and adjusting along the way.
Get the Warm Tahini Ramen Noodles recipe.
17
Taco Salad
When it comes to healthy salads, none are more hearty than a taco salad. Load it up with veggies, cheese, and ground beef for the perfect satisfying meal. We love this classic version, but if you want to get fancy, feel free to swap in and out your fave toppings.
Get the Taco Salad recipe.
18
Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
If you roast the sweet potatoes as indicated, your gift = creamy centers and crispy edges, enhanced by jammy red onions. Using bone-in thighs pretty much guarantees super-tender chicken too!
Get the .
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19
Thai Red Curry Coconut Noodles
These vegan noodles are perfect for super-hungry nights when you’re short on time. Feel free to swap in your favorite quick-cooking vegetables, and adjust the amount of curry paste to your spice preference.
Get the Thai Red Curry Coconut Noodles recipe.
20
Air Fryer Cauliflower Tacos
To get extra crispy "fried" cauliflower, you gotta use your air fryer. This recipe is basically the vegan version of our favorite fish tacos. The finishing touch? A quick and easy pickled slaw for a bite of freshness and a spicy mayo for a touch of heat.
Get the Air Fryer Cauliflower Tacos recipe.
