Eating healthy doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming if you have easy healthy dinner recipes on hand. If you're busy but need to get dinner on the table quickly, you'll find some great recipes here that won't take long to prepare. Some will require some planning in advance, but all of them are easy, healthy, and delicious. We reviewed 10 easy healthy dinner recipes to help you take the guesswork out of meal planning.
Comparison Table
Recipe Name | Recipe Photos | Recipe Modification |
|---|---|---|
One Sheet Pan Parmesan Crusted Salmon With Roasted Broccoli |  | Line a baking sheet with foil, and spray with cooking spray. Add broccoli and coat with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread onto the outer edges of the baking sheet, leaving space in the center for the salmon. Season salmon with salt and pepper and place in the center of the baking sheet, leaving a small gap in between fillets. |
Slow Cooker Cheesy Italian Tortellini |  | In a skillet, cook the meat on medium high heat for 5 to 7 minutes until brown. Drain the fat. Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the meat, sauce, tomatoes, and mushrooms, stir to combine. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Add the tortellini and cheese into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes, or until the tortellini is cooked. |
Fully-Loaded Sweet Potato |  | Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Pierce potatoes with a fork and roast in the pan at 400 degrees for an hour or so, until it is soft on the inside. |
One-Pan Italian Sausage And Peppers Pasta |  | In a large non-stick pan, heat up oil over medium-high heat. Brown sausages on both sides; remove from heat and set it aside. Turn the heat down slightly and add the onions and peppers, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute for 5 minutes. Then, add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. |
Crunchy Taco Homemade Hamburger Helper |  | Cook the ground beef and onion in a skillet on medium-high heat. Drain fat and add taco seasoning, salsa, and broth. Bring the liquid up to a boil. Stir in the rice and cover. Reduce heat and let simmer to 15 to 20 minutes until rice is cooked. Remove from heat and add the cheese, stirring to combine. Cover again and let it sit for 5 minutes. Top with garnishes like avocado slices, green onions, and crushed tortilla chips. |
Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls |  | Combine quinoa and broth in a small pot. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for 15 minutes until broth is absorbed. Fluff and set aside. |
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl |  | Add chicken, broth, canned tomatoes, olive oil, and seasonings to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours, or until chicken reaches a temperature of 165 degrees. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and add beans and instant rice. Turn on high. Let cook for 30 to 45 minutes until the rice is cooked. |
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches |  | Add the chuck roast to a slow cooker and season with Italian dressing mix. Add the giardiniera, broth, and pepperonicinis plus a little splash of juice from the jar. Turn on the low setting and cook for 9 hours. Shred the meat and cook another hour on low. |
Mini Pizza Quinoa Bites |  | Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, add all ingredients except for the sauce. Fill the muffin cups with the mixture. Put the muffin tin on top of the baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes, remove from cups and serve with a side of pizza sauce. |
Lighter Orange Beef And Broccoli |  | In a plastic baggie, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Seal bag and roll around to coat evenly. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. |
Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes FAQ
What Makes A Recipe Healthy And Easy?
Easy healthy dinner recipes should be easy to prepare, and they should not require hard-to-find ingredients or special tools. The recipe must include quality ingredients that are nutritious, such as whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetables. Cooking techniques should also be healthful and avoid methods such as deep-frying.
How Long Does It Take To Prepare Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes?
Prep time should be no more than 20 minutes although cooking times may vary. For example, it might only take a few minutes to chop up ingredients, but it could take several hours to cook in the slow cooker. Some recipes will only take 20 to 30 minutes in total between prep time and cook time.
What Equipment Will I Need?
Some recipes will require a slow cooker or sheet pan, which most people already have readily available in their kitchens. Other than that, you'll need common tools such as knives, cutting boards, and cooking utensils. Some recipes will require parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Where Can I Buy the Ingredients?
To be considered an easy recipe, the ingredients must also be easy to find. You should be able to find the ingredients at your local supermarket or through a grocery delivery service. Some dry ingredients and seasonings can be easily purchased online if your supermarket is limited.
Do These Dinners Taste Good?
Just because it's healthy and takes little time to prepare doesn't mean it doesn't taste good. These easy healthy dinner recipes are all different, but are tasty in their own way.
How We Reviewed
We reviewed these easy healthy dinner recipes based on a few factors. Taste is important; there is no point making a meal that you and your family won't enjoy! Secondly, we considered the prep time and cooking techniques required in the recipes. Our reviews were also based on tools and equipment needed, and lastly, how easy or hard it is to find the ingredients required for these easy healthy dinner recipes.
Overall Price Range Of Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes
These dinners should cost roughly $10 to $20, depending on the ingredients required.
What We Reviewed
Recipe Ingredients
One Sheet Pan Parmesan Crusted Salmon with Roasted Broccoli
Slow Cooker Cheesy Italian Tortellini
Fully-Loaded Sweet Potato
One-Pan Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Crunchy Taco Homemade Hamburger Helper
Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
Mini Pizza Quinoa Bites
Lighter Orange Beef and Broccoli
The Verdict
There are lots of easy healthy dinner recipes, and many of them can be customized to suit your diet and taste. You can increase the nutrition of each recipe by adding in extra vegetables if desired and using low-fat cheese instead of full-fat. We found that the One Sheet Pan Parmesan Crusted Salmon with Roasted Broccoli was tasty and healthy, and truly easy because it all cooks on one sheet pan. The Lighter Orange Beef and Broccoli was also a great, light dish, and can be low-carb by skipping the rice. Try a few of these recipes and see for yourself!
