Ahhh, the weekend. A time to relax, spend time with friends and family, and to putter around in your kitchen trying out new recipes. Whether you are looking to impress dinner guests or simply preparing an easy meal for your family to enjoy together, you are going to need a repertoire of recipes to fall back on. You will get bonus points if you make these weekend meals healthy as well.
Here are 10 of the best healthy weekend meals that you can try out for yourself.
Read More »Healthy Mac and Cheese
A big bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese is the ultimate weekend indulgence. While you may think you have to give up this treat if you are trying to eat healthy, think again. This healthier version will take you back to your childhood while still helping you to make responsible eating decisions. While this one-pot meal is delicious on its own, feel free to add steamed broccoli, diced chicken breast, and turkey bacon to make it a complete meal. Pair this creamy goodness with a light green salad for the perfect balance.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Staying home to watch football and craving a bowl of chili to go along with it? Instead of going with a traditional version of chili, try this lighter white chicken chili recipe. You can prepare this meal in your crockpot, making it an easy meal to throw together in the morning and nosh on later in the day. The toppings are what truly make this dish come together. Good ideas include avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, and cilantro. Serve the chili with a warm slice of cornbread for the ultimate Sunday football meal.
Low-Country Boil
For a fun twist on dinner, try this low-country boil recipe. This classic recipe is chock-full of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and potatoes. The instructions also include directions for a homemade zesty cocktail sauce and a lemon butter dip. To make it authentic, dump all of the ingredients out on a table lined with newspapers. Your guests will delight in gobbling up this festive and unique dinner. This meal will feed a crowd so be sure to invite a lot of people over for this feast.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
The weekend is a great time to make these slow cooker pork carnitas. Pile the meat up on corn or flour tortillas and add all of your favorite Mexican-inspired toppings. This meal is also a good choice if you are looking for some extra meat that you can repurpose for new meals later in the week. Try using this meat for sandwiches on a kaiser roll or using it to make enchiladas for a new twist on the carnitas. Or try serving the carnitas over rice for a Chipotle burrito bowl knockoff.
Sunday Rib Roast
Why save the standing rib roast for the holidays? If you have a little time on your hands, this rib roast recipe makes an exceptional family Sunday dinner. While it is not inexpensive to purchase the roast, it likely will not cost you any more than taking the whole family out for dinner. The homemade mustard horseradish sauce is a delicious accompaniment to this roast. Serve the meat with any of your favorite side dishes. This meal feels fancy without being difficult to prepare. It provides a great excuse to break out the fancy china and crystal and to gather the family around for a traditional Sunday dinner.
Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
Another classic Sunday dinner is the iconic spaghetti and meatballs. This skinny spaghetti and meatballs recipe allows you to enjoy this dish without the fat and calories of a traditional version. The key to making this recipe healthier is to use a combination of ground turkey and diced bell peppers for the meatballs. You can make this even healthier by preparing your own low-sugar version of marinara sauce.
Sun-dried Tomato Turkey Burgers
Once spring hits, you are not alone if you are going to want to fire up the backyard grill and put on some burgers. Unfortunately, traditional burgers can be a hindrance to your healthy eating plan. Instead, try these lighter sun-dried tomato turkey burgers. You will not even miss the taste of a greasy beef burger once you sink your teeth into these beauties. Be sure to top the burgers with fresh lettuce, red onion, or whatever strikes your fancy. If you are looking for a delicious side to pair with these burgers, try this amazing baked sweet potato fries recipe.
Skinny Homemade Pizza
Friday night calls for pizza! Rather than ordering delivery of a greasy pie, try making your own healthier version at home. Use this skinny homemade pizza recipe as the base to create any type of pizza that you crave. If you have a carnivore in your family, try topping it with low-fat chicken sausage or Canadian bacon. The possibilities are endless when you are willing to get creative with your pizza toppings. This recipe is also incredibly easy to prepare, ensuring that it will become a staple in your list of favorite weekend recipes.
Baked Salmon with Honey Citrus Glaze
Everyone knows the health benefits of salmon. This is a great meal to whip up on the weekend. The honey citrus glaze on this salmon elevates this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary. Good side dishes to serve with this salmon include glazed carrots, steamed asparagus, brown rice, or a fresh garden salad.
Valerie Bertinelli’s Sheet-Pan Vinegar Chicken
Valerie Bertinelli’s sheet-pan vinegar chicken recipe is a favorite in many households. This colorful dish will look gorgeous on your Sunday dinner table. A variety of fresh herbs combine beautifully with the briny olives and sweet tomatoes to create a dish with a variety of complex layers. Try serving the chicken over brown rice or with whole wheat pasta. Be sure to pop open a bottle of the good wine when you serve this classic chicken dinner.
These 10 recipes will all end up as keepers in your collection of favorite weekend meals. As a bonus, you will head into the new week feeling good about how you nourished your body.
