While you may not be able to add extra hours to your busy days, you can certainly improve your time management by finding fast alternatives. Almost everyone can relate to spending an hour or few in the hot kitchen, preparing dinner. If you’re a stranger to meal prep, then you likely spend some hours in the kitchen everyday. If not, then you may frequent your local fast food restaurant or utilize food delivery. While convenient, these sorts of things usually come at the expense of your health. Needless to say, a warm home-cooked meal is much healthier and filling opposed to processed foods that offer a bunch of empty calories.
Minimize your fast food consumption and time in the kitchen with these 10 healthy and fast dinner meals. Feel free to tweak these recipes to your liking. Each of these dinner recipes are also meal-prep friendly, meaning that you can prepare several servings in advance for the next few days. At the end of the day, we’re usually tired and not motivated to get in the kitchen. You can bypass the stress of preparing dinner by meal prepping a few of these delicious dinner options. Enjoy these 10 tasty and healthy meals that will make dinner time so much easier.
1. Buddha In A Jar
Packed with a variety of delicious vegetables, this Buddha In a Jar recipe is also packed with several vitamins and minerals. This meal is easy to make and requires little preparation as it mainly calls for chopped veggies. Cooked brown rice and chicken breasts make this meal especially filling while the carrots, red onion, broccoli, avocados, and green onion add vibrant color.
Recipe:
- 1 1/2 c. brown rice, cooked
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 red onions, cut into wedges
- 1/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 3 tbsp. lime juice
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 1 tbsp. green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, chopped
- sriracha hot sauce, for serving
2. Chicken Burrito Bowls
The Chicken Burrito Bowls are another great meal prep addition you will absolutely love for your dinner. Comprised of boneless chicken, guacamole, salsa, and seasoned rice, you can also add in your favorite vegetables. This meal can be eaten as is or placed in a soft tortilla wrap.
Recipe:
For the Chicken:
- 4 small-medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning
For the Rice:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white basmati rice
- 1 tsp. vegetable oil
- 1 lime
- 2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
- kosher salt
For the Guacamole and Salsa:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 2 tbsp. cilantro, minced
- 1/2 small jalapeno, minced
- 1/8 cup onion, minced
- 1 small tomato, diced
- juice of 1 lime
Add-Ins:
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup light sour-cream
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 6 meal prep containers
3. Vegetarian Quinoa Burrito Bowls
Another burrito bowl is the Vegetarian Quinoa Burrito Bowl which can also be placed in a wrap of your choice if desired. In addition to he black beans, the quinoa adds an extra set of protein while being a filling and lighter alternative to rice.
Recipe:
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 15 oz can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 cup corn
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- juice of 1 lime
- 2 heads of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 3 avocados, halved
- lime slivers (optional)
4. Steak Cobb Salad
This Steak Cobb Salad is surely a dinner you’ll enjoy meal prepping. If you’re wanting an overall balanced meal, look no further! This dinner recipe includes meat, dairy, veggies, and even fruit – tomatoes. You’ll feel quite full and nourished after eating this healthy, delicious dinner.
Recipe:
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 lb. steak
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
- 6 large eggs
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup Fisher Nuts Pecan Halves
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
5. Honey Garlic Baked Salmon
The Honey Garlic Baked Salmon will only take you 30 minutes to prepare and cook. The baked salmon can be eaten alone, with a side of rice, or a side of lightly sauteed vegetables. If you’re looking for a light, simple dinner, then this meal is just right! Taste the freshness of the salmon coupled with refreshing lemon juice.
Recipe:
- 1 lb salmon fillet
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup whole-grain Dijon mustard
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- coarse salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
- 1 lemon, sliced
6. Stuffed Tomatoes with Chicken Quinoa
This meal may be a bit unusual if you’ve never stuffed a tomato or bell pepper before. But, you will certainly not regret trying these Stuffed Tomatoes with Chicken Quinoa. Absolutely fun to prepare, these stuffed tomatoes are easy to make and require little time. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to add more flavor to your chicken quinoa stuffing.
Recipe:
- 6 tomatoes
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 7 oz. chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 stalk celery, minced
- 1 yellow onion, minced
- 1/2 tsp. fennel seeds
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
7. Grilled Veggie Wrap
Veggie wraps are always a great idea for making dinner efficient, healthy, and delicious. Vegetable wraps offer you will a plethora of variety as you get to choose what kinds of wraps to use as well as what delicious foods you want to place in your wraps. For this Grilled Veggie Wrap, you will only need 15 minutes of prep time. However, if you want your wrap to be more filling, feel free to add beans, meat, tofu, quinoa, rice, or more veggies.
Recipe:
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 medium yellow squash, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 4 large whole wheat tortillas
- 1/2 cup hummus
- 8 fresh basil leaves
8. Broccoli Pesto Pasta
The Broccoli Pesto Pasta is truly a beautiful sight. This meal takes a total of 35 minutes to make. Because the main component of this dish is pasta, expect to feel filled rather quickly. This recipe makes for a great side dish but is also excellent for a main dinner meal.
Recipe:
- 1 lb. cooked pasta of your choice
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup Parmigiano-reggiano, grated
9. 15 Minute Wonton Soup
Yes, you read correctly! This 15 Minute Wonton Soup actually takes only 15 minutes total to prep and cook. Moreover, you get 2 servings out of the original recipe. So, you can enjoy this delicious soup with that special someone or save it for later. While this soup is quite light, the wontons make for a more filling dish. Perfect for a chilly night, his hot soup will warm you right up!
Recipe:
- 1 leek, white parts, thinly sliced
- 4 slices ginger
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 10-14 wontons (chicken, shrimp or vegetarian)
- salt and lemon juice to taste
- a couple handful of chopped greens- baby spinach, arugula, bok choy, chopped kale
- garnish options: scallions, cilantro, sesame seeds, chili flakes or sriracha
10. Simple Salmon Cakes
Here’s another fresh salmon dish you can add to your dinner menu. These simple salmon cakes are of decent size, yet still filling when paired with a light side dish. Feel free to serve your Simple Salmon Cakes with a side of vegetables, rice, or quinoa.
Recipe:
- 7-8 oz. salmon
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp. mayo
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4-1/3 cup toasted bread crumbs
- 2 scallions, sliced
- pinch of salt and black pepper
- olive oil for searing
