We’ve all been there: it gets to 5pm, your stomach rumbles and you need dinner ASAP. But, sometimes, it can be a struggle to combine healthy dinners that are also quick and, most importantly, delicious. These days, it’s easy to chuck something in from the freezer or order a takeaway, but let’s face it – both of these things can leave us feeling unsatisfied and a little low.
Healthy dinners – despite what you might think – don’t need to take hours and hours, or involve lots of unusual ingredients and spices. One-pot meals or roasting tin dinners (where you just chuck everything into one dish and let the oven do the work) are quick and easy solutions for anyone who wants to eat nutritious food made from scratch with minimal effort.
And remember, good food = good mood (or so the experts say), and making a healthy dinner doesn’t mean you have to miss out on flavour. Healthy meals can come in the form of burgers, hot steaming stews, tacos and curries – basically anything that takes your fancy
TIP: Plan out your dinners at the start of the week and shop for exactly what you need. This will save you time, money and a whole lot of stress (and makes healthy eating much easier).
Lacking inspiration? Keep scrolling for balanced meals that are good for our taste buds, mood and macros (and even have the bonus of lots of plant points)...
Best healthy dinner recipes to try tonight
Garlic chicken with giant couscous
Surprisingly, giant couscous is an unexpected source of protein, providing just over 3g per serving. Pair it with chicken breast, a protein powerhouse with around 30g per portion, and you’ve got a brilliant macro-meeting dish. This healthy dinner is not only quick to make but also delicious.
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Healthy salmon en croûte
A salmon en croûte is often only enjoyed at a dinner party, but we think it's ideal for meal prepping to eat throughout the week. Our healthy version swaps out puff pastry for filo and uses low-fat cream cheese and kale making it a top-tier easy dinner.
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Smoky chicken quinoa soup
This delicious smoky chicken quinoa soup recipe packs in 42g of protein and 12g of fibre per serving for a healthy and quick lunch or dinner.
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Healthy fish stew
This Mediterranean-style fish stew is really easy, really flavourful, and most of all – super healthy. We left out traditional ingredients like saffron to make it more affordable, so your purse will thank you!
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Jalapeño roast chicken with wedges and watercress
A glow-up on a roast, this dish not only makes the perfect Sunday lunch, it's even great for your meal prep! Quick and easy, it's high in nutritional benefits and protein.
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Protein-packed salmon burger
Give burgers a boost by using salmon for the patty and piling the crunchy greens high. A tangy, lemony yoghurt sauce makes each bite sing.
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Chicken soba ramen
This chicken noodle broth is heavenly on cold days and gives you an immediate feel-good feeling. This recipe uses a lot of specialised Japanese ingredients, but we think they're worth the investment to use again and again.
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Crunchy sesame chicken and bulgar bowl
If you want dinner ready in 10 minutes and fancy a Pad Thai, this is one for you. All the basics of the classic noodle dish are in here: there's chicken for a protein punch, savoury peanuts and fresh, crunchy carrots, spinach, and spring onion, all doused in a sesame and soy dressing.
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Coconut fish curry
This fish curry is full of gorgeous spices like fenugreek powder, cumin and red chillies. Use whatever white fish you want, but we opted for cod. We all use whole coconut milk as we love the flavour, but swap for reduced fat if you prefer.
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Salmon and tomato traybake
Ready in 30 minutes, this tray bake makes the perfect speedy dinner. We recommend serving alongside steamed rice or a hearty salad.
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Chipotle-glazed portobello tostadas
Ready in under 25 minutes, this recipe brushes mushrooms in tangy barbecue and smoky chipotle, building lingering heat, while creamy guacamole cools things down. Dinner (with heaps of flavour) is done.
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Pan seared salmon with pomegranate, fennel and tahini dressing
If you've grown bored of salads, soups, and stews then this healthy and fresh dinner will freshen up your taste buds – pair it with some rice or potatoes and you've got yourself a yummy mid-week meal.
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Satay chicken chopped salad
This recipe combines satay chicken, coriander, chilli and a load of crunchy veg that gets coated in a speedy satay sauce. You can swap out the chicken for your favourite protein but don't skip the yummy sauce – it's packed full of nutty peanut butter, fragrant garlic, ginger, lime and sweet chilli sauce.
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Vegan pulled jackfruit burger
This jackfruit burger is 100% vegan and 100% tasty. Made with pulled jackfruit, we've layered up a brioche bun with all the burger fillings, plus a tasty guac.
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Cauliflower steak burger
Scouring for nutritious midweek meals you can make in a hurry? This cauliflower steak burger could be just the ticket.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or knowledge, but I can provide information on the concepts used in this article. Here's an overview of the concepts related to healthy dinner recipes mentioned in the article:
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One-pot meals: One-pot meals are dishes that can be cooked in a single pot or pan, reducing the need for multiple cooking utensils and simplifying the cooking process. These meals often involve combining ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and grains in a single pot and cooking them together.
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Roasting tin dinners: Roasting tin dinners involve placing all the ingredients in a roasting tin or sheet pan and baking them in the oven. This method allows for easy cooking and cleanup since everything is cooked in one dish.
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Meal planning: Meal planning involves deciding in advance what meals to prepare for a specific period, usually a week, and creating a corresponding shopping list. This approach can save time, money, and stress by ensuring you have the necessary ingredients on hand and reducing the need for impromptu meal decisions.
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Protein: Protein is an essential macronutrient that plays a vital role in building and repairing tissues, supporting immune function, and providing energy. The article mentions protein-rich ingredients such as chicken breast, salmon, and jackfruit in the recipes.
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Fibre: Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in plant-based foods that cannot be fully digested by the body. It plays a crucial role in digestion, promoting feelings of fullness, and supporting gut health. The article highlights the fiber content of certain recipes, such as the smoky chicken quinoa soup.
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Healthy fats: Healthy fats, such as those found in salmon and avocado, are an essential part of a balanced diet. They provide energy, support brain function, and help absorb certain vitamins. The article includes recipes that incorporate healthy fats, such as salmon en croûte and salmon burger.
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Plant-based meals: Plant-based meals focus on incorporating a variety of plant-based ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts, while reducing or eliminating animal products. The article provides vegan-friendly recipes like the vegan pulled jackfruit burger.
These are some of the key concepts related to the healthy dinner recipes mentioned in the article. Let me know if you would like more information or if there's anything specific you would like to know!
