Busy weeknights can be a real challenge when it comes to making dinner. Between work and home responsibilities, it can be hard to find the time to cook something healthy and tasty. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy dinner ideas that you can fit into a busy weeknight. In this post, we’ll take a look at five of the best. From simple vegetable dishes to hearty meat options, there’s something for everyone in this list. So whether you’re looking for a quick meal or something to keep you full all night, these five healthy dinner ideas are sure to hit the spot.
Baked Butternut Squash Soup
Looking for a healthy, easy dinner idea? Try this baked butternut squash soup! It’s packed with delicious flavors and is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients:
1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley leaves for garnish (optional)
Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large baking dish or casserole, toss the butternut squash cubes with the olive oil. Spread out in the dish and roast for 25 minutes, or until fork-tender. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté the onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons of oil until softened. Add the vegetable broth and thyme leaves and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add the cooked butternut squash cubes and stir gently to combine. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook until heated through (about 5 minutes). Garnish with fresh parsley leaves if desired. Serve warm bowls of soup topped with crumbled goat cheese or Greek yogurt if desired. Enjoy!
Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach Salad
Looking for a hearty and healthy dinner idea that doesn’t require a lot of time in the kitchen? Roasted butternut squash and spinach salad is perfect for busy weeknights. This dish is easy to make, and it’s packed with flavor. Plus, it can be made ahead of time and served cold or at room temperature.
To make this recipe, start by prepping your ingredients. First, roast your butternut squash on a baking sheet until tender and slightly browned. Once roasted, remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
Next, prepare your spinach mix. Simply wash and chop up fresh spinach leaves into small pieces.
Finally, add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together well. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Chicken Pho
If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal that will fill you up, try chicken pho in your slow cooker. This delicious Vietnamese soup is made with chicken, rice noodles, bell peppers and onions, and a healthy broth full of flavor. You can easily customize this soup to make it as spicy or mild as you like by adjusting the amount of chili paste or fish sauce that you add to the recipe.
If you’re short on time but still want to enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal, try chicken pho in your slow cooker. This easy-to-make soup is packed full of flavor and is perfect for busy weeknights. Simply add some chicken breasts to your slow cooker along with some cooked rice noodles, bell peppers and onions, and a healthy broth filled with all the flavors you love. With just a few simple additions, you can make this soup as spicy or mild as you like – perfect for anyone looking for a satisfying meal that they can easily prepare in advance.
Twice Baked Sweet Potato Potatoes
If you’re looking for a healthy dinner idea that can be prepared quickly, try doubling up on the sweet potatoes in this Twice Baked Sweet Potato Potatoes recipe. Not only are these potatoes incredibly tasty and healthy, but they also take just 15 minutes to make!
Ingredients:
1 large sweet potato (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Pierce sweet potato several times with fork. Bake on a baking sheet for 45 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a knife. Let cool slightly before slicing into 1-inch rounds. In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat olive oil and butter. Add salt and pepper; cook until melted. Add milk; cook for 2 minutes longer, or until heated through. Pour mixture over sweet potato rounds in bowl; serve immediately.
Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Looking for a healthy and satisfying dinner idea that won’t take much time to make? Try these garlic Parmesan zucchini chips! They’re perfect for busy weeknights and are sure to please.
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Next, cut the ends off of the zucchini and slice them into thin strips. Be sure to discard the thick stem end.
Once the zucchini strips are sliced, add them to a bowl and pour over enough olive oil (or vegetable oil) to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste, then stir until well coated.
To make the Parmesan sauce, start by heating up some olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add in garlic cloves and cook until softened (about 1 minute). Next, add in grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Finally, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Once the Parmesan sauce is ready, pour it over the zucchini strips and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Bake the chips for about 20 minutes or until they’re crispy- perfection! Serve warm or at room temperature…and don’t forget the extra Parmesan sauce on top!
