Brain-Boosting Dinner Recipes

August 27, 2019
Eat for a sharper mind with these healthy dinner recipes to boost brain power. Adding omega-3-rich ingredients, such as oily fish, to your diet, as well as iron-rich foods, such as beans, and water-rich foods, such as leafy salad greens, can support healthy cognitive function. Try one of our healthy salmon recipes or hearty bean recipes tonight for a brain-boosting dinner.
Start Slideshow

1 of 23

Black Bean & Salmon Tostadas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pickled jalapeños, cilantro and avocado perk up convenient canned salmon for a quick tostada topping. Skip store-bought and make your own crispy shells in the oven. Serve with: Brown rice cooked with diced tomatoes and onions or salsa.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 23

Asparagus & Salmon Spring Rolls

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These spring rolls are filled with smoked salmon, tender-crisp asparagus and plenty of fresh herbs. Spring rolls look impressive when you put them out for a party, but they are actually easy to make. To simplify the process, lay out all the ingredients you need to make the rolls near your work surface before you begin.

3 of 23

Raspberry, Avocado & Mango Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pureed berries give the tangy wine vinegar dressing a creamy texture that gently clings to the lettuce and fruit. This is a salad to enjoy when fresh berries are in the market.

Advertisement

4 of 23

Tuna-&-Tomato Mac & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Tuna mac & cheese takes a trip to the Southwest with spicy tomato and festive blue tortilla chips on top. Canned tomatoes with green chiles and ancho chile powder add a peppery kick, but if you like, you can keep it mellow by using a 14-ounce can of drained petite diced tomatoes and mild chili powder.

5 of 23

Lemon-Garlic Sardine Fettuccine

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Even sardine skeptics will enjoy this lemony pasta with crispy breadcrumbs. Substitute two 5- to 6-ounce cans chunk light tuna for the sardines if you prefer. If you are using tuna or can't find sardines packed in tomato sauce, add 2 tablespoons tomato paste in Step 4 with the lemon juice. Serve with a salad of bitter greens tossed with a lemon vinaigrette and a glass of Pinot Grigio.

6 of 23

Chicken Cordon Bleu Burger

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The classic flavors of Chicken Cordon Bleu--ham, Swiss cheese and thyme--inspired this easy chicken burger. We like using regular ground chicken, which is a blend of thigh and drumstick meat, to help keep this burger juicy, but feel free to use 100% ground chicken breast if you'd like a leaner burger. You'll cut 20 calories and 1 gram saturated fat. Serve with roasted broccoli.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 23

Bobby Flay's Honey-Rum Baked Black Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chef Bobby Flay cooked these baked black beans, spiked with chorizo and rum, on one of his television shows, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, to compete with a more-traditional batch of Carolina baked beans. We adore the results. If you bring them along to a summer party, reheat before serving or bring them in a crock-pot and plug it in when you get to the party. Recipe adapted from Bobby Flay's Throwdown! by Bobby Flay with Stephanie Banyas and Miriam Garron (Clarkson Potter, 2010).

8 of 23

Spicy Tuna Wrap

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These tuna wraps were inspired by spicy tuna sushi rolls. We love how they taste with peppery watercress, but other greens, such as arugula, romaine, escarole or even radish sprouts, would taste great in the filling. If you want to play on the sushi inspiration, stir some wasabi into the soy sauce for dipping and serve with pickled ginger. Serve with sliced cucumbers and slivered red onions tossed with rice vinegar, a little oil and a pinch of salt.

9 of 23

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night. We love the smoky heat from the ground chipotle, but omit it if you prefer a mild chili. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread and coleslaw.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 23

Salmon Rosti

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Convenient frozen hash browns and flaked salmon come together for a twist on this traditional Swiss favorite. We love the creamy dill sauce, but a dollop of ketchup is tasty too. Serve with: Steamed green beans tossed with sliced scallions, Dijon mustard and lemon juice.

11 of 23

Smoky Artichoke-Sardine Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Smoked paprika and sherry vinegar add Spanish flair to the dressing of this artichoke-and-sardine salad. Try this salad for a take-along lunch. To keep the salad greens from getting soggy, pack the greens, salad toppings and dressing in separate containers and toss them together just before eating.

12 of 23

Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These bean burgers will even please carnivores. The cornmeal coating gives a pleasant crunch and smoked paprika, cumin, cilantro and guacamole add Southwestern flavor.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 23

Salmon with Red Wine-Morel Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dried mushrooms give this rich red-wine sauce an almost meaty flavor. Look for them in the produce department of well-stocked supermarkets or specialty grocers. If you're not a fan of salmon, try the recipe with halibut instead. Serve with barley tossed with parsley and steamed broccolini. To double: Prepare a double batch of sauce in the large skillet, increasing reduction time as needed. Cook 2 1/2 pounds of salmon in two batches, adding oil as necessary.

14 of 23

Bean & Salmon Salad with Anchovy-Arugula Dressing

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This simple bean and salmon salad becomes something truly exciting when dressed with a bold dressing flavored with anchovies and arugula. Canned wild Alaskan salmon is a healthy and environmentally sound choice. Thoroughly drain the beans so the salad doesn't taste watered down. Sometimes heating beans slightly makes it easier to drain off the cooking liquid.

15 of 23

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this one-skillet supper, we toss dark leafy greens, diced tomatoes and white beans with gnocchi and top it all with gooey mozzarella. Serve with a mixed green salad with vinaigrette.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 23

Southwestern Three-Bean & Barley Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Serve this zesty bean and barley soup garnished with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, if desired.

17 of 23

Grilled Salmon with Tomatoes & Basil

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This recipe is so beautiful and yet so simple to prepare--it's perfect for entertaining. You just spread a side of salmon with minced garlic, sprinkle with fresh basil, then layer sliced tomatoes on top. Put it on the grill for 10 minutes and you're done!

18 of 23

Toasted Pita & Bean Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Beans add protein to this tasty riff on the classic Middle Eastern salad fattoush, made with lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, mint and pita bread.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 23

Grilled Halibut Salad Nicoise

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Salad nicoise, a classic French salad, is typically made with tuna. Here we use sweet grilled halibut (in season in midsummer) or striped bass. To make it quicker, substitute 2 or 3 cans of drained chunk light tuna. Or skip the fish altogether for a vegetarian main-course salad. We call for serving it on a platter, but it's just as beautiful individually plated. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell.

20 of 23

Black Bean Quesadillas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In a hurry? These satisfying quesadillas take just 15 minutes to make. We like them with black beans, but pinto beans work well too. If you like a little heat, be sure to use pepper Jack cheese in the filling. Serve with: A little sour cream and a mixed green salad.

21 of 23

Tuna Pasta with Olives & Artichokes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here we toss grilled tuna with pasta, artichoke hearts, green olives and tomatoes. Grilling the tuna gives this ultra-fresh pasta dish a subtle smokiness. But if you're pressed for time, try canned tuna in place of the grilled fish.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 23

Arctic Char on a Bed of Kale

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Arctic char, related to salmon and trout, is sustainably farmed, making it a “best choice” for the environment. It has a mild flavor and cooks up quickly. We like the taste and texture of lacinato (aka dinosaur) kale in this dish. Serve with mashed potatoes.

23 of 23

Salmon Salad Sandwich

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Salmon salad served on tangy pumpernickel bread makes for an easy dinner--a double batch will give you lunch the next day.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next