3-Ingredient Diabetes Dinners for Two

Getting dinner on the table doesn't need to be complicated or require lots of ingredients or time. With a little creativity, you can whip up a delicious meal in minutes using just three ingredients (not including basics, like oil, salt and pepper)! Combining healthy staples (like canned beans and pasta) with store-bought shortcuts (like rotisserie chicken and salad kits) is a no-fuss way to serve up something satisfying when you need food fast. These super-simple meal ideas are diabetes-friendly, meaning they have a good mix of lean protein and fiber to keep blood sugar balanced. Each contains about 2 to 3 carb servings (30-45 grams of carbohydrates), plenty of heart-healthy vegetables and lots of flavor, without too much sodium or saturated fat.

While each recipe makes two servings, you can easily double the recipe to feed the family.

Goat Cheese Pasta with Broccoli

Swap out regular pasta for pasta made with chickpeas and you'll more than triple the fiber and double the protein in this simple, satisfying dish. Be sure to save some of the pasta water to make a sauce. Feel free to use frozen broccoli in a pinch (you can blanch the broccoli in the same water you use to cook the pasta).

Make It Yourself:

Serves: 2

Chickpeas with Kale and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes are the key to this flavorful three-ingredient dinner. Use the oil from the jar to sauté the kale, then stir in the sliced sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture, along with a can of chickpeas for protein.

Make It Yourself:

Serves: 2

Teriyaki Edamame Sauté

A bag of coleslaw mix, shelled edamame and bottled teriyaki sauce are all you need to sauté up this high-fiber plant-based stir-fry. Look for bottled teriyaki sauce labeled less sodium or reduced sodium to cut back on the salt without sacrificing flavor.

Make It Yourself:

Serves: 2

Chicken Salad Tostadas

Salad kits are the perfect shortcut ingredient for quick meals because they contain everything you need in one bag, including the dressing. Mix in shredded rotisserie chicken and serve atop crunchy tostada shells for a five-minute dinner. Swap in canned black beans for the chicken to make this vegetarian.

Make It Yourself:

Serves: 2

See More: Your Formula for Diabetes-Friendly Tacos

Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprouts Hash with Apple Chicken Sausage

Apple-flavored chicken sausage adds flavor and protein in this quick dinner hash that uses a bag of shaved Brussels sprouts as its hearty, high-fiber base. Steaming the cubed sweet potatoes in the microwave cuts way down on total cook time.

Make It Yourself:

Serves: 2