Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 2022 American Food Heroes

      2022 American Food Heroes

      With our sixth annual list, we celebrate the pursuits of those trying to make the world a better place through the great unifier—food. Read More
    • The #1 Breakfast for Diabetes, According to a Dietitian

      The #1 Breakfast for Diabetes, According to a Dietitian

      Prepping a balanced breakfast that contains fiber-rich carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats can help combat high morning blood sugar. And, this breakfast is yummy, too. Read More
    • Our 20 Most Popular Sandwiches to Make This Summer

      Our 20 Most Popular Sandwiches to Make This Summer

      These filling and tasty sandwich recipes can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. Whether you're packing it to-go or eating at home, these sandwiches are full of summer flavors, from cucumbers and avocados to tomatoes and basil. Once you try sandwiches like our Cucumber Sandwich and Chickpea Salad Sandwich, you'll quickly understand why our readers have clicked on these recipes all season long. Read More
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See All Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See All Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See All Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See All Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See All Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See All Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See All Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Healthy Recipes
  3. Healthy Cooking Methods & Styles
  4. Quick & Easy Healthy Recipes
  5. Healthy, Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes
  6. 20-Minute Healthy Dinners to Help You Lose Belly Fat

20-Minute Healthy Dinners to Help You Lose Belly Fat

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD February 10, 2020
Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD
Skip gallery slides
Pin
6351619.jpg

You can eat foods that help reduce belly fat and still get dinner on the table in 20 minutes or less. Instead of focusing on restriction, these meals focus on healthy foods to add to your diet. These dinners pull in foods proven to help reduce belly fat—thanks to being rich in fiber or probiotics. Foods like avocados, artichokes, legumes and yogurt may help trim your waistline and we've included them in these speedy and delicious dinner recipes.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Flat-Belly Soup

Flat-Belly Soup
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vegan soup recipe is chock-full of colorful vegetables. All those veggies give this soup plenty of fiber, upping the satisfaction factor while keeping calories low, which can aid in weight loss and lead to--yes--a flatter belly. Vibrant turmeric adds a golden color to the flavorful broth, while cumin and ginger give it a bright, fresh finish. And the best part? This healthy soup recipe takes only 20 minutes, start to finish! Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

 

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chickpea Curry (Chhole)

3879367.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Made with convenient canned beans, this quick and healthy Indian recipe is an authentic chickpea curry that you can make in minutes. If you want an additional vegetable, stir in some roasted cauliflower florets. Serve with brown basmati rice or warm naan. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2016

 

2 of 20

3 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

Salmon-Stuffed Avocados
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Canned salmon is a valuable pantry staple and a practical way to include heart-healthy omega-3-rich fish in your diet. Here, we combine it with avocados in an easy no-cook meal. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2019

 

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta

89723.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you've ever wanted to make a meal out of warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. And here's what's almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

 

4 of 20

5 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushroom Salad

6181389.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Shaving the vegetables for this easy salad recipe makes them deliciously tender-crisp without having to cook anything and helps them stand up to the bright homemade vinaigrette and salty Parmesan cheese. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2019

 

5 of 20

6 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Flat-Belly Salad

Flat-Belly Salad
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This salad is a helpful tool for weight loss because it provides a good balance of fiber, protein and healthy fats from loads of veggies and beans, all tossed in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette. To meal-prep these for lunch throughout the week, pack the dressing and the salad separately and make sure your veggies are thoroughly dried before packing them together. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2018

 

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salmon with Curried Yogurt & Cucumber Salad

6713583.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Three ingredients you probably already have on hand--curry powder, yogurt and lemon juice--meld into a mouthwatering sauce that transforms simple grilled salmon. This healthy and easy dinner recipe comes together in just 20 minutes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2019

 

7 of 20

8 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rainbow Veggie Wraps

6538898.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

There's definitely a sushi vibe to these kid-friendly wraps, which are stuffed with vegetables, cheese and hummus and then rolled and sliced. Serve them with store-bought green goddess, a creamy herb-filled dressing, to take it up a notch with ease. They look impressive but they're easy enough for kids to assemble themselves for an easy lunch or dinner. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May 2019

 

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl

Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2017

 

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach, Lima Bean & Crispy Pancetta Pasta

7678351.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We opt for fresh spinach pasta here--it cooks quickly and adds a pop of color. Cooking lima beans in pancetta drippings infuses them with flavor. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2020

 

10 of 20

11 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Polenta Cakes with Poached Eggs & Avocado

7222782.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Precooked polenta makes this savory healthy breakfast a breeze. Serving the easy poached eggs on a bed of arugula is a wonderful way to get a head start on your daily vegetable intake. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Winter 2020

 

11 of 20

12 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles

7664161.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Enjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with a white wine-butter sauce and zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness. Source: 400 Calorie Recipes

 

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Quinoa Salad

salmon with quinoa salad on a white plate
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This zesty quinoa salad is delicious all on its own, with some serious Mediterranean flair. Make a double batch for lunches later in the week. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2020

 

13 of 20

14 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach-Artichoke-Sausage Cauliflower Gnocchi

6249492.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Hearty and piquant, this quick cauliflower gnocchi dinner incorporates several healthy convenience ingredients, including turkey sausage and tender artichoke hearts, so dinner is on your table fast. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

 

14 of 20

15 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Skillet Eggs with Sausage & Tomato Aioli

6433782.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This breakfast-for-dinner fried egg skillet is a no-brainer alternative to takeout when you're rushed. The sausage and dark leafy greens are cooked in the same pan as the eggs, so cleanup is a cinch. Loading kale into this quick dinner recipe provides some calcium as well as vitamins and fiber. Serve with whole-grain toast and simple tomato aioli for a weeknight dinner that's ready in 20 minutes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2019

 

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dressing

4550449.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This hearty vegan salad is loaded with plant-based power ingredients: chickpeas, quinoa and hummus. We love the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavor of roasted peppers. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2017

 

16 of 20

17 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mediterranean Ravioli with Artichokes & Olives

6691966.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Store-bought spinach ravioli and a handful of basic pantry items are all you need to get a healthy dinner on the table in 15 minutes. Ingredients like oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives and toasty pine nuts help to build big flavor fast. If you can't find frozen artichokes, swap in a 15-ounce can (just be sure to drain and rinse them well). Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019

 

17 of 20

18 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Guacamole Chopped Salad

Guacamole Chopped Salad
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

All of the delicious guacamole flavors you love in a healthy veggie-packed salad. Want to pump up the protein? Add leftover roast chicken or sautéed shrimp. Serve with tortilla chips on the side (or crumbled over the top) to take it up a notch. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2017

 

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crispy Gnocchi Pasta with Tomatoes & Leeks

7010804.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These gnocchi are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside because you sauté them in hot oil. Plus, they leave a little fond (crispy brown bits) in the pan that adds toasty flavor to the tomato and leek sauce, which is cooked in the same pan. Since this easy gnocchi recipe calls for store-bought shelf-stable gnocchi, it's quick to prepare--just 20 minutes, start to finish. Opt for whole-wheat gnocchi to get 2 extra grams of fiber per serving compared to white. This easy and healthy dinner is easy to customize too: see Tips for variations with shrimp, pesto instead of butter, and pork chops instead of gnocchi. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

 

19 of 20

20 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Summer Vegetable Sesame Noodles

6713584.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Squash noodles elbow out some of the starchy ones to give this cool sesame noodle salad a veggie boost. This easy healthy recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, so it's great for weeknight dinners. Pack up any leftovers for lunch. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2019

 

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 20 Flat-Belly Soup
    2 of 20 Chickpea Curry (Chhole)
    3 of 20 Salmon-Stuffed Avocados
    4 of 20 Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta
    5 of 20 Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushroom Salad
    6 of 20 Flat-Belly Salad
    7 of 20 Salmon with Curried Yogurt & Cucumber Salad
    8 of 20 Rainbow Veggie Wraps
    9 of 20 Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl
    10 of 20 Spinach, Lima Bean & Crispy Pancetta Pasta
    11 of 20 Polenta Cakes with Poached Eggs & Avocado
    12 of 20 Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
    13 of 20 Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Quinoa Salad
    14 of 20 Spinach-Artichoke-Sausage Cauliflower Gnocchi
    15 of 20 Skillet Eggs with Sausage & Tomato Aioli
    16 of 20 Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dressing
    17 of 20 Mediterranean Ravioli with Artichokes & Olives
    18 of 20 Guacamole Chopped Salad
    19 of 20 Crispy Gnocchi Pasta with Tomatoes & Leeks
    20 of 20 Summer Vegetable Sesame Noodles

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    EatingWell

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Recipe Index
    • Jobs
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    Meredith© 2022 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EatingWell. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com

    Sign in

    View image

    20-Minute Healthy Dinners to Help You Lose Belly Fat
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.