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  4. 18 Dinners for Weight Loss in 20 Minutes

18 Dinners for Weight Loss in 20 Minutes

Alex Loh
Alex Loh Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD March 06, 2020
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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BBQ Shrimp with Garlicky Kale & Parmesan-Herb Couscous

Losing weight doesn't have to be time consuming with delicious, satisfying recipes like these. These dinners are low in calories but high in flavor, and will be on your table in 20 minutes or less. Recipes like Easy Spicy Salmon Cakes and Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are full of delicious proteins and bold spice that'll keep you full while pursuing your nutrition goals.

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BBQ Shrimp with Garlicky Kale & Parmesan-Herb Couscous

BBQ Shrimp with Garlicky Kale & Parmesan-Herb Couscous
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In the U.S., dry whole-wheat couscous has been partially cooked, making it a quick-cooking (5 minutes!) whole-grain weeknight dinner champ. And when you buy peeled shrimp, plus a bag of prechopped kale and bottled barbecue sauce, the savings in prep time helps to get this healthy dinner done in a jiff. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September 2019

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Baked Lemon-Pepper Chicken

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Looking for a quick, easy dinner? This baked lemon-pepper chicken recipe is it. Chicken breasts are cooked in a skillet, then finished in the oven with lemon slices that soften and become part of the sauce, with a touch of maple syrup and butter to carry the flavor. It's so simple and delicious, you'll be making this healthy dinner again and again. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2019

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Easy Spicy Salmon Cakes

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Looking to add some interest to an easy dinner recipe? Five-spice may be your new best friend. What is five-spice powder? A mixture of these five spices: cinnamon, clove, fennel, star anise and Szechuan peppercorns. (There are regional recipes in China that include more spices, including white pepper, nutmeg and orange peel.) It adds a distinct warm flavor to these healthy salmon cakes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November 2019

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Leftover Turkey Stew

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This hearty and healthy turkey stew recipe is just about the best use of Thanksgiving leftovers we can think of. And we don't just mean the turkey. The stew is packed with leftover roasted vegetables--use whatever vegetables you have on hand, such as Brussels sprouts, parsnips, sweet potatoes and green beans. And leftover gravy is used to add depth of flavor and body. Possibly the best part of this stew recipe? It comes together really quickly--because don't we all need a 20-minute dinner after the craziness of Thanksgiving? Add some leftover bread or rolls and dinner is done. This recipe is equally delicious with leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, and we've included instructions for making a quick gravy in case you don't have leftovers, so you can serve this Thanksgiving-in-a-pot year-round. Source: Eatingwell.com, September 2019

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Skillet Ravioli Lasagna

Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
Credit: Jasmine Comer
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This easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food--no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called "pearls") in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019

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Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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Take taco night to a new level with sweet potato taco "shells." Tender sweet potatoes pair perfectly with spicy taco meat, creamy cheese and crisp lettuce. Let everyone customize their taco potato with their favorite toppings. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2019

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Panko- & Parmesan-Crusted Baked Scallops

panko parm scallops
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These easy baked scallops have a delightful balance of crunchy, golden-brown topping and tender, sweet scallops. They feel decadent like scallops should, thanks to the tasty lemon-butter sauce. Look for uniform scallops; if they're particularly large, you might need to bake them for more than 10 minutes. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2019

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Creamy Lemon Pasta with Shrimp

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Yogurt makes a fine substitute for cream in the sauce for this easy pasta recipe. Just warm the yogurt (do not boil) and add some pasta-cooking water to thin it out. Lemon and fresh basil brighten up the whole-wheat pasta and complement the shrimp in this quick dinner recipe. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June 2019

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Beefless Vegan Tacos

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Take taco night in a new direction with these healthy vegan tacos. We've swapped crumbled tofu for the ground beef, without sacrificing any of the savory seasonings you expect in a taco. You can also use the filling in burritos, bowls, taco salads and to top nachos. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2019

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Easy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Green Pepper, Pineapple & Bacon

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This sweet, spicy and super-easy shrimp-and-vegetable stir-fry starts with a very small amount of bacon in the wok, which creates drippings that add tons of smoky flavor to the vegetables and shrimp that go in next. Keep the salt in check by using reduced-sodium tamari sauce. To complete this easy healthy dinner, add cooked brown rice. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2019

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Skillet Eggs with Sausage & Tomato Aioli

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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

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Crispy Cod with Charred Snow Peas & Creamy Herb Sauce

Crispy Cod with Charred Snow Peas & Creamy Herb Sauce
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This crispy cod recipe shows you how to make golden fish that's not deep-fried, to put a healthy twist on a classic. Pat it dry and dredge it with a bit of flour before sautéing in a hot pan.

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Spinach, Lima Bean & Crispy Pancetta Pasta

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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

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Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Quinoa Salad

salmon with quinoa salad on a white plate
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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

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Mussels with White Beans & Tomatoes

a bowl of mussels with tomatoes and white beans
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Cooking mussels may seem intimidating, but here we've made it quick and easy. We've added white beans to turn this classic mussels-in-white-wine-sauce dish into a heartier weeknight meal. Serve with whole-grain crusty bread to sop up the flavorful broth. Source: EatingWell Magazine, December 2019

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Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole

Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole
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This easy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare, meaning that seared steak can be a weeknight meal. Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

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One-Pan Chicken with Basil-Anchovy Butter & Shishito Peppers

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Don't skip the anchovies in this healthy chicken thigh recipe. Their fishiness blends in, adding salty, umami flavor, so that even skeptics of the salty little fish won't protest. And this healthy skillet dinner is cooked in one pan and takes just 20 minutes to prep--in case you need more selling points for this recipe. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2019

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Sweet & Sour Chicken with Broccoli

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This easy chicken and broccoli recipe makes a delicious, healthier alternative to Chinese takeout--and it takes just 20 minutes to make, so it's ideal for an easy weeknight dinner. When toasted, ramen noodles make a tasty, crunchy topping for a stir-fry or salad. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June 2019

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    1 of 18 BBQ Shrimp with Garlicky Kale & Parmesan-Herb Couscous
    2 of 18 Baked Lemon-Pepper Chicken
    3 of 18 Easy Spicy Salmon Cakes
    4 of 18 Leftover Turkey Stew
    5 of 18 Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
    6 of 18 Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    7 of 18 Panko- & Parmesan-Crusted Baked Scallops
    8 of 18 Creamy Lemon Pasta with Shrimp
    9 of 18 Beefless Vegan Tacos
    10 of 18 Easy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Green Pepper, Pineapple & Bacon
    11 of 18 Skillet Eggs with Sausage & Tomato Aioli
    12 of 18 Crispy Cod with Charred Snow Peas & Creamy Herb Sauce
    13 of 18 Spinach, Lima Bean & Crispy Pancetta Pasta
    14 of 18 Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Quinoa Salad
    15 of 18 Mussels with White Beans & Tomatoes
    16 of 18 Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole
    17 of 18 One-Pan Chicken with Basil-Anchovy Butter & Shishito Peppers
    18 of 18 Sweet & Sour Chicken with Broccoli

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    18 Dinners for Weight Loss in 20 Minutes
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