One Month of Healthy 30-Minute Dinners to Feed Your Family

January 28, 2021

Make “What’s for dinner?” a question of the past with these healthy dinner ideas that the whole family will love. Ready in just 30 minutes, these dinner recipes are packed with protein and vegetables to create a balanced meal. We’ve pulled together delicious recipes like Easy Vegetarian Chili and Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan that will keep your family nourished and happy all month long.

Start Slideshow

1 of 31

American Goulash

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 31

20-Minute Creamy Italian Chicken Skillet

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chicken cutlets cook quickly and are highlighted with a creamy sauce made with tomatoes, zucchini and Italian seasoning. This recipe is sure to become a new weeknight favorite the whole family will love. Serve it with whole-wheat pasta or rice to make it a meal.

3 of 31

Air-Fryer Turkey Stuffed Peppers

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Stuffed peppers are a classic family meal--and they're fun to eat, too. Instead of roasting the sweet peppers in the oven, use an air fryer to get them crisp-tender but not soggy.

Advertisement

4 of 31

Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Two of our favorite comfort-food sandwiches join forces in these family-friendly dinner sandwiches. We found that softer buns make this easier to eat, and it's all the better when wrapped takeout-style in a sheet of foil.

5 of 31

Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This one-pan pasta that combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal is garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it "Mom's Skillet Pasta" and she called it "Devon's Favorite Pasta." Either way it's a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It's a simple dinner the whole family will love.

6 of 31

Sloppy Joe Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Like sloppy Joes? Then you'll love this sloppy Joe casserole recipe. This kid-friendly dinner has the classic sloppy Joe flavors kids love, while parents will like all the veggies that are packed in to make it a healthy meal.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 31

Easy Vegetarian Chili

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit--sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.

8 of 31

Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fiber-rich sweet potato is used as the base for the cheese sauce in this healthy, homemade macaroni and cheese recipe. The bright orange color tricks your eyes into thinking this healthy macaroni and cheese recipe is loaded with cheese, but there's actually only about half as much cheese as compared to a traditional recipe.

9 of 31

Baked Beans with Ground Beef

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Upgrade baked beans from classic side dish to a meaty main meal by adding lean ground beef. The final result, a superfast hearty casserole, is an easy and fast dinner option. Ground turkey or even sausage would work nicely in this dish. Just watch the sodium.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 31

Toaster-Oven Quesadillas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We love finding new ways to use our kitchen tools and appliances. These toaster-oven quesadillas with peppers and avocado are the perfect example of an unexpected toaster-oven hack we had to share.

11 of 31

Honey-Mustard Pork with Spinach & Smashed White Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Drizzle the quick honey-mustard pan sauce over the pork and beans in this 30-minute dinner for a comforting, healthy weeknight meal.

12 of 31

Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken with Fingerlings

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fingerling potatoes are small, long, knobby spuds that are shaped like fingers. Look for them in the produce department or at farmers' markets.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 31

Tofu & Snow Pea Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A fast dinner recipe perfect for busy weeknights, this easy stir-fry recipe will quickly become a favorite. To save time, use precooked rice or cook rice a day ahead.

14 of 31

Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These crispy air-fried chicken nuggets are a quick kid-friendly dinner that parents will love too. The homemade nuggets are healthier than fast-food versions--and more flavorful, thanks to the cornflake coating. You can also cut the chicken into strips for air-fryer chicken tenders. Be sure to cook those 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until done.

15 of 31

Tortellini Primavera

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This creamy tortellini and vegetable pasta is a real crowd pleaser. To make it even quicker, use frozen chopped vegetables instead of fresh. Serve with: A green salad and whole-grain baguette.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 31

Two-Ingredient-Dough Margherita Pizza

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You won't believe how quick and easy it is to make this healthy pizza. Thanks to a two-ingredient dough that combines self-rising flour and Greek yogurt, there is no need for a rise time. Just roll, top and bake, and you'll have a delicious dinner on the table in under half an hour.

17 of 31

Classic Mac & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

No sneaky ingredients here, just delicious comfort food. You can enjoy this super-cheesy mac and cheese in the same time it takes to cook the boxed version. Whole-wheat noodles add fiber, while sharp Cheddar adds richness. A hefty twist of black pepper balances the cheese's salty tang.

18 of 31

Sheet-Pan Chili-Lime Salmon with Potatoes & Peppers

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Busy weeknights beg for something simple like this salmon sheet-pan dinner. Like the name suggests, it's all cooked on one pan. The potatoes get a head start, followed by sweet bell peppers and finally chili-coated salmon fillets. It's a complete meal with easy cleanup!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 31

Sloppy Joe-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Take sloppy Joes to a new level with tender sweet potatoes standing in for the bun. Sweet potatoes pair perfectly with the tangy, flavorful filling of ground beef, black beans and spices. Chopped dill pickle sprinkled on top adds crunch to this quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

20 of 31

Tofu Parmigiana

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Instead of having a greasy, battered coating, the tofu “steaks” in our revamped Parmigiana are breaded and lightly pan-fried in just a small amount of oil then topped with part-skim mozzarella, fresh basil and your favorite marinara sauce. This Italian classic will please even those who are tofu-phobic.

21 of 31

General Tso's Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy version of a General Tso's Chicken recipe, we cut the fat and sodium in half from the original version by not frying the chicken and by using half as much soy sauce in this Chinese-takeout favorite. Serve with steamed baby bok choy or sautéed spinach and steamed brown rice.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 31

Alphabet Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Recite your ABC's while you enjoy this kid-friendly soup that you can feel good about serving--it's packed with healthy vegetables. If you can't find alphabet noodles, any small pasta (like orzo) will work.

23 of 31

Skillet Buffalo Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you like Buffalo wings, you'll love this quick skillet Buffalo chicken recipe. Chicken cutlets are sautéed, then smothered in a creamy-spicy sauce. A side-salad garnish of carrots, celery and blue cheese pulls it all together.

24 of 31

Pork & Snap Pea Lo Mein

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Lo mein is a Chinese restaurant takeout favorite that's easy to make at home. This lo mein recipe features lean pork loin chops and snap peas, but snow peas or asparagus work well too. Serve with shredded radish and cabbage tossed with rice vinegar.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 31

Chicken-Apple Sloppy Joes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A sloppy joe is typically made with ground beef and a spicy tomato sauce, but not this one! This makeover sandwich combines lean ground chicken breast with green peppers, and is topped with sweet apple slices.

26 of 31

Fish Tacos with Avocado-Lime Crema

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If battering and frying fish sounds messy, frozen fish sticks are your fish taco savior in this healthy dinner recipe. Use them for a quick, kid-friendly dinner or try popcorn shrimp. Serve with your favorite salsa and black beans on the side.

27 of 31

Chickpea Curry (Chhole)

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 31

Mushroom-Swiss Turkey Burgers

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this gluten-free turkey burger recipe, lean ground turkey stands in for ground beef, and portobello mushrooms produce a juicy, flavorful alternative to the traditional bun. Melted Swiss cheese, sliced tomato and arugula top off this delicious low-carb dinner!

29 of 31

Spaghetti Carbonara with Peas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Our healthy spaghetti carbonara recipe is lower in calories and fat than a traditional spaghetti carbonara recipe, plus it boasts 9 more grams of fiber per serving from whole-wheat pasta. For the best flavor, use Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The eggs in the sauce are not fully cooked; if you're concerned about consuming undercooked eggs, use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs in this spaghetti carbonara recipe.

30 of 31

25-Minute Chicken & Veggie Enchiladas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These chicken enchiladas are great for using up any veggies you have lingering in your fridge. Our chicken enchilada recipe calls for zucchini, squash and onion, but you could easily swap in spinach, onions or potatoes.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 31

Pork Chops with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These seared pork chops are topped with a rich and creamy mushroom sauce that gets flavored with fresh herbs.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next