16 Easy Dinner Recipes for a Healthy Cholesterol

Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas

Your cholesterol levels have a notable impact on your heart health. Factors like genetics and diet can cause high levels of low-density lipoproteins, sometimes called "bad cholesterol," to build up as plaque in your arteries. These recipes focus on foods that can boost your "good cholesterol," or high-density lipoproteins, like avocado, salmon, beans and more. These dinners also avoid foods high in saturated or trans fats, which can increase your "bad" cholesterol levels. Recipes like our Black Bean-Cauliflower "Rice" Bowl and Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas are delicious ways to support a healthy heart.

01 of 16

BBQ Shrimp with Garlicky Kale & Parmesan-Herb Couscous

BBQ Shrimp with Garlicky Kale & Parmesan-Herb Couscous

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.

02 of 16

Black Bean-Cauliflower "Rice" Bowl

Black Bean-Cauliflower "Rice" Bowl

This aromatic cauliflower rice bowl comes together in minutes and is a simple meal for one. Using frozen riced cauliflower instead of rice keeps the carbs in check--and makes for quicker prep.

03 of 16

Mussels with White Beans & Tomatoes

a bowl of mussels with tomatoes and white beans

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.

04 of 16

White Bean & Veggie Salad

White Bean & Veggie Salad

This meatless main-dish salad combines creamy, satisfying white beans and avocado. Try mixing it up with different seasonal vegetables.

05 of 16

Pasta e Fagioli with Instant Ramen Noodles

8293681.jpg

Quick sautéed vegetables, canned tomatoes, dried oregano and canned beans transform ramen noodle soup mix into this classic Italian favorite in minutes. To cut back on sodium, look for ramen varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.

06 of 16

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema

7278532.jpg

A rich, creamy topping made of mashed avocado, sour cream, lime juice and salt takes these spicy slow-cooker chicken tacos to the next level. Lightly toast the tortillas, if desired. Use any leftover avocado cream as a chip dip, and serve with tortilla chips.

07 of 16

Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas

6885403.jpg

In this vegetarian riff on a popular Indian dish, we swap in cauliflower and chickpeas for the chicken in tikka masala. The cauliflower's nooks and crannies are particularly good at soaking up all the intense flavors of the sauce. Serve over rice for an easy healthy dinner that's ready in just 20 minutes.

08 of 16

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon
Will Dickey

Herby and bright pesto coats tender salmon fillets in this quick and healthy fish dish. Colorful cherry tomatoes burst and combine with shallots to complement the pesto in this fast and simple weeknight dinner.

09 of 16

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts

6599311.jpg

Serve this summery strawberry spinach salad alongside soup or a half sandwich, or top with grilled chicken or roasted salmon for a complete and easy healthy meal.

10 of 16

Loaded Black Bean Nacho Soup

6184892.jpg

Jazz up a can of black bean soup with your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, avocado and fresh tomatoes. A bit of smoked paprika adds a bold flavor kick, but you can swap in any warm spices you prefer, such as cumin or chili powder. Look for a soup that contains no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.

11 of 16

Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach

Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach

Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.

12 of 16

Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry

vegan chickpea coconut curry

To make this 20-minute vegan curry even faster, buy precut veggies from the salad bar at the grocery store. To make it a full, satisfying dinner, serve over cooked brown rice. When shopping for simmer sauce, look for one with 400 mg of sodium or less and check the ingredient list for cream or fish sauce if you want to keep this vegan. If you like a spicy kick, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce at the end.

13 of 16

Roasted Vegetable & Black Bean Tacos

4499626.jpg

These hearty vegan tacos are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. They are so tasty no one will miss the meat or dairy.

14 of 16

Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

4548023.jpg

It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

15 of 16

Rosemary Roasted Salmon with Asparagus & Potatoes

8087851.jpg

Yukon Golds are great here because they get crispy on the outside but completely creamy on the inside. A brush stroke or two of balsamic glaze provides a rich color and a sweet finish to the roasted salmon.

16 of 16

Strawberry, Avocado & Arugula Salad

5565820.jpg

This refreshing salad with fresh strawberries, creamy avocado and zesty arugula is the perfect appetizer or side dish for any summer meal.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles