31 Fast, Healthy Dinner Recipes for Busy Nights {And Food Blogger Cookbook Swap Announcement}

In the collage above, on the left: Seared Salmon with Tzatziki Sauce; on the right, top to bottom: Sautéed Kale with Sausage and White Beans, Two-Bean Vegetable Soup, and  Stovetop Tuscan Mac and Cheese.

In the spirit of getting good food into your family fast on a harried weeknight, here is a one-month collection of quick, nutritious meals. Most of them come together in under 30 minutes, some of them use a slow-cooker to help get dinner on the table with minimal effort, and others help you remake leftovers into a delicious and completely different new meal.

(A Quick Side on Leftovers Because I Just Can’t Let Them Go: People tell me all the time that they don’t have time to make dinner on weeknights, but when asked about making use of leftovers, they either make a face – moms, you know the face; your toddler probably makes it when asked to eat green veggies – or they say something like Hmm…but we don’t really like leftovers! What people don’t realize is that if leftovers are reinvented, they might like them. Start by reinventing them in your own mind; think of leftovers as nothing more than your kitchen assistant; after all, they’re what will help you get a full meal on the table in a fraction of the time it would normally take.)

If there’s a main dish recipe listed below and you’re wondering what to serve on the side, I have a couple of ideas for you. I keep a huge container of organic mixed spring greens in my fridge at all times for this purpose. Also, it doesn’t get much easier than sliced fresh veggies (like tomato, cucumber, carrot, etc.), a pot of steamed broccoli or cauliflower, or even a pan of roasted vegetables. (I follow the same general method for roasting most veggies: wash and chop the veggies, drizzle them with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper; spread them out in an even layer on a baking sheet, and roast at 425F until fork-tender throughout and browned in places, tossing occasionally.)

So if you’re bored with what you usually make and are ready to switch up your menu, this is perfect. Here is a month’s-worth of dinners, with about 1/3 vegetarian (including meals with eggs), and the remaining 2/3 split between seafood, chicken, and beef; of course feel free to make adjustments to suit your preferences. The nice thing is if there are leftovers, you can use them as instant lunches or even breakfast. (Yup, I’m one of the weird few who don’t mind eating savory dinner-type meals – albeit in smaller portions – for breakfast, especially if it’s a dish with a ton of veggies.)

I hope you find some delicious inspiration and a few new favorites here!

Vegetarian:

1. Lentil Salad with Kale, Whole Grains, Beets, Winter Squash, Mushrooms and Pomegranate Seeds from Jeanette’s Healthy Living
2. Stovetop Tuscan Mac and Cheese from An Edible Mosaic
3. Three Pea Ginger Tofu Stir Fry from The Law Student’s Wife
4. Tofu Meatballs from La Casa de Sweets
5. Two-Bean Vegetable Soup from An Edible Mosaic
6. Winter Tomato Soup with Chard from Seasonal & Savory

Eggs (Because who doesn’t love a good breakfast for dinner, right?!):

7. Courgette (Zucchini) and Goat Cheese Frittata from Amuse Your Bouche
8. Creamy Greek Scrambled Eggs from Family Fresh Cooking
9. Ranchero Breakfast Tostadas from Warm Vanilla Sugar
10. Shakshuka from Jewhungry

Fish and Other Seafood:

11. Orange-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass with Dill, Cucumber, and Orange Champagne Relish from Averie Cooks
12. Roasted Shrimp and Potato Salad with Grapes and Celery from Farm Fresh Feasts
13. Seared Salmon with Tzatziki Sauce from An Edible Mosaic
14. Shrimp and Coconut Fritters from Seasonal & Savory
15. Trout en Papillote from Rhubarb and Honey
16. Tuna Quinoa Patties from The Bitter Side of Sweet
17. Walnut-Encrusted Salmon from Kailley’s Kitchen

Chicken:

18. Baked Chicken Tenders {Grain-Free} from An Edible Mosaic
19. Chicken, Beet, and Walnut Sauté from Apron Strings
20. Chicken Paillard with Lemon Salad from A Healthy Life for Me
21. Healthy Corn Chowder from The Law Student’s Wife
22. Sautéed Kale with Sausage and White Beans from An Edible Mosaic
23. Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala from The Lemon Bowl
24. Spring’s Parmesan Rosemary Chicken from Savour Fare
25. Stir-Fried Chicken with Pineapple and Peppers from Karen’s Kitchen Stories

Beef:

26. Bresaola, Arugula, and Roasted Red Pepper Cheddar Melts from Baker by Nature
27. Lightened-Up Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff from Recipe Girl
28. Mongolian Beef from Table for Two
29. Quick and Easy Skillet Lasagna from How Sweet It Is
30. Roast Beef Panini from She Wears Many Hats
31. Thai Beef Basil Lettuce Wraps from Everyday Maven

Food Blogger Cookbook Swap Announcement

Early last summer you might remember me talking about the Food Blogger Prop Swap that Alyssa (of Everyday Maven) and I hosted. The basic idea behind the event is that many food bloggers probably have some props that they no longer use, but are still in good working condition. (You know…that one go-to plate that just drives you nuts because it’s in almost every picture! Yeah, I’m guilty as charged too, lol.)

Well, we took that same idea and gave it a slightly different twist: now we’re exchanging cookbooks!

Most of us have quite the collection of cookbooks, and if we’re being honest, we probably only cook from a select few. Why not send one to someone who might get more use from it? In return, you’ll get a gently used cookbook from another blogger that might just become a new favorite.

If this sounds like fun, head over to our website for the event to take a look at the details, and sign up here!