20 Easy and Healthy Dinner Ideas for Family

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It can be tough to make healthy meals that your whole family will love. You don’t want to eat the same boring thing every day, but you also don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

Who has time for that? Between work, school, and all of the other activities your family is involved in, it’s hard enough to find time to cook dinner at all, let alone make something nutritious and delicious.

Today, we’ll share some of our favorite recipes for healthy dinners that are so good your family will never even miss the junk food. These 20 easy and healthy dinner ideas for families are sure to please even the pickiest eater. From savory chicken dishes to delicious pasta recipes, we’ve got something for everyone. Plus, many of these recipes can be made in under 30 minutes!

 

More delicious and healthy recipe ideas for you:

• 20 Easy and Healthy Weeknight Dinners
• 20 Easy and Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work
• 15 Easy and Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Busy Mornings

 

1. Taco Stuffed Peppers

One of the best ways for the family to eat healthy is by making taco night a little bit healthier. These delicious taco-stuffed peppers are a great way to do just that. All of the flavors of your favorite tacos, with a fraction of the calories.

You can easily add whole grain rice or quinoa to these to make them even more filling and satisfying.

 

2. Chicken Burrito Bowls

Grabbing Chipotle for dinner is tempting, but it’s not exactly healthy. The New York Times reports that the average order at Chipotle has 1,070 calories, which is more than half of the daily recommended intake for adults. A single bowl contains 75% of the daily recommended saturated fat and a full day’s worth of salt.

You can easily make easy and healthy burrito bowls at home with this chicken burrito bowl recipe. With fresh vegetables and avocado crema, these bowls are just as delicious as they are nutritious. Reduce the rice portion to save even more calories or go all out and add some black beans.

 

3. Eggplant Lasagna

Switch things up with this vegetarian lasagna that uses roasted eggplant in place of traditional ground beef or sausage. Be sure to look for no-boil lasagna noodles to make this dish even easier.

This eggplant lasagna is a great example of a vegetarian meal that is easy, healthy, and appetizing. The homemade pesto sauce gives it a fresh and vibrant flavor, while the roasted eggplant and mozzarella cheese provide a hearty and satisfying filling. This dish can be made ahead of time and frozen for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

 

4. Easy Baked Italian Meatballs

If you ask kids what they want for dinner, chances are they’ll say “meatballs!” These easy-baked Italian meatballs are a healthier version of the classic plate and are just as mouth-watering, making it a kid-friendly dish. Made with ground beef (feel free to substitute it for your choice of meat), covered with rich marinara sauce. Nothing says “comfort food” like a plate of these hearty meatballs.

 

5. One Pan Thai-Inspired Coconut Yellow Curry Chicken & Rice

We love to cook one-pan dinners because they’re a lifesaver when you are pressed for time. You can cook everything in one pot or pan, which means fewer dishes to wash afterward!

You won’t have to worry about the flavors being too bland either. This Thai-inspired yellow curry chicken is popping with flavor and the rice soaks up all of the deliciousness.

One-pan dinners are also a great way to use up leftovers, so you can have a different meal every night without having to do any extra cooking.

 

6. Grilled Vegetable Burrata Sandwich with Lemon Thyme Honey Mustard

Giving meat a break and opting for vegetables instead is a great way to enjoy a delicious sandwich without all the calories. This grilled vegetable burrata sandwich features roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and summer squash, along with fresh Burrata cheese.

The lemon thyme honey mustard adds a bright and flavorful touch, while the balsamic vinegar glaze ties everything together. This sandwich is hassle-free to make and can be served for lunch or dinner.

 

7. Ground Turkey Pasta Bake (Healthy Casserole)

The smell of this dish cooking will have your family running to the table. Ground turkey is simmered with onions, garlic, and crushed tomatoes then mixed with whole wheat pasta and topped with mozzarella cheese.

For the greens, you can choose spinach, broccoli, kale, or a mix of your favorite vegetables. This dish is hearty and filling, but still light enough to enjoy without feeling weighed down.

 

8. Chicken Souvlaki Meal Prep Bowls

Eating out all the time can get expensive, and it’s not always the healthiest option. These chicken souvlaki meal prep bowls are a great way to have a healthy and delicious meal ready in no time.

The creamy tzatziki sauce is so flavorful that you won’t miss the unhealthy fast-food versions. Toss in some fresh vegetables on the side and healthy grain or pita bread for a yummy meal.

Simply make an extra batch for lunch so the family can bring it to work and school. If you’re looking for more healthy meal prep ideas, there are plenty of nutritious options for you and your family.

 

9. White Mushroom Pizza

Pizza night will never be the same once you try this white mushroom pizza. The mushrooms are sautéed with garlic, oregano, and thyme then spread over a pizza crust and topped with mozzarella cheese.

This pizza is so yummy and fragrant, that you won’t notice there wasn’t any sauce in it! The kids will love it too, and you can even sneak in some extra veggies by adding thinly sliced bell peppers or onions.

 

10. Marinated Grilled Salmon

As part of a balanced diet, the American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week. This marinated grilled salmon is a simple, yet delicious way to reach that goal. This recipe uses soy sauce, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic, and fresh parsley, but our all-time favorite is to use fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon to give the salmon a bright flavor.

The key to making a great marinade is to use fresh herbs and spices.

 

11. Spaghetti Squash Bolognese (Paleo, Whole30)

If you’re trying to eat healthier but can’t give up pasta, then this recipe is for you. Spaghetti squash is a great low-carb alternative to traditional pasta and they’re full of nutrients like vitamins A and C.

This bolognese sauce uses turkey bacon, but you’re welcome to use regular bacon or even leave it out altogether. The bacon is there to give it a little extra flavor, but it’s not necessary. The important thing is that you load up on the vegetables. This sauce is filled with carrots and celery, but we love to add in mushrooms and some onions as well.

 

12. Easy Ground Beef Tacos

We can’t get enough of tacos, and these easy ground beef tacos are a delicious way to change things up from the usual chicken or fish tacos.

The beef is seasoned with a special spice blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and other spices, then cooked until browned and juicy. The tacos are served with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.

You can top them with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa, or serve them plain. Either way, they’re sure to be a hit!

 

13. Easy Grillable Veggie Burgers

Fast food restaurants have nothing on these easy grillable veggie burgers. These burgers are made with a mix of black beans, sauté onion, and walnuts, and are seasoned with chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.

They’re grilled to perfection and served on a toasted bun with all the fixings: lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles. You can also add avocado or guacamole for an extra dose of healthy fats.

 

14. Healthy Greek Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free)

Summer or not, this Greek pasta salad is always good to have in your recipe box. It’s light, healthy, and perfect for a potluck or picnic. And it’s gluten-free!

The only ingredient that requires cooking is the pasta, and everything else can be thrown together in a bowl. This salad is best if made ahead so the flavors have time to meld.

 

15. Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

The more colorful the stir fry, the more nutrient-rich it is! This teriyaki beef stir fry is made with lean beef, crisp veggies, and a homemade teriyaki sauce. The sauce is made with just simple ingredients from your pantry and comes together in less than 5 minutes. Serve it over rice or quinoa for a quick and easy meal.

 

16. Classic Chicken Lemon Rice Soup

There might be clouds, rain, or snow in the forecast, but this soup will make you feel like it’s springtime! It’s full of healthy ingredients like chicken, rice, and lemon. Easily tweakable to your liking, this soup can be on the table in less than an hour. You can cook a big batch and keep it fresh in the fridge for 4-5 days.

 

17. Skillet Shrimp Zucchini Noodles

This meal is like a scampi, but a healthier version. The zucchini noodles look like pasta and will fool even the pickiest of eaters!

For the zucchini noodles, you can make them with a spiralizer or if you don’t have a spiralizer, you can drop by the grocery store to pick up a pack.

Tossed in a light garlic sauce and served with plump shrimp, they make a quick and easy meal that’s low in calories and carbs, but high in flavor. Serve with a side salad or roasted vegetables and dinner’s ready!

 

18. Sheet Pan Sesame Chicken and Veggies

Anything that you can make on a sheet pan is a winner in our book. It cuts down the cooking time and makes cleanup a breeze. This recipe for sesame chicken and veggies is a great way to get your family to eat more vegetables.

You can use any type of chicken you like (we recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breast for the healthiest option), or even tofu for a vegetarian option. The key is to cut everything into small pieces so that it all cooks evenly.

 

19. Vegetarian Pho Soup (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Pho soup is a Vietnamese noodle soup that is typically made with chicken or beef broth. However, this vegetarian version is just as flavorful and satisfying. Pho soup is healthy because it’s loaded with protein and vitamins from the fresh vegetables and herbs used in the recipe. It’s also low in calories and carbs, making it a perfect choice for a light meal.

 

20. Noodle-Free Chicken Pad Thai-Inspired

Everyone is going to be blown away by how good this dish is, even without the noodles! There are more veggies than there is chicken in this dish, making it a really healthy and filling meal. The secret to the sauce is using almond butter, which gives it a creamy texture and an irresistibly nutty flavor. Don’t forget the lime juice and cilantro for garnish!