70 Easy Better-For-You Dinners You’ll Actually Look Forward To Eating
Eating healthy doesn't have to suck.
Is it just us, or is dinnertime where any thoughts of healthy eating completely go out the window? We’ve got our quick, healthy breakfasts, packed lunches, and snacks for work down, keeping us full and motivated all day long (our curried cashews have quelled many an afternoon hunger pang). But then we get home for dinner, and it’s a whole other story. We know it’s way easier to control your health when you do your own cooking, but lots of nights, it’s just too easy to turn to frozen meals or takeout. Take inspiration from these healthy dinner recipes to keep your momentum going every night of the week—we believe in you!
We know health looks different to different people, so we’ve included options for every diet, like low carb, vegan, pescatarian, or gluten-free. We’ve also included meals for home cooks of all skill levels, so we’ve got you whether you’re a master chef or a novice, whether your kitchen is full of gadgets or you’re working with one bowl and one knife (we’ve ALL been there).
When it comes to eating “healthier,” we’re ALL about the swaps. Want to make your dinner low-carb? Lean on superheroes cauliflower, zucchini, and lettuce wraps to keep you satisfied, without the bread or noodles. Check out our loaded cauliflower bake, our Philly cheesesteak lettuce wraps, our zucchini lattice lasagna, or our low-carb Big Macs for ideas to see how easy (and yummy!) it is to ditch the carbs. Looking for plant-based or vegetarian options? Swap out sausage for tempeh, like in our tempeh and broccoli rabe orecchiette; BBQ cauliflower for chicken, like in our vegan pizza; beans for ground beef, like in our vegetarian chili; or tofu for shrimp, like in our tofu stir-fry. Once you get on board with the alt protein options out there, we bet you won’t even miss the meat. Speaking of, are you trying to avoid the red stuff? You can easily swap leaner ground meat in for beef, like in our baked turkey burgers or our slow-cooker turkey chili. Want to make a tiny change for your health? Try swapping brown rice in for white rice in any of your favorite meals. Our goddess and harvest bowls are served over the whole grain and are all the better for it (and you will be too!).
Want some healthy inspiration for after the meal? Check out our top healthy cookies, our favorite fruit desserts, and our top vegan desserts.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Wraps
"Cilantro-lime" is a flavor profile we can never get enough of. Pretty much anything goes well with a kick from cumin, a little tang from lime juice, and fresh herby zing from cilantro, including these simple, low-carb lettuce wraps featuring quick-cooking shrimp.
Get the Cilantro Lime Shrimp Wraps recipe.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Typically deep- or pan-fried in oil, orange chicken made in an air fryer translates to fewer calories and less fat, but tons of flavor. Of course, this dish is perfect over rice or whole grains, but if you are looking for a low-carb side, serve it over simple air-fried vegetables.
Get the Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe.
Reuben Bowls
Corned beef, Russian dressing, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, all precariously stuffed between two pieces of rye bread. That’s a LOT going on for one sandwich. Skip all that by making these convenient Reuben bowls instead.
Get the Reuben Bowls recipe.
Keto Mac & Cheese
If you're on a keto diet, you know there are a lot of no-nos in classic mac & cheese. This version takes out all the trouble children (ahem, PASTA) without sacrificing flavor. The pork rind topping is totally optional, but we think it adds a pleasant crunch.
Get the Keto Mac & Cheese recipe.
Vegan Shepherd's Pie
This meatless, dairy-free take on shepherd's pie is packed with veggies (mushrooms! celery! butternut squash! parsnips!) and loaded with flavor. It's also incredibly hearty, thanks to lentils.
Get the Vegan Shepherd's Pie recipe.
Healthy Chicken Casserole
This satisfying casserole has ALL of your fall favorites—Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cranberries... Make it for a big crowd, or pack it up and eat the leftovers for lunch. It's a meal prep DREAM.
Get the Harvest Chicken Casserole recipe.
Cabbage Wrapped Brats
Though we’re all for a good sandwich or flatbread, oftentimes it’s actually just the tasty fillings we’re after, like in these beer brats. We love cooking our onions in the same pan as our brats for two reasons—one, less dirty dishes, and two, it creates the most melt-in-your-mouth-delicious caramelized onions EVER.
Get the Cabbage Wrapped Brats recipe.
Chicken Tostadas
To make this chicken tostada recipe go more quickly, you'll use shredded rotisserie chicken and canned beans. For extra sturdiness, spread a thin layer of refried beans on one tostada, then top with a second. Top with more refried beans, the chicken, and rest of the toppings.
Get the Chicken Tostadas recipe.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
All our favorite fall flavors come together in this surprisingly easy and super-flavorful stuffed acorn squash. The kale adds a heartiness that only a good cruciferous green can provide, and it pairs perfectly with the tender, sweet flesh of the squash. Yum!
Get the Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.
Rainbow Roll
Rainbow rolls include a lot of elements of traditional Japanese sushi—seasoned rice, raw fish, nori—but the composition is definitely Americanized. This inside-out roll (or uramaki) has rice on the outside, while the sheet of nori on the inside holds the avocado, cucumber, and crab in place. Top your rolls with sushi-grade fish, or get creative and try thinly sliced avocado, roasted red peppers, or smoked salmon.
Get the Rainbow Roll recipe.
Vegetarian Chili
This vegetarian chili is till every bit as warm, comforting, and filling as a classic beef chili. Three types of beans do the heavy lifting in the chili and "beef" it up. It's filled with warm spices, and a jalapeño adds a little extra heat. Add a second or keep the seeds in for even more spice!
Get the Vegetarian Chili recipe.
"Skinny" Alfredo
A lightened-up version of our fettuccine Alfredo can make you feel a little bit better about pasta nights. Skipping the heavy cream and using just a little bit of Greek yogurt still gives you a lusciously creamy sauce you'll love.
Get the "Skinny Alfredo" recipe.
Vegan Pizza
Make your own pizza dough to really impress your plant-based friends. Don't skimp on the vegan ranch dressing—it's the best part!
Get the Vegan Pizza recipe.
Buddha Bowl
The beauty about these bowls is that they're infinitely adaptable—you can roast just about any veggie, use any number of toppings, and it'll taste amazing in this recipe. The only thing we might insist you must keep on the bowl is the incredible peanut dressing. It's insanely delicious.
Get the Buddha Bowl recipe.
Garlic Butter Meatballs & Zoodles
These garlic butter chicken meatballs are low-carb, gluten-free, and all around better for you without skipping out on any of the tastiness. Now this is a dinner everyone in your family can feel good about.
Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken
If you throw chicken into a pan with salt and pepper and bake it for forever, of course it's going to be terrible. We know this sounds obvious, but it's what so many people trying to "eat healthy" do. On the other hand, when you add layers of bright and fresh flavors (like lemon pepper!), eating healthy can be extremely easy and delicious.
Get the Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken recipe.
Vegan Meatloaf
This hearty "meat" loaf is made mostly out of chickpeas and baby bella mushrooms. We're in love! Serve it with a side of vegan mashed potatoes and green beans for the most comforting, healthy meal.
Get the Vegan Meatloaf recipe.
Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Think the crispiest chicken sandwich is only available at the drive-thru? Think again! We can’t believe how golden and juicy these cutlets turn out in the air fryer. They’re great in sandwich form, but would be just as good on top of a salad or sliced over rice.
Egg Roll Bowls
If you're a fan of crispy savory egg rolls, then you might consider this unwrapped version your dream healthy dinner. Without the need to wrap or fry, this veggie-packed meal comes together in well under an hour. Garnish with crispy raw scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and plenty of sriracha or chili oil.
Get the Egg Roll Bowls recipe.
Zucchini Lattice Lasagna
Yes, classic lasagna is delicious, but when we're craving something a tad less carb-heavy, we turn to this summery zucchini version. Pro tip: Zucchini releases a good amount of water, so we like to dab it with a paper towel when the lasagna is done cooking, then broil until the cheese is bubbly and crispy. 😍
Get the Zucchini Lattice Lasagna recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
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