These five simple, nutritious recipes provide easy-to-prepare options for busy weeknight dinners. The first is an easy burrito bowl with black beans, brown rice, avocado, and red bell pepper. The second recipe is creamy vegetable pasta with whole wheat pasta, peas, broccoli, and ricotta. The third is a baked salmon and asparagus dish with olive oil and lemon. The fourth recipe is a quick chicken stir-fry with soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. The final recipe is a hearty lentil soup with onion, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes. These meals are healthy, delicious, and easy on the wallet.

Dinner Solutions: 5 Simple, Nutritious Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Introduction

Eating healthy doesn’t always have to be complicated, time-consuming, or expensive. With the following five simple, nutritious recipes, you’ll be able to whip up a healthy dinner in no time, even on the busiest of weeknights. Each recipe is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients that will provide you with the energy and nutrients you need to power through your day. So let’s get cooking!

Recipe #1: Easy Burrito Bowls

Ingredients:

• 1 can of black beans
• 1 cup of brown rice
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup of salsa
• 1/4 cup of sour cream
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the brown rice in a pot with 2 cups of water.
2. While the rice is cooking, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the red bell pepper and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Drain and rinse the black beans and add them to the pan with the bell pepper. Stir to combine and heat through.
4. In a small bowl, mix together the salsa, sour cream, and lime juice.
5. Once the rice is cooked, divide it into bowls. Top with the black bean and red bell pepper mixture, diced avocado, and salsa mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe #2: Creamy Vegetable Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 oz of whole wheat pasta
• 1 cup of frozen peas
• 1 cup of chopped broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of pasta water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling, salted water according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add the frozen peas and chopped broccoli florets to the pan. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and reserved pasta water.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, add it to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the cheese mixture over the top and stir to combine.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Recipe #3: Simple Salmon and Asparagus

Ingredients:

• 4 oz of salmon fillets
• 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed
• 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
3. Place the salmon fillets and asparagus on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and the asparagus is tender.
5. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Recipe #4: Quick and Easy Chicken Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups of snow peas
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 2 tbsp of honey
• 1 tsp of sesame oil
• 1 tsp of cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan or wok over high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
2. Add the chicken breast to the pan and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the sliced red bell pepper, onion, and snow peas to the pan. Stir to combine.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and cornstarch.
5. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables and stir to coat.
6. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are tender.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over rice or noodles.

Recipe #5: Hearty Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of dried lentils
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp of dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse and drain the lentils in a colander.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and dried thyme to the pot.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot with a slice of crusty bread on the side.

Conclusion

These five recipes are easy to make, healthy, and delicious. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a nutrient-packed meal in no time, making dinner time stress-free and enjoyable. Cooking at home can be a great way to save money and eat healthier at the same time. So give these recipes a try and see how they can become a regular part of your weekly meal rotation.