We get it — eating healthy at home is sometimes easier said than done, but planning and making family-friendly meals that both you and the kids will love doesn’t have to feel like a chore. If you need a little inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. We planned a week’s worth of healthy dinners that your whole family will love.
The best part? These easy weeknight dinners all take less than 1 hour to cook. Bon appetit!
7 healthy family dinner recipes
From busy schedules and picky eaters to a lack of fresh recipe inspiration, it can be tempting to order in for dinner. But the truth is that making meals at home is more cost-effective and gives you the power to choose healthier, more wholesome ingredients. After all, a balanced diet is critical to your overall health and wellness (and to an effective workout routine).
Forget takeout — this egg roll in a bowl is healthier, cheaper, and comes together quicker than you can say, “Can I place an order for delivery?” With 36 grams of protein per serving and tons of flavor, this homemade rendition of a takeout favorite will satisfy the whole family.
Give taco night a healthy twist. Swap tortillas and chips for a nutrient-dense sweet potato, pick a protein, then customize with all your favorite toppings — cheese, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, you name it!
Pro tip: If you want to make this recipe in minutes, microwave your sweet potatoes instead of baking them in the oven.
For a wholesome, family-friendly dinner that comes together in minutes, serve this shrimp scampi on its own or over pasta. One serving has 263 calories, 5 grams of carbs, 27 grams of protein, and a whole lot of fresh flavor.
Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? With only three ingredients, these pancakes are ready in minutes and pack in the protein. Serve them up with a side of eggs, lean sausage, or veggie and potato hash for a nutritious meal that kids will love.
Customize your flapjacks with add-ins like protein powder or nut butter.
When you’ve got a long day ahead of you, put this light and fresh pasta salad together ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. It’s not just convenient; the flavors also get better with time.
With only four ingredients, this almond-crusted tilapia packs in 25 grams of protein per serving and is ready in under 30 minutes. Use fresh tilapia or buy it frozen to keep ingredients for an easy weeknight dinner on hand.
Spice up your sides: Try these super easy oven-roasted vegetables.
Slice some chicken, chop some veggies, then pop this skillet in the oven and you’ve got a family-friendly dinner ready in 20 minutes. (The flavor is so bold, your kids won’t even notice the full serving of veggies.)
Tips for making healthy family dinner recipes easier
You’ve got a week’s worth of healthy dinner ideas for the family to try — now use these tips to make planning and prepping healthy meals even easier.
- Make weekly meal plans. At the start of each week, plan a menu so you know what you’ll be making each night — and how much time you’ll need to prepare a meal. You can use these seven recipes to start, or get more easy dinner ideas on our blog.
- Stick to your grocery list. Make a list of all the ingredients you’ll need for your weekly meal plans. You’ll be less likely to choose overly processed foods or buy ingredients you don’t need if you make a grocery list. (Your wallet will thank you, too.)
- Prep ingredients ahead of time. Chop vegetables or fruits ahead of time and store them in your fridge. Less prep time means meals get to the table faster.
More easy dinner ideas
Did you know you can get nutrition advice, healthy family dinner recipes, and more in the Anytime Fitness app? Download it now.
