Dishing Out Health

Healthy 30 Minute Meals for Busy Weeknights

30 MinutesDinner

Healthy 30 minute meals for busy weeknights that are sure to become family favorites. 30 Minute Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta with BrusselsThese go-to recipes are perfect for weeknights when time is tight and dishes need to be minimal. They’re packed with nutritious ingredients and flavor, and will rival any takeout joint or frozen pizza. So, sit back, relax, and scroll through what are sure to become family favorites.

And, as always, if you make any recipe featured here, be sure to tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations! 30 Minute Black Pepper Tofu

30 Minute Black Pepper Tofu

My all-time favorite tofu recipe boasts all the fiery, umami-qualities you love about classic takeout. Serve this meatless main over rice for an easy, flavorful weeknight meal.

30 Minute Golden Rice Pilaf30 Minute Golden Rice Pilaf

This gorgeous golden rice pilaf uses just a handful of basic ingredients to create an exotic, nourishing side dish. Add baked salmon, sautéed shrimp, roasted chicken, or crispy tofu on top to turn it into a meal. In addition, it’s delicious with a side of fresh naan.

5 Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Mushrooms5 Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Mushrooms

This recipe will give you the confidence to ditch the pre-made sauces. You can pack serious flavor into your homemade pasta with fresh produce and low effort/high ceiling ingredients (for example, jarred roasted red peppers). Add this 30 minute pasta to your weeknight dinner lineup for a restaurant-quality meal everyone will love.

30 Minute Loaded Quinoa Taco Salad30 Minute Loaded Quinoa Taco Salad

If you’re looking for a hearty, vegetarian taco salad that you can stretch out for several days of lunches, this is it! A satisfying, all-in-one meal that holds up great for make-ahead meals. Additionally, it’s vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and a total flavor fiesta.

30 Minute Vietnamese Shrimp and Rice Noodle Bowls30 Minute Vietnamese Shrimp and Rice Noodle Bowls

These shrimp and rice noodle bowls are a deeply satisfying, better-than-takeout main perfect for busy weeknights. They require little maintenance, plus make for some tasty leftovers once the spicy, sweet, and salty flavors have a chance to marry.

30 Minute Zucchini Pesto Pasta with Buttery Mushrooms30 Minute Zucchini Pesto Pasta with Buttery Mushrooms

This kid-friendly pasta requires minimal ingredients and comes together seamlessly. When zucchini aren’t in season, use any quick-cooking vegetable you like; for example, cherry tomatoes, shaved Brussels sprouts, or green beans. It also holds up beautifully when made ahead, so consider tomorrow’s desk lunch conquered.

30 Minute Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta with Brussels30 Minute Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta with Brussels

Nothing defines comfort food quite like a creamy pasta dish, and this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is bound to become a family favorite. Bonus: it calls for equal parts veggies and noodles to level out the usual pasta-to-veg ratio, which also lends a texture and flavor boost.

20 Minute Shrimp and Tomato-Fennel Couscous20 Minute Shrimp and Tomato-Fennel Couscous

A low effort, high impact meal starring succulent shrimp on a bed of grains with a bright tomato topper. If making gluten-free, simply swap the couscous for a gluten-free grain, for example: quinoa, millet, or rice.

30 Minute Vegan Chickpea Curry30 Minute Vegan Chickpea Curry

In this hearty curry, chickpeas, kale and a wealth of aromatics simmer in a full-bodied curry sauce for rich depth of flavor. Both vegan and gluten-free, it comes together in only 30 minutes and is perfect for streamlined cooking.

5 Ingredient Curried Maple-Mustard Salmon5 Ingredient Curried Maple-Mustard Salmon

This is one of my go-to salmon recipes for delivering restaurant-worthy flavor in just 20 minutes. Plus, there’s a good chance you already have most of these ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry. Serve it over your favorite grain with a side salad for a delightful dinner.

5 Ingredient Tofu Steaks with Charred Shishito Salsa5 Ingredient Tofu Steaks with Charred Shishito Salsa

These meaty tofu steaks are a great gateway recipe for those new to cooking tofu. Getting a nice sear and deep char marks on the “steaks” infuse them with smoky, grill-like flavor, therefore tasting comparable to grilled meat. Serve over rice with a side of veggies for a complete meal.

One Skillet Lemon Pepper Shrimp and OrzoOne Skillet Lemon Pepper Shrimp and Orzo

Quick-cooking orzo, plump shrimp, spinach, zippy black pepper, and grated lemon create a meal that’s firing on all cylinders. And, in addition, made entirely in one cooking vessel from start to finish! Served with a simple side salad, it makes for a fantastic weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

Cheesy Tuna Toasts with Olive SalsaCheesy Tuna Toasts with Olive Salsa

Lastly, this 15 minute recipe channels so many delicious Mediterranean flavors: buttery Castelvetrano olives, lemony olive oil, and omega-3-packed tuna. The bright, tangy flavors of the salsa are balanced by the rich layer of cheese. I love serving these with a side salad for a simple, yet hearty weeknight meal.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Salmon Skillet with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce may be the swankiest single skillet, 30 minute dinner. Sun-dried tomatoes bring brightness and tang to cut through the richness of the sauce, which cascades over crispy, pan-seared salmon. Serve over your grain of choice (I love it with orzo!) for a dependable and downright delicious weeknight win.
  • 5 Ingredient Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough Bites! Made with a more stellar ingredient lineup (heart-healthy fats, a punch of protein, and no refined sugar) than most protein bars on the market, yet they taste like bowl of homemade cookie dough. Grab one for sustained energy on-the-go, or to satisfy a sweet tooth. . . 5 Ingredient Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough Bites: 🔸1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter or cashew butter (I use salted) 🔸1/2 cup almond flour (I use @bobsredmill ) 🔸1/4 cup collagen protein (I use @ancientnutrition) 🔸3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup 🔸1 tsp. vanilla bean paste (sub vanilla extract) 🔸1/4 tsp. sea salt 🔸Optional: 1/4 cup finely chopped chocolate or mini chocolate chips, chopped walnuts or pecans, etc. . . 🔸Mix nut butter, almond flour, collagen, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a bowl until combined. If mixture seems too wet (this will vary depending on brand of nut butter), add 1 Tbsp. extra of almond flour, Fold in chocolate or nuts, if using. Use a small dough scoop to form dough into 12 balls. Sprinkle with extra sea salt, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
  • Rounding up TEN 5-Ingredient side dishes today on the blog to streamline your seasonal entertaining. Everything from crispy Brussels to glazed carrots and Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Butter Hazelnuts👆🏻🤤 These recipes are all about minimal ingredients, low effort, and BIG flavor. GIVEAWAY✨If you make any of these 5-ingredient sides from now until 11/30, post a pic and tag @dishingouthealth to be entered in a drawing to win a $150 Amazon gift card!
  • Chicken soup may soothe the soul, though I’m convinced this Creamy White Bean and Lemon Soup has its own set of our curative powers. Two types of beans and a whole cast of aromatics form the base, escarole bulks up the broth, and Parmesan adds richness. With bright top notes of lemon and rosemary, it’s an edible hug-in-a-bowl. Grab the recipe (plus a special trick to achieve creaminess without adding milk or cream!) through my profile link.
  • Getting lost in the secret sauce of this plant-based Fettuccine Alfredo. The magic is in the miso, which lends savory spunk to turn each twirl into a decadent, umami haven. Broccoli bolsters the texture with coveted crunch, and seared shiitakes add meaty, full-bodied flavor. Grab the 30 minute recipe through my profile link!
  • Friendsgiving Brunch: the perfect opportunity to enjoy fun, holiday-esq dishes with the family we CHOOSE. #ad This year I’m making Granola-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Maple-Tahini Butter as part of the @bobsredmill Friendsgiving Campaign to support @nokidhungry. This campaign raises funds to help support the 11 million children living in the US that don’t have access to the healthy food they need to fuel their growing bodies. Acknowledging these statistics around a time of such food ABUNDANCE is especially jarring. Find out more about this campaign and sign up to host your own Friendsgiving for No Kid Hungry through my profile link💛
  • Single skillet Sundays, baby. The magic of this One Pan Moroccan Quinoa lies in the mingling of fluffy grains, tomatoes, and spinach to create one harmonious whole. Caramelized coins of lemon, Castelvetrano olives, and crunchy bits of almonds create a bright and toasty finish. Grab the recipe for this plant-based, make-ahead main through my profile link!
  • Closing out 5 Ingredient Side Dish Week with Miso-Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes and a GIVEAWAY! #sponsored . . The lush texture of these sweet spuds is credit to the K400 @kitchenaidusa blender, which has the power to perform alongside the best blenders on the market. It has a 5-speed variable dial, along with 3 Preset Recipe Programs for crushed ice, icy drinks, or the creamiest smoothies. Seriously, this thing is a BEAST and makes for a beautiful countertop piece. . . For a chance to win your own #K400Blender ($249.99 value): 1. Tag a friend you'd like to share these Miso-Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes with. 2. Follow @dishingouthealth and @yummly Giveaway will be live until next Friday, 11/15, at 5PM EST, and eligible to US residents only. Find out more about the blender and grab the 5 ingredient recipe though my profile link!
  • Every holiday spread needs a pop of color, and these Roasted Carrots with Curried Yogurt are delivering ease and elegance on Day 4 of 5 Ingredient Side Dish Week! Curried yogurt lends lively spice and cooling creaminess to the roasted root veggies, which get crunchy contrast from toasted almonds, and a lush lift from leafy carrot tops. Grab the recipe through my profile link! . . Reminder: if you make any of the 5 Ingredient recipes from this week, post a pic and tag @dishingouthealth to be entered in a drawing to win a $150 Amazon gift card! Winner will be selected 11/30💛