110 Healthy Dinners That Are Ready in 40 Minutes or Less

Healthy eating can mean a lot of different things. For some of us it means incorporating more low-carb or Whole30-friendly meals into our weekly routine. For others it’s all about following a Mediterranean diet or committing to meal prep and eating more protein or plant-based foods. However you define it and put it into practice, we can all agree on two things: healthy eating nourishes us and fills our plates with plenty of wholesome ingredients. That’s the idea behind these quick and easy any-night dinner recipes, including this fun take on enchiladas. It has the same great smoky spicy, sweet flavor you’d find in the classic version—but this one will fill up on squash, broccoli and black beans (instead of cheese and tortillas). Serve with a garnish of cilantro, fresh lime juice, diced avocado and a bit of shredded cheese for maximum enchilada feels.

Inspired by Spanish garlic shrimp, this ultra-simple dish is cooked entirely in a rice cooker. It’s boosted with the smoky flavors of chorizo and paprika, then rounded out with crunchy red peppers and a bright squeeze of lemon at the end. Layering the cooked chorizo on the bottom of the rice cooker releases a bright orange oil that flavors the rice. And the steam helps soften the sausage in a way that other cooking methods do not. Jumbo shrimp work better than large shrimp for this recipe because they won’t overcook.

This healthy weeknight meal brings together irresistible flavors in just 40 minutes. Think savory pork, crunchy vegetables, filling noodles and a tangy broth. It’s family-friendly and completely customizable: feel free to swap out the pork for chicken, beef or even tofu. Don’t have a red bell pepper? Reach for an orange or yellow one instead. The rice noodles will expand as the soup sits or when leftovers are refrigerated, so add more stock or water to thin it out to the consistency you desire before reheating.

Pomegranate lends its sweet-tart essence and ruby hue to this impressive weeknight dinner or special-occasion main dish in two ways: First, pomegranate molasses is the base of a fruity glaze for the salmon fillets, resulting in perfectly caramelized exteriors. While the fish cooks, we toss together a bold and colorful relish of pomegranate arils, cilantro and spicy serrano chiles to cut through the richness of the salmon. Serve with salad to round out the meal.

You can have fork-tender turkey meatballs that are golden yet moist, thanks to the air fryer! Pair with fun zoodles, your favorite jarred tomato sauce and an extra pinch of Parmesan for a delicious and wholesome meal.

These flavorful burgers get rave reviews and are remarkably easy to put together. Sauteed onion and yogurt keep the lean chicken patties moist while a blend of pantry spices makes them deliciously fragrant. Widely used in Middle Eastern cooking, pomegranate molasses adds a subtle touch of sweetness to these mouthwatering patties.

Calabacitas literally translates to “little squash,” and a la Mexicana means it incorporates the colors of the Mexican flag — white, red and green — from onions, tomatoes and chiles. This vegetarian dish can be served as a side dish, main dish or with tortillas to make tacos. If you can’t find summer squash, zucchini works just as well.

Chipotle and cumin are tempered by beer, butter and lime in this simple and healthy shrimp dish that comes together in a snap. Sealing the ingredients in aluminum foil before grilling keeps the juices in and makes a sauce that is perfect for pouring over rice.

You can find two versions of Ghanaian salad, and both are very simple to make at home. The usual ingredient in the vegetarian style are lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, onions and baked beans. The non-vegetarian salad includes cooked canned corned beef or cook canned sardines. This recipe is for a traditional vegetarian version–though recipe developer Gabi Odebode has added avocado. Whatever style you prefer, a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing is classic. In Gabi’s household it was always Heinz salad cream.

This herby sauce takes skinless chicken breasts from boring to bright in only 25 minutes.

This healthy grain bowl is loaded with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors, thanks to the tangy, spicy yogurt sauce and turmeric-roasted sweet potatoes. Plus, you can easily make this dish from pantry staples and long-lasting freezer items. Serve with an extra squeeze of lime juice for a nutrient-packed and sustaining meal.

This dish may look fancy, but it’s easy enough to be a weeknight main course. The salmon cooks in a skillet in less than 10 minutes while the flavors in the crunchy kale salad meld. Add a whole-wheat roll and dinner is ready.

This easy sheet pan kofta and tomatoes is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. You can use ground lamb, beef or a combination to make the kofta; the delicious flavor comes from spices such as turmeric and sumac and the addition of fresh cilantro. Kofta is usually made on the grill or seared in a pan. This oven-baked version uses less oil and requires little tending. Recipe developer Shadi Hasanzadenemati usually serves kofta with white rice (leftovers work too), but lavash, pita or a green salad would also be welcome accompaniments.

This easy skillet dinner comes together quickly, making it a perfect option for a weeknight. We used spicy andouille sausages to give the dish a little kick, but any type of sausage would work. Cooking at medium-high heat allows the sausage and vegetables to get nice and caramelized in a short amount of time, but if they ever start to overcook, stir in a splash of cold water to cool the pan down.

Egg stew, also referred to as “egg sauce,” is made in several West African countries, with many similarities and a few differences. In Ghana, the stew is made with tomato puree, while in Nigeria, it is made with both tomatoes and bell peppers. In this recipe, recipe developer Gabi Odebode adds garlic to boost the flavor of the stew and uses vegetable oil instead of stronger-flavored palm oil, which can dominate. In some countries, egg stew is eaten alongside cooked yam or plantains for breakfast. Try this for breakfast or brunch, or add steamed rice and enjoy it for lunch or dinner too.

A nod to the richly flavored lentil stews enjoyed throughout India, this dal comes together fast and is scented with curry paste and garam masala.

Not only is this meal quick and delicious, it’s also brimming with unexpected flavor! You’ll use a zesty blend of chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and lime to coat your chicken thighs and roast hominy, squash and bell pepper together to make the mouthwatering side.

Medium-size shrimp are the perfect size for a twirl of spaghetti shot through with ribbons of squash. Have vegetarians at the table? Omit the shrimp, double the tomatoes and serve with a spoonful of part-skim ricotta cheese on top.

The perfect trio: Lightly breaded chicken, vibrant ginger and bok choy rice, tangy Katsu sauce. Prepared in about half an hour, this Asian inspired dish establishes layers of flavors through seemingly simple ingredients like ginger, bok choy and rice. Once married together, though, each ingredient shines in a special way. Pair it with the crispy fried chicken and you’ll have an array of unparalleled flavors and textures.

Casseroles have a pretty bad reputation (think TV dinners cooked in the microwave that lack texture, flavor and identifiable ingredients), but this Kale and Artichoke Chicken Casserole is here to turn that common misconception on its head. The real deal, this casserole marries the flavors of kale, artichoke hearts, onion, chicken and grated Parmesan cheese through a dreamy, creamy sauce and lots of panko bread crumbs. Did we mention it gets topped with additional Parm and then broiled to become a toasty, cheesy miracle? Oh, well it does, so break out your forks.