Healthy & Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas

Aug 24 2022
We asked the Hungry Girl Community: What's Chewin'? group on Facebook: “What are your go-to healthy & easy weeknight dinner ideas—not necessarily a recipe, something you just throw together?” Here's what they dished up… Get inspired and take notes!



No-Cook Weeknight Dinner Ideas

Chopped avocado, a packet of StarKist tuna in water, and 2 tbsp. light ranch dressing—all mashed and mixed together. Eat on bite-sized crackers. —Molly M.

Chef salad using turkey and ham lunch meat, shredded cheese, boiled egg, and bagged salad. Can't get much easier than that. —Ginny S.

Mix pouched tuna, chicken, or salmon with a wedge of The Laughing Cow cheese, veggies, and seasonings. Serve with a few Triscuits. —Beth M.

HG Tip: Keep a stash of pouched tuna in your pantry for healthy & easy weeknight dinners! Check out these simple recipes.



Simple Seafood Weeknight Dinner Ideas

I love to make a salad of arugula and shaved Parmesan then top with a seared ahi tuna filet. —Lynn C.

Brown rice or another whole grain as a base. Black beans or kidney beans, charred corn, tomatoes, grilled shrimp, and guacamole. I usually fix a batch of whole grains on Sunday to use throughout the week. —Kathy B.

Salmon in the air fryer, spritzed with oil and seasoned with Old Bay Seasoning. Frozen brown rice and roasted asparagus. —Lori C.



Weeknight Dinner Ideas with Chicken Breast

My new favorite: cilantro cauliflower rice with corn, black beans, and shredded chicken. Top with salsa and a little plain Greek yogurt. —Tammy B.

There’s always chicken breast in the fridge. Serve over greens with corn, black beans, jalapeños, avocado, Bolthouse yogurt dressing, and whatever raw veggies I have in the fridge. —Regina M.

HG Tip: Cook up a big batch of chicken breast for healthy weeknight dinners you can enjoy throughout the week. Here are four easy ways to cook it up!



Anything-Goes Weeknight Dinner Ideas

I like to throw together sheet-pan dinners. Some kind of protein and whatever veggies I have on hand. Rub on a bit of olive oil, bake at 425ºF for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. —Sharon S.

I also do fajitas when I am in a hurry. I keep shrimp and cut-up strips of chicken or beef in the freezer. Add to low-calorie/low-carb tortillas with low-fat refried beans and a squirt of lime juice. Optional toppings: cheese, low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt, and salsa. —Sharon S.



Weeknight Dinner Ideas with Freezer Staples

Combine frozen turkey meatballs, frozen broccoli, jarred sauce, and some rice or pasta. —Steph P.

Single-serve bag of microwave veggies, small can of beans and/or tuna in oil, and chili flakes or just plenty of cracked black pepper and lemon juice. —Sonya J.

I "beef up" a frozen dinner with extra veggies—usually cauliflower rice. —Cassandra N.

HG Tip: Super-sizing store-bought frozen meals is a great shortcut to healthy & easy weeknight dinners that are extra satisfying! Check out these five ways to upgrade your frozen dinners.



Weeknight Dinner Idea: Breakfast Inspired

Scrambled eggs with peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Bacon and toast. —Audrey B.

Responses may have been edited for length and clarity.



Chew on this:

It's National Peach Pie Day, August 24th! These adorable Personal Peach Pies have just 47 calories each.

Give your pals a boatload of healthy & easy dinner ideas… Share this list!

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