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50 Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Here’s a list of easy healthy recipes for any meal of the day: breakfast, lunch or dinner! Whatever the meal, we’ve got you covered.
For over 10 years, we’ve been creating healthy recipes that are both delicious and simple to make. Need inspiration for healthy meals? You’ve come to the right place! Our collection features the best nourishing recipes for any mealtime. Whether you’re looking for quick dinners, plant-based recipes loaded with veggies, lunch ideas or breakfast recipes, we have options for every type of eater. Our recipes, from easy baked salmon to eggplant pizzas, have been consistently popular at the dinner table.
What do we mean by “healthy”? This term can be controversial, but here’s our approach: Our recipes mainly follow the Mediterranean diet, focusing on seafood, colorful vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and cooking fats like olive oil. Each recipe is chosen for its high nutrient, protein, and fiber content. Enjoy these tried-and-true healthy recipes, perfected over a decade, for a balanced and tasty diet!
FREE Wholesaling Cheatsheet
For more, try these Mediterranean Diet Recipes, Healthy Soup Recipes, Healthy Breakfast Ideas, Healthy Appetizers, Healthy Lunch Ideas, or Healthy Desserts.
And now…our top healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch & dinner!
This easy cauliflower stir fry is an ideal healthy and easy dinner idea! It’s full of nutrients and covered in a punchy sauce. This recipe has so many healthy vegetables, it provides 221% of your daily Vitamin C!
Also try: Go-To Tofu Stir Fry, Broccoli Stir Fry or Easy Stir Fry Vegetables
What makes this the best lentil soup recipe? Let’s just say that everyone we’ve served it to immediately asks for the recipe…and seconds. Lentils are the definition of healthy: low in calories, high in plant-based protein and fiber.
Also try: Instant Pot Lentil Soup, Curry Lentil Soup or Hearty Lentil Stew
This chickpea curry is the ultimate healthy and easy weeknight dinner! It’s done in 20 minutes, plant based, and full of flavor.
Also try: Shrimp Curry, Vegetable Curry or Butternut Squash Curry
Here’s a recipe that’s a total winner every night of the week: Greek chicken! Bake the chicken with tomatoes, olives, garlic, lemon, and feta cheese, and it comes out with beautiful bold flavors.
This ultra flavorful shrimp and broccoli comes together in minutes for a fast and easy healthy dinner recipe! It's loaded with protein and 132% of your daily vitamin C. Serve with rice or over noodles.
Also try: Shrimp Fried Rice
Here’s a Tex Mex favorite recipe that's a great way to infuse loads of veggies: Vegetarian Faijtas! These are so satisfying, they please everyone around the table: even the meat lovers! It stars our favorite fajita veggies, blackened in the oven and finished on the stove, and pinto beans cooked in a flavorful fajita sauce. It’s so satisfying, you’ll promptly add it to your regular rotation.
Next up in our healthy recipes: baked salmon! This delicious salmon is an easy weeknight meal that also works to impress guests. Salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and a great source of protein (source).
Also try: Miso Salmon or Quick Broiled Salmon
Here’s how to make a grain bowl! Pair a whole grain, protein and veggies with this amazing tahini sauce to make a healthy, fast and easy dinner. The Easy Canned Chickpeas trick is a life-saver for healthy meals and takes just 5 minutes.
Also try: Easy Rice Bowl or Mediterranean Couscous Bowls
This sauteed shrimp is a dinnertime win! The seasoning is the perfect pairing with juicy shrimp; serve with pasta or rice for an easy dinner idea. One medium shrimp has only 7 calories, so it’s a great lean protein for a healthy dinner!
Also try: Blackened Shrimp, Cilantro Lime Shrimp or Garlic Butter Shrimp
Try this Sweet Potato Curry! Tender sweet potatoes and bell peppers swim in a luscious broth of coconut milk and Thai curry paste, topped with fresh cilantro and crunchy peanuts. There’s so much flavor going on, you’ll want to take another bite before you’re finished savoring the first.
Hello and welcome to the best easy healthy recipe idea: the Hummus Bowl! Layer a dollop of hummus with crunchy veggies and greens. It takes just 5 minutes to make this Mediterranean-style meal that’s bursting with creamy, tangy, crunchy, fresh, and savory flavors.
Need a quick and crowd-pleasing healthy recipe? Try this Kale Soup with White Beans! Hearty Tuscan kale, white beans and kale float in a tangy broth flavored with oregano and fennel. It's full of bold Mediterranean-style flavors and comes together in just 30 minutes (bonus: it's great for leftovers!).
Healthy mac and cheese? This one is all about balance: it’s got big flavor, a bit less cheese per serving than the standard recipe, and it’s loaded with broccoli for a dose of nutrients and fiber. What’s not to love?
Here’s a healthy lunch or dinner idea to spice up your routine: Mediterranean tuna salad! This spin adds crunchy veggies and swaps out the classic mayonnaise for olive oil and vinegar. Eat with toast, crackers, spoon into avocados or make it into lettuce wraps.
It’s simple, it’s elegant, but it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant: Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus! Roasting it up on a sheet pan with lemon slices and fresh herbs adds effortless flavor that feels fresh yet refined. This sheet pan meal works is the perfect weeknight meal.
Use eggplant for the crust to make eggplant pizza! These mini pizzas are tasty and easy to make, covered in garlicky sauce and gooey cheese.
Also try: Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Here’s a healthy recipe that makes the most delicious dinner you’ll put on your regular rotation immediately. Try this Tofu Curry! The brilliant red broth is flavored with coconut milk and red curry paste, with the zing of lime and a hint of spicy sweetness.
Here’s an irresistible Mediterranean recipe: Baked Falafel Salad! Make a batch of this easy baked falafel, then layer them with crunchy veggies and top with a creamy, zingy tahini dressing. Or, use purchased frozen falafel or even repurpose take-out leftovers!
Blackened salmon is the ultimate healthy recipe: fast, easy and seasoned to perfection! It’s guaranteed to become a favorite. The homemade blackened seasoning has a savory intrigue and makes a crispy black crust on the outside of the fish.
Also try: Cajun Salmon or Easy Pan Seared Salmon
Here’s how to make the tastiest fish tacos around! Bake the fish with a dry rub of spices, then top it with tangy slaw and creamy sauce.
Also try: Crispy Avocado Tacos or Best Jackfruit Tacos
This soba noodle bowl is a quick and easy dinner recipe, perfect for weeknights! It’s a filling vegetarian meal full of healthy veggies. Broccoli and red pepper load on the nutrients.
The ultimate vegan burrito is a healthy plant based lunch or dinner idea that's packed with flavor! It’s stuffed with Mexican rice, seasoned black beans and peppers, and avocado.
Also try: Vegan Enchiladas
Did you know stuffed peppers is a traditional Italian way to use up leftover odds and ends in your kitchen? We can’t take credit for this genius move, but here’s our spin on it. Try our favorite healthy stuffed peppers recipe! The filling is seasoned irresistibly with Italian spices, pizza sauce and melty cheese. Even better: it works for many diets.
This pan fried cod is the best white fish you’ll have! Flavored simply with spices and olive oil, it’s healthy, stunning and irresistible all at once. Cod is a great low calorie source of protein and Vitamin B12.
Also try: Perfect Baked Cod or Perfect Grilled Cod
Here’s a fast and easy healthy recipe starring white beans! It takes just 5 minutes in a skillet and they’re full of flavor! Use this trick for cooked or canned beans. Beans may help you live longer: they’re rich in cancer fighting antioxidants and hearty-healthy fiber.
Also try: Easy Black Beans or Easy Cannellini Beans
You won’t believe the flavor in these Mexican sweet potatoes, topped with black bean salsa and creamy cilantro sauce! They're loaded with fiber and protein.
This really is the best vegetarian chili. It's beyond simple to make, and the flavor is outstanding. It’s got a hint of smokiness to highlight the tangy tomatoes and savory black beans. Top it with your favorite toppings, and it’s so hearty and savory, you’ll forget it’s healthy, too.
You won’t believe the flavor in these fast and easy egg tacos! The vegetarian “taco meat” filling works for any meal of the day. Bonus: they come together in just 5 minutes!
Also try: Loaded Quinoa Tacos or Cauliflower Tacos
Here’s how to make a poke bowl! This healthy recipe stars ahi tuna marinated in a flavorful poke sauce, rice, and lots of veggie topping ideas.
Also try: Vegan Poke Bowl or Ahi Poke Recipe
This broccoli potato soup is intensely creamy and 100% plant based! It’s an easy healthy soup that everyone loves (plus it’s vegan and gluten free).
Also try: Best Wild Rice Soup or Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup Recipe
This healthy sheet pan dinner is filled with healthy vegetables and fresh flavor! Throw it all in the oven while you cook rice or quinoa. Dinnertime win!
Looking for a flavor-packed healthy soup? Try this easy Cabbage Soup! This veggie makes a hearty, satisfying soup, packed with veggies that swim in a savory-spiced broth of fire roasted tomatoes. Ready to cozy up to a bowl?
Need a healthy snack recipe or two? This crispy roasted chickpeas recipe is the perfect salty, crunchy healthy recipe for when you need salty snack! They’re spiced with chili powder and cumin.
One of the healthiest snacks you can eat? Hummus and veggies! This easy homemade hummus has the BEST zesty flavor and creamy texture: and it’s much cheaper and tastier than store bought!
Also try: Glowing Green Hummus or Creamy Beet Hummus
Here’s the most irresistible avocado sandwich: the Avocado Club! It’s filling and full of hearty flavor, the ideal easy lunch idea.
Here’s the very best tuna salad sandwich you’ll have! This classic recipe is creamy, zingy, and full of flavor. (Plus, a few variations to mix it up.)
Also try: Tuna Salad with Egg or Avocado Tuna Salad
A 5-minute fast lunch idea! This simple chickpea salad is easy to throw together: the perfect healthy plant based desk lunch or quick fix dinner. Chickpeas are a great way to load up on fiber and plant-based protein.
Also try: Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This colorful kale quinoa salad is full of healthy ingredients and tastes incredible! Meal prep this easy plant-based lunch idea for meals all week.
Here’s an easy healthy lunch or dinner idea: lentils! This basic recipe makes perfectly seasoned brown lentils to eat as a fast meal, or use in tacos, salads, and more.
Also try: French Lentil Salad, Lentil Salad with Feta or Instant Pot Lentils and Rice
This easy tofu scramble has the same texture as scrambled eggs, but it’s 100% plant based! It’s a vegan breakfast idea you’ll want to make again and again. Tofu is a great source of protein to start the day.
Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right…with a plant based / vegan option.
This banana baked oatmeal is the ideal healthy breakfast! It’s full of good-for-you ingredients and so delicious, everyone will want seconds.
Also try: Everyday Baked Oatmeal or Baked Apple Oatmeal
Here’s how to make oatmeal! This master recipe makes rolled oats with the best chewy texture. It’s the ideal healthy breakfast!
Also try: Best Vegan Oatmeal, Perfect Steel Cut Oats or Easy Instant Pot Oatmeal
Looking for a 15 minute meal? This avocado toast with egg has a few unique tweaks that make for a tasty and easy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
These easy mini frittatas are just what you need for a quick nutritious breakfast or lunch! Filled with healthy veggies and packed with flavor, make them ahead to grab and go.
These healthy banana muffins are lightly sweet and made mostly of oats and bananas! They’re blender muffins so they’re easy to make at home. The oats makes them higher in protein and fiber than the standard muffin.
Also try: Apple Zucchini Muffins or Banana Blueberry Muffins
Here’s a make ahead breakfast: these Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies! Yes, it’s magic: oats, nut butter, applesauce, and maple syrup transform into cookies that you can eat for breakfast. There’s none of those traditional cookie ingredients: no flour, no butter, no oil, and no refined sugar. How is it possible? You’ve got to taste.
Want a healthy granola recipe that’s actually good for you? Here’s the only recipe you need! The maple pecan flavor is nutrient rich and 100% delicious. This one is only 200 calories per serving with less sugar than usual.
Need a chocolate fix? This chocolate snack tastes rich and chocolaty, but it’s just Greek yogurt, cocoa powder and maple syrup. And it’s made in 2 minutes!
Truly bliss in a bite, these healthy no bake cookies are made with chocolate and peanut butter. Easy and delicious, they are an all-time fan favorite!
More inspiration
Looking for other types of nutrient-dense recipes? We’ve got lots of other ideas for how to keep your meal ideas fresh. Try these options:
- 25 Healthy Breakfast Ideas
- 40 Healthy Lunch Ideas
- 40 Healthy Dinner Ideas
- 30 Minute Meals for Busy People
- 25 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes
- 25 Healthy Snack Recipes
- 30 Healthy Recipes Everyone Should Try
- 20 Great Healthy Side Dishes
Got specific dietary needs? Head over to our Plant Based Diet Guide & Recipes or Whole Food Plant Based Diet Guide. Or try our Gluten Free Dinner Recipes or 20 Gluten Free Breakfast Ideas.
50 Healthy Recipes For Every Meal
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 1x
This easy cauliflower stir fry is an ideal healthy and easy dinner idea! It’s full of nutrients and covered in a punchy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower (2 pounds)
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 orange bell pepper
- 1 medium white onion
- 3 green onions
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar*
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari or coconut aminos)
- 1 tablespoon light miso
- ½ tablespoon gochujang (optional)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or maple syrup)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil (regular, not toasted)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil for stir frying, divided
- To serve as a main dish: Add ¾ cup cashews with cauliflower**, add 1 cup shelled frozen edamame in the last 2 to 3 minutes, or add Marinated Tofu, Pan Fried Tofu, or Sauteed Shrimp and serve with rice
Instructions
- Chop the cauliflower into small florets. Thinly slice the bell peppers. Thinly slice the white onion. Thinly slice the green onion.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, miso, gochujang, sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch (or make the Go To Stir Fry Sauce).
- In large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons neutral oil over medium high heat. Add the cauliflower and a pinch of salt and cook unstirring, for 3 to 4 minutes until charred. Flip the florets and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
- Add the bell peppers, white onion, a pinch of salt and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and cook 4 to 6 minutes until tender.
- Turn off the heat. Pour in the sauce and add the green onions. Stir until the sauce coats everything and thickens. Serve immediately.
Notes
*Or substitute the Go To Stir Fry Sauce for the sauce ingredients (oil free).
**Adding cashews would serve about 2 to 3 as a vegetarian main; adding tofu can stretch it to 4.
About the authors
Sonja & Alex
Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.
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Thank you for all of these, my goal is to eat as healthy and as clean as possible and you have some great recipes to help me be more creative. Thanks!
I will definitely be bookmarking this post for future reference. Thanks for sharing these 50 amazing recipes!
thank you for all of these, very helpful, and really like the lentil soup!
Many thanks!
One of the resourceful content I have even seen. Many thanks!
thank you for all of these, nice group of recipes – really like the eggplant pizza and loaded sweet potatoes (yay!)