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Eating healthier isn't always easy to do—especially if you're feeding a hungry family! Ree Drummond herself embarked on a weight loss journey that led to a new way of eating, and she quickly realized that it's not just possible, but enjoyable, too! The first step is to arm yourself with these healthy dinner recipes.
So, what makes for a healthy dinner? The answer can be different depending on the person. Some might opt for a low-calorie meal, while others prefer a menu packed with lean protein or even a vegetarian dinner. The important thing to remember is that the nutritious dinner ideas you'll find here are still every bit as satisfying as the more indulgent recipes you know and love—they're just tweaked a bit to ensure you and your family are getting the fuel needed to power through the week ahead.
Here, you'll find tons of quick and easy healthy dinners, plus lightened-up versions of your family's favorite foods. Think: homemade meatballs made with ground turkey, crispy pork chops made in an air fryer, and tacos transformed into a fresh salad. These ideas really run the gamut like a simple salmon recipe and a fun twist on pizza night involving a new crust made with a creative cauliflower recipe. There are also healthy ground beef recipes, grilled chicken dinners, and easy nourishing soups for every night of the week that your family will actually enjoy!
Caprese Chicken
If you love the classic Italian combo of basil, mozzarella, and tomato, turn it into a skillet meal with chicken breast cutlets. Get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes!
Get Ree's Caprese Chicken recipe.
Salmon with Olive Caper Relish
A briny, zesty, and bright relish really makes baked salmon fillets pop. All you need to do is serve it with a simple side like coucous to complete the meal.
Get Ree's Salmon with Olive Caper Relish recipe.
Veggie Fajitas
Fajitas typically feature peppers and onions, but this veggie version adds mushrooms, yellow squash, and zucchini to the mix for a filling dinner idea. You won't miss the meat!
Get Ree's Veggie Fajitas recipe.
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Think of these spaghetti squash boats as nachos without the chips. Ground turkey spiced with taco seasoning, black beans, corn, cheese, and all the fixings get piled on top.
Get the Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili
It's not the chicken or the corn that makes this dish extra creamy. Nope, it's adding a little bit of cream cheese at the end that gives it that extra boost.
Get Ree's Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili recipe.
Salmon Tacos
Fish tacos typically feature fried fillets, but you can also bake salmon for a lighter take. You'll still get a ton of flavor when served with the street corn-inspired slaw.
Get the Salmon Tacos recipe.
Cauliflower Chili
Nope, you don't need meat to make a hearty, filling chili. Ree's take on a vegetarian version is chockfull of beans, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Top it with fresh cilantro and chopped avocado.
Get Ree's Cauliflower Chili recipe.
Roast Chicken
Roast chicken is one of the most versatile meats you can make. It goes with practically any side dish, and you can use leftovers in endless recipes for the rest of the week.
Get Ree's Roast Chicken recipe.
Cabbage Salad
Cabbage, arugula, green onions, apples, parsley, pecans: This crunchy salad has a lot of healthy and flavorful ingredients. It would pair perfectly with any protein to make a full meal. You can make it ahead of time, too!
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
Stuffed Eggplant
Get your protein, veggies, and carbs all in one pretty, edible vessel! This Moroccan-inspired meal is loaded with spices for a level of flavor that's unmatched.
Get the Stuffed Eggplant recipe.
Mango Chicken Salad
No boring ol' salad here! A bed of mixed greens gets topped with grilled chicken, onion, avocado, red peppers, and mango slices. Then it's all tossed with a sweet and spicy mango dressing.
Get Ree's Mango Chicken Salad recipe.
Oven Baked Pork Chops
Oven baking pork chops with tangy BBQ glaze gives them crispy edges and juicy interiors. Serve them over a warm slaw sides get all your veggies for the meal, too!
Get Ree's Oven Baked Pork Chops recipe.
Sheet Pan Chicken with Butternut Squash and Cauliflower
Get the flavors of fall on one simple sheet pan with sprinkles of cumin, coriander, and even a little cinnamon. It comes together in less than an hour and there's way less clean up after you're done.
Get Ree's Sheet Pan Chicken with Butternut Squash and Cauliflower recipe.
Cracker-Crusted Cod with Green Beans
Get a crispy exterior without frying! Simply coat cod filets in crushed buttery crackers and seasoning and bake them in the oven. Roasted green beans are the perfect easy side.
Get Ree's Cracker-Crusted Cod with Green Beans recipe.
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Roasted butternut squash is super flavorful on it's own. But stuff it with sausage, rice, and kale filling and you get a healthy, hearty, and delicious dinner.
Get the Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
Turkey Meatballs
This lighter alternative to traditional beef or pork meatballs is just as tasty as the original. They're packed with moisture and lots of flavor. Plus, they can be tossed in marinara or served up with a dipping sauce.
Get Ree's Turkey Meatballs recipe.
Southwestern Salad
This refreshing salad is chockfull of mix-ins like black beans, cheese, avocado, and veggies. You can also top it off with grilled chicken or shrimp for even more protein.
Get the Southwestern Salad recipe.
Garlic Shrimp
Eating healthy doesn't need to be boring! Just look that this garlicky shrimp for example. It's succulent and saucy and on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Garlic Shrimp recipe.
Green Goddess Salmon Grain Bowls
These grain bowls are packed with healthy ingredients, like quinoa, avocado, roasted salmon, and veggies. But it's the herby green goddess dressing that'll have you coming back for seconds.
Get Ree's Green Goddess Salmon Grain Bowls recipe.
BLT Turkey Burgers
Life is all about little indulgences like these lean turkey burgers made with bits of crispy bacon! They're perfectly balanced out by fresh veggies, avocado slices, and sweet potato fries on the side.
Get Ree's BLT Turkey Burgers recipe.
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