Here at Delish, we’ll be the first to shout from the rooftops about new complicated, multi-day recipes sure to impress your guests or loved ones, as though all we do is have constant elaborate dinner parties or romantic date nights. But in reality, most weeknights we turn to easy, healthy dinners that come together quickly and for low effort. If they don’t cost an arm and a leg, even better! We firmly believe saving money doesn’t have to mean giving up flavor or convenience. Check out our list of 100 quick and healthy meals that won’t break the bank for easy weeknight dinner inspiration.
When it comes to healthier meals, we LOVE a veggie for pasta ingredient swap. Cauliflower and zucchini are forever faves, like in our cauliflower mac and cheese or zoodle burrito bowls, but we’re branching out into other veggies too, like spaghetti squash and butternut squash. We swear, you’ll barely miss the pasta (and can enjoy multiple servings no problem.) Don’t worry, we’ve also included a ton of pasta recipes too, with lightened up sauces or added greens and veggies.
We’re a big fan of the ease of Mexican-inspired tacos, quesadillas, and tostadas for simple weeknight meals. You can fill them with pretty much anything, like in our fish tacos or black bean tostadas, and every member of your household can add as few or as many toppings as they like. Another great option? Rice bowls. All you need is a great sauce, like peanutty buddha sauce or herby green goddess, some rice (brown, white, or cauliflower all work), some protein, and any combination of vegetables. Add some crunchy nuts or seeds and you'll have a solid, satisfying dinner. Bonus: they’re GREAT for cleaning leftover ingredients out of your fridge.
For even more quick and cheap dinner ideas, check out our favorite easy soups and healthy salads. And don’t forget dessert!
Classic Stuffed Peppers
This is our favorite recipe but the customization options are endless.
Get the Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Perfect Fish Tacos
Love fish tacos? These are the end-all be-all.
Get the Perfect Fish Tacos recipe.
Baked Feta Pasta
This Tik-Tok trendy pasta is seriously delicious.
Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.
Beef Stew
Beef chuck is cheap and gives off tons of flavor as it stews.
Get the Beef Stew recipe.
Easy Chicken Quesadillas
You don't really need a recipe to make this insanely popular Mexican dish, but if you want some guidance, we got you!
Get the Easy Chicken Quesadillas recipe.
Best-Ever Turkey Burger
Indulge with heart-healthy ground turkey instead of red meat.
Get the Best-Ever Turkey Burger recipe.
Sheet Pan Citrus-Glazed Chicken
Marinated thighs get roasted right alongside Brussels sprouts making it a low-effort meal with a very high reward.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
The combination of avocado slaw, marinated shrimp, and garlic-lime mayo makes for a seriously delicious taco.
Get the Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos recipe.
Black Bean Tostadas
With only 5 ingredients these black bean tostadas are the easiest and fastest meal to throw together.
Get the Black Bean Tostadas recipe.
Cheesy Ground Beef Tacos
Celebrate taco Tuesday EVERY DAY.
Get the Cheesy Ground Beef Tacos recipe.
Sheet Pan Sausage & Vegetables
Whenever we need an easy dinner that doesn't require much, this is what we make.
Bacon Spinach Stuffed Chicken
This gem is a showstopper.
Get the Bacon Spinach Stuffed Chicken recipe.
Keto Breakfast Casserole
The classic combo of Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, and basil lends itself to a recipe that’s easy to whip up for breakfast for dinner.
Get the Keto Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Chicken Fajitas
Minimal prep and minimal cook time means these can be on your dining room table FAST. Serve with your favorite (or homemade!) tortillas.
Get the Chicken Fajitas recipe.
Nachos Supreme
Replace some of the chips with bell pepper slices to make this even healthier.
Get the Nachos Supreme recipe.
Oven-Fried Chicken
Yes, guilt-free fried chicken is possible.
Get the Oven-Fried Chicken recipe.
Copycat Chicken Lettuce Wraps
In our attempt to copy the fan favorite, we flavored ground chicken with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, Sriracha, and sesame oil. Yum!
Get the Copycat Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Vegan Taco Salad
Our favorite taco salad got a vegan makeover.
Get the Vegan Taco Salad recipe.
Keto Chili
Topped with fresh green onions, crispy bacon, and creamy avocado, this beanless stew is sure to please any crowd, keto or not.
Get the Keto Chili recipe.
Best-Ever Keto Mac & Cheese
If you're on keto, you know there are a lot of no-nos in classic mac & cheese. This version takes out all the trouble children (ahem, PASTA) without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Best-Ever Keto Mac & Cheese recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
35 Perfect Pineapple Desserts
27 Easy Mexican Desserts
75 Amazingly Quick Dinner Ideas
Buddha Bowls = True Love
