Looking for mid-week meal inspiration? Of course you are. Here are the tried-and-tested lunch and dinner recipes we always return to throughout the year. All can be made in twenty minutes or less and require very little prep.
You want to make sure you have enough time to do everything in the day, yet still want a nutritional and balanced diet? As any busy working woman will attest, it’s no mean feat.
Which is why we’ve put together a whole host of delicious, quick meal ideas for when you’re hungry and don’t want to wait but still want to think about what you’re putting inside your body.
Behold, 31 of the easiest and tastiest meals you can make in 20 minutes or under, from simple salads, noodles and rice dishes, as well as tacos and pizzas. Yes, we have found a healthy pizza.
Greek couscous salad
Time: Less than 10 minutes
A great combination of grains, feta and vegetables, this is a gluten free dinner option that’s on the table in just 10 minutes.
Read the full recipe on thebigmansworld.com
Coconut curry noodle soup
Time: 15 minutes
Didn’t think you could whip up a healthy Thai inspired dinner in just quarter of an hour? We present to you this tasty soup inspired by Thai red curry. The recipe uses chicken, but you could swap that for anything you like.
Read the full recipe on thewoksoflife.com
Pasta with fresh pesto and Parma Ham
Time: 15 minutes
Is there anything more mouthwatering than wafer thin ribbons of fresh parma ham? We’ll wait. If you agree, then you’ll love this super quick and criminally easy to make pasta recipe with homemade pesto, pine nuts and prosciutto. This recipe uses tagliatelle, but you can use whichever pasta shapes you have in your store cupboard, the end result will be just as tasty.
Read the full recipe on prosciuttodiparma.com
Spinach pesto quinoa bowl
Time: 15 minutes
Teaming together some of the fastest cooking ingredients around, this healthy dish is a satisfying combination of quinoa and wilted spinach leaves, all mixed up with some pesto and topped with parmesan cheese (optional).
Read the full recipe on tablefortwoblog.com
Cauliflower fried rice
Time: 20 minutes
Grain free, low carb alternative to rice and super quick to make? Yes, this is a healthy recipe that ticks a lot of boxes. Instead of rice the dish uses grated cauliflower, teamed with a medley of mixed veg. Add some meat if you want to up the protein value.
Read the full recipe on iowagirleats.com
Mexican beef and rice skillet
Time: 20 minutes
This recipe uses lean ground beef, but feel free to swap it with turkey, chicken or any other protein substitute. Where you see cilantro use coriander, and if you can’t get hold of a tin of Ro-Tel, add some chopped green chilli to a tin of diced tomatoes instead.
Read the full recipe on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com
Korean beef and quinoa bowl
Time: 15 minutes
Given that this dish takes just 15 minutes to make you get a lot out of it – there’ll be enough for leftovers which means tomorrow’s lunch is sorted, it’s full of protein so you’ll be full for longer, and most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen.
Read the full recipe on smilesandwich.com
15 minute lasagne
Time: 15 minutes
A clever twist on traditional lasgane, this recipe uses just one pan and is ready in less than 20 minutes. Add a salad garnish and you’ve got a hearty dinner in next to no time.
Read the full recipe on kevinandamanda.com
Caribbean chicken tacos
Time: Under 20 minutes
Quick, easy and fun to eat, these Caribbean chicken tacos are perfect for sharing when nobody’s in the mood to cook. Grill the chicken for the healthiest version of this recipe, and if you can’t get hold of molasses swap it for honey.
Read the full recipe on realfoodbydad.com
Garlic chicken, courgette and corn
Time: 20 minutes
Inspired by the author’s Ukrainian roots, this is a light yet satisfying dish that uses just seven simple ingredients. Once cooked, you can also eat it hot or cold, making it a perfect recipe to use for covering tomorrow’s lunch too.
Read the full recipe on ifoodreal.com
Spicy chickpea and tomato soup
Time: 15 minutes
A good source of vegan protein thanks to the chickpeas, this is a a warm and tasty soup that looks absolutely delicious. There’s a spicy little kick too thanks to jalapenos, cumin and garam masala.
Read the full recipe on thehealthyfamilyandhome.com
Skinny honey lemon chicken
Time: 20 minutes
This sweet and sour recipe uses stir-fried chicken to cut calories and honey to naturally sweeten, so you can enjoy a hearty, warm dish without worrying about what’s in the bowl.
Read the full recipe on gimmesomeoven.com
Greek-style chicken gyros and Tzatziki sauce
Time: 20 minutes
Just five minutes to prep and 15 to cook, these Greek-style chicken pitta breads look incredibly tasty given the little effort needed. There’s also a tip on how to make the source a bit thicker if you’d prefer.
Read more on lecremedelacrumb.com
Cauliflower and roasted chickpeas
Time: 15-20 minutes
Ideal for vegans, this dish makes use of cauliflower and chickpeas and turns it into something a bit more exotic. Not only do the colours look enticing, it’s a new way to enjoy a salad.
Get the full recipe from thefirstmess.com
Spicy sriracha ramen noodle soup
Time: 20 minutes
What better to eat when you’re cold than some soup? And if you’re feeling under the weather, this is even better as it’ll pack a bit of a punch too. The noodles are easy to get hold of and boil very quickly.
Get the full recipe on bakerbynature.com
Paleo carbonara
Time: 20 minutes
Instead of getting out the carb-heavy pasta, why not try this healthier alternative with courgette spaghetti instead? Not only is it tasty, you’ll also feel less of the bloat.
Get the full recipe on sweetcsdesigns.com
Prawn and sausage paleo meal
Time: 20 minutes
This one is a sort of healthy version of surf and turf. But it’s also great as it’s packed full of veggies too. Apparently, it takes longer to prep than it does to cook. That’s what we like to hear!
Get the full recipe at paleonewbie.com
Rosemary and citrus prawn tacos
Time: 15 minutes
The colours in this picture are enough to make us want to go out and buy everything this meal requires. A great dish for when you’re trying to impress a friends but want to put in minimal effort.
Here’s how to make the full recipe here melaniemakes.com
One Pan Baked Salmon and Vegetables
Time: 20 minutes
This healthy and delicious meal really doesn’t take long to prepare or cook. You have essential omega-3 fatty acids, proteins and vitamins from the vegetables. The best bit is you just put everything in one pot, put the oven on and you’re ready to go.
See the full recipe on momendeavors.com
Apricot salsa quesadillas
Time: 15 minutes
A twist on a classic Mexican dish, this one calls for apricots to make the salsa but it looks absolutely delicious. One to make by yourself and eat by yourself.
Get the whole recipe here topwithcinnamon.com
Teriyaki chicken and broccoli
Time: 20 minutes
While it might seem daunting making you’re own homemade teriyaki sauce but this recipe makes it seem very easy.
Get the full recipe here on tablefortwoblog.com
Chicken enchilada and quinoa bake
Time: 15 minutes (prep)
OK, this one’s a bit of a cheat but it’s so tasty we couldn’t leave it out. While the prep time take 15 minutes, the cooking does take a little longer but that’s OK as all you’re doing is placing it in the oven.
Get the full recipe here at tablespoon.com
Spinach pesto and quinoa bowl
Time: 15 minutes
The beauty of this dish is that both quinoa and spinach cook extremely fast. Oh and it tastes good and it’s also extremely healthy.
Get the full recipe on tablefortwoblog.com
Bacon and avocado grill pizzas
Time: 20 mins
A healthy and quick pizza recipe? Yes, we know it’s hard to believe. Even better, this is good for those who are on a dairy free diet, as it contains no cheese.
Get the full recipe on reluctantentertainer.com
Tom Yum noodle soup
Time: 15 minutes
If you’re really pressed for time but want something healthy and warming, then you really can’t go wrong with this Thai classic. The only thing is you need to make sure you’ve got the Thai cooking staples in your cupboard (lemongrass, Nam Prik Pao, fish sauce and lime juice), so that you can make this without any fuss.
Get the full recipe on rasamalaysia.com
Seared Scallops With Radicchio, Roasted Potatoes, and Snap Peas
Time: 20 minutes
This one is a bit more of a fancy meal (scallops always mean fancy to us) but that doesn’t mean it’s going to take any longer. For when you’re trying to impress on a week night but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Get the full recipe here at realsimple.com
Steak tacos
Time: 20 minutes
These might not look like much, but we know these are incredibly delicious and come recommended owing to the many comments underneath the recipe.
You can learn how to make them here bonappetit.com
Sweet potato pasta with lemon sage and butter
Time: 10 minutes
This simple dish requires sweet potato pasta (which you can buy from places such as Amazon and Sous Chef), but once you’ve got that bit figured out all you need to do to make this gluten free dish is add lemon juice, sage and cheese.
Get the recipe here lemonstolemonade.net
Black bean quesadillas
Time: 10 minutes
It’s advised to make the filling a little ahead of time, so that when you do get round to making this dish, you’re well prepared and can eat in a flash.
Get the full recipe on dashingdish.com
Italian baked eggs
Time: 10 minutes
This requires minimal ingredients (just five, excluding seasoning) and are ideal for either a hearty breakfast or a supper snack.
Get the full recipe on damndelicious.net
Courgette and black bean burgers
Time: 10 minutes
There are many brilliant things about this dish that doesn’t include the time. Not only is it healthy, it’s great for anyone who’s gluten free. They’re also about 100 calories each.
Learn how to make them here girlmakesfood.com
Sweet potato, kale and quinoa fritters
Time: 15-20 minutes depending on whether you’re baking or frying
A combination of three healthy foods, these fritters look like they’d be ideal for a quick supper as well as great for work lunches. The author and cook also tells you the difference taste-wise between baking and frying the fritters, so you can make your own mind up about them.
Get the recipe on yes-moreplease.com
Main Image: Parma Ham
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