Hi Friends!
I have another RD friend to introduce you to today, although I bet many of you are already familiar with this amazing lady! Anne from fANNEtastic food and I & took different paths to become RDs, but we both were blogging while we were in school and during our internship which is how we connected initially. Beyond having an amazing blog, Anne has started up her own private practice in DC that is wildly successful (she has a waiting list!!) and is doing great things in the RD world. I asked her to stop by today and share some quick easy dinners to help inspire you to eat healthy on those busy nights!
Hi there Lean Green Bean readers! I’m Anne, a Washington DC area Registered Dietitian and a food and fitness blogger over at fANNEtastic food. Thank you to Lindsay for having me here today! In honor of Lindsay and her husband becoming new parents, I thought it would be helpful to share some tips for throwing together quick and easy (but still healthy) weeknight dinners. Something we all need, right?
The key to a satisfying dinner is to include a combination of protein (meat, fish, eggs, beans, etc.), healthy fat (nuts/seeds, oil, avocado), and carbs (aim for the least refined version – brown rice or another whole grain, minimally processed whole wheat/grain bread, whole grain or brown rice pasta, whole fruit, starchy veggies like potatoes or corn, etc.). The other key? Lots of volume from veggies to keep you full!
Here is a simple 6 step plan to build a healthy dinner:
- Start with some sort of green. For warm meals, 1 huge handful fresh baby spinach – pop it in the microwave for 1 minute on high to wilt it. For cold meals, 1 huge handful of fresh salad greens – any kind. I’m loving arugula lately!
- Add a carb – about 1/2 cup per plate. If you’re in a time crunch, try 90 second plain brown rice, or quinoa which only takes about 10 minutes to cook. A piece of toast, a wrap, fruit, or a starchy veg like a potato will work here, too!
- Add some protein! My favorite easy protein is canned beans – about 1/2 cup. Other easy options are leftover meat, canned tuna, a fried egg or two, etc.
- Toss in veggies – Anything you have lying around – this will add volume and fiber that help to keep you full.
- Top with some healthy fat. Nuts, seeds, avocado, whatever you like! Cheese is cool, too – I love me some feta.
- Dress it! This could be a vinaigrette, or salsa, or pasta sauce, or pesto, or anything that fits with your theme of the meal.
**Editor’s note from Lindsay- Make this even easier by doing a little sunday food prep! Make a batch of quinoa or rice to use during the week and cook up some hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken, black beans, etc for protein! You can also prechop veggies like carrots, peppers and onions to save even more time!**
To get you started, here are two of my favorite combinations:
Mexican Mess
- Base of microwave steamed spinach or fresh greens
- ½ cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
- ½ cup black beans and/or chicken
- Chopped peppers and tomato
- ¼ an avocado
- 2 Tbsp. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup salsa, any kind
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
- Base of fresh greens
- ½ cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup chickpeas and/or canned tuna
- Chopped veggies – peppers, carrots, cucumber, etc.
- ¼ an avocado
- 1 Tbsp. feta cheese
- 2 Tbsp. Balsamic vinaigrette
Want an even easier version of the above quinoa chickpea dish? Try my vegan 4 Ingredient Quinoa Salad!
Another of my favorite easy dinners is simply two fried eggs atop microwave-steamed spinach with a side of sweet potato or toast with nut butter. Try it – the runny yolk is delicious with the steamed spinach.
Want some other dinner ideas that are still quick? Here are a few of my favorite super quick and easy dinner recipes:
- Mexican Lasagna (my husband LOVES this)
- {Ridiculously Easy} Crockpot Curry Chicken
- Lemon and Herb Fish
- Pesto Baked Salmon with Veggies
- Saucy Tomato & Spinach Chicken
- Sweet Potato & Lentil Coconut Curry
- Mexican Brown Rice Casserole
I also share a bunch more in this post: Quick and Healthy Dinner Recipes, if you’re interested! And along those lines, here are a few more relevant previous posts of mine that you might find helpful:
Thank you again to Lindsay for having me here today!
————-
[Tweet “Check out these quick, easy dinner ideas from @fannetasticfood and @leangrnbeanblog for busy nights!”]
Thanks to Anne for all of these great ideas! Let’s chat:
What are your favorite quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes?
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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Amy Ramos says
Anne is the bomb dot com. That Mexican Lasagna is to DIE for. Which reminds me, I need to make that soon!
Anne @fANNEtasticfood says
Aw, thank you. 🙂 Mexican Lasagna FTW!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Chickpea salads are truly amazing! I love your idea to add quinoa! 🙂
Hollie says
That looks really good Lindsay and thanks for sharing her idea!
I hope you are doing well. 🙂
Linz @ Itz Linz says
i totally follow those six steps when planning / making a dinner!!
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog says
I’m drooling! I love a good reminder of how to structure healthy meals!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Great ideas here! Love the basic structure for making a variety of flavorful, healthy dishes!
Jojo @ Run Fast Eat Lots says
I’ve never had Mexican lasagna, but from that pic it definitely looks like it’s worth a try!
JEnnifer F says
Something like that Mexican Mess is my go-to on crazy busy nights when I have nothing planned
Anne @fANNEtasticfood says
Thanks again for having me, Lindsay! 🙂
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
It’s really helpful broken down this way! I follow a similar formula for all my meals pretty much. Great post!
Chris says
I usually start with protein, then add carb, then add veggies. I think that’s why I sell myself short on greens and vegetables because I kind of fill what is left of the plate instead of starting with them. Good advice to put them first!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Great ideas! Thanks for the guest post, Anne. 🙂
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misszippy says
Love Anne and this is a great line up of meals! Thank you both.
Anne @fANNEtasticfood says
Thank you! 🙂
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
I must have pinned 90% of these recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
Great ideas Anne! Love the runny egg on spinach with sweet potato and nut butter. Sounds more like a snack than a meal.
Mollie @Sprinkles of Life says
These these meal ideas! I use the same tips when meal planning, too!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
This post hit me at the perfect time! I really struggle with dinner lately. I don’t know what it is. Will be trying some of these!
Bre says
I love quick and easy meals! Why is it that most nights I don’t feel like cooking? =) Thanks for sharing Anne and congrats to Lindsay and her husband!
Alyssa @ The Healthy RD says
Quinoa and chickpea salad sounds right up my alley! Thanks for sharing!
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
Love this! Gotta try that Mexican Lasagna 🙂
Charlotte says
The quinoa chickpea salad sounds so so good!! I’m always looking for easy peasy recipes to make during the week, too, because who wants to spend hours slaving away after a long day? And it’s important to get the right balance of proteins / veggies. Never thought to make a big batch of quinoa or rice and divide it out for the week. Great idea!
Julieane says
I loved these quick easy dinner recipes. This has been a busy week for me, but thanks for saving me because I already tried your Mexican lasagna, Crockput curry chicken and Mexican brown rice casserole and I really enjoyed it. You’re awesome!