5 Quick, Healthy Dinners for the Family on the Go

Lately I’ve had some requests to share what types of meals I eat. I’ll start with this disclaimer: I believe in healthy moderation and mindful eating. I don’t diet or cut anything out of my diet completely. Instead I try to be mindful and choose healthy foods more often than crap. I believe in ice cream and I believe in broccoli. I love Mexican food, but I don’t go out and eat it every week. Life’s about balance, so I try to balance my meals. Don’t get me wrong, I have days where I’m just hungry and I eat everything in sight, but for the most part I am pretty good. I’d say I follow a solid 80/20 rule. 80% healthy-ish, mindful eating and 20% cheats and sweets! Here you’ll find some quick, healthy dinners for a busy family on the go.

During the week, we almost always cook at home. I don’t meal plan to a T, but I do like to have a rough outline before we go to the grocery store. I generally plan out several meal ideas for the week and chose them as we go. Why you ask? For example, if I plan to make spaghetti squash pizza on Tuesday, I may not want it Tuesday. I may want salmon on Tuesday, so I like to leave a little wiggle room. That may not work for everyone. Some people love a solid schedule. I’m fortunate enough that I’m home most of the time, so flexibility works for us. What I’m trying to say is that I believe in meal planning and having a strict plan or an outline for the week is incredibly beneficial for any family!

Example Weekly Meal Plan

This is actually a peek at this week’s plan! I switched around Tuesday and Wednesday, but that’s the only change I’ve made.

My Planning Process

• Plan: No matter what, have a plan. It can be strict for each meal every day or a little more flexible like mine. Just figure out what works best for you and your family.
• Leftovers: Cook meals that are good for leftovers at the beginning of the week. This way you’ll have leftovers for lunches throughout the week.
• Keep it simple: Always plan a meal that is a simple meat and add roasted veggies (broccoli, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, onions, peppers and asparagus are our favorites) as a side. This is perfect to cook on a day that you don’t have much time or don’t feel up to cooking. Some other examples are:
  • Chicken with broccoli, peppers and onions
  • Salmon with green beans, onions and sweet potatoes
  • Chicken sausage with brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes
  • Pork chops with asparagus and fingerling potatoes
• Crock pot: Have the ingredients you need for a crock pot or instant pot meal each week. You’ll have a dump and forget it meal that almost always has leftovers.
• Cheat: Give yourself one day a week to eat out. This accounts for date night, dinner with friends, a family evening out or even just ordering pizza in for a movie night!

Now for the fun part. Here are 5 quick and healthy dinners for your busy family. Add some of them to your next meal plan. I didn’t create these recipes , but I’ve tried them all and love them.

1. Lean Lemon Turkey with Asparagus

This can all be made in one skillet! Serve with brown rice and asparagus. After the turkey is done, I’ll saute some asparagus in olive oil and add salt, pepper, lemon juice and a touch of cayenne.

2. Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

Super easy, throw in your crock pot and forget about it! You can make sandwiches, sliders or skip the bread. I would pair this with a side salad! Make your own salad or I love the prepped chopped salad bags from the grocery store.

3. One Pan Salmon & Veggies

I don’t usually use a recipe for this, but the link above is pretty much my go to. Usually, I’ll season the salmon and veggies with whatever I’m feeling that day and pop it in the oven. It’s really that simple!

4. Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs

This is the best honey garlic sauce that I’ve tried! I usually make it using turkey meatballs or chicken thighs. Instead of rice, I serve it over cauliflower rice.

5. Turkey Taco Burrito Bowl

One of my favorite recipes right here! Everyone loves tacos and this is a healthy spin. I usually do a combo of brown rice and cauliflower rice for added veggies. If you want, you can skip the rice all together and add lettuce for a taco salad!

Here’s a BONUS meal! Check out my Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole. You literally do what the title suggests, dump and then bake! Super easy, always a family favorite and it’s quick for a family on the go!

Click on any of the links above to find the original blog posts and recipes! Who knows, you may find some more recipes to add to your list while you’re at it. And don’t forget to pin this post to your dinner recipes Pinterest board to save for later!

I hope this helps as a beginning guide to planning weekly dinners for yourself or your family. It not an exact science, but I promise that planning ahead works. The more prep you put in, the more likely you are to stick to your plan. Now find some recipes or try one of these, and get to planning!

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