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Photo: Photography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Sammy Mila
These healthy dinners can do it all—they’re high in fiber, but lower in calories, saturated fat and sodium, so you can hit your nutritional goals and stick to a diabetes-friendly eating pattern. There’s a dish for everyone in this mix, from creamy pasta and tender chicken dinners to vegetarian stew and cozy soups. Recipes like our Creamy Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms One-Pot Pasta and Curried Chickpea Stew are delicious and nutritious.
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Creamy Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms One-Pot Pasta
View Recipe
Photography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Sammy Mila
02of 27Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean StewView RecipeThis load-and-go slow-cooker chicken recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve this Tuscan-inspired dish with crusty bread, a glass of Chianti and a salad.
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Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew
This load-and-go slow-cooker chicken recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve this Tuscan-inspired dish with crusty bread, a glass of Chianti and a salad.
03of 27Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito BowlView RecipeThis chipotle-flavored burrito bowl recipe is even better than takeout and just as fast. Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthy dinner.
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Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl
This chipotle-flavored burrito bowl recipe is even better than takeout and just as fast. Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthy dinner.
04of 27Curried Chickpea StewView RecipeWho says a meatless meal isn’t filling? Packed with fiber-rich vegetables and chickpeas, this fragrant stew satisfies.
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Curried Chickpea Stew
Who says a meatless meal isn’t filling? Packed with fiber-rich vegetables and chickpeas, this fragrant stew satisfies.
05of 27Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & MushroomsView RecipeSliced Brussels sprouts and mushrooms cook quickly and cling to the pasta in our fall version of pasta primavera. Look for presliced mushrooms to cut prep time. Serve with a tossed salad.
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Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms
Sliced Brussels sprouts and mushrooms cook quickly and cling to the pasta in our fall version of pasta primavera. Look for presliced mushrooms to cut prep time. Serve with a tossed salad.
06of 27Hearty Chickpea & Spinach StewView RecipeThis satisfying stew comes together in a snap. Mashed chickpeas add body to the broth, and tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium. To simplify the prep, look for chopped fresh onion and shredded carrot or a soup starter mix in the produce section.
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Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew
This satisfying stew comes together in a snap. Mashed chickpeas add body to the broth, and tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium. To simplify the prep, look for chopped fresh onion and shredded carrot or a soup starter mix in the produce section.
07of 27Loaded Black Bean Nacho SoupView RecipeJazz up a can of black bean soup with your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, avocado and fresh tomatoes. A bit of smoked paprika adds a bold flavor kick, but you can swap in any warm spices you prefer, such as cumin or chili powder. Look for a soup that contains no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.
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Loaded Black Bean Nacho Soup
Jazz up a can of black bean soup with your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, avocado and fresh tomatoes. A bit of smoked paprika adds a bold flavor kick, but you can swap in any warm spices you prefer, such as cumin or chili powder. Look for a soup that contains no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.
08of 27Spaghetti with Quick Meat SauceView RecipeInstead of opening a jar of sauce, try this easy spaghetti with meat sauce on a weeknight. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic bread. The recipe makes enough for 8 servings. If you’re serving only four for dinner, cook 8 ounces of spaghetti and freeze the leftover sauce.
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Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce
Instead of opening a jar of sauce, try this easy spaghetti with meat sauce on a weeknight. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic bread. The recipe makes enough for 8 servings. If you’re serving only four for dinner, cook 8 ounces of spaghetti and freeze the leftover sauce.
09of 27Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Warm Barley SaladView RecipeBarley and pistachios give this healthy chicken recipe a double dose of nutty flavor. For an easy change-up, swap in your favorite whole grain, such as brown rice, farro or quinoa.
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Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Warm Barley Salad
Barley and pistachios give this healthy chicken recipe a double dose of nutty flavor. For an easy change-up, swap in your favorite whole grain, such as brown rice, farro or quinoa.
10of 27Ancho Chicken Breast with Black Beans, Bell Peppers & ScallionsView RecipeIn this healthy chicken recipe, the meat is rubbed with ancho chile powder, a spice made from dried poblano peppers. It adds mild heat and subtle smokiness to the rub on the chicken, but you can use regular chili powder here instead. This recipe makes an extra 1/2 cup of the black bean mash–try it wrapped into a burrito for lunch or as a taco filling (see Tips, below).
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Ancho Chicken Breast with Black Beans, Bell Peppers & Scallions
In this healthy chicken recipe, the meat is rubbed with ancho chile powder, a spice made from dried poblano peppers. It adds mild heat and subtle smokiness to the rub on the chicken, but you can use regular chili powder here instead. This recipe makes an extra 1/2 cup of the black bean mash–try it wrapped into a burrito for lunch or as a taco filling (see Tips, below).
11of 27Cuban Cauliflower Rice BowlView RecipeIn this riff on a healthy grain bowl recipe we use cauliflower rice instead of another whole grain like brown rice to cut back on carbs and load up on veggie servings. A simple citrusy mojo sauce drizzled on top gives this easy lunch or dinner a Cuban flair.
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Cuban Cauliflower Rice Bowl
In this riff on a healthy grain bowl recipe we use cauliflower rice instead of another whole grain like brown rice to cut back on carbs and load up on veggie servings. A simple citrusy mojo sauce drizzled on top gives this easy lunch or dinner a Cuban flair.
12of 27Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Tomatoes, Beans & Almond PestoView RecipeLooking at a tangle of spaghetti squash tricks your brain into thinking you’re about to eat a serving of eggy noodles, when in fact, you get a nice calorie and carb savings in this healthy recipe. Giving tomatoes a stint in a hot oven makes them candy-sweet.
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Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Tomatoes, Beans & Almond Pesto
Looking at a tangle of spaghetti squash tricks your brain into thinking you’re about to eat a serving of eggy noodles, when in fact, you get a nice calorie and carb savings in this healthy recipe. Giving tomatoes a stint in a hot oven makes them candy-sweet.
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Eggplant Tortilla Casserole
14of 27Quinoa Deli SaladView RecipeThis healthy version of a deli salad combines hearty quinoa and chickpeas with small amounts of ham and mozzarella, so you get all of the flavor without overdoing it on the sodium. This healthy quinoa salad is great as dinner and doubles as a delicious lunch the next day.
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Quinoa Deli Salad
This healthy version of a deli salad combines hearty quinoa and chickpeas with small amounts of ham and mozzarella, so you get all of the flavor without overdoing it on the sodium. This healthy quinoa salad is great as dinner and doubles as a delicious lunch the next day.
15of 27Za’atar-Roasted Chicken Tenders & Vegetables with CouscousView RecipeZa’atar (or zaatar)–a Middle-Eastern spice blend that’s a mix of thyme, sumac, salt, sesame seeds and sometimes other herbs–gives this sheet-pan roast chicken recipe tons of flavor. Chicken tenders and pretrimmed green beans make this healthy dinner super-fast.
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Za’atar-Roasted Chicken Tenders & Vegetables with Couscous
Za’atar (or zaatar)–a Middle-Eastern spice blend that’s a mix of thyme, sumac, salt, sesame seeds and sometimes other herbs–gives this sheet-pan roast chicken recipe tons of flavor. Chicken tenders and pretrimmed green beans make this healthy dinner super-fast.
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White Turkey Chili
17of 27Cheesy Chipotle-Cauliflower MacView RecipeYou’ll barely notice the cauliflower in this comforting skillet pasta–it’s pureed and mixed into the creamy cheese sauce.
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Cheesy Chipotle-Cauliflower Mac
You’ll barely notice the cauliflower in this comforting skillet pasta–it’s pureed and mixed into the creamy cheese sauce.
18of 27Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato OrzoView RecipeSun-dried tomatoes and Romano cheese pack a flavorful punch along with the tantalizing aroma of fresh marjoram in this rustic Italian-inspired dish. Serve with sautéed fresh spinach or steamed broccolini.
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Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo
Sun-dried tomatoes and Romano cheese pack a flavorful punch along with the tantalizing aroma of fresh marjoram in this rustic Italian-inspired dish. Serve with sautéed fresh spinach or steamed broccolini.
19of 27Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & EscaroleView RecipeThis easy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare, meaning that seared steak can be a weeknight meal. Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too.
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Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole
This easy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare, meaning that seared steak can be a weeknight meal. Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too.
20of 27Roasted Autumn Vegetables & Chicken Sausage for TwoKarla ConradIn this sheet-pan dinner recipe, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, garlic and sausage all roast on one pan. Pick whatever variety of chicken sausage you prefer but we’re partial to the flavor of chicken-apple in this healthy dinner recipe. Serve with crusty bread and a dollop of whole-grain mustard.
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Roasted Autumn Vegetables & Chicken Sausage for Two
Karla Conrad
In this sheet-pan dinner recipe, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, garlic and sausage all roast on one pan. Pick whatever variety of chicken sausage you prefer but we’re partial to the flavor of chicken-apple in this healthy dinner recipe. Serve with crusty bread and a dollop of whole-grain mustard.
21of 27Red Lentil & Cauliflower CurryView RecipeJason DonnellyThis cauliflower curry recipe also features red lentils, which turn yellow when cooked. Curry powder, onions, cumin and other seasonings give this vegetarian dinner tons of flavor. Serve over rice to complete the meal.
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Red Lentil & Cauliflower Curry
Jason Donnelly
This cauliflower curry recipe also features red lentils, which turn yellow when cooked. Curry powder, onions, cumin and other seasonings give this vegetarian dinner tons of flavor. Serve over rice to complete the meal.
22of 27Norma’s Mushroom Barley SoupLong-simmered marrow bones give this soup its luxurious flavor. The texture of the finished soup is hearty–bordering on a soupy risotto.
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Norma’s Mushroom Barley Soup
Long-simmered marrow bones give this soup its luxurious flavor. The texture of the finished soup is hearty–bordering on a soupy risotto.
23of 27Irish Pork Roast with Roasted Root VegetablesView RecipeIn this easy one-pan dinner, boneless pork loin roast is cooked over a bed of carrots and parsnips for an all-in-one dish that makes an impressive centerpiece for a holiday meal or Sunday dinner. Choose free-range heritage pork if you can–its flavor really shines with no more seasoning than a bit of thyme and a little sea salt. If you’d like, dress up the meal with a traditional Irish apple condiment–Ploughmans chutney or Bramley applesauce, which you can find in specialty stores and online,
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Irish Pork Roast with Roasted Root Vegetables
In this easy one-pan dinner, boneless pork loin roast is cooked over a bed of carrots and parsnips for an all-in-one dish that makes an impressive centerpiece for a holiday meal or Sunday dinner. Choose free-range heritage pork if you can–its flavor really shines with no more seasoning than a bit of thyme and a little sea salt. If you’d like, dress up the meal with a traditional Irish apple condiment–Ploughmans chutney or Bramley applesauce, which you can find in specialty stores and online,
24of 27Spicy Orange Beef & Broccoli Stir-FryView RecipeWith fresh broccoli, ginger, red bell peppers and plenty of fresh citrus, this healthy beef stir-fry is sure to become a favorite. And it’s ready in 30 minutes, making it the perfect healthy weeknight dinner. Serve with brown rice.
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Spicy Orange Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry
With fresh broccoli, ginger, red bell peppers and plenty of fresh citrus, this healthy beef stir-fry is sure to become a favorite. And it’s ready in 30 minutes, making it the perfect healthy weeknight dinner. Serve with brown rice.
25of 27Ratatouille with White Beans & PolentaView RecipeTons of lightly cooked vegetables combine with white beans in this hearty vegetarian dinner recipe. It can also be served over bread, like bruschetta.
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Ratatouille with White Beans & Polenta
Tons of lightly cooked vegetables combine with white beans in this hearty vegetarian dinner recipe. It can also be served over bread, like bruschetta.
26of 27Beef StroganoffView RecipeA little tender beef goes a long way when it is supplemented with flavorful mushrooms and enriched with a robust sauce in this healthy stroganoff.
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Beef Stroganoff
A little tender beef goes a long way when it is supplemented with flavorful mushrooms and enriched with a robust sauce in this healthy stroganoff.
27of 27Three-Bean ChiliView RecipeThis rib-sticking bean chili is richly flavored with cumin, chili, paprika, oregano and an assortment of peppers. Use whatever beans you have in your pantry.
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Three-Bean Chili
This rib-sticking bean chili is richly flavored with cumin, chili, paprika, oregano and an assortment of peppers. Use whatever beans you have in your pantry.
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