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Photo: Brittany Conerly

Quick Walnut Tacos

Enjoy a healthy dinner that the whole family will love with these quick and easy recipes. No matter who you’re cooking for, these recipes will bring something tasty to the table in just 20 minutes or less, so you can make the most of your evening. Try recipes like our Quick Walnut Tacos for a vegan twist on a familiar favorite, or make our White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi for a cozy pasta dish that relies on basic pantry staples. Each recipe feeds at least four people, so everyone at the table can get in on the deliciousness.

01of 31One-Pot Creamy Chicken & Mushroom PastaView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis creamy chicken and mushroom pasta recipe makes for an easy weeknight dinner. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time when cooking, and leftover chicken would work just as well.

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One-Pot Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

View Recipe

Victor Protasio

One-Pot Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta recipe makes for an easy weeknight dinner. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time when cooking, and leftover chicken would work just as well.

02of 31White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato GnocchiView RecipeJacob FoxSun-dried tomatoes are the star of this recipe— providing texture and umami. Combined with the spinach, they make this dish a great source of vitamins C and K.

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White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi

Jacob Fox

White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi

Sun-dried tomatoes are the star of this recipe— providing texture and umami. Combined with the spinach, they make this dish a great source of vitamins C and K.

03of 31Garlic, Sausage & Kale Naan PizzasView RecipeWe love sausage, but it can be high in sodium. In this fast, healthy dinner, we make our own turkey sausage with crushed red pepper, garlic, fennel seeds, paprika and just a touch of salt.

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Garlic, Sausage & Kale Naan Pizzas

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We love sausage, but it can be high in sodium. In this fast, healthy dinner, we make our own turkey sausage with crushed red pepper, garlic, fennel seeds, paprika and just a touch of salt.

04of 31Crispy Fish Taco BowlsView RecipeThe adobo sauce in a can of chipotles lends earthy heat to the crema that tops these bowls. Don’t toss out the unused peppers! Freeze them in an airtight container and pull them out to add to sauces, marinades or chili.

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Crispy Fish Taco Bowls

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The adobo sauce in a can of chipotles lends earthy heat to the crema that tops these bowls. Don’t toss out the unused peppers! Freeze them in an airtight container and pull them out to add to sauces, marinades or chili.

05of 31Easy Chicken Tinga Rice BowlsView RecipeJacob FoxLeftover chicken tinga, pinto beans and bell peppers combine to make a hearty, flavorful rice bowl. Finish with your favorite toppings like avocado and lime wedges.

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Easy Chicken Tinga Rice Bowls

Chicken Tinga Rice Bowls

Leftover chicken tinga, pinto beans and bell peppers combine to make a hearty, flavorful rice bowl. Finish with your favorite toppings like avocado and lime wedges.

06of 31One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli PastaView RecipeJennifer CauseyThis creamy chicken and broccoli pasta makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We opt for small shells in this recipe, but any other small pasta, like orecchiette, would work, too.

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One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli Pasta

Jennifer Causey

One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli Pasta

This creamy chicken and broccoli pasta makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We opt for small shells in this recipe, but any other small pasta, like orecchiette, would work, too.

07of 31Quick Walnut TacosView RecipeBrittany ConerlyAt Trio Plant-Based in Minneapolis, the first Black-owned plant-based restaurant in Minnesota, chef-owner Louis Hunter uses walnuts as a protein-rich substitute for ground beef to make these tacos. The ground nuts mimic the texture of meat quite nicely.

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Quick Walnut Tacos

Brittany Conerly

At Trio Plant-Based in Minneapolis, the first Black-owned plant-based restaurant in Minnesota, chef-owner Louis Hunter uses walnuts as a protein-rich substitute for ground beef to make these tacos. The ground nuts mimic the texture of meat quite nicely.

08of 31Pantry Peanut NoodlesView RecipeJacob FoxChoose your own adventure with these noodles! They’re delicious with peanut butter and tahini alike. Plus, you can use whatever frozen vegetables you have on hand and finish the dish off with any herbs still thriving in your garden or hanging out in your crisper.

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Pantry Peanut Noodles

Pantry Peanut Noodles

Choose your own adventure with these noodles! They’re delicious with peanut butter and tahini alike. Plus, you can use whatever frozen vegetables you have on hand and finish the dish off with any herbs still thriving in your garden or hanging out in your crisper.

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Chicken Sausage & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

Jamie Vespa

Chicken Sausage & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

10of 31Grilled Shrimp TostadasView RecipeJason DonnellyGrilling gives these shrimp tostadas a boost of smoky flavor. Skewering the shrimp prevents them from falling through the grates while getting even char on each side. If you have a grill basket, you can throw them in that instead; just make sure to get them into a single layer so they don’t steam.

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Grilled Shrimp Tostadas

Jason Donnelly

Grilled Shrimp Tostadas

Grilling gives these shrimp tostadas a boost of smoky flavor. Skewering the shrimp prevents them from falling through the grates while getting even char on each side. If you have a grill basket, you can throw them in that instead; just make sure to get them into a single layer so they don’t steam.

11of 31Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato SoupView RecipeLeslie Grow |Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato SoupMaya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, upgrades this popular budget-friendly combo. “Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient-density of the meal,” she says. This recipe was part of a feature story, “The Real Cost of Healthy Food.”

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Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup

Leslie Grow |Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup

Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup

Maya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, upgrades this popular budget-friendly combo. “Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient-density of the meal,” she says. This recipe was part of a feature story, “The Real Cost of Healthy Food.”

12of 31Pea Pesto Gnocchi with BurrataView RecipeJacob FoxHere we pan-fry gnocchi to get them crispy, then coat them with a pesto-like sauce made with sweet peas, spinach, basil and cashews.

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Pea Pesto Gnocchi with Burrata

Gnocchi with Pea Pesto & Burrata

Here we pan-fry gnocchi to get them crispy, then coat them with a pesto-like sauce made with sweet peas, spinach, basil and cashews.

13of 31Shrimp & Broccoli Stir-FryView RecipeVictor ProtasioThe broccoli in this simple shrimp-and-broccoli stir-fry absorbs the flavors of the sauce, which also coats the shrimp perfectly. The ingredients can be prepped ahead of time and whipped together in about 15 minutes, making this meal ideal for busy weeknights.

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Shrimp & Broccoli Stir-Fry

Shrimp & Broccoli Stir-Fry

The broccoli in this simple shrimp-and-broccoli stir-fry absorbs the flavors of the sauce, which also coats the shrimp perfectly. The ingredients can be prepped ahead of time and whipped together in about 15 minutes, making this meal ideal for busy weeknights.

14of 31Quick Tortilla SoupView RecipeBrie PassanoThis hearty, veggie-packed soup packs a bit of heat, thanks to the tomatoes and green chiles! If you prefer things milder, swap in a 15-ounce can of no-salt-added diced tomatoes and add 2 teaspoons of low-sodium taco seasoning.

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Quick Tortilla Soup

Brie Passano

Quick Tortilla Soup

This hearty, veggie-packed soup packs a bit of heat, thanks to the tomatoes and green chiles! If you prefer things milder, swap in a 15-ounce can of no-salt-added diced tomatoes and add 2 teaspoons of low-sodium taco seasoning.

15of 3115-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders & Broccoli with Everything Bagel SeasoningView RecipeJacob FoxDinner is ready in only 15 minutes and cleanup is a breeze with these easy broiled chicken tenders coated in everything bagel seasoning with fresh broccoli on the side. The three-ingredient dipping sauce adds just a hint of sweet and spice.

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15-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders & Broccoli with Everything Bagel Seasoning

15-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders & Broccoli with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Dinner is ready in only 15 minutes and cleanup is a breeze with these easy broiled chicken tenders coated in everything bagel seasoning with fresh broccoli on the side. The three-ingredient dipping sauce adds just a hint of sweet and spice.

16of 31Creamy Broccoli PastaView RecipeBrie PassanoIf you’re looking for a simple weeknight pasta dish, look no further. This vegetarian dinner is done in only 20 minutes and packs plenty of broccoli along with creamy goodness thanks to mascarpone cheese and low-fat Greek yogurt.

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Creamy Broccoli Pasta

Creamy Broccoli Pasta

If you’re looking for a simple weeknight pasta dish, look no further. This vegetarian dinner is done in only 20 minutes and packs plenty of broccoli along with creamy goodness thanks to mascarpone cheese and low-fat Greek yogurt.

17of 31Mahi-Mahi Fish TacosView RecipeIn this mahi-mahi fish taco recipe, chili-coated fish gets a lovely crust from the hot pan. The creaminess of the avocado sauce complements the crisp crunch of the jicama, and it’s all pulled together in 20 minutes.

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Mahi-Mahi Fish Tacos

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In this mahi-mahi fish taco recipe, chili-coated fish gets a lovely crust from the hot pan. The creaminess of the avocado sauce complements the crisp crunch of the jicama, and it’s all pulled together in 20 minutes.

18of 31Fruit, Veggie & Cheese PlateView RecipeThis healthy fruit, veggie and cheese plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner at home or can be packed up and enjoyed as an outdoor picnic.

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Fruit, Veggie & Cheese Plate

Fruit, Veggie & Cheese Plate

This healthy fruit, veggie and cheese plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner at home or can be packed up and enjoyed as an outdoor picnic.

19of 31Spicy Shrimp TacosView RecipeThese spicy shrimp tacos owe their kick to a smoky chipotle shrimp seasoning blend. Cooling avocado and tangy pico de gallo round out the flavor. This vibrant, easy dinner comes together in a flash, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

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Spicy Shrimp Tacos

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These spicy shrimp tacos owe their kick to a smoky chipotle shrimp seasoning blend. Cooling avocado and tangy pico de gallo round out the flavor. This vibrant, easy dinner comes together in a flash, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

20of 31Turkey, Cheese & Veggie PlateView RecipeThis colorful picnic dinner idea features tasty munchies you don’t need utensils for and mild flavors that kids prefer, like deli meat, cheese and crunchy raw veggies. It’s easy to assemble this complete menu, and adults will enjoy it as much as the kids. The menu calls for store-bought hummus and cookies, but you can easily make them yourself (see Tips, below).

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Turkey, Cheese & Veggie Plate

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This colorful picnic dinner idea features tasty munchies you don’t need utensils for and mild flavors that kids prefer, like deli meat, cheese and crunchy raw veggies. It’s easy to assemble this complete menu, and adults will enjoy it as much as the kids. The menu calls for store-bought hummus and cookies, but you can easily make them yourself (see Tips, below).

21of 31Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Green BeansView RecipeThis easy lemon-garlic chicken recipe calls for cutlets, which cook in less than 10 minutes! Can’t find them? Make your own from chicken breasts. Place each breast on a cutting board and, with your knife parallel to the board, slice into the skinny side of the chicken breast in a single smooth motion. The side of green beans is cooked right in the same pan as the chicken, so this 20-minute easy, healthy dinner is not just a snap to prepare–the cleanup is a cinch too.

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Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Green Beans

Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Green Beans

This easy lemon-garlic chicken recipe calls for cutlets, which cook in less than 10 minutes! Can’t find them? Make your own from chicken breasts. Place each breast on a cutting board and, with your knife parallel to the board, slice into the skinny side of the chicken breast in a single smooth motion. The side of green beans is cooked right in the same pan as the chicken, so this 20-minute easy, healthy dinner is not just a snap to prepare–the cleanup is a cinch too.

22of 31One-Pot Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower & Brussels SproutsView RecipeTaking a minute to sizzle some garlic in olive oil is a simple way to pep up the cheese sauce for this easy homemade mac and cheese, and the flavor plays well with the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in this family-friendly pasta dish. This recipe is designed for you to make a big batch of the cheese sauce to use in different dishes: Stir it into pasta and veggies to make this pasta a one-pot dinner then use it for Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole later in the week (see Associated Recipes). Or simply serve it over your favorite steamed vegetables for an easy side dish. If you’d rather make just enough sauce for this pasta, simply cut the sauce amounts in half.

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One-Pot Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts

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Taking a minute to sizzle some garlic in olive oil is a simple way to pep up the cheese sauce for this easy homemade mac and cheese, and the flavor plays well with the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in this family-friendly pasta dish. This recipe is designed for you to make a big batch of the cheese sauce to use in different dishes: Stir it into pasta and veggies to make this pasta a one-pot dinner then use it for Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole later in the week (see Associated Recipes). Or simply serve it over your favorite steamed vegetables for an easy side dish. If you’d rather make just enough sauce for this pasta, simply cut the sauce amounts in half.

23of 31Cauliflower Tikka Masala with ChickpeasView RecipeIn this vegetarian riff on a popular Indian dish, we swap in cauliflower and chickpeas for the chicken in tikka masala. The cauliflower’s nooks and crannies are particularly good at soaking up all the intense flavors of the sauce. Serve over rice for an easy healthy dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes.

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Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas

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In this vegetarian riff on a popular Indian dish, we swap in cauliflower and chickpeas for the chicken in tikka masala. The cauliflower’s nooks and crannies are particularly good at soaking up all the intense flavors of the sauce. Serve over rice for an easy healthy dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes.

24of 31Sweet & Savory Hummus PlateView RecipeFresh veggies with dip, juicy fruit and even a sweet treat make up this easy-to-make picnic dinner that’s great for packing up or enjoying at home. Plus, this combo excludes the most common allergens and food intolerances (it’s free from dairy, eggs, soy, nuts and gluten) so just about everyone should be able to enjoy it without worrying.

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Sweet & Savory Hummus Plate

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Fresh veggies with dip, juicy fruit and even a sweet treat make up this easy-to-make picnic dinner that’s great for packing up or enjoying at home. Plus, this combo excludes the most common allergens and food intolerances (it’s free from dairy, eggs, soy, nuts and gluten) so just about everyone should be able to enjoy it without worrying.

25of 31Skillet Ravioli LasagnaView RecipeThis easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food–no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called “pearls”) in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.

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Skillet Ravioli Lasagna

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This easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food–no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called “pearls”) in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.

26of 31Sweet & Sour Chicken with BroccoliView RecipeThis easy chicken and broccoli recipe makes a delicious, healthier alternative to Chinese takeout–and it takes just 20 minutes to make, so it’s ideal for an easy weeknight dinner. When toasted, ramen noodles make a tasty, crunchy topping for a stir-fry or salad.

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Sweet & Sour Chicken with Broccoli

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This easy chicken and broccoli recipe makes a delicious, healthier alternative to Chinese takeout–and it takes just 20 minutes to make, so it’s ideal for an easy weeknight dinner. When toasted, ramen noodles make a tasty, crunchy topping for a stir-fry or salad.

27of 31Beefless Vegan TacosView RecipeTake taco night in a new direction with these healthy vegan tacos. We’ve swapped crumbled tofu for the ground beef, without sacrificing any of the savory seasonings you expect in a taco. You can also use the filling in burritos, bowls, taco salads and to top nachos.

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Beefless Vegan Tacos

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Take taco night in a new direction with these healthy vegan tacos. We’ve swapped crumbled tofu for the ground beef, without sacrificing any of the savory seasonings you expect in a taco. You can also use the filling in burritos, bowls, taco salads and to top nachos.

28of 31Creamy Lemon Pasta with ShrimpView RecipeYogurt makes a fine substitute for cream in the sauce for this easy pasta recipe. Just warm the yogurt (do not boil) and add some pasta-cooking water to thin it out. Lemon and fresh basil brighten up the whole-wheat pasta and complement the shrimp in this quick dinner recipe.

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Creamy Lemon Pasta with Shrimp

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Yogurt makes a fine substitute for cream in the sauce for this easy pasta recipe. Just warm the yogurt (do not boil) and add some pasta-cooking water to thin it out. Lemon and fresh basil brighten up the whole-wheat pasta and complement the shrimp in this quick dinner recipe.

29of 313-Ingredient Refried Bean & Pico de Gallo TostadasView RecipeSara HaasMaking your own tostadas is easy. Use store-bought corn tortillas, brush them with olive oil and bake to crunchy perfection! Here we topped the tostada with refried beans and fresh pico de gallo for an easy 3-ingredient meal.

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3-Ingredient Refried Bean & Pico de Gallo Tostadas

Sara Haas

3-Ingredient Refried Bean & Pico de Gallo Tostadas

Making your own tostadas is easy. Use store-bought corn tortillas, brush them with olive oil and bake to crunchy perfection! Here we topped the tostada with refried beans and fresh pico de gallo for an easy 3-ingredient meal.

30of 31Lemon-Garlic Steak & Green BeansView RecipeJason DonnellyFor a steak that’s deliciously tender, flavorful and not too fatty, we reach for strip (also known as New York strip or shell steak). It has less than half the saturated fat of a rib-eye but is more tender than leaner sirloin. Here, we cook green beans in the same pan used to sear the spiced steak. All those delicious drippings add richness to the beans—plus there’s one less pan to wash!

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Lemon-Garlic Steak & Green Beans

Lemon-Garlic Steak & Green Beans

For a steak that’s deliciously tender, flavorful and not too fatty, we reach for strip (also known as New York strip or shell steak). It has less than half the saturated fat of a rib-eye but is more tender than leaner sirloin. Here, we cook green beans in the same pan used to sear the spiced steak. All those delicious drippings add richness to the beans—plus there’s one less pan to wash!

31of 31Sloppy Joe-Stuffed Sweet PotatoesView RecipeTake sloppy Joes to a new level with tender sweet potatoes standing in for the bun. Sweet potatoes pair perfectly with the tangy, flavorful filling of ground beef, black beans and spices. Chopped dill pickle sprinkled on top adds crunch to this quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

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Sloppy Joe-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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Take sloppy Joes to a new level with tender sweet potatoes standing in for the bun. Sweet potatoes pair perfectly with the tangy, flavorful filling of ground beef, black beans and spices. Chopped dill pickle sprinkled on top adds crunch to this quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

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