The hustle and bustle of the week oftentimes has you scrambling to make a healthy, satisfying dinner. One way to overcome this barrier is planning. But don’t worry – we’ve done the hard part for you and found all the recipes! All you need to do is organize your shopping list, so that you have what you need at the start of each week.
Every Saturday or Sunday, put together a shopping list of the five recipes based on the meals you plan to make before you head to the grocery store. The selected recipes use ingredients that you can easily find at your local market. You’ll also find suggestions for easy exchanges you can make for some of the recipes.
Get excited and kick off 2023 with these 21 weeknight dinners planned for January. Also, feel free to use it again for February or any month you choose! And if you’re interested in learning about other healthy dinner ideas geared specifically toward your New Year’s weight-loss goals, be sure to also check out our 5 Easy Weekend Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss.
Start your January night dinner with a simple chicken burger. You can always substitute ground chicken for ground turkey. Feel free to add more vegetables to this dish with a side salad or a side of steamed broccoli or carrots.
Get our recipe for Chicken Burger with Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli.
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Stir-fry dishes are always a go-to for a quick and easy dinner. Serve over brown rice, and for more veggies add a side salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
Get our sweet and spicy stir-fry recipe.
This fried salmon dish is no fuss and not many dishes. Add whole grains on the side, like quinoa and farro, or use leftover brown rice from your Wednesday night stir-fry.
Get our recipe for Sweet and Spicy Salmon with Grilled Vegetables.
This better-for-you Italian-inspired dinner contains a fraction of the calories and saturated fat compared to your local Italian restaurant. Serve over whole-grain pasta with steamed cauliflower and broccoli on the side
Get our recipe for Simple Chicken Scaloppine.
This Asian-inspired dinner uses fettuccine noodles, peppers, and shredded chicken, which you can make yourself or use store-bought rotisserie chicken. Add more veggies by serving it with a side salad or crêpes with dip as an appetizer.
Get our recipe for Asian-inspired Sesame Noodles with Chicken.
Sloppy Joes is a family favorite and uses many ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and spice cabinet. Serve with sweet or russet fries or healthier slaw.
Get our recipe for Turkey Sloppy Joes.
Shrimp is a low-calorie protein that can be cooked up in no time. To get more fibre, replace traditional spaghetti with whole wheat or legume-type spaghetti. Serve with a side salad with vinaigrette or steamed green beans or both!
Get our low-calorie shrimp recipe from Fra Diavolo.
These Mediterranean-inspired dishes use rotisserie chicken, which helps reduce overall cooking time. Paired with brown rice and a very simple chopped salad, you’ll have a delicious, well-balanced meal on the table in no time.
Get the recipe from Toby Amidor Nutrition.
One-pot meals are a lifesaver when it comes to a busy workweek. This dinner balances salmon, orzo, asparagus, and tomatoes. Add more greens by chopping vegetables at the table or making a simple side salad.
Get the recipe at The Creative Bite.
Meatloaf is a crowd-pleasing favorite, plus you can bring leftovers for lunch the next day. Serve with roasted potato wedges or roasted sweet potatoes on the side and roasted vegetables.
Get the Turkey Meatloaf with Spicy Tomato Sauce recipe.
Make it Taco Tuesday with tuna and avocado sandwiches. Served with rice and beans on the side.
Get our recipe for Spicy Tuna and Avocado Fish Tacos.
These chicken thighs are paired with potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. You can also add a parsnip or two if you like. Add a fruit salad or a piece of fruit like a clementine or sliced pineapple for dessert for a complete meal.
Get the recipe from Toby Amidor Nutrition.
This chili recipe is made with lean beef and three (yes, three!) beans, each serving packed with 9 grams of fiber. Serve with slaw and serve with Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream as an optional topping.
Get the recipe from Toby Amidor Nutrition.
Instead of eating out Thai food, cook this curry recipe where you control the ingredients. Per serving, they provide 340 calories, 13 grams of fat — 6 grams saturated, and 400 milligrams of sodium. Serve with flatbread on the side to top off this delicious curry!
Get our recipe for Thai Chicken Curry.
This vegetarian dish is another one-dish meal that can help cut back on dishes and your overall effort especially when you’re stressed out. Complete the meal with steamed or grilled vegetables on the side; I recommend the brussels sprouts or the beans.
Get the recipe at The Creative Bite.
Some nights of the week, all you want to eat are five ingredients. This simple dinner uses bottled barbecue sauce, so compare labels to make sure you’re getting the one with the least amount of added sugar. If you’re cooking for more than two people, double or even triple this well-balanced meal.
Get our recipe for five-ingredient grilled chicken dishes.
A lasagna pan uses less lasagna noodles to help reduce total carbohydrates. If you want more vegetables, you can add 1 cup of grated carrots, grated zucchini, or chopped cauliflower to the recipe.
Get the recipe from Toby Amidor Nutrition.
Tofu is a vegetable protein made from soybeans and is quick to cook. Serve it over brown rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
Get the recipe from Healthy Maven.
This light Alfredo sauce uses smaller amounts of butter, 2% milk, and Parmesan cheese. By adding cooked chicken breast or grilled chicken and vegetables, it makes for a balanced meal that is both healthy and delicious.
Get our Alfredo pasta stuffed with chicken and vegetables recipe.
This recipe is another simple meal that will become your go-to this year. Serve over whole-wheat couscous, brown rice, or quinoa for a complete meal.
Get the recipe from Toby Amidor Nutrition.
This savory bowl features roasted carrots and simple white rice flavored with garlic, ginger, and butter, meatballs made from lean beef, and plenty of flavor from hoisin-soy sauce. Serve fruit such as fresh berries or orange slices for dessert.
Get the recipe at The Creative Bite.
