29 Fast Thursday Meals to Get You Through to the Weekend

Read Time: 13 mins

29 Fast Thursday Meals to Get You Through to the Weekend2/28 Chicken Chimichangas 63 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Chimichangas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I developed this quick and easy recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish it with sour cream, but I eliminated it in order to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these chimichangas, and they’re much healthier than deep-fried. —Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 chimichanga: 269 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

fat), 39mg cholesterol, 613mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 3/28 Dill Sauce for Salmon 93 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: There’s nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it just right so it nearly melts in your mouth. Plus, the sour cream dill sauce is subtly seasoned with horseradish so that it doesn’t overpower the delicate salmon flavor. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington Nutrition Facts: 4

—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition

ounces cooked salmon with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 418 calories, 33g fat (11g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 643mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein. 4/28 Penne Pasta with Ground Beef 91 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Penne Beef Recipe photo by Danielle Moore for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is comfort food at its finest! The best of everything is found here—it’s tasty, easy and a great way to sneak some spinach in for extra nutrition. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition

Even the grown-ups like them!

Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 482 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 41g protein. 5/28 Parmesan Chicken Nuggets 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 6 nuggets (calculated without marinara): 191 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 309mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. 6/28 Lettuce-Wrap

It’s a snap to throw the wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch

Burgers 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These fresh flavors blend like a dream. It’s a snap to throw the wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 2 wraps: 252 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 518mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat. 7/28 Pork and Orzo 50 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

It’s quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table

Mediterranean Pork and Orzo Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On a really busy day, this meal in a bowl is one of my top picks. It’s quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 372 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 8/28 Chicken Fajitas

This chicken fajitas recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation

355 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Flavorful Chicken Fajitas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken fajitas recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The marinated chicken in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. The fajitas go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 fajita: 369 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 689mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat. 9/28 Buffalo Sloppy Joes 28

Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Buffalo Sloppy Joes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Lean ground turkey makes this a lighter sloppy joe than the standard ground beef version. A hefty splash of hot sauce and optional blue cheese provide an authentic Buffalo-style flavor. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 279 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 475mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch. 10/28 Easy Fish Tacos 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

It’s a hit with friends and family

TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Searching for a lighter alternative to traditional fried fish, I came up with this crispy, crunchy fish tacos recipe. It’s a hit with friends and family. —Jennifer Palmer, Rancho Cucamonga, California Nutrition Facts: 1 taco: 350 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 632mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat. 11/28 Coconut-Ginger Chickpeas & Tomatoes 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is my go-to quick dish

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is my go-to quick dish. When you add tomatoes, you can also toss in some chopped green peppers (jalapenos, if you like heat) to make it even more colorful. —Mala Udayamurthy, San Jose, California Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup chickpea mixture with 3/4 cup rice: 402 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 590mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 10g fiber), 11g protein. 12/28 Grilled Flank Steak 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

How to cook flank steak?

How to cook flank steak? Easy! Marinate it and grill or broil it! This marinated steak is so moist that it will become one of your favorite ways to serve beef. —Heather Ahrens, Columbus, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked beef: 186 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 471mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat. 13/28 Feta Shrimp Skillet 74 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Feta Shrimp Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and

I tried a dish similar to this on our honeymoon in Greece

I tried a dish similar to this on our honeymoon in Greece. I re-created the flavors in this recipe when we got home. When I make it now, it brings back wonderful memories. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 240 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 149mg cholesterol, 748mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat. 14/28 Egg Roll Noodle Bowl 114 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Egg Roll Noodle Bowl Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love Asian egg rolls, but they can be challenging to make. Simplify everything with this deconstructed egg roll made on the stovetop and served in a bowl. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 302 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 652mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 15/28 Slow-Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 20 min Servings 4

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I love this yummy dish! It’s a breeze to prepare in the slow cooker, and it tastes just like a meal you’d have at your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 371 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 265mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat. 16/28 Crescent Turkey Casserole 32 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From

You turn it into a pie, of course!

the Recipe Creator: How do you make a dinner of turkey and vegetables appealing to kids? You turn it into a pie, of course! My version tastes classic but doesn’t take any time at all. —Daniela Essman, Perham, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 453 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 671mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. 17/28 Pork Kabobs 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe was originally for lamb, but I adapted it

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⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

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• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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