42 Family-Friendly Clean Eating Recipes for Weeknights

Read Time: 19 mins

42 Family-Friendly Clean Eating Recipes for Weeknights1/41 Herbed Pork Chops 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Herbs are a fast and flavorful way to dress up pork. Plus, they make the chops look so pretty on a platter. I prepare these year-round as a way to capture the taste of summer. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop: 154 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 33mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean

This is definitely a favorite

meat. 2/41 Smoky Cauliflower 32 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Smoky Cauliflower Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The smoked Spanish paprika gives a simple side of roasted cauliflower extra depth. This is definitely a favorite. —Juliette Mulholland, Corvallis, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 58 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 254mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 3/41 Fresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccine 33 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings

4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with fresh garden produce. It’s tossed with heart-healthy olive oil, and a sprinkling of feta cheese gives it bite. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 527 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 1051mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 9g fiber), 21g protein. 4/41 Skillet Beef and Potatoes 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sirloin strips with red potatoes and fresh rosemary are seriously amazing and ready in

The key is precooking potatoes in the microwave to speed the process

a flash. The key is precooking potatoes in the microwave to speed the process. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 320 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 487mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 starch. 5/41 Grilled Cabbage 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The first time I made this, I couldn’t believe how good it was! We served it with grilled burgers

and our dinner was complete

and our dinner was complete. I never thought I’d skip dessert because I was full from too much cabbage! —Elizabeth Wheeler, Thornville, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 98 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 6/41 Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The aroma of these cutlets as they cook makes my kids

eager to come to the dinner table

eager to come to the dinner table. The dish is easy to make, and my family loves it. —Julie Ahern, Waukegan, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 2 cutlets: 376 calories, 21g fat (5g saturated fat), 162mg cholesterol, 626mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 7/41 Garlic Parmesan Asparagus 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pair any entree with this fresh side dish for a truly succulent meal. With subtle garlic, melted butter and a hint of Parmesan cheese, what’s not to love? —Tara

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable

Ernspiker, Falling Waters, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 71 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 8/41 Rosemary Garlic Shrimp 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Rosemary Garlic Shrimp Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Delicate shrimp take on fabulous flavor when simmered in a chicken broth mixed with garlic and ripe olives. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 110 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat),

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat

139mg cholesterol, 473mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat. 9/41 Grilled Squash 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Grilled Squash Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is one of the best ways to prepare butternut squash and is great alongside grilled steak or chicken. As a bonus, butternut squash is full of vitamin A. —Esther Horst, Monterey, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 2 slices: 178 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 156mg sodium, 23g

carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 2g protein

carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat. 10/41 Thyme-Roasted Carrots 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Thyme-Roasted Carrots Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cutting the carrots lengthwise makes this dish look extra pretty. For a little more elegance and color, garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme or parsley. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 2 carrot halves: 73 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 275mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1

vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 11/41 Pan-Seared Cod 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cod has a soft, buttery appeal that goes with cilantro, onions and crunchy pine nuts. This pan-seared cod is the easiest preparation I’ve found. —Lucy Lu Wang, Seattle, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet with 1/4 cup onion mixture: 378 calories, 24g fat (3g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 691mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. 12/41 Dill & Chive Peas 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Dill & Chive

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat

Peas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Growing my own vegetables and herbs helps keep things fresh in the kitchen, but frozen peas make this side is a breeze to prepare. —Tanna Richard, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 113 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 13/41 Parmesan-Roasted Broccoli 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan-Roasted Broccoli Recipe photo by Ruthie Darling for Taste of Home

Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sure, it’s simple and healthy but, oh, this roasted broccoli is also delicious. Cutting the stalks into tall trees turns the ordinary veggie into a standout side dish. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2 broccoli pieces: 144 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 378mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 14/41 Spiced Carrots & Butternut Squash 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spiced Carrots & Butternut Squash Recipe photo by Taste of

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I’ve got a lot going on, my slow cooker is my go-to tool for cooking veggies. The sweetness of the squash and carrots really complements the spicy seasonings. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 85 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 15/41 Lemon & Garlic New Potatoes 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemon & Garlic New Potatoes Recipe photo by

It has become a favorite side dish at my house

Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a simplified version of a dish my Costa Rican host sister used to make when I was in the Peace Corps. It has become a favorite side dish at my house. —Katie Bartle, Parkville, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 166 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1-1/2 fat. 16/41 Mini Mediterranean Pizza 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 19

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

min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was on a mini pizza kick and had already served up Mexican and Italian variations, so I opted for a Mediterranean version and came up with these. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 pizza: 287 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 783mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 17/41 Roasted Sugar Snap Peas 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

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• 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.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

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

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