45 Dinnertime Recipes for Empty Nesters

Read Time: 20 mins

45 Dinnertime Recipes for Empty Nesters1/44 Grilled Jerk Shrimp Orzo Salad 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The heat, seasonings and appearance of this colorful main-dish salad are perfect for summer—or any time of year that you want to summon memories of sunshine. —Eileen Budnyk, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 340 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 716mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 2/44 Steak and Portobello

Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable

Mushrooms 15 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These tasty steaks seem special, but they are fast enough for an everyday dinner. We enjoy the mushroom-topped filets with crusty French bread, a mixed salad and a light lemon dessert. —Christel Stein, Tampa, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 steak with 1/3 cup sauce: 247 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 369mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable. 3/44 Beef

This dinner for two is loaded with lots of flavor and color

Orange Stir-Fry 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This dinner for two is loaded with lots of flavor and color. Red pepper flakes add a little kick to the orange beef sauce, and the tender veggies add a pop of color. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups with 1/2 cup rice: 390 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 396mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 fat. 4/44 Greek-Style

It’s an easy weekday meal that’s become one of our favorites

Ravioli 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a flavorful Greek twist on an Italian classic. It’s an easy weekday meal that’s become one of our favorites. My husband and I enjoy it with garlic cheese toast. —Hetti Williams, Rapid City, South Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 333 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 851mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat. 5/44 Beef Burgundy Over Noodles 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of

Whenever I serve it to guests, they always request this

Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I got this delightful beef burgundy recipe from my sister-in-law many years ago and have used it ever since. Whenever I serve it to guests, they always request this. The tender beef, mushrooms and flavorful sauce are delicious over noodles. —Margaret Welder, Madrid, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 376 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 391mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 6/44 Baked Tilapia 84 Reviews

This is how to make tilapia

Test Kitchen Approved Seasoned Tilapia Fillets Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you need a healthy, keep-it-simple solution to dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe relies on spices you’re likely to have on hand to deliver big flavor. This is how to make tilapia. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet: 193 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 589mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat. 7/44 Bacon-Wrapped

8/44 BLT Skillet 39 Reviews Test Kitchen

Asparagus 42 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Recipe photo by Laura Scherb for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I grill dinner almost every night, and I love grilling veggies for a side dish. I serve this grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe with meat and sliced fresh tomatoes for a wonderful meal. —Trisha Kitts, Dickinson, Texas Nutrition Facts: 5 pieces: 120 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. 8/44 BLT Skillet 39 Reviews Test Kitchen

The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor and texture

Approved BLT Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick weeknight meal reminds me of a BLT, with its chunks of bacon and tomato. The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor and texture. —Edrie O’Brien, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 314 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 682mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 14g protein. 9/44 Herbed Lemon Pork Chops 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the

They’re tender and juicy

Recipe Creator: Expect to get plenty of compliments on these fast, flavor-packed chops. They’re tender and juicy. —Billi Jo Sylvester, New Smyrna Beach, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop: 200 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 10/44 Beef with Broccoli 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Saucy Beef with Broccoli Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I’m looking for a fast entree, I turn

to this beef and broccoli stir-fry

to this beef and broccoli stir-fry. It features a tantalizing sauce made with garlic and ginger. —Rosa Evans, Odessa, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 313 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 816mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 11/44 Tilapia with Jasmine Rice 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tilapia with Jasmine Rice Recipe photo by Diana Chistruga for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tender, full-flavored tilapia with fragrant jasmine rice is

absolutely to die for

absolutely to die for. Your family will love this healthy and delicious dish! —Shirl Parsons, Cape Carteret, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet with 3/4 cup rice: 412 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 615mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 3 starch, 1/2 fat. 12/44 Chicken Gyros 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Gyros Recipe photo by Kayla Widmer for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This yummy chicken gyro recipe is a cinch to prepare. Just take

Some folks like lettuce and diced tomato on top

tender chicken, coat it in a creamy cucumber-yogurt sauce, then tuck it into pita pockets. Some folks like lettuce and diced tomato on top. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 gyro: 367 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 397mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 13/44 Cod Tacos 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved EMILY DAVIS for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These bright tacos take me on an instant trip

to sunny Southern California

to sunny Southern California. The recipe has been on my family’s most requested list for years. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 506 calories, 38g fat (8g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 852mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. 14/44 Beef Tenderloin and Mushroom Sauce 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Beef Tenderloin and Mushroom Sauce Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When our kids are visiting Grandma, I make this recipe for just my husband and myself.

It’s a recipe my mother-in-law has been using for more than 30 years

It’s a recipe my mother-in-law has been using for more than 30 years. I especially look forward to preparing it as part of a special Valentine’s Day menu. —Denise McNab, Warminster, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 417 calories, 32g fat (17g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 659mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. 15/44 Breaded Sea Scallops 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Breaded Sea Scallops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I never liked seafood until my husband urged me to try scallops, and

now I love them

now I love them. He says my breaded version is the best he’s ever had. A tip I learned was to put them on a paper-towel-topped plate to soak up excess oil. —Martina Preston, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3 scallops: 454 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 1262mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. 16/44 Shrimp Asparagus Pasta 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Asparagus ‘n’ Shrimp with Angel Hair Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We’ve all heard that the

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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.

• 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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