40 Healthy Recipes for When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking

Read Time: 19 mins

40 Healthy Recipes for When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking2/40 Roasted Sweet Potato & Chickpea Pitas 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Sweet Potato & Chickpea Pitas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a hearty take on Mediterranean food, this time with sweet potatoes tucked inside. These unique pockets are delicious for lunch or dinner. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2 filled pita halves: 462 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 662mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 12g fiber), 14g protein. 3/40

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Loaded Quinoa Breakfast Bowl Recipe photo by Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2, I embarked on a journey to improve my diet and live a healthier lifestyle. I began developing recipes that were not only satisfying, but also anti-inflammatory and highly nutritious. —Chantale Michaud, Guelph, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 475 calories, 13g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 83g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 10g fiber), 13g protein.

One night while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this meal

4/40 Rosemary Salmon 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Rosemary Salmon and Veggies Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this meal. It’s a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 357 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 388mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate

(4g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein

(4g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 5/40 Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like using Meyer lemons for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 182 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:

3 lean meat, 1 fat

3 lean meat, 1 fat. 6/40 Chickpea Salad Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chickpea Salad Sandwiches Recipe photo by Jena Carlin for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 295 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 586mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 10g protein. 7/40 Orzo with Feta and Arugula 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: In my family, we love salads because they’re an interesting

way to blend many different flavors

way to blend many different flavors. This orzo salad is one of our favorites—it tastes delicious served either warm or cool. —Laura Adamsky, Decatur, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 279 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 198mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. 8/40 BLT Quinoa Bowls 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved BLT Quinoa Bowls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I absolutely love a BLT with sliced avocado and an egg. Recently, I’ve been trying out grain bowls,

and I thought the flavors of my favorite sandwich would work really well

and I thought the flavors of my favorite sandwich would work really well. My family agreed! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 446 calories, 28g fat (5g saturated fat), 194mg cholesterol, 228mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 17g protein. 9/40 Chickpea Burger 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chickpea Burger Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These chickpea burgers are totally awesome. I think I’d rather have one than any cheeseburger at a restaurant. They really rock! —Berea Rider, East Point, Kentucky

You can even add a spoonful of pico de gallo

Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 447 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 807mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 9g fiber), 17g protein. 10/40 Chorizo & Grits Breakfast Bowls 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chorizo & Grits Breakfast Bowls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While growing up, I bonded with my dad over chorizo and eggs. My fresh approach combines them with grits and black beans for this chorizo breakfast bowl. You can even add a spoonful of pico de gallo. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks,

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 2 starch

California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 344 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 239mg cholesterol, 636mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 2 starch. 11/40 Zucchini Pizza Bites 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mini Zucchini Pizzas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for low carb? This simple snack recipe is a fantastic way to satisfy your pizza cravings while skipping the usual carb-filled crust. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 mini pizza: 29

It’s just as delicious! —

calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 108mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 12/40 Spiced Blueberry Quinoa 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spiced Blueberry Quinoa Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I took up eating quinoa when I found out how much protein it has. This is really an easy dish to experiment with; my first version of the recipe was made with shredded apples instead of blueberries. It’s just as delicious! —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cup:

She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce

352 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 479mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 7g fiber), 9g protein. 13/40 Bacon & Swiss Chicken Sandwiches 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon & Swiss Chicken Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 410 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 667mg

sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 34g protein

sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat. 14/40 Zucchini Boats 40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Zucchini Boats Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After working hard all our lives and raising a family, we’re now enjoying a simpler life. Getting back to the basics means enjoying old-fashioned comfort foods like these stuffed zucchini boats. —Mrs. C. Thon, Atlin, British Columbia Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed zucchini half: 312 calories, 20g fat (9g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol,

337mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein

337mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. 15/40 Mediterranean Tilapia 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I recently became a fan of tilapia. The mild taste makes it easy to top with our favorite ingredients. And it’s low in calories and fat. What’s not to love? —Robin Brenneman, Hilliard, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet: 197 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 446mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 16/40

Try it with ground beef, too!

Creamy Skinny Pasta Casserole 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Skinny Pasta Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I altered some of the ingredients in my traditional baked pasta recipe to make it lower in calories. Try it with ground beef, too! —Andrea Bolden, Unionville, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1-2/3 cups: 445 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 559mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein. 17/40 Chicken with Peach-Avocado Salsa 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30

To get it on the table even quicker, make the salsa ahead of time

min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This super-fresh dinner is pure summer—juicy peaches, creamy avocado, grilled chicken and a kick of hot sauce and lime. To get it on the table even quicker, make the salsa ahead of time. —Shannon Roum, Cudahy, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1/2 cup salsa: 265 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 536mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 18/40 Strawberry Tarragon Chicken Salad 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Tarragon Chicken Salad

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

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

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ 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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