Simple Healthy Dinner Ideas For When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking
These weeknight dinner ideas are perfect for nights when you don’t feel like cooking and also great options if you’re healthy eating on a budget.
There will always be those nights where you don't feel like cooking or feel like you don't have anything. Or those weeks where you didn’t have time for meal prepping. I know the routine all too well. At the end of the day, after getting into comfy clothes, you head to the kitchen to start thinking about dinner. You open the pantry and stare into it hoping for an idea. But your mind is blank, so you make your way to the refrigerator and freezer. But, you don't come up with much there either. You might start nibbling on snacks while you figure it out, or just close the fridge and pick up your phone to order takeout, even though you don't really want it.
Maybe you didn't meal plan, go food shopping or you didn't plan meals you actually want to eat. Regardless, there's some quick and easy options that are lifesavers in these moments. You don't have to make an elaborate meal for it to be flavorful and satisfying. And they help you avoid getting takeout. Keeping it simple with flavorful everyday ingredients and prioritizing balance, are key to healthy weekday cooking.
It's helpful to have some easy go-to options on hand for when these days sneak up on you. These ideas require some level of cooking, but minimize dishes and ingredient prep and also utilize some shortcut ingredients that are good to keep on hand.
Lentil Pasta with a simple sauce & veggies
Lentil pasta offers a good amount of protein, which makes it a great meatless meal option. I personally prefer the texture and flavor of lentil pasta to other bean based and grain alternative pastas. For a veggie boost, you could have a simple side salad tossed with olive oil and balsamic, mix the pasta with jarred pesto and (thawed frozen) sautéed veggies like broccoli, peas or green beans, or heat jarred tomato sauce with fresh spinach to wilt.
Quesadilla
A quesadilla can really hit the spot for a low effort dinner. I like to keep some prepped protein in the freezer to reheat, like left over taco meat or shredded chicken. Canned beans, chili or refried beans are an easy protein too. You can add cheese, sliced avocado, sautéed peppers, onion, cilantro, and/or sliced scallion, and serve with sour cream, salsa and/or hot sauce.
Frittata
Frittatas are an easy, one pan meal, and a great way to clean out the fridge. You can do a quick sauté with various veggies you might have on hand, like greens (kale/spinach), onion, garlic, tomatoes, broccoli or mushrooms, then add the eggs and bake until just cooked through. You can even boost the flavor with cheese, sausage or bacon if you'd like. Serve with toast drizzled with some extra virgin olive oil for a low effort, satisfying meal.
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A mid week food rut, or not being in the mood for what you've planned, happens every so often. It's helpful to have a few go-to options you can fall back on. This way, when you open the pantry or fridge looking for an idea, you actually do find something!