Easy Healthy Family Dinners

These healthy dinner recipes are my go-to when I am not sure what to cook for dinner. My family loves these dishes, and it only takes 20 minutes or less. These recipes are a part of keeping up a healthy family lifestyle in my home. Not only are these dinners healthy for the family but contains ingredients that are cheap and easy to find in the store.

Garlic Spaghetti

This easy pasta dish is a family favorite (and a garlic-lovers dream dish). Topped with parmesan cheese, this dish fills your mouth (and tummy) with goodness.

This dish has simple healthy ingredients that you might already have around the house and is ready to eat in 20 minutes, start to finish.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• ½ cup of pasta water
• ¼ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• 1 large bunch of kale, stemmed and chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/3 chopped parsley
• Parmesan for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta found on the package in a pot of boiling water, until al dente. Keep 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the garlic edges are lightly browned. Add the kale, salt, and some pepper. Then cook, tossing the kale until it is wilted (takes about 1 minute).
3. Now it’s time to add the spaghetti and toss to combine. Add ½ of the pasta water, lemon juice, lemon zest, and continue tossing. If the pasta looks dry, add the remaining pasta water to create a light sauce.
4. Season to taste and garnish with parsley and serve with parmesan.

Teriyaki Salmon

My family is a huge fan of salmon, and this teriyaki salmon recipe is a favorite. It is easy, healthy family dinner, and most of all, does not require length marinating but is still very flavorful.

The salmon with an Asian twist comes out perfectly flaky, and juicy with the teriyaki sauce. You can either make your own teriyaki sauce or buy some from the store, it is delicious both ways.

When it comes to buying salmon, you can use a 2 or 3 lb. salmon filet for this recipe. We like to use Atlantic salmon fillets, but really any salmon works.

Ingredients for Teriyaki Sauce

• 3 tbsp teriyaki sauce
• 3 tbsp Hoison sauce
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 or 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger or ½ tsp ground ginger

Instructions

1. Prep the oven at 400°F and grease a large, rimmed baking sheet
2. Combine sauce ingredients and stir until brown sugar is dissolved.
3. Place individual salmon slices in a mixing bowl and pour the sauce over the salmon. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate 20 minutes (at room temp or refrigerated)
4. Transfer salmon to prepared baking sheet (keep the marinade). Bake for 12-16 minutes or until salmon is flaky and cooked through. Bake times may vary by thickness of salmon.
5. While salmon is baking, transfer the remaining marinade to a small saucepan and bring to boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stir occasionally until slightly thickened then remove from heat.
6. Once salmon is out of the oven, brush with teriyaki syrup. Optional: sprinkle with green onion and sesame seeds.

Chicken Picatta

This is a delicious summer recipe that is quick, easy, fresh, and of course, lemony. You can have this healthy family dinner ready in 10 minutes or so, making this a popular dish in the house.

I like to use chicken thighs because they are juicier and fuller of flavor – plus a bit cheaper than chicken breasts. But use whatever chicken works for your family, the main thing is that it is thin enough to be pan fried quickly.

Ingredients

• 6 medium chicken thighs filleted (thickness should be no more than ½ inch)
• 3 lemons juiced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup white wine (You can use chicken stock if you prefer)
• 4 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper
• Capers (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the oil over medium heat and add the chicken thighs in batches so they cook touching the pan and are not over lapping
2. Cook the chicken 2-3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Tip: leave the chicken in one place while cooking so you can get crispy edges
3. When the chicken is cooked through, place on plate and put to side. Cook all the chicken.
4. Add white wine (or chicken stock) to pan and use wooden spoon (or whatever you’re cooking with) to scrape all the chicken buts off the bottom and combine them with the wine. Simmer the wine for a few minutes until the alcohol has evaporated and started to thicken.
5. Add the lemon juice and simmer for a couple of minutes
6. Take pan off heat and add the butter. Combine it well until it’s mixed well. Add the capers at this point if you are using them and mix with sauce.
7. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve immediately

Personal tip: I like to serve this with a bit of rice (or thin pasta noodles) to soak up the juices and add a starch base to the dinner.

These easy healthy family dinner recipes are great for any occasion and are hearty meals that will keep the family full and happy.