Ever wondered what health experts recommend for a nutritious yet mouth-watering dinner? In this insightful piece, health professionals and cooking enthusiasts share their top healthy dinner recipes. From a delectable Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Bowl to a rich and tasty Lentil Soup, this blog post uncovers a total of ten expert-approved recipes that are sure to please the palate and boost well-being.
- Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Bowl
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado
- Spinach and Kale Salad with Salmon
- Grilled Salmon with Roasted Veggies
- Teriyaki Salmon with Whole Grains
- Tuscan Chicken with Rosemary
- Nutrient-Dense Vitamin-Rich Soup
- Oven-Roasted Salmon with Brussels Sprouts
- Moroccan Beef and Chickpea Stew
- Rich and Tasty Lentil Soup
Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Bowl
My go-to healthy dinner is a quinoa and roasted vegetable bowl with tahini dressing. It’s a household favorite because it’s simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and incredibly nutritious. Quinoa provides high-quality protein and essential amino acids, while the roasted vegetables—like sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini—are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
What makes this recipe special is its adaptability. You can use any vegetables you have on hand or swap quinoa for brown rice or couscous. The tahini dressing, made with lemon juice, garlic, and a touch of honey, ties everything together with a creamy, tangy flavor. Adding toppings like avocado or a sprinkle of nuts gives it an extra boost of healthy fats.
This dish is a winner because it satisfies both taste and health needs without being complicated or time-consuming. Plus, it’s great for meal prep—you can make a large batch and enjoy it throughout the week. It’s proof that healthy eating can be delicious and easy.
Nagesh Chakka
Dentist, Positive Dental Health
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado
After a long day, my favorite healthy dinner is stuffed sweet potatoes with avocado, black beans, and lime. The sweet potatoes are roasted until the outside is browned and tender, and then stuffed with black beans that have been seasoned with garlic, onion, and a touch of cumin for heat. On top, I place diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. It’s a nourishing and flavorful dish that’s easy on the palate. The acidic lime and creamy avocado are the perfect complements to the potatoes’ inherent sweetness.
The adaptability is the main reason why it’s a hit at my house. To amp up the nutrition and texture, I might toss in some roasted chickpeas or shredded chicken. The next day, I can whip up a fast meal by mixing leftover filling into a salad or a wrap for lunch. Even though it takes less than 40 minutes to put together, this dish always manages to seem substantial without being cloying. You can’t ask for a more perfect dinner than this one; it’s healthy, filling, and colorful
Chris Bajda
E-Commerce Entrepreneur & Managing Partner, GroomsDay
Spinach and Kale Salad with Salmon
One of my favorite healthy dinners that supports hair health is a spinach and kale salad topped with grilled salmon, avocado, and a lemon-tahini dressing. It’s a winner in my household because it’s delicious and rich in nutrients essential for strong, healthy hair. Salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, which promote scalp health and hair growth. Spinach and kale are loaded with iron and vitamins A and C, crucial for maintaining a healthy scalp and hair follicles. Avocado adds biotin and healthy fats, which help strengthen hair.
What makes this recipe stand out is how easy it is to customize. I often add seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for extra zinc, another key nutrient for hair health. This dish is simple, fresh, and nourishing-perfect for a busy day while supporting overall wellness.
Dr. Michael May
Medical Director, Wimpole Clinic
Grilled Salmon with Roasted Veggies
Straight to the point: grilled salmon with a side of roasted veggies and quinoa. It’s a winner because it’s super quick (under 30 minutes), loaded with omega-3, and feels fancy without the effort! We mix the quinoa with a splash of lemon and olive oil, roast the veggies with garlic and paprika, and dinner’s done.
Tom Molnar
Operations Manager, Fit Design
Teriyaki Salmon with Whole Grains
Even though I live in Boulder, Colorado, my love for salmon began in Seattle, where I earned my doctorate in naturopathic medicine. Surrounded by the Pacific Northwest’s fresh, wild-caught salmon, I learned to appreciate its incredible flavor and nutritional benefits, including omega-3s and protein.
My go-to Teriyaki Salmon recipe is a family favorite, ready in just 15 minutes and perfect for busy nights. The marinade combines olive oil, maple syrup, and coconut aminos (similar to soy sauce) for a sweet and savory glaze that enhances the natural richness of the fish. Cooking it skin-side down in a hot pan creates a perfectly crispy finish, while spooning the bubbling marinade keeps the fillet tender and flavorful. Served over a whole-grain like rice, quinoa, or buckwheat, with a fresh green salad, this dish is as nourishing as it is delicious—a true winner in our household!
Rosia Parrish
Naturopathic Doctor, Naturopathic Wellness Center of Boulder
Tuscan Chicken with Rosemary
When we’re short on time or energy to think about what’s for dinner, we make a recipe we call Tuscan Chicken. Take a package of boneless/skinless chicken thighs (it’s okay if they have bone-in/skin on too) and throw then in a bowl with some olive oil to coat, add 1 tablespoon of fresh or dried rosemary (chopped), cut half a lemon into wedges, squeeze the juice into the bowl, then toss the wedges into the bowl, add some salt and pepper for seasoning. Then put it all on a hot grill. Cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 degrees.
Serve over quinoa and with a salad. Healthy, easy, delicious and nutritious.
Jalene Szuba
Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Happiness Anchor
Nutrient-Dense Vitamin-Rich Soup
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein, this soup is a fantastic way to support your skin, hair, and joint health while enjoying a comforting meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a cozy dinner option, this recipe is sure to satisfy and nourish from the inside out. Enjoy on its own, or with a slice of toasted sourdough or gluten-free bread.
Serves 4
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Dietary: gluten-free, protein-rich, dairy-free
Ingredients
1 leek, washed thoroughly, and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 head large cauliflower, roughly chopped
2 large white potatoes, diced
1 lemon, zest and juice
1 bunch dill, roughly chopped
1 heaped tbsp Bone Broth Concentrate
8 heaped tbsp Chief Unflavoured Collagen Powder
1L boiling water
2 tbsp hulled tahini
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper to season
Method:
- Place a large saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil and leeks, and saute for 3-4 minutes, or until they become soft.
- Add the cauliflower, garlic, boiling water, bone broth, salt, and pepper. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce it back down to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the potato is nice and tender.
- Add the tahini, dill, lemon juice, and zest to the saucepan. Using a stick blender, start to blend the soup until it is smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can also use a heat-safe blender, blending in batches until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Serve on its own, or with a slice of toasted sourdough or gluten-free bread.
Enjoy!
Veronika Larisova
Nutritionist and Exercise Physiologist, Chief Nutrition Pty Ltd
Oven-Roasted Salmon with Brussels Sprouts
A fantastic dinner that is nutrient-dense and so yummy is oven-roasted salmon with dill, butter, and other seasonings. I often pair it with roasted Brussels sprouts and rice of choice (wild rice or black rice). This dinner is so delicious and fast to whip up on busy weeknights. The omega-3 fish oils are rich in salmon along with the protein to support healthy gut and cardiovascular health. The Brussels sprouts provide amazing fiber, and antioxidants to support a good healthy gut microbiome. The choice of rice gives the meal a nice balance of fiber and carbohydrates.
Marcie Vaske
Licensed Nutritionist, Oswald Digestive Clinic
Moroccan Beef and Chickpea Stew
You can’t go wrong with a hearty stew like this Moroccan beef and chickpea stew—it’s high in protein, rich in complex carbs, and loaded with flavor. Roasted chicken is a weekly staple because you can swap out the spices and pair it with any vegetable to round out the meal; spatchcocked Peruvian chicken is a family favorite! As for me, I could happily enjoy a fresh salad or protein bowl any day of the week! These meals are go-to’s for us because they are full of flavor, prioritize protein, and help us fuel our bodies for various levels of activity. Plus, they are kid-approved, and that is always a plus in my book.
Tressa Jamil
Food Blogger, Jamil Ghar
Rich and Tasty Lentil Soup
One of my favorite healthy dinners to go for is a rich and tasty lentil soup. It has a lot of protein, fiber, and key vitamins and minerals. To make it, I begin by cooking onions, carrots, and celery in a little olive oil until they’re soft. Next, I put in dried green lentils, vegetable broth, bay leaves, and a mix of herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, and a dash of red pepper flakes. I let the soup simmer until the lentils get soft and the flavors blend together.
The great thing about this recipe is how flexible it is. You can change it up to fit different tastes and diets. If you want a vegetarian or vegan version just skip the meat broth. To bump up the protein, think about throwing in some cooked chickpeas or quinoa. For a bigger meal, eat the soup with some crusty bread or a whole-grain roll on the side.
What makes this lentil soup a hit in my house is how comforting it tastes, how healthy it is, and how easy it is to make. It’s perfect for busy nights because you can cook a lot at once and keep it in the fridge for a few days. It’s also a great way to get picky eaters to try healthy, plant-based foods.
Amie Alexander
Accredited Dietitian, Gym Enthusiast and Head of Product, Nutri Peak