Planning dinner can sometimes be stressful. There may be a time crunch, sometimes I didn’t plan ahead, sometimes I didn’t make it to the grocery store, and sometimes not everyone can agree on what to make for dinner. I found that last one to be true over the course of this past year when I temporarily lived at home with my family of 6.
After moving to Atlanta and into an apartment with Casey and Blakely, I have finally got my bearings on a good dinner rotation. I know which meals both Casey and I like and luckily, Casey is the least picky eater out there!
Trying new recipes and foods has been something I’ve enjoyed doing this past year. I didn’t always enjoy cooking, and I wasn’t always good at it, but the quarantine back in March and April of 2020 whipped me into shape!!
Below I’ve compiled a list of my favorite dinners that I cook for Casey and I. These are all great options for if you’re trying to eat healthier, but aren’t sure how to begin. Cooking at home instead of eating out is a great place to start!
SHRIMP MACROBIOTIC BOWL by ItsCourtFit
You might be wondering what the heck is a macrobiotic bowl?? According to Google, it is a combination of grains, vegetables, beans or fish, and fermented foods. What I love most about these bowls are how convenient and easy they are… while also being totally delicious. I used to make this dish all the time last summer, and I’m sure to bring it back this summer too. It’s fresh, it’s healthy, and it takes like 10 minutes all together. I topped this bowl with a yummy pesto from Trader Joe’s, but you could also use whatever sauce or dressing you like.
I combined brown rice, black beans and corn, lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado and pan seared shrimp. For the shrimp: I bought 1 lb frozen uncooked pealed and deveined medium shrimp. Once thawed, I tossed the shrimp in salt and pepper and a little lemon for flavor. I heated a skillet on medium and then added 1 tablespoon of butter (you can use olive oil for healthier alternative). Once melted, I added two small spoonfuls of minced garlic and then added some of the shrimp, cooking until pink. I then flipped the shrimp with tongs and moved to a plate once done. Finally, add the second batch of shrimp and repeat!
HEALTHY BAKED CHICKEN NUGGETS by Skinny Taste
This is a meal that I have made countless times, yet never get tired of. Casey and I love adding this into the dinner rotation for an easy and delicious chicken staple. This meal is fun because you can play around with the sides. We usually pair this with a bunch of roasted veggies and mashed potatoes then top it off with our favorite dipping sauce for the chicken (usually ketchup) and bam: you have a perfect balanced, filling dinner.
GRILLED LEMON HERB CHICKEN ORZO SALAD by Half Baked Harvest
I don’t know about you, but in the summer I crave a fresh green salad more than any other time of the year. Casey’s mom made this for us the other week and TRULY it is so good. I think salad’s might get a bad rep for not being filling, but this chicken orzo salad definitely left the whole table feeling full.
The lemony herb chicken combined with the orzo rice and fresh greens and avocado and bacon and wow. Just so much goodness all combined into one meal. Not to mention this meal is incredibly healthy filled with good foods to nourish your body.
STUFFED BELL PEPPERS by Downshiftology
Stuffed bell peppers are a great alternative to using a tortilla with tacos if you’re wanting a low carb version. And also just to get more veggies in. This recipe is super easy and they turned out DELISH.
I will say with this meal if you have a sensitive stomach like me, bell peppers can be hard to digest. I had 1 and a half and was in bed having the worst stomach pains after. But also Casey had 2 peppers and was totally fine and content after so it may be just me lol. I just wanted to disclose that just in case, but this recipe is still amazing and makes a great stuffing so when I remake this I will be eating the stuffing in a tortilla or bowl. 🙂
INSTANT POT SHRIMP RISOTTO by Stay Snatched
This one is so fun!!! Casey’s mom found an instant pot for us on Facebook Market and I’ve loved using it. If you don’t have an instant pot, you can just do everything separately instead of all in one pot. Cook the risotto, saute the shrimp and spinach and then roast the asparagus.
If you do have an instant pot, this meal is incredibly easy and leaves you full in the best way. I’ve made this for Casey and I a few times and we are always going back for seconds. It also makes great leftovers for lunch the next day.
TACO BOWL by ItsCourtFit
Okay, if you’re looking for a dinner idea so easy, so simple, and so delish, this is it. You can’t go wrong with tacos!!! I made a whole blog post on how I make this (super straightforward), so go check it out!
This is a meal we make pretty often because it’s just so dang easy and good. It also is a good way to meal prep and making a different combination for lunch the next day. For example, a taco salad or a burrito. There’s so much you can do here with these ingredients!
SHEET PAN DINNER: PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN by Lemons and Zest
Now for another easy dinner and clean up: a simple sheet pan dinner. Technically this can all go on one pan for an even simpler version, but the pans I had weren’t big enough for all of the food. For this recipe we made a quick Parmesan crusted chicken and roasted green beans and red potatoes. It really doesn’t get easier than that! This dinner is the perfect combination for an easy, healthy, & satisfying meal.
I hope you feel inspired from these 7 delicious recipes I have tried and loved! Let me know in the comments which meal you would want to make first! 🙂
Stay Well,
Courtney
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