5 Easy & Healthy Workweek Dinner Ideas

I was in a routine of rotating the same meals. But given I am on the verge of obtaining my next fantastic vocation; I had more time last month to play around with new dinner ideas in the kitchen. At the encouragement from some of my high school friends to share my findings, I promised to reveal my killer (but super easy) ideas. No more boring workweek dinners; let’s get this party started.

1. CARBLESS GAME CHANGER: ZUCCHINI NOODLES (ZOODLES)

Ever the mindful spender, instead of buying a scmancy spiralizer, I opted for the old school cheese grater that set me back a mere $3.99 at the grocery store. Not only was I saving money, I would sneak in a bonus arm workout. Shred/spiral two zucchinis and set aside. Brown 1lb lean ground beef (or turkey or you could go beyondmeat), seasoned to spice tolerance/taste liking with crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, garlic, and basil and mix with zoodles and marinara sauce. For more vegetable noodle recipes that taste like pasta, click here.

2. EXOTIC FLAVOR: TJ’S THAI RED CURRY SAUCE

What if you could have curry without ordering takeout?! Thaw pre-cooked shrimp the night before by placing in a strainer, covering, and placing aforementioned strainer in a bowl. Hit up Trader Joe’s for their prepackaged ready-to-eat lentils, riced cauliflower (so hot right how), and a can of garbanzo beans. In a large pot, heat lentils, cauli, and garbanzos with coco oil, curry, and garlic powder. Place thawed shrimp in a skillet with TJ’s red curry sauce and once hot, pour curried shrimp over lentil mixture.

3. GRAB-N-GO: TURKEY MEATLOAF MUFFINS

HEY MA! THE MEATLOAF! Use your muffin pan to bake up cute little hand held portions. Also, in lieu of crackers or breadcrumbs, I pulverize oats in the nutribullet to help with binding, and in a large mixing bowl, add egg, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, mustard, sage, crushed red pepper, garlic, salt, pepper. Bake, and enjoy with a pickle and some mustard.

4. SLOW-CLAP-AT-FIRST BITE FISH TACOS

So summer. Line a pan with parchment paper or foil. Mix olive oil, chopped cilantro, chili powder, crushed red pepper, and cumin in a bowl. Brush over fish filets and bake. Warm corn tortillas on the stove and complete with fish, sliced cabbage for a crunch, lime-juice, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.

5. NOT A DINNER BUT IT COULD BE: PROTEIN PANCAKES

Since I have been making these hotcakes for a few years, this idea is not hot n’ fresh out the kitchen but nevertheless, it still needs to be shared. In a large mixing bowl, combine vanilla protein powder, honey, salt, ground oats, banana, vanilla extract, cinnamon, almond milk, and eggs. Fold in raw pecans. Heat coco oil in skillet and pour ¼ cup mixture into HOT pan. Flip when you see bubbles, approx. one Murray/Djokovic rally. You can also swap the banana + pecan flavors for sweet potato or for berries. When was the last time you had blueberry pancakes?

Images via www.bettycrocker.com