31 Healthy Meals You Can Make in 10 Minutes or Less (Dinner)
The addition of cashews—a good source of bone-building phosphorus, energy-producing magnesium, and other minerals—makes pesto incredibly creamy. Make the sauce in a food processor, spiralize zucchini (or use a vegetable peeler), and combine the two, then dig in!
Fried rice is a dream for cooks pressed on time, and this version is no exception. Leftover brown rice works best for this but, if you’re in a pinch, microwaveable rice stands in well. Peas, eggs, and corn get tossed in with salty soy sauce and rice vinegar. Mix in any of your other favorite vegetables too; you really can’t go wrong.
Because it cooks so quickly, shrimp is the perfect protein for busy evenings. Season with paprika, cumin, cayenne, and cinnamon (yes, cinnamon; it adds warmth) for maximum taste, and sauté for just minutes in butter. Toss with fresh lime juice and a homemade honey lime dipping sauce that tempers the heat of the crustaceans.
Crunchy, oven-baked corn tortillas star in this meal. Once they’re golden and crispy, top with refried beans (or any basic beans), lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, avocado—this is one recipe to have fun with and see what combinations you can create.
With five ingredients and 10 minutes, dinner is ready. Cooking the broccoli with a Parmesan rind infuses cheesy flavor into every spoonful, and a touch of soy adds umami—that savory “something” that you can’t quite describe but taste hints of (in a good way). This pureed soup packs vitamins C, A, and B6, plus phytochemicals that may fend off cancer.
As if the ingredients alone weren’t enough to draw us in, this meal is also speedier than Usain Bolt (OK, may not). Nuke a potassium-rich sweet potato, then scrambled the insides with protein-rich eggs. Stuff all that goodness back into the tater shell and top with cilantro, avocado, salsa, and Greek yogurt. We think we’re in love.
A complete seafood dinner in 10 minutes? Oh yes. While the salmon sears on the stove, toss arugula with a lemon-olive oil vinaigrette, cubed avocado, and Parmesan. Once the fish is done, plate it on top of the salad. Your heart will thank you, since two servings of fatty fish weekly may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.
There’s a reason why rice and beans are so popular: They’re inexpensive and easy—but they can be boring. Not so in this flavorful take. Traditional Latin spices like sofrito, cumin, and chili powder are added to cooked rice. Toss in green chile peppers for heat, black beans for protein, and you have a full meal in no time.
When you want chili and you want it now, pull this recipe out. Using your favorite store-bought salsa speeds things up, and there’s not even any dicing or chopping involved. Use ground lean beef or turkey, and top with your favorite fixings like sour cream, corn, avocado, or fresh-squeezed lime juice.
Forget frozen pizza or delivery—this pie is ready even faster! Use a whole-wheat pita as the crust, and top with barbecue sauce, red onion, mozzarella, and precooked chicken (leftover or rotisserie from the store work well). Microwave until the cheese is perfectly melted, and go ahead—eat the whole thing!
Stir-fries are a natural when you want a healthy meal fast, plus they’re an easy way to pack in vegetables: This recipe includes onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and 2 cups of spinach per serving—that alone provides about a third of the daily recommendation of vitamin A, plus loads of vitamin K and some potassium, nutrients that are important for healthy eyes, bones, and heart health.
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