Recipes and Cooking Quick and Easy Recipes 30-Minute (or Less) Dinners 30-Minute Heart-Healthy Recipes for Your Busiest Weeknights By Nicole Clancy Nicole Clancy Nicole Clancy has been a health and wellness writer since 1990. Her articles have been published all over the world. She explains how choosing to live healthy can be easy, fun and effective. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on July 31, 2022 Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Jacob Fox A homemade dinner is within your reach, every night of the week. No hours of prep, no endless number of pans, no gourmet ingredients or advanced culinary techniques needed. Heart-healthy proteins like chicken and pork, and high fiber veggies, all to your table in 30 minutes or less. Try these quick and easy healthy dinner recipes to feed yourself and your family a delicious meal even on busy nights. 01 of 27 Chile-Lime Tilapia with Corn Saute View Recipe Andy Lyons Fish is a cook's dream because most varieties take less than 10 minutes to grill or sear to perfection. Try tilapia, cod, or sole in this Tex-Mex skillet dinner loaded with color and spice. How to Bake Fish to Flaky Perfection in Minutes 02 of 27 Seared Salmon with Pistachio Gremolata View Recipe Jacob Fox Just one pan and six minutes of cooking time stand between you and this herbaceous salmon supper. That means you have zero excuses to not serve it for dinner tonight! Pair it with a side of quinoa or brown rice to round out the meal. Buy It: All-Clad Fry Pan Set ($60, Bed Bath & Beyond) 03 of 27 Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables View Recipe Jason Donnelly A magical blend of balsamic vinegar, honey, and crushed red pepper makes this chicken dish taste out of the world. With veggies added, this will be an all-in-one meal that's frequently requested for years to come. 04 of 27 Roasted Asparagus, Fish, and Bay Leaves View Recipe Jacob Fox Whether you're eating low-fat, low-carb, Paleo, or Whole 30, this 30-minute heart-healthy recipe fits the bill. If asparagus isn't in season, try the same sheet pan strategy with fresh green beans or Broccolini. 05 of 27 Skillet Lasagna View Recipe Jacob Fox There's not much better than a hot meal in 30 minutes. This lasagna will be a hit for the whole family and comes together way faster in a skillet than a classic baked lasagna. Meat, noodles, and ample cheese. We love everything about it. 06 of 27 Veggie Tostadas with Cauliflower Mash View Recipe Jason Donnelly A cheesy cauliflower puree stands in for refried beans in this vegetarian entrée that proves you can enjoy hearty meals without meat. Stir some black beans into the corn, asparagus, and tomato topping for extra protein. 07 of 27 Spicy Shrimp Pasta View Recipe Kritsada Panichgul The jalapeño chili peppers and garlic are spicy enough to catch your attention without setting your mouth on fire. Top this healthy pasta dinner with parsley for a fresh look and flavor. For a shortcut, using frozen shrimp is an easy and cost-effective choice. 08 of 27 Cilantro Ginger Chicken with Peanuts View Recipe Andy Lyons This 30-minute heart-healthy recipe is an Asian-inspired chicken dish with all your favorite ingredients. The freshness of napa cabbage and a full cup of cilantro combined with succulent chicken and topped with honey-roasted peanuts makes this one of our more flavorful, easy healthy dinner recipes for any weeknight. There's a Scientific Reason Some People Think Cilantro Tastes Like Soap 09 of 27 Quick Eggplant Parmigiana View Recipe Jason Donnelly Cooking eggplant is easy with this parmigiana recipe. One pan, 30 minutes to cook, and packed with flavor. You'll feel like you're dining on a meal prepared at a gourmet Italian restaurant. Buy It: Cuisinart Nonstick Skillet ($30, Target) 10 of 27 Salmon with Lemon and Herbs View Recipe Blaine Moats If you're looking for a seafood dinner, give this one a try. Simple herbs, plus simple fish, equals delicious. Pair with rice pilaf or a fresh green salad to round out this easy healthy recipe. 11 of 27 Farfalle with Mushrooms and Spinach View Recipe Kritsada Panichgul This pasta dinner comes together lightning fast. Farfalle pasta, also known as bow tie, is a thicker pasta, so it stands up to the mushrooms, spinach, and garlic. This hearty dish is packed with vitamins and minerals, and you won't believe it has less than 10 ingredients. Restaurant-Caliber Pasta Recipes 12 of 27 Tahini-Ginger Noodles and Veggies View Recipe Andy Lyons Nope, that's not Alfredo sauce you see! Nutty tahini is the base of the rich, gingery sauce that coats each bite of linguine, broccoli, carrots, and peas. Buy It: Joyva Tahini ($8, Target) 13 of 27 Basil Halibut with Jalapeno Butter View Recipe Blaine Moats Warning: Things are about to get real toasty. Butter-seared jalapeños give flaky, iron-rich grill halibut an undeniable kick. If the weather isn't cooperating for outdoor grilling, take things inside with a grill pan. Buy It: Calphalon Square Grill Pan ($30, Bed Bath & Beyond) 14 of 27 Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken with Fingerlings View Recipe Karla Conrad This bright and delicious chicken dinner is a 30-minute heart-healthy recipe. You'll love the flavorful twist of adding thyme to the classic chicken and potatoes combo. You can incorporate additional herbs like basil, oregano, and rosemary for more flavor-building. 15 of 27 Greens, Cannellini Beans, and Andouille Sausage Pan Stew View Recipe Andy Lyons Thanks to reduced-sodium chicken broth and chicken sausage, this stew is healthier than it sounds. Cannellini beans give it an even bigger protein boost and a dose of fiber, while onions add tender crunch. 16 of 27 Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts View Recipe Andy Lyons If sautéed chicken breast is your go-to easy recipe for dinner, take it to the next level with a creamy cheese stuffing. Crumbled feta teams up with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil to upgrade your dinner in less than half an hour. 17 of 27 Chicken with Parmesan Noodles View Recipe Blaine Moats Chicken and noodles come together fast for a hungry family. Add carrots or any of your favorite veggies for variety. Serve with a fresh spinach salad to up the fiber. 18 of 27 Chicken Meatball Noodle Bowl View Recipe Andy Lyons The next time you crave takeout, try our rice-noodle bowl, complete with juicy ginger-spiced chicken meatballs and a refreshing shredded salad. This low-cal, easy recipe is ready in under 25 minutes—probably faster than delivery! 19 of 27 Garlic Lime Pork with Farro and Kale View Recipe Karla Conrad Delicious is the word that best describes this 20-minute meal. Lime juice, honey, and peanut butter combine to add nutrients to this meal—and tons of flavor. Farro (a whole grain) and kale round out this dish for a complete, satisfying, easy, and healthy dinner. 20 of 27 Turkey Steaks with Spinach, Pears, and Blue Cheese View Recipe Andy Lyons Turkey tenderloins stacked with deliciousness in just about 20 minutes. Browned pears, lightly wilted spinach, and crumbled blue cheese will have you cooking up this easy healthy dinner recipe again and again. 21 of 27 Lemon Dill Shrimp Pasta View Recipe Andy Lyons Fresh, light, and ready to eat in 25 minutes, this pasta dish can't be beaten. This yummy dinner is cooked in a single skillet and each ingredient added builds the flavor. Keep some sauce on the side to use with chicken or turkey for another night. 22 of 27 Smoked Salmon Flatbread View Recipe Andy Lyons Coming in at just under 300 calories, this salmon recipe is short on time, not on flavor. The radishes and capers are the stars of the show offering just a hint of spice and zest. It's a simple yet decadent—but healthy—30-minute meal. 23 of 27 Scallops and Spinach with Pomegranate Glaze View Recipe Scott Little Coriander-spiced pomegranate glaze adds a sweet and spicy zip to this savory scallop recipe. For a vitamin-rich base, toss spinach into the skillet for just a few minutes to slightly wilt. 24 of 27 Apple Pecan Pork Chops View Recipe Jacob Fox Apple and pork are two flavors commonly served together. Try this refreshing twist by adding pecans. In total, three steps to a perfectly cooked pork chop dinner. Chicken or turkey makes an excellent lean protein substitute with these flavors. 25 of 27 Smoky Slider Skewers View Recipe Blaine Moats These ground beef sliders use seven ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen or pantry. The recipe is so basic, but this meal feels like a treat. Whip up this healthy dinner in 30 minutes and serve with corn tortillas. 26 of 27 Grilled Salmon with Leeks and Rosemary-Mustard Butter View Recipe Andy Lyons If you haven't thought of flavoring butter before, you will now. The rosemary and mustard combination will make your taste buds sing. An added bonus—this meal is packed with heart-healthy salmon for big nutrition. 27 of 27 Buffalo Chicken Pizza View Recipe Andy Lyons This pizza is a complete meal from your oven to the table in mere minutes. Its premade ingredients mean all that's left for you to do is assemble and serve. The blue cheese dressing with the chicken takes this entrée from ordinary to extraordinary. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit