It’s hard to be creative about food every single day, as we all learned during the pandemic. To help out, we’ve compiled some of our favorite, healthy (ish) dinner ideas for when you’re done trying to come up with something new.

Protein-Oriented Recipes

Getting some extra protein is a mainstay of all kinds of healthy eating programs. If you eat meat, why not try the Turkey Zucchini Meatballs from Yotam Ottolenghi? It’s super delicious, and meatballs are usually an easy sell for the kids (if you have them).

Seafood fans will want to try this Poached Salmon with Herb and Caper Vinaigrette from America’s Test Kitchen. Foolproof and relatively quick, this dish is more than the sum of its parts. Serve it with a veggie that roasts up quickly, like asparagus, and you have a healthy dinner in next to no time.

Add some spice to your life with these Sambal Shrimp Lettuce Wraps by Bon Appetit. Half the fun is putting them together and getting a little messy.

If the weather is cooperating, you could fire up the grill and try this marinated Jamaican Jerk Chicken from Food and Wine. Aside from the overnight marination, the recipe comes together in minutes.

Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

Eating less meat is a health goal for many people, and these healthy dinner ideas offer a delicious way to meet that objective.

First, why not make this protein-packed Lentil Chili from the Food Network? It’s the perfect dinner for an unexpectedly chilly night. Plus, it makes enough to have some leftover for lunch (unless you have a big family).

Or, if you’d like something a little bit more show-stopping, these Herb-Crusted Cauliflower Steaks with Beans and Tomatoes from Epicurious will do the trick. It feels fancy enough to put on the menu for a dinner party. On the other hand, it’s also sufficiently delicious that it’s worth the effort, even if you’re just cooking for yourself.

For a lightened-up pasta-adjacent dish, try the Spaghetti Squash with Fresh Tomatoes and Ricotta from the Food Network.

Or, if you are ready to double down on the healthiness factor, have a salad for dinner like the  Som Tam Thai Salad by Lady and Pups. It’s wildly addictive and nutritious at the same time.

Jamie Oliver has a fantastic recipe for Miso-Grilled Aubergine and Cucumber Pickle Rice Bowl. For those who’ve never hopped across the pond, aubergine is what folks from the UK call eggplant, and paired with miso, it’s ridiculous. With under ten ingredients, this dish takes an hour or less to pull off. And, it’s so good that it’s likely to be added to your constant rotation of dishes.

Super Fast

When you’re in a rush, you want food that’s fast without being fast food. Try these vegan Garlic Sriracha Noodles from Bad Manners. This dish is packed with broccolini and edamame, so it totally counts as healthy.

Next, this Black Pepper Beef and Celery Stir Fry from Bon Appetit is delicious, only uses one skillet, and is a cinch to prepare. Bonus: you can substitute different vegetables if you prefer them, and it will still taste just as delicious.

Lastly, this Red Pepper and Parmesan Tilapia by Taste of Home has only six ingredients and can be on the table in twenty minutes.

Want more recipes and ideas? Check out all of Tattooed Women’s food posts here!