Try any one of these 12 delicious and healthy 20-minute (or less!) dinner recipes that are perfect for busy evenings! These healthy recipes easy ideas are (or can easily be) gluten free, dairy free, and many are plant-based too!
photo by Pinch of Yum
Yes, it is possible! September is here in just three days (I’m seriously trying not to be sad about it) and it’s probably considered to be one of the “busiest” months of the year for most people. Summer is ending, everyone is getting back into routine, or heading back-to-school, and trying to catch up from taking much needed time off between July and August.
Not only is September a busy month where quick meals are much appreciated, it’s also the start of Fall and we all naturally lean to heartier, often warmer, and cozy-ish meals. Enter these 12 delicious and healthy 20-minute dinner recipes from the Nutrition in the Kitch archives and the rest of the blogosphere!
These tasty dinner ideas are healthy recipes, made with whole food ingredients, fresh recipes packed with veggies, protein, and healthy fats, and can be whipped up super quickly. I often find dinner to be the meal I don’t have a ton of energy for as I’m usually tired after a day of chasing around my toddler and catching up on house chores or creating content/doing research/tackling to-do’s for the blog…or both! My go-to’s are often recipes from this list or other meals that can be on the table in 20-minutes or less.
If you have a busy September ahead, scroll through this delicious list of healthy dinner ideas for inspiration and tell me which one you’ll try first!
The Healthy 20-Minute Dinner Recipes:
Vegan Pad Thai from Choosing Chia
This delicious and healthy noodle dish is made with tofu, a naturally sweetened easy pad Thai sauce and rice noodles. A perfectly filling meal made in no time at all!
Easy Shredded Chicken Tacos from NITK
These tasty tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays. You can make them any night of the week, and very quickly. Made with already cooked rotisserie chicken and a delicious Tinga sauce, these tacos come together in just 15-minutes!
Quick & Easy Chicken Noodle Soup from The Modern Proper
After a long day if you are craving warm and comforting chicken soup, this is a great option (use gluten free noodles if needed!). This soup doesn’t take hours to simmer, rather just 25-minutes or so and it’s ready to be served!
Yummy Salmon Burgers from Pinch Of Yum
These tasty salmon burgers are made with just 5 ingredients and pan-fried very quickly. Use gluten free breadcrumbs or a gluten free option and for dairy free just swap out the yogurt in the slaw for a plain non-dairy yogurt!
Blender Thai Pumpkin Soup from NITK
This delicious and warming fall-inspired soup is made easily using a high-speed blender and canned pumpkin. It’s rich, filling and a perfect healthy 20-minute dinner recipe.
Arugula Salad with Lemon and Chickpeas from Rhubarbarians
If you are craving something on the lighter side, this delicious salad is incredibly fast and easy to whip up and full of healthy proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Zesty Orange Beef & Broccoli Bowls from NITK
A unique and healthy take on beef and broccoli, this delicious stir fry is made with beef, orange, and soba noodles for a dinner that’s quick, easy, and filling.
Skillet Blackened Shrimp Fajitas from The Recipe Critic
This healthy 20-minute dinner recipe is an easy and delicious meal filled with blackened shrimp, peppers and onion. Serve it all up with tortillas, avocado and cilantro for a perfect fast weeknight meal.
Thai Chicken Soup from NITK
Made using a crock-pot express crock or an instant pot (or any other pressure cooker) this delicious chicken soup with vegetables and rice noodles comes together in under 20-minutes.
Lemon Baked Salmon with Garlic Dill Sauce from Minimalist Baker
Serve this quick and tasty baked salmon with an easy garlic dill sauce alongside rice or quinoa and salad or steamed vegetables for a fast and nourishing dinner.
Vegan Mega Burritos from Pinch of Yum
These drool-worthy vegan burritos from the oh-so-talented Pinch Of Yum come together in just 15-minutes. For gluten free simply swap out the flour tortilla for a gluten free tortilla. These will definitely be in my September dinner rotation!
Simple Ginger Soy Poached Salmon Bowl from NITK
Last, but definitely not least, this delicious Salmon bowl is quick, easy, and super flavourful made with a simple poached salmon, and raw or steamed vegetables on a bed of rice or quinoa.
If you are a fan of pork chops you can also try this quick Juicy Baked Pork Chops recipe Juiciest Baked Pork Tenderloin from the Endless Meal.
I hope you loved this little list of healthy and delicious 20-minute dinner recipes to inspire you for September and beyond! Life can definitely get busy, even though so many of us know not to glorify the whole “I’m soooo busy” thing, there are still times of the year that just seem to bring more to our plates. With this list we can worry a little less about what to make for our dinner plates and focus more time and attention on our life plates. That’s something I think all of us can appreciate!
Be sure to pin the photo below to save this list for later and of course, share the love!
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These look so good!!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks Glenda! Enjoy! 🙂