10+ Healthy Family Recipes for Wholesome Weeknight Dinners

Healthy family recipes can make mealtime fun and nutritious for everyone. Finding meals that kids and parents love can be a challenge, but it’s essential for building healthy eating habits.

These recipes are designed to be quick, easy, and packed with flavor, ensuring that your family enjoys their meals while eating well.

Whether you’re planning weeknight dinners or special family gatherings, there is a wealth of options available. Emphasizing fresh ingredients and balanced nutrition can help nurture a love for good food in your home.

With a variety of ideas to choose from, you can create wholesome meals that everyone will look forward to.

1) Chicken in Red Pepper Sauce

Chicken in Red Pepper Sauce is a delicious and healthy option for your family meals. This recipe is quick to make and packed with flavor. You can serve it with pasta, rice, or veggies.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need chicken breasts and a few simple items to create the creamy red pepper sauce. The sauce is made with roasted red peppers, garlic, and cream.

Cook the chicken in a skillet until golden brown. Then, make the sauce by blending the roasted peppers with garlic and cream. Pour the sauce over the chicken and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup roasted red peppers
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
2. Add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown, about 6-7 minutes per side.
3. In a blender, combine roasted red peppers and garlic.
4. Blend until smooth, then add cream and mix well.
5. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the skillet.
6. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.

2) Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup is a perfect dish for busy families. It combines tender chicken, colorful veggies, and delicious spices. The best part is, you can throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

You will need chicken, tomatoes, onion, and beans to start. Don’t forget the tortilla chips for topping! This soup is healthy and full of flavor, making it a hit at the dinner table.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can corn
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla chips for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
2. Add tomatoes, onion, beans, corn, broth, and water.
3. Sprinkle with chili powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (160-180°F or 70-82°C).
5. Shred chicken before serving and top with tortilla chips.

3) Spaghetti Squash with Fresh Tomatoes and Ricotta

This spaghetti squash dish is a light and tasty option for your family. It’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. The blend of fresh tomatoes and creamy ricotta makes it satisfying.

Start by roasting the spaghetti squash until it’s tender. While it cooks, mix together ripe tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil for a burst of freshness. Once the squash is ready, fluff the strands with a fork.

Combine everything in a bowl and add the ricotta cheese. A drizzle of olive oil enhances the flavors. This simple recipe is great for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend family meal.

Ingredients

• 1 spaghetti squash
• 2 cups fresh tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds.
3. Place squash cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes.
4. In a bowl, mix tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Once squash is done, scoop out the strands.
6. Combine squash with tomato mixture and ricotta in a bowl. Serve warm.

4) Sausage and Broccolini Pizza

Sausage and Broccolini Pizza is a tasty way to enjoy a healthy meal with your family. The combination of savory sausage, fresh broccolini, and gooey cheese makes for a satisfying dish.

To start, you can use store-bought pizza dough to save time. Top it with sweet Italian sausage, chopped broccolini, and your favorite cheese.

This pizza not only tastes great but also packs a nutritional punch from the vegetables. It’s perfect for a fun family dinner or a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pizza dough
• 8 ounces sweet Italian sausage
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces broccolini, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. Roll out the pizza dough and place it on a baking sheet.
3. Cook the sausage in a skillet until browned.
4. Add garlic and broccolini; cook for a few minutes.
5. Spread sausage mixture over the dough, top with mozzarella.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden. Enjoy!

5) Honey Sesame Chicken Bowls

Honey Sesame Chicken Bowls are a tasty and healthy option for family meals. They are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. The combination of chicken, rice, and colorful vegetables makes this dish appealing to everyone.

You can easily customize the bowls to include your favorite veggies. Try adding bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas. The sweet and savory honey sesame sauce ties it all together.

These bowls work great for meal prep too. You can make a batch and store them in the fridge for quick lunches or dinners during the week.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, bell peppers)
• ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and cornstarch.
2. Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink.
3. Add the vegetables and sauce to the skillet.
4. Stir and cook until the sauce thickens.
5. Serve over rice.

6) Cottage Cheese Lasagna

Cottage cheese lasagna is a tasty twist on the classic dish. It is lighter and packed with protein, making it a healthy option for families. You will enjoy the creamy texture and rich flavor without the heaviness of traditional ricotta.

Start by layering cooked noodles, a savory meat sauce, and cottage cheese mixed with spinach. This version uses lean ground beef and fresh vegetables, adding nutrition to every bite.

Bake it in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) until bubbly and golden. Your family will love this hearty and healthy meal.

Ingredients

• 9 lasagna noodles
• 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions.
3. In a pan, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat.
4. Mix the cottage cheese with spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. In a baking dish, layer noodles, meat sauce, and cottage cheese mixture.
6. Repeat layers and top with mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until heated through and golden brown.

7) Orange Chicken Bowls

Orange chicken bowls are a delightful and healthy meal option for your family. They offer a burst of flavor with tender chicken and a sweet, zesty sauce. You can easily make them at home, ensuring they are both nutritious and delicious.

To prepare, start with lean ground chicken. Use a simple 4-ingredient orange sauce that is sugar-free. Add some roasted broccoli and a low-carb rice blend for a complete meal.

These bowls are perfect for meal prep. You can make a big batch ahead of time and enjoy them throughout the week. They’re also customizable, so feel free to add your favorite veggies or substitute proteins.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) sugar-free orange sauce
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups low-carb rice blend

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roast the broccoli for 15 minutes.
3. Cook the ground chicken in a pan over medium heat until browned.
4. Stir in the orange sauce and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
5. Serve over rice and enjoy!

8) High-Protein Creamy Pasta

High-protein creamy pasta is a tasty option for a family meal. It combines pasta with chicken and veggies in a rich, creamy sauce. You can enjoy this dish while getting a good amount of protein.

To make it, use pasta of your choice, chicken breast, and your favorite vegetables like broccoli and spinach. A creamy sauce can be made with ingredients like cottage cheese or a light cream.

This dish is not only healthy but also comforting. You can have it ready in about 30 minutes, making it a great choice for busy evenings.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, cook diced chicken until golden brown.
3. Add broccoli and spinach; sauté for 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in cottage cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.
5. Combine with cooked pasta; season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

9) Caprese Chicken

Caprese chicken is a delicious and healthy meal that takes just a few simple ingredients. You can enjoy fresh flavors with minimal effort.

This dish features juicy chicken breasts, ripe tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese. Basil adds an aromatic touch that makes this recipe stand out.

To prepare, season your chicken and sear it in a skillet. Then, add tomatoes and mozzarella for a delightful finish. You can serve it over a bed of greens or with whole grain bread.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Sear the chicken breasts for 5 minutes on each side.
5. Add cherry tomatoes on top and place mozzarella slices.
6. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

10) Salmon with Olive Caper Relish

This Salmon with Olive Caper Relish is a delicious and healthy dinner option. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for family meals.

Start by preheating the oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.

Place the salmon on the baking sheet, skin-side down. Bake the salmon for about 15 minutes, or until it is just cooked through.

While the salmon cooks, make the olive caper relish. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, olives, red onion, parsley, capers, orange zest, salt, and pepper.

Once the salmon is done, top it with the relish. Serve it fresh for a tasty and nutritious dinner.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Red onion
• Fresh parsley
• Capers
• Orange zest
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C).
2. Line a baking sheet with foil.
3. Place the salmon skin-side down on the sheet.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes.
5. In a bowl, mix the tomatoes, olives, onion, parsley, capers, orange zest, salt, and pepper.
6. Top the salmon with the relish before serving.