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Cooking a delicious meal while listening to my favorite tunes is one of the ways I relax. But weeknights can be pretty hectic. That’s when I turn to easy recipes to get a nutritious meal on the table in no time. These delicious dinners this week will not only make your night easier, but they’re also about 500 calories per serving, which is enough to satisfy most people. But remember, these numbers are just a guide, so listen to your hunger and fullness cues.
Weekly Plan
Sunday: Chicken cutlet with sun-dried tomato cream sauce
Monday: Crispy tomato and leek gnocchi
Tuesday: Chickpea, beet and feta salad with lemon garlic vinaigrette
Wednesday: Pesto Salmon
Thursday: Grilled beef and vegetable kebab
Friday: Chicken Piccata Casserole
Sunday: Chicken cutlets with sun-dried tomato cream sauce
Blaine Moats
If you haven’t tried this recipe, you’re definitely missing out! The sun-dried tomato sauce is light, creamy and flavorful, and the parsley on top adds a fresh flavor. To make this a complete meal, serve it over riced cauliflower. It’s pretty easy to make from scratch, but I buy frozen riced cauliflower to save some time.
Total calories: 504 (include ⅔ cup cauliflower rice
Monday: Crispy tomato and leek gnocchi
What I love about this dish is that it’s simple yet packed with nutrients. Tomatoes and scallions provide anti-inflammatory nutrients that support overall health. Parmesan and sage add comfort and freshness to this recipe. I love making gnocchi from scratch, but if you’re done cooking the day before, I use store-bought to simplify this dish. To garnish, I serve mixed greens with this vibrant Lemon Basil Vinaigrette.
Total calories: 515 (including 2 cups salad and 2 tablespoons dressing)
Tuesday: Chickpea, beet and feta salad with lemon garlic vinaigrette
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Adeline Evans
Summer is the perfect season to enjoy a vibrant salad like this. Darkly colored vegetables like carrots and beets are packed with antioxidants that fight oxidative stress, which in the long run increases the risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease. That’s why it’s important to eat vegetables in every color of the rainbow. Feta cheese adds creamy richness, and a tangy lemon and garlic dressing holds it all together. To complete the meal and top off the protein, serve with simple but delicious pan-seared chicken breasts.
Total calories: 501 (including 1 breast)
Wednesday: Pesto Salmon
If, like me, you eat with your eyes first, you’ll love this recipe. Colorful cherry tomatoes and basil pesto add beautiful color and fresh flavor to the dish. Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, a powerful nutrient that helps reduce chronic inflammation. To make it a complete meal, lightly toast some whole wheat pita and scoop up all the delicious tomatoes.
Total calories: 519 (including a small 4-inch whole wheat pita bread)
Thursday: Grilled beef and vegetable kebabs
Fire up the grill and make this recipe is the perfect way to ring in the holiday weekend. Although the recipe calls for marinating the meat for 2 hours, I plan to do that step the night before so the kebabs can infuse with all the flavor of the spices, vinegar, and mustard. This Quinoa Avocado Salad is the perfect pairing for these beef kebabs, providing a satisfying dose of fiber and healthy fats.
Total calories: 513 (including 1 salad)
Friday: Chicken Piccata Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This one-pan recipe is perfect for busy weeknights with easy cleanup. Lemon slices sautéed in butter help offset the bitter flavor. Whole-grain orzo and kale provide a satisfying 9 grams of fiber. Serve with a basic green salad tossed in vinaigrette.
Total calories: 529 (including 2 salads)
I hope you all have a great week, I hope you enjoy this dinner plan, if you try the recipes don’t forget to add a review!
