Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes

Looking for some easy health dinner recipes for weeknights or a weekend in? Cooking for yourself allows you to control the ingredients you use as well as the calorie and fat content of your meals. Eating healthy doesn't have to mean a life of salads with grilled chicken. Try out these easy, healthy dinner recipes that taste just as good as their high-fat, high-calorie versions.

1. Turkey Chili

Turkey is lower in saturated fat than beef, and with all the chili spices in this dish you won't taste the difference. The addition of fresh onion and bell pepper makes for a chunkier chili while sneaking some extra veggies into your diet.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 1 large bell pepper
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• Chili seasoning packet
• 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (14 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14 oz.) can white beans

1. Coarsely chop the onion and pepper and crush or chop the garlic cloves.
2. Heat the olive oil in a stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, pepper, garlic, ground turkey and a pinch of salt and pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently until the turkey is browned and the onion begins to become translucent.
3. Stir in the seasoning packet, then pour in the tomatoes and beans. Reduce to a simmer and cook for at least 30 minutes and up to two hours to allow the flavors to come together. Serve with a sprinkle of low-fat shredded cheddar cheese or non-fat sour cream if desired.

2. Fettuccine with Veggies & Light Alfredo Sauce

This recipe requires a large pot, small saucepan and large skillet, so it might sound complicated, but in fact it's very simple. It can be put together in minutes, tastes just as good as regular Alfredo sauce and packs a variety of healthy veggies. If you're making this for one or two people you'll have plenty of leftovers and it tastes great reheated!

• 1 package Fettuccine (regular or whole-wheat)
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. flour
• 3 cups 2% milk
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 cups vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms or asparagus
• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• One cooked and shredded chicken breast
• 1.4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the Fettuccine to the pot of water and cook according to package directions.
2. Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a small saucepan. When melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth. Slowly pour in the milk, then season with salt and pepper. Cook for ten minutes, whisking occasionally, then add the cheese. Turn off the heat. 
3. While the sauce is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then the vegetables and garlic. Cook until veggies are tender, then add the chicken breast and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for two more minutes, then add the cooked Fettuccine and the Alfredo sauce to the pan with the vegetables. Mix well and serve.