5 of the Easiest Healthy Dinners from Pinch of Yum

If you follow Pinch of Yum’s Lindsay Ostrom, you know that the new mom and former teacher turns out delicious-looking food. Having cooked a ton of her recipes over the years, I can tell you that they taste delicious too. They’re also super approachable, weeknight-friendly, and skew towards the healthy side. Did I mention that they often start with the pantry, so they’re easy on your food budget? Here, Lindsay shares a week’s meal plan with us, and tells us how she does it.

Every year, I host a challenge I call “Sugar Free January” which aims to help readers who want to completely cut out, limit, or even just generally scale back the amount of refined sugar they’re eating. But really, it’s less about cutting things out, and more about eating food that’s vibrant, wholesome, and extremely yummy — not just at the start of the new year, but in all the months beyond, as well. So here’s how I’m keeping the momentum going. These five dinner recipes are all refined-sugar-free while also being super delicious and super comforting. 

I pull this soup recipe out more than any other one. It’s creamy, comforting, nutritious, a little spicy, and it’s just different enough to break up the usual routine. 

Get the recipe: Spicy Peanut Soup

Who doesn’t like a good taco on a Tuesday? And these ones are almost too good. I load up the shrimp with spice and then tuck them in between some smashed avocado and a cabbage slaw that’s heavy with my homemade creamy lime sauce. Yes, yes, and yes.

Get the recipe: Spicy Shrimp Tacos

This healthy-eating-meets-comfort-food dish features Moroccan-spiced chickpeas simmered in a sauce of fire-roasted tomatoes. Then I settle it onto cooked and fluffed couscous, pair it with an easy herby cucumber salad, and finish the whole bowl with some plain yogurt or hummus. As a bonus, this is about as budget-friendly as it gets (helllloooo pantry staples).

Get the recipe: Moroccan Chickpea Bowls

If you can prep the chicken a day or two ahead, this meal comes together in a snap: no cutting boards, no measuring cups or spoons, and no fuss. It’s true weeknight perfection. Just dump it all in the Instant Pot, set it, and go do something you actually want to do on a Thursday night.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Coconut Tandoori Chicken

Another staple around our house, this one feels just a little fancy, but your time in the kitchen doesn’t reflect it. I use whole wheat buttery penne, add some perfectly browned mushrooms, a little sprinkle of salty cheese, and a big ‘ol dollop of walnut pesto. Nom.

Get the recipe: Simple Mushroom Penne with Walnut Pesto

Thanks so much, Lindsay! Follow her at Pinch of Yum, as well as Instagram and Twitter.

Meal planning isn’t always easy — especially if you’re just getting started. But we’re firm believers that it’s the secret to stress-free weeknight dinners. We want to help you find inspiration and ease some of the pain points that come with getting dinner on the table night after night, whether you’re cooking one or a family of four or five. Every week we share a new meal plan solution specifically customized for you from reader requests or from a guest contributor, for Next Week’s Meal Plan!

• The Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning: What to Know, How to Succeed, and What to Skip
• The Best Way to Use a Weekend for Meal Planning Success
• Ask Yourself These 5 Questions Before You Start Meal Planning
• 5 Strategies for Picking Recipes for a Week of Meal Planning

Join Our Meal Plan Club Facebook Group