Weeknights get so hectic that families resort to a mishmash of takeout to feed the family at dinner time. Here’s a healthier, better way to do meal time – Healthy Dinner Recipes that are WAY better than takeout! Bonus: They taste phenomenal.
No need to spend cash on takeout on a busy weeknight. These Healthy Dinner Recipes are WAY better than takeout. No artificial anything, and nothing you wouldn’t want to feed the family. Just everyday ingredients tossed together to create easy, healthy meals that taste even better than takeout.
Way Better Than Takeout:
- One-Pan Thai Fried Rice (GF). We love our Thai fried rice at the local Thai restaurant, but it’s just so much healthier and easier to whip this up in under 30 minutes at home. It’s a family favorite.
2. 20-Minute Vietnamese Spring Roll Bowls – yeah, you could meander through the crowded Vietnamese takeout to grab your spring rolls. OR you could take less than 30 minutes to toss together this healthy, fresh, clean bowl of goodness packed with flavor.
3. 30-Minute Nacho Chicken Soup. My family loves their soup when fall hits. Mexican flavors are a favorite of theirs. But where else can you get such an easy, healthy, boldly flavored soup in less than 30 minutes…your own kitchen? 🙂
4. Chicken Shawarma (Easy and Healthy). Ok, I’m a sucker for our local Naf Naf Grill. It’s my healthy fast food, guiltless pleasure. But sometimes I just want to make a bunch of Shawarma at home and plenty of leftovers for tomorrow, ya know? And truthfully, this DIY version tastes better.
5. One-Pan Oven Baked Fajitas. A sizzling order of fajitas is mine at every Mexican restaurant we sit down at. But when we’re in between soccer games midweek, we whip up super-easy, healthy, ultra-tasty baked chicken fajitas at home.
6. Thai Stir Fry Noodles – Pad See Ew. I love me some Pad See Ew, but it’s almost always too greasy when ordered at restaurants. You can easily make this toothsome, delightfully flavored Thai noodle dish at home, with much less grease.
7. 30-Minute Skinny Orange Chicken. It’s done in under 30 minutes, it’s skinny, and it’s boldly flavorful. Serve over a bed of fluffy Jasmine rice – you’re about to become weeknight dinner super hero.
8. Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls. Just like Chipotle but seriously way better. Because you can make it precisely the way you like it. No skimping on the chicken and fresh veggies here. ** Plus yummy cilantro-lime rice!
9. 30-Minute Asian Orange Beef. Ever had overly greasy, tough-ish beef without much orange flavor? This is NOT that. Here’s your answer to tender, non-greasy, and ultra fresh flavored orange beef. Even if you’re afraid of beef…try this one. It’s amazing, my friends.
10. Easy, Spicy Thai Peanut Noodles. My man can eat an entire pot of this. We just saw it on a menu recently, but declined to order it because well, because this:
11. Mexican Chicken Burrito Bowl. Takeout can’t hold a candle to this homemade burrito bowl. It’s packed with only the good stuff, boldly flavored, and ultra satisfying.
12. 30-Minute Spaghetti Carbonara. I can’t say if you’d find spaghetti carbonara at a takeout anywhere, but no matter. It takes only 30 minutes to whip up this super fresh, tasty carbonara. Add bacon, chicken, or sausage for extra satisfaction.
13. P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef Copycat. Is it technically a copycat if it’s healthier and tastier than theirs? You decide.
14. Chinese Fried Rice. My family’s favorite. Handed down from generations. Not greasy, super fresh, and oh-soooo-good. Make it meatless if you wish. We never eat fried rice at any restaurants ever, because of this.
15. Perfectly Creamy Mac ‘n Cheese. You could order mac ‘n cheese from that famous noodle company, but why? You’ll wonder where this luscious, creamy, reheat-friendly recipe has been all your macaroni life.
16. Chicken Tikka Masala. Move over, Indian takeout. This homemade chicken tikka masala is the bee’s knees. Be sure to have plenty of Naan bread on hand to soak up the velvety goodness. Perfect over basmati rice. Just perfect.
17. Indian Tandoori Chicken. While we’re at it, this Indian Tandoori Chicken is unbelievably easy and delicious. Healthy to boot.
18. Juicy, Tender Meatloaf. I mean, there’s takeout meatloaf but then there’s this. Supremely juicy, never dry, tender, and perfectly flavored meatloaf you can feel good about serving the family.
19. Last but most definitely not least, our family’s favorite 20-Minutes Skillet Lo Mein. You just can’t get it this fresh and healthy anywhere else but home.
*If you make any of our dishes, snap a pic and show it off on Instagram! Hashtag it #chewoutloud so we can see your awesomeness!
So many choices, so many good choice at that. I’ve booked marked this in my food folder. The 30 minutes are less will come in handing on soccer/basketball nights. I won’t feel bad making them something healthy rather than getting then fast food. I can’t wait to try these out
I know, I use these during soccer nights as well 🙂 Enjoy, Cia, and thanks for bookmarking!
def the burrito bowl is my favorite and the chinese fried chicken!!! the best of it is that
it’s healthy
The burrito bowl & chicken are both awesome 🙂 Healthy + yummy. Enjoy and happy cooking!
Ohhh, I just got a few ideas for our busy week nights. I had grabbing takeout but it’s so convenient. Now I can just whip up one of these new meals!
I know, takeout is way too easy, right?! 🙂 But yes, try one of these and see what you think 🙂
So many great choices. Now only if someone would come cook for me. I am a bit lazy to cook for myself 🙂
❥ tanvii.com
LOL, luckily, these recipes are lazy-cook style…that’s often me! 🙂
I’ve recently made a goal to not eat out as much and this just did it for me! These dishes look SO good and the fact that I can actually make it in the comfort of my own kitchen… AWESOME!
Me too, Gracie, I’m really trying not to eat out as much b/c you just don’t know what you’re getting 🙂 Enjoy!
That skinny orange chicken sounds like something my family would love. I always love a healthier alternative to fast food!
So happy you like it! Enjoy 🙂
I have to bookmark this page. I love quick meals and healthy is a plus! I make some of these already but you’ve given me a few other ideas. Thanks!
That’s awesome you already make some of these 🙂 I love healthy & quick too. Kind of the motto around here, except for cookies 😉
These look like some amazing and delicious recipes! I will have to try some of them on my family!
Hope your fam loves these as much as ours do 🙂 Enjoy!
Holy moly, these look so good! Amazing dishes, and awesome pics!!
Thanks so much, glad you like! 🙂
I like the international flavors in this article. So interesting and so mouth-watering. How I wish I can prepare them all at home, but sometimes it is so easy to just buy. Hehe.
I know it, Fred! 😉 I’m with you on the diverse flavors, too…it’s how we grew up 🙂
Wow I love this whole roundup. I’m super allergic to peanuts. I was surprised that a lot of your Thai recipes didn’t have it. And if they did, you put it in the title, which I love as well!
So glad you like the peanut-free versions! 🙂
Definitely saving ALL of these! I am addicted to eating out but mostly because I don’t really know how to make anything I want, but I’m going to give it a try, especially the lo mein! Yum!
Hee hee… I think you’ll LOVE what you make 🙂 Enjoy and happy cooking!
Looks like a fab range of recipes. Good to know these are just 30 mins preparations. It would be great if you can come up with such a range of veggie recipes too, so it would be helpful for people like me!!!
Sounds good; on many of these, you can also just omit the meat for meatless version 🙂 Lo mein here is meatless – YUM 🙂
I will def be trying out these dishes. They look incredible! My mouth was watering while I was reading through them.
Kimberly Love
Author
You Taste Like Whiskey and Sunshine
http://www.kimmilove.com
So glad you like them, Kimberly! 🙂
wowowow! your pictures look so good! I been trying to cook at home but all the long processes make me not want to. But your recipes are only 30mins i think i will give it a go. Thanks
Those dish looks so delicious and tempting. Mouth-watering. What I really like is the Borrito bowl and pasta Carbonara.
You can’t go wrong with either one 🙂
now i’m craving for food.. hahaha you just made me wanna go out and go foodtripping.. these are such wonderfully captured photos and makes a reader appreciate them.. cheers and more articles like this please 🙂