After a long day of work or completely sweating it out at the gym, sometimes we don’t want to put too much labor into cooking. If you want to make something delicious for dinner, you don’t have to use a ton of heavy cream or smother your food in gravy. Eating a light and healthy meal can be delicious and feel rewarding. If your goal is to prepare healthy meals for yourself or for your family and kids, there are so many options for everyone. From delicious salads to chicken and rice dinners to light pasta recipes, there are so many ways to experiment in the kitchen.

Starting a weight loss journey can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that feeling good and eating right is what matters. Some might prefer a meat-based meal while others prefer a vegan or vegetarian meal. If you’re looking for ways to eat healthier, here are some light dinner ideas to make throughout the week.

Zucchini Spaghetti

Ingredients:

• Zucchini Noodles
• Olive Oil
• Chopped Onion
• Minced garlic
• Marinara Sauce
• Ground Beef
• Seasonings: Oregano, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper, Garlic and Onion Powder
• Basil
• Parmesan Cheese

For this healthy recipe, you’ll be replacing your pasta noodles with zucchini. Use a vegetable spiralizer to cut your zucchini into noodles, or buy them premade from your local grocery store. In a pot, sauté your onions and garlic in some olive oil and cook your ground beef in the same pot on medium-low. After it’s fully cooked, pour in your marinara sauce and let it simmer, then add your zucchini noodles and cook for about three minutes or until tender. Add your seasonings to the pot. Add your basil and parmesan and stir until the spaghetti is well combined. Serve and enjoy. This dish is so good that you won’t even miss the noodles and it’s super kid-friendly.

Blackened Shrimp Salad

Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Seasonings: Old Bay Blackened Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder
• Salad dressing of your choice
• Salad mix
• Corn
• Parmesan Cheese
• Avocado
• Black Beans

This light dinner idea is filling and delicious. Start by peeling and cleaning your shrimp. Season your shrimp with your seasonings and cook until it’s fully cooked or blackened. In a bowl, combine your salad mix, corn, avocado, black beans and shrimp. Mix with a vinaigrette and toss the salad until well combined. Serve and enjoy.

Lemon Pasta Herb Salad

Ingredients:

• Pasta of your choice
• Olive oil
• Whole grain mustard
• Juice of two lemons
• Lemon zest
• Minced garlic
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
• Chopped cucumber
• Feta cheese

To make this lemony pasta herb salad, start by boiling your pasta noodles per package instructions. After it’s done cooking, toss it in olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking. In a bowl, combine your mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic and seasonings. Stir until it’s well combined. Add cucumbers, feta cheese and pasta and toss until everything is mixed well together. This pasta salad is the perfect dish to bring to summer parties or to just make as a light dinner idea.

Salmon and Rice

Ingredients:

• Salmon filets
• Seasonings: Old Bay, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
• Olive oil
• Rice

It doesn’t get more simple and healthy than salmon and rice. This light dinner idea is quick and easy to make. Just season up your salmon with your seasonings and rub a little bit of olive oil on it. Cook it in a pan or air fryer and serve with your favorite rice on the side.

Lemon Garlic Chicken with Sides

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs
• Butter
• Minced garlic
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
• Juice of half a lemon
• Lemon slices (garnish)
• Chicken stock
• Parsley

For the sides:

• Asparagus
• Rice
• Oven Roasted Potatoes

To make this chicken bursting with flavors of lemon and garlic, start by combining your seasonings in a bowl. Rub the seasoning mixture generously all over the chicken. In a hot cast iron skillet, add your butter or olive oil and sear the chicken, cooking 6-7 minutes on each side or until it’s golden brown. Take the chicken out and let it rest. While that’s resting, use the same skillet to melt some butter and add your minced garlic and parsley. Pour in your chicken stock and lemon juice, letting that simmer and thicken for a few minutes while continuing to stir. Add your chicken back in the pot and let it simmer for a few minutes before serving with your favorite vegetable and side dish.