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4 Easy WEEKNIGHT Dinner Recipes | Healthy & Easy to Make

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Meghan Livingstone
Meghan Livingstone
6 recipes on Enhanced Recipes
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Recipes in this Video

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Originating from the heart of Italian cuisine, pasta is a staple that has found its way into homes worldwide. This dish combines the rich flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and the freshness of spinach, making it a delightful and colorful meal. Often enjoyed as a quick weeknight dinner, it showcases the versatility of pasta and the ease of incorporating vegetables, appealing to both traditional and modern palates.

Ingredients

  • pasta
  • sun-dried tomatoes
  • fresh spinach
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • red pepper flakes
  • basil
  • chicken broth
  • lemon juice
  • pine nuts

Instructions

  1. 1Boil water in a large pot and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. 2Drain pasta and reserve a cup of pasta water.
  3. 3Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
  4. 4Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. 5Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  6. 6Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes to soften.
  7. 7Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  8. 8Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
  9. 9Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine.
  10. 10If the mixture is dry, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  11. 11Stir in lemon juice, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
  12. 12Remove from heat and fold in grated parmesan cheese and basil.
  13. 13Serve hot, garnished with additional parmesan and toasted pine nuts.

Ingredient Alternatives

parmesan cheese

Healthier: nutritional yeast

Cheaper: grated mozzarella

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

pine nuts

Healthier: walnuts

Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are a budget-friendly alternative with a similar crunch.

Techniques

boilingsautéing

Equipment

large potcolanderlarge skilletwooden spoon
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowmilkwheat

Also Known As

Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and SpinachSpinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a beloved dish that highlights the balance of flavors and textures in Vietnamese cuisine. Originating from Chinese-American cuisine, it has been embraced in Vietnam, where fresh ingredients and quick cooking methods are celebrated. The dish symbolizes the fusion of cultures and is often enjoyed in family meals or gatherings. Today, it is popular worldwide, with variations that cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.

Ingredients

  • beef
  • broccoli
  • soy sauce
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • cornstarch
  • vegetable oil
  • sesame oil
  • green onions
  • beef broth
  • black pepper
  • sugar
  • rice
  • water
  • salt

Instructions

  1. 1Slice beef thinly against the grain.
  2. 2Marinate beef in soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper for 15 minutes.
  3. 3Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. 4Add marinated beef and stir-fry until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. 5Remove beef from skillet and set aside.
  6. 6In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. 7Add broccoli and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  8. 8Return beef to the skillet and add beef broth, sugar, and sesame oil.
  9. 9Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
  10. 10Serve over cooked rice and garnish with sliced green onions.

Ingredient Alternatives

soy sauce

Healthier: low-sodium soy sauce

Cheaper: tamari

Low-sodium soy sauce reduces sodium intake while tamari is gluten-free.

beef

Healthier: chicken

Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner while pork is often cheaper.

cornstarch

Healthier: arrowroot powder

Cheaper: flour

Arrowroot is gluten-free; flour is more accessible.

sesame oil

Healthier: olive oil

Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier while canola oil is cost-effective.

Techniques

slicingmarinatingstir-frying

Equipment

large skilletcutting boardknifemixing bowlmeasuring spoons
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowsoygluten

Also Known As

Beef with BroccoliBeef and Broccoli
veganplant-basedgluten-freenut-freesoy-free

Chickpea curry, known as Chana Masala in India, has roots in South Asian cuisine, where legumes are a staple due to their nutritional value and affordability. This dish is often enjoyed with rice or bread and is a favorite among vegetarians. Today, chickpea curry has gained popularity worldwide, with many variations adapting local spices and ingredients, making it a versatile and beloved meal.

Ingredients

  • chickpeas
  • onion
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • tomatoes
  • coconut milk
  • curry powder
  • cumin
  • coriander
  • turmeric
  • vegetable oil
  • spinach
  • cilantro
  • lime
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions

  1. 1Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. 2Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. 3Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. 4Add diced tomatoes and cook until they break down, about 5 minutes.
  5. 5Mix in curry powder, cumin, coriander, and turmeric; cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.
  6. 6Add chickpeas and coconut milk; stir to combine.
  7. 7Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low; cook for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
  8. 8Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
  9. 9Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  10. 10Remove from heat and stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice before serving.

Ingredient Alternatives

coconut milk

Healthier: cashew cream

Cheaper: almond milk

Cashew cream adds richness while being lower in calories.

curry powder

Healthier: homemade spice blend

Cheaper: generic curry powder

Homemade blends can be tailored for flavor and cost.

vegetable oil

Healthier: olive oil

Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier but can be pricier.

spinach

Healthier: kale

Cheaper: frozen spinach

Kale offers more nutrients, while frozen spinach is budget-friendly.

Techniques

sautéingsimmering

Equipment

large potcutting boardknifewooden spoon
🌶️🌶️🌶️Medium

Also Known As

Chana MasalaChickpea Masala
paleo

Ingredients

  • 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups parsnips, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 lb sausage (Italian or your choice), sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder

Instructions

  1. 1Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. 2In a large bowl, combine the chopped carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes.
  3. 3Add the sliced sausage to the bowl with the vegetables.
  4. 4Drizzle the olive oil over the mixture and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  5. 5Toss everything together until the vegetables and sausage are well coated with the oil and seasonings.
  6. 6Spread the mixture evenly on a large baking sheet.
  7. 7Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is browned.
  8. 8Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Equipment

large bowlbaking sheetknifecutting board

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