5 Easy Dinner Recipes for The Busy Season

The holidays bring joy and festivity, but they also mean busy schedules with little time for preparing nutritious dinners. Rather than reaching for takeout, these five easy, healthy recipes are perfect for fast and satisfying meals that require minimal ingredients and effort. Each dish is packed with flavor and takes 30 minutes or less to make—just what you need during the holiday season.

Garlic Butter Shrimp & Zucchini Noodles

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 2 medium zucchini (spiralized into noodles)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• Instructions:
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Sauté shrimp until pink and opaque (about 2-3 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter and add garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add zucchini noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender but not mushy.
  5. Return shrimp to the skillet, squeeze lemon juice over, and toss everything together.
  6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. This dish is light, refreshing, and ready in less than 20 minutes!

Chicken & Vegetable Stir-Fry

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (sliced thin)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bell pepper (sliced thin)
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup snap peas
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 garlic clove (minced)
• Instructions:
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken slices, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
  3. Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet, then add the bell pepper, broccoli, and snap peas. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the veggies are tender-crisp.
  4. Return chicken to the skillet, pour the sauce over everything, and toss to coat evenly. Let cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
  5. Serve warm with a side of brown rice or quinoa for a wholesome, balanced dinner.

Baked Lemon Herb Salmon with Asparagus

• Ingredients:
  • 2 salmon fillets
  • 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lemon (sliced)
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Arrange salmon fillets and asparagus on the baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over both and season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
  3. Place lemon slices on top of the salmon and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
  4. Serve hot for a nutritious, omega-3-rich dinner that pairs beautifully with a side of wild rice or a green salad.

Quinoa & Black Bean Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Ingredients:
  • 4 large bell peppers (tops cut off and seeds removed)
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, salsa, and cumin. Mix well.
  3. Stuff each bell pepper with the quinoa mixture and arrange them upright in a baking dish.
  4. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top (if desired), and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving. This vegetarian-friendly dish is filling, high in protein, and loaded with fiber.

Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

• Ingredients:
  • 8 oz whole-grain pasta
  • 1 ripe avocado (pitted and peeled)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• Instructions:
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a food processor, combine avocado, basil, Parmesan cheese (if using), garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Toss pasta with the avocado pesto and cherry tomatoes. Adjust seasonings to taste.
  4. Serve immediately. This creamy, dairy-free pasta is a perfect comfort food with a healthy twist.

These recipes are not only simple and quick but also packed with nutrients to keep you feeling your best during the holidays. From protein-packed shrimp and chicken to fiber-rich quinoa and hearty pasta, these dinners are designed to be both satisfying and wholesome. Best of all, they require minimal cleanup and are ready in under 30 minutes, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the holiday season!

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