24 Quick and Healthy Dinner Ideas for Two
Quick, healthy, AND delicious? That’s the holy trinity of weeknight meals, and when we find recipes that tick all those boxes, we keep them close! That’s why we’ve put together this list of 24 healthy dinner ideas for two.
These recipes range from all over the world. From French stews to Asian pancakes, there's a huge spectrum of flavors and concepts for you to get inspired by. Take a look!
Protein-Rich Recipes with Nutritious Ingredients
Whether you’re looking to hit some protein targets or you’re simply a hardcore carnivore, these healthy dinner recipes all let the protein really take center stage. Steak, beef, chicken, pork - whatever you’re craving, you’ll find an amazing recipe to try here:
#1 - Grilled Steak Fajitas
Fajitas are a classic choice for dinner out - but did you know that they can be a super easy and healthy dinner idea to make at home? This recipe for steak fajitas has you put the steak and the veggies on a rack in the oven, all together, and your meal is ready in 20 minutes!
#2 - Paprika Chicken with Quinoa Tabbouleh
Quinoa has a much higher protein content than most other grains, which makes it the perfect ingredient for healthy dinner recipes like this one - delicious chicken with a fresh quinoa tabbouleh salad.
#3 - Beef and Broccoli
This spin on a takeout classic leaves you with all the fresh flavors and none of the mystery ingredients. Serve it with cauliflower fried rice for a delicious weeknight dinner!
#4 - Mongolian-Style Beef Rice Bowl
Ground beef is the real star of this fresh rice bowl - seasoned with ginger, five spice, oyster sauce and hoisin sauce, it really packs a punch of flavor. Finish it off with cauliflower rice and bok choi for a healthy and satisfying meal.
#5 - Garlic Roasted Pork Chops
With only five ingredients in this healthy dinner recipe, these pork chops take almost no time to put together. Serve them with a green salad or some steamed or roasted vegetables for a quick weeknight dinner for two.
#6 - Beef Chow Mein
This beef chow mein is one of the healthy dinner recipes for two on this list that can stand up to endless variation. Sub out rice noodles for something lighter than the chow mein egg noodles, use a pack of frozen stir-fry vegetables to make it even quicker, use coconut sugar instead of the brown sugar it calls for - it’s up to you.
#7 - Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
With protein, carbs, and vegetables all in one pan, this Mexican ground beef skillet is all you’re looking for in a healthy meal. Plus, it’ll give you delicious leftovers for the next day.
Balanced and Satisfying Meals For a Healthy Weeknight Dinner
For colorful plates with a good balance of proteins, grains and veggies, take a look at these healthy dinner ideas for two. We range from French cuisine to Greek inspiration to classic American fare.
#8 - Herb and Garlic Pork with Summer Ratatouille
Ratatouille is an incredible way to pack in the vegetables - pair it with some juicy pork for a light but satisfying healthy dinner idea.
#9 - Quick Roast Chicken with Tomatoes and Potatoes
Instead of cooking a whole chicken, this healthy dinner idea has you roasting chicken thighs alongside potatoes and cherry tomatoes in a lemony, garlicky olive oil marinade - yum!
#10 - Lemon and Rosemary Pork with Balsamic Chickpea Salad
This balsamic chickpea salad is SO good - simmered down with onions and balsamic vinegar, the chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) are the perfect sweet and tangy accompaniment to the pork.
#11 - Chicken with Vegetables on a Skillet
This low-carb healthy meal is spicy and full of flavor - plus, it all cooks in one skillet. It also makes for great leftovers the next day - serve it with rice or a salad, or just eat it on its own.
#12 - Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is a delicious meal that hits the spot all year round - make it hearty and thick in the wintertime and light and brothy in the summer. This keto chicken soup recipe is light on calories and high on flavor.
#13 - Lighter Spaghetti and Meatballs
Using lentils in this family classic gives you an extra punch of protein and adds interesting texture to a flavorful sauce. You can add sun dried tomatoes for an added dimension. If you’re craving pasta, this is a great healthy dinner recipe to try.
Effortless Low-Calorie Seafood Dishes
For lighter dinner options that leave you feeling full and satisfied, these seafood dishes are the way to go.
#14 - Soy Steamed Sea Bream with Ginger and Spring Onions
This steam sea bream is elevated by an addictive ginger sauce with so much flavor - if you make it for dinner tonight, you're going to come back to it over and over again.
#15 - Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa
When it comes to cooking a healthy weeknight dinner, sometimes simple is better. This grilled salmon is a prime example of how giving a few great ingredients a little bit of love helps them to really shine.
#16 - Roast Side of Salmon Chermoula
The secret to this roasted salmon dish is the chermoula - which is a herby sauce made with cilantro, tarragon, mint, and cumin seeds. As you can imagine, it really takes this recipe to the next level!
#17 - Caribbean Fish Curry
When you’re looking for healthy dinner ideas for two, curry is a great option. Flavorful, easy to put together, versatile, and full of healthy ingredients, this Caribbean fish curry is sure to hit the spot for you - especially if you like spice!
#18 - Orange Glazed Salmon
Just four ingredients form a ridiculously good glaze for this salmon - orange, soy, garlic, and honey. It’s mind blowing!
#19 - Scallops with Chimichurri
Chimichurri is a South American sauce that is so refreshing - this version is made with parsley, garlic, and red wine vinegar to give it an extra boost of tartness. The tang is the perfect contrast to the sweet scallops!
Scrumptious Vegetarian Recipe Ideas
Wondering what to cook tonight? Looking for healthy dinners? Meat-free meals are the way to go. These vegetarian dinner ideas are creative, quick, and - most importantly - totally wonderful.
#20 - Charred Cauliflower, Lemon, and Orzo
This charred cauliflower orzo dish comes together in less than half an hour and most of the ingredients are probably in your pantry already. In other words, if you’re looking for quick vegetarian healthy dinner ideas for two, this is absolutely one for you to try out.
#21 - Vegetable Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake that is mostly composed of shredded vegetables, bound together in a loose batter of eggs and flour. These pancakes use cabbage, carrots and spring onions, and they are crispy and savoury. If you’re bored of your usual weeknight rota, try out these for an out of the box and easy dinner idea.
#22 - Tomato Risotto
This tomato risotto is rich and intense, but lighter than your average risotto. Arborio rice is simmered in a tomato sauce until it forms a silky dish that will keep you coming back for second helpings.
#23 - Sheet-Pan Baked Feta with Broccoli and Tomatoes
If you’ve never had baked feta: run, don’t walk. It’s so good! With a bronzed outer layer and melting interior, blocks of feta form the centerpiece of this one-pan dinner idea, where broccoli, tomatoes and red onion get roasted in olive oil alongside the cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired summer dinner idea.
#24 - Avocado and Mango Salad
Light and simple, this healthy dinner idea really lets the ripe mango shine. The sweet fruit and creamy avocado get elevated by some red onion and squeezes of lime juice, and the result is the perfect meal to eat outside on a summer evening.
Dinner for Two
In an ideal world, cooking healthy meals for two would be a joy every night - an exercise in creativity and connection. In real life, we know that cooking can sometimes just feel like a chore. That’s why we created the Adventure Challenge: Dinner Dates. It’s way more than a recipe book - it’s also an amazing resource for making your evenings in the most fun memories they could possibly be! In the meantime, take a look at these 40 creative date ideas for more ways to make dinner for two even more special.
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