Make Time for Dinner
Eating meals together as a family has a range of benefits. Research shows that it boosts kids' grades, leads to healthier eating habits, and (believe it or not) helps relieve parental stress.
In the following slideshow, we've assembled 20 healthy, easy-to-prepare meals that families can enjoy together. There's enough pizza and pasta dishes to keep the kids happy, yet the interesting twists on old favorites will appeal to moms and dads.
Wagon Wheel Beef Soup
On a cold night, this quick recipe is a crowd-pleaser for a family meal. Hearty and seasoned to perfection, the kids will love the wagon wheel pasta and spaghetti sauce, while lean ground round provides a rich salty flavor.
Ingredients: Wagon wheel pasta, ground round, onion, beef broth, spaghetti sauce, kidney beans.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Mini Chicken Pot Pies
This classic comfort food is perfect for using up chicken leftovers. With egg whites, reduced-fat milk, and a small amount of butter, it has just half the fat and sodium of frozen varieties. And it's ready in less than 40 minutes!
Ingredients: Leftover chicken, leftover root vegetables, frozen puff pastry dough, egg white, 2% milk, all-purpose flour, unsalted butter.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Pepperoni Pizza
Get the cheesy goodness of pizza, plus iron, fiber, and plenty of protein. Sautéed mushrooms add an earthy flavor (as well as phytonutrients) to this familiar favorite. Although you can make your own homemade dough and sauce, store-bought will work in a pinch.
Ingredients: Basic Pizza Dough, Basic Pizza Sauce, turkey pepperoni (such as Hormel), mushrooms, part-skim mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Quick Chicken Parmesan
This is a longtime family favorite, but the preparation time can sometimes be a deterrent on a weeknight. This streamlined version of the classic Chicken Parm will be on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, an egg, low-fat mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Southwestern Chicken Roll-Ups
So long, Hot Pockets! These homemade roll-ups are packed with flavor and look appealing on the plate, yet they contain just five ingredients. The picante sauce provides just enough kick for the parents, but not too much for the kids.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, low-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, cilantro, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Cheese Pizza
Great for picky eaters—and busy parents—this pizza recipe is simplicity at its best. Just make the basic pizza dough ahead of time, use bottled sauce, and sprinkle on the cheese. After 20 minutes in the oven, it's done.
Ingredients: Basic Pizza Dough, Basic Pizza Sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Everyone loves pasta, but some dishes pack more calories than you—or your kids—need.
The hearty meatballs in this crowd-pleasing recipe use a combination of turkey sausage and lean ground sirloin, which keeps the dish under 300 calories per serving.
Ingredients: Spaghetti, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, ground sirloin, sweet Italian turkey sausage, egg (or substitute), onion, garlic, basil, parsley.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Greek Chicken With Angel Hair Pasta
Your kids will gobble up this delicious Greek pasta dish without realizing all the antioxidant-rich bell peppers and tomatoes in the bowl. Ready in about 35 minutes, this filling recipe—full of rich feta cheese—is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: Angel hair pasta, boneless chicken breast, red onion, yellow bell pepper, diced tomatoes (canned), lemon juice, feta cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Easy Meatless Manicotti
This is a less fattening (but equally cheesy) alternative to mac and cheese. Swapping full-fat mozzarella for a part-skim milk variety sheds 15 grams of fat, while plenty of fiber-rich spinach lurks beneath the layers of cheese and pasta.
Ingredients: Manicotti pasta, part-skim mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, frozen chopped spinach, pasta sauce.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Bacon-Tomato Linguine
This recipe takes a simple linguine dish and kicks it up a notch with a sprinkle of bacon bits—yes, bacon bits!
The bacon adds a salty, savory flavor to complement the olive oil and garlic, and the tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants.
Ingredients: Linguine, bacon pieces, onion, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Canadian-Bacon-and-Cheese Quesadillas With Arugula Salad
Bacon's not just for breakfast. And Canadian bacon is lower in fat than other varieties, so you can enjoy this cheesy dish guilt-free. The side salad rounds out the meal for dinnertime.
Ingredients: Flour tortillas, Canadian bacon, shredded mozzarella cheese, yellow bell pepper, arugula, vinaigrette dressing.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Personal Chicken Pizzas
If your kids are old enough to help in the kitchen, this recipe is great for getting them involved. The recipe calls for pitas and precooked chicken breast to cut down on prep time. Be sure to pick out plenty of veggies, and let your children sprinkle the cheese—they'll get a kick out of making their own dinner.
Ingredients: Pitas (or flatbreads), tomato sauce, chicken breast, part-skim mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, assorted vegetables.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Quick Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken is a quick and healthy way to get dinner on the table, but there's only so many grilled chicken breasts you can eat.
This classic Italian dish has plenty of vegetables, and the dry red wine sauce is surprisingly light. Pair it with whole-grain pasta.
Ingredients: Olive oil, chicken breasts, green bell pepper, cremini mushrooms, dry red wine, tomato-and-basil pasta sauce, fresh parsley.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Black Bean and Chicken Chilaquiles
A traditional Mexican favorite typically served at breakfast, this hearty-yet-light dish is a perfect way to mix up your family's dinner routine. The black beans provide a healthy dose of fiber.
Ingredients: Onion, garlic, cooked chicken breast, black beans, chicken broth, salsa, corn tortillas, queso blanco.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Penne With Chicken and Preserved Lemon
This is a grown-up pasta dish that kids will love too. The splash of lemon provides a surprisingly tangy taste—and a nice change of pace from red sauce.
Ingredients: Whole-wheat penne, rotisserie chicken, broccoli rabe, olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper, preserved lemon, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Saucy Chicken Lo Mein
Give pasta night an Asian makeover with this saucy chicken dish. Flavored with sesame oil and sake, this sauce will give your favorite marinara a run for its money. The recipe calls for bean sprouts and carrots, but feel free to add your favorite veggies.
Ingredients: Linguine, chicken breast, bean sprouts, green onions, carrot, fresh ginger, soy sauce, sake, dark sesame oil, cornstarch, sugar.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Lighter Penne a la Vodka
Because of all the cream it contains, this classic dish is usually a no-no for people trying to eat healthy. Substituting low-fat or fat-free milk for cream creates a lighter sauce without compromising too much on flavor, and using whole-wheat pasta makes the dish even more wholesome.
Ingredients: Whole-grain penne, bottled marinara sauce, 1% low-fat milk, crushed red pepper, vodka, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Southwestern Omelet
The egg whites in this breakfast-for-dinner favorite provide lean protein, while black beans add fiber and iron. Add broccoli or red peppers to sneak in a serving of veggies.
Ingredients: Cilantro, eggs, black beans, green onions, reduced-fat cheddar cheese, salsa.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches With Pesto
Sandwiches for dinner is almost as underrated as breakfast for dinner. Pesto adds a rich flavor (and heart-healthy fats) to this crunchy chicken salad.
Ingredients: Low-fat mayo, pesto, lemon juice, chicken breast, cucumber, grape tomatoes, whole-grain bread, alfalfa sprouts.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Barbecue Chicken Pizza
Kids and adults alike will love this simplified pizza from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Rotisserie chicken breast is significantly lower in saturated fat than meat toppings like pepperoni or sausage, and fresh bell peppers add a healthy dose of vitamin C and beta carotene.
Ingredients: Basic pizza dough, mozzarella cheese, Fontina cheese, rotisserie chicken, barbecue sauce, yellow and red bell peppers.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
In the following slideshow, we've assembled 20 healthy, easy-to-prepare meals that families can enjoy together. There's enough pizza and pasta dishes to keep the kids happy, yet the interesting twists on old favorites will appeal to moms and dads.
Wagon Wheel Beef Soup
On a cold night, this quick recipe is a crowd-pleaser for a family meal. Hearty and seasoned to perfection, the kids will love the wagon wheel pasta and spaghetti sauce, while lean ground round provides a rich salty flavor.
Ingredients: Wagon wheel pasta, ground round, onion, beef broth, spaghetti sauce, kidney beans.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Mini Chicken Pot Pies
This classic comfort food is perfect for using up chicken leftovers. With egg whites, reduced-fat milk, and a small amount of butter, it has just half the fat and sodium of frozen varieties. And it's ready in less than 40 minutes!
Ingredients: Leftover chicken, leftover root vegetables, frozen puff pastry dough, egg white, 2% milk, all-purpose flour, unsalted butter.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Pepperoni Pizza
Get the cheesy goodness of pizza, plus iron, fiber, and plenty of protein. Sautéed mushrooms add an earthy flavor (as well as phytonutrients) to this familiar favorite. Although you can make your own homemade dough and sauce, store-bought will work in a pinch.
Ingredients: Basic Pizza Dough, Basic Pizza Sauce, turkey pepperoni (such as Hormel), mushrooms, part-skim mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Quick Chicken Parmesan
This is a longtime family favorite, but the preparation time can sometimes be a deterrent on a weeknight. This streamlined version of the classic Chicken Parm will be on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, an egg, low-fat mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Southwestern Chicken Roll-Ups
So long, Hot Pockets! These homemade roll-ups are packed with flavor and look appealing on the plate, yet they contain just five ingredients. The picante sauce provides just enough kick for the parents, but not too much for the kids.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, low-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, cilantro, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Cheese Pizza
Great for picky eaters—and busy parents—this pizza recipe is simplicity at its best. Just make the basic pizza dough ahead of time, use bottled sauce, and sprinkle on the cheese. After 20 minutes in the oven, it's done.
Ingredients: Basic Pizza Dough, Basic Pizza Sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Everyone loves pasta, but some dishes pack more calories than you—or your kids—need.
The hearty meatballs in this crowd-pleasing recipe use a combination of turkey sausage and lean ground sirloin, which keeps the dish under 300 calories per serving.
Ingredients: Spaghetti, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, ground sirloin, sweet Italian turkey sausage, egg (or substitute), onion, garlic, basil, parsley.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Greek Chicken With Angel Hair Pasta
Your kids will gobble up this delicious Greek pasta dish without realizing all the antioxidant-rich bell peppers and tomatoes in the bowl. Ready in about 35 minutes, this filling recipe—full of rich feta cheese—is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: Angel hair pasta, boneless chicken breast, red onion, yellow bell pepper, diced tomatoes (canned), lemon juice, feta cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Easy Meatless Manicotti
This is a less fattening (but equally cheesy) alternative to mac and cheese. Swapping full-fat mozzarella for a part-skim milk variety sheds 15 grams of fat, while plenty of fiber-rich spinach lurks beneath the layers of cheese and pasta.
Ingredients: Manicotti pasta, part-skim mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, frozen chopped spinach, pasta sauce.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Bacon-Tomato Linguine
This recipe takes a simple linguine dish and kicks it up a notch with a sprinkle of bacon bits—yes, bacon bits!
The bacon adds a salty, savory flavor to complement the olive oil and garlic, and the tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants.
Ingredients: Linguine, bacon pieces, onion, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Canadian-Bacon-and-Cheese Quesadillas With Arugula Salad
Bacon's not just for breakfast. And Canadian bacon is lower in fat than other varieties, so you can enjoy this cheesy dish guilt-free. The side salad rounds out the meal for dinnertime.
Ingredients: Flour tortillas, Canadian bacon, shredded mozzarella cheese, yellow bell pepper, arugula, vinaigrette dressing.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Personal Chicken Pizzas
If your kids are old enough to help in the kitchen, this recipe is great for getting them involved. The recipe calls for pitas and precooked chicken breast to cut down on prep time. Be sure to pick out plenty of veggies, and let your children sprinkle the cheese—they'll get a kick out of making their own dinner.
Ingredients: Pitas (or flatbreads), tomato sauce, chicken breast, part-skim mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, assorted vegetables.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Quick Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken is a quick and healthy way to get dinner on the table, but there's only so many grilled chicken breasts you can eat.
This classic Italian dish has plenty of vegetables, and the dry red wine sauce is surprisingly light. Pair it with whole-grain pasta.
Ingredients: Olive oil, chicken breasts, green bell pepper, cremini mushrooms, dry red wine, tomato-and-basil pasta sauce, fresh parsley.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Black Bean and Chicken Chilaquiles
A traditional Mexican favorite typically served at breakfast, this hearty-yet-light dish is a perfect way to mix up your family's dinner routine. The black beans provide a healthy dose of fiber.
Ingredients: Onion, garlic, cooked chicken breast, black beans, chicken broth, salsa, corn tortillas, queso blanco.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Penne With Chicken and Preserved Lemon
This is a grown-up pasta dish that kids will love too. The splash of lemon provides a surprisingly tangy taste—and a nice change of pace from red sauce.
Ingredients: Whole-wheat penne, rotisserie chicken, broccoli rabe, olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper, preserved lemon, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Saucy Chicken Lo Mein
Give pasta night an Asian makeover with this saucy chicken dish. Flavored with sesame oil and sake, this sauce will give your favorite marinara a run for its money. The recipe calls for bean sprouts and carrots, but feel free to add your favorite veggies.
Ingredients: Linguine, chicken breast, bean sprouts, green onions, carrot, fresh ginger, soy sauce, sake, dark sesame oil, cornstarch, sugar.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Lighter Penne a la Vodka
Because of all the cream it contains, this classic dish is usually a no-no for people trying to eat healthy. Substituting low-fat or fat-free milk for cream creates a lighter sauce without compromising too much on flavor, and using whole-wheat pasta makes the dish even more wholesome.
Ingredients: Whole-grain penne, bottled marinara sauce, 1% low-fat milk, crushed red pepper, vodka, Parmesan cheese.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Southwestern Omelet
The egg whites in this breakfast-for-dinner favorite provide lean protein, while black beans add fiber and iron. Add broccoli or red peppers to sneak in a serving of veggies.
Ingredients: Cilantro, eggs, black beans, green onions, reduced-fat cheddar cheese, salsa.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches With Pesto
Sandwiches for dinner is almost as underrated as breakfast for dinner. Pesto adds a rich flavor (and heart-healthy fats) to this crunchy chicken salad.
Ingredients: Low-fat mayo, pesto, lemon juice, chicken breast, cucumber, grape tomatoes, whole-grain bread, alfalfa sprouts.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
Barbecue Chicken Pizza
Kids and adults alike will love this simplified pizza from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Rotisserie chicken breast is significantly lower in saturated fat than meat toppings like pepperoni or sausage, and fresh bell peppers add a healthy dose of vitamin C and beta carotene.
Ingredients: Basic pizza dough, mozzarella cheese, Fontina cheese, rotisserie chicken, barbecue sauce, yellow and red bell peppers.
Click here for the full recipe and directions.
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