5 Healthy Recipes To Make This Weekend
So many of us are not getting the right amount of nutrition from our diets. It can be easy to overlook a serving of vegetables, overindulge on carbohydrates, or bypass lean protein for less healthy options. These days, when a fast, unhealthy meal is usually within a 10-minute drive of your home or workplace, it can be downright difficult to eat three balanced meals a day.
Since nutrition is one of the cornerstones of your foundational well-being, we decided to put together five easy, quick recipes for you to try this weekend. Use these recipes to cook ahead for the week and meal prep – so you can get the nutrition your body needs to repair itself, restore vital immune function, and more.
Zucchini and Tomato Pasta
This easy pasta dinner can be made in 20 minutes! There are only 5 ingredients, plus spices to taste.
- Pasta
- 2 lbs Zucchini
- 1 lb Cherry Tomatoes
- Parmesan
You can add fresh garlic, basil, and/or rosemary alongside salt and pepper to taste. Start off by chopping the zucchini and tomatoes into bite-sized portions while the pasta is simmering on the stove. Then, with a splash of olive oil, add the zucchini and cook for five minutes. After they are fork tender, add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Add the parmesan cheese and spices to taste, and serve over the cooked pasta.
Oven Baked Chicken Breast
This is a fast way to meal prep – it gets your protein cooked ahead of time, so all you have to do is add a vegetable or side salad to have a well-rounded meal.
- 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1tsp of each: paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. While the oven is warming up, place the chicken in a bowl, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle the seasonings on top. Using tongs, turn the chicken so that each chicken breast is fully coated. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven, cover with foil, and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. This keeps the chicken tender and ensures that it doesn’t dry out.
When you’re done, you can slice and set aside for up to 1 week, and serve with other sides or on a healthy salad.
Ground Turkey Taco Meat
The possibilities of this recipe are endless – serve in a taco shell, on a salad, in a lettuce wrap, and more.
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 freshly chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Add the onion and garlic to a skillet with the olive oil, and saute until the onion is translucent. Add the ground turkey, taco seasoning, and salt + pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the ground turkey no longer has any pink visible. Serve with freshly sliced avocado, over lettuce, with fresh pico de gallo,and more.
Veggie Quesadillas
These black bean quesadillas are easy to make ahead and even easier to toss into a lunchbox for reheating at work!
- 8 whole wheat tortillas
- One can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn
- 1 large diced bell pepper
- ¼ cup cilantro
- ¼ cup red onion
- 2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Shredded cheese
In a mixing bowl, add the beans, pepper, corn, red onion, and spices and stir to combine. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, then build your quesadillas. On half of a tortilla, sprinkle cheese, spread about ½ cup of your veggie mixture, and sprinkle more cheese on top. Fold the tortilla in half. Repeat this process until all the quesadillas are built, then bake for 20 minutes in the oven. Slice to your preferred serving size.
Chicken Caprese With Zucchini
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (diced)
- 2 lbs zucchini, chopped
- 9 oz fresh mozzarella
- 2 tbsp oil
- One can of tomato paste
- 3 large tomatoes
- Spices – salt, pepper, basil, thyme, and balsamic vinegar to taste.
Preheat a large skillet, and add the chicken and olive oil. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Push the chicken to one side of the skillet, and add the garlic on the empty side, stirring frequently for 30 seconds. After this, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, your chosen spices, and cook for 5 minutes.
Finally, add the zucchini and cook on medium to low heat for 10-15 minutes. After the zucchini is softened, place mozzarella slices on top, allow to melt, then serve.
We hope that you’ll be able to cook one or more of these recipes this weekend to prepare for the upcoming work week!
