An ordinary evening brings excitement for families as everyone eagerly anticipates an enjoyable time together. Regardless of the occasion, it’s vital to start the evening with a nutritious and satisfying dinner.

In this article, I will present two quick, wholesome, healthy weeknight dinner recipes

perfect for a family dinner. These recipes are sure to keep everyone well-fed and ready for a delightful evening ahead. Continue reading to discover some nutritious meal ideas for any night of the week.

1. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 lb lean ground turkey or plant-based ground meat
• 1 cup quinoa (cooked)
• 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper according to taste

How to Cook:

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F.
2. Carefully slice the tops off the orange bell peppers and remove the membranes and seeds.
3. In a skillet, cook the turkey or meat over medium flame until it turns brown. If using lean ground turkey, make sure to drain any excess fat or liquid.
4. Add the diced onions and bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become tender.
5. Stir in the cooked diced tomatoes, black beans, quinoa, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Gently stuff the peppers with the quinoa and meat (or plant-based meat) mixture, ensuring they are well-packed.
7. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking tray, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for approximately half an hour or until the peppers become tender.
8. Once they are done, remove them from the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, and serve these nutritious stuffed peppers to your family as a fun dinner.

2. Whole-Grain Margarita Pizza

Ingredients:

• Whole-grain pizza dough
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Assorted veggies for toppings (e.g., bell peppers, black olives, cherry tomatoes)
• Olive oil for brushing
• Salt and pepper according to taste

How to Cook:

1. Preheat your oven to around 425°F.
2. Sprinkle flour on your countertop and roll out the dough in a round shape.
3. Spread the tomato sauce over the pizza crust, leaving a border for the crust.
4. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the sauce, making sure there’s good coverage.
5. Add the assorted veggies over the dough. Place sliced bell peppers, black olive slices, or halved cherry tomatoes.
6. Brush the exposed crust with a bit of olive oil, and season the pizza with a pinch of salt and pepper.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden and the cheese starts to bubble and becomes slightly brown.
8. Remove the pizza from the oven, allow it to cool down for 5-10 minutes, and then slice it into wedges. Your whole-grain Margarita pizza is ready to be devoured by your family for a healthy weeknight dinner.

These healthy and quick dinner recipes are the ideal way to kickstart your family’s evening of enjoyment, ensuring they have the energy they need for a night of exciting adventures and good times together.

To discover more wholesome and creative recipes for fast and healthy weeknight dinners, browse Zen and Spice, your one-stop destination for delicious and nutritious culinary inspirations. Explore a world of flavors and health-conscious cooking in my recipe section to make every family dinner a special occasion.