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Five light dinner ideas on a stylish dining table, including a fresh salad, grilled fish with vegetables, vegetable stir-fry with tofu, quinoa salad with avocado, and vegetable pasta.

5 Light Dinner Ideas to Simplify Your Weeknight Meals

  • Author: everyday.recipess
  • Total Time: PT45M
  • Yield: 2 servings per recipe 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Looking for easy, light dinner ideas that don’t take much time to prepare? These five simple and healthy meals are perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you’re craving a fresh salad, a light protein, or a vegetable-packed dish, these recipes will save you time without compromising on flavor or nutrition.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Mixed Salad with Lemon Dressing:
    • 2 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, etc.)
    • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1/2 cucumber, sliced
    • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grilled Fish with Steamed Vegetables:
    • 1 fish fillet (salmon, cod, or tilapia)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • Lemon slices
    • Salt and pepper
    • 1 cup broccoli florets
    • 1/2 cup carrots, sliced
  • Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu:
    • 1 block firm tofu, cubed
    • 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
    • 1/2 cup snap peas
    • 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes:
    • 1 cup cooked quinoa
    • 1 ripe avocado, diced
    • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetable Pasta with Herbs:
    • 2 cups pasta (whole wheat or gluten-free)
    • 1 cup zucchini, sliced
    • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
    • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Mixed Salad with Lemon Dressing:
    • Combine the mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in a bowl.
    • Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Grilled Fish with Steamed Vegetables:
    • Preheat the grill or a grill pan. Brush the fish with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and lemon slices.
    • Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
    • Steam the broccoli and carrots until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu:
    • Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes.
    • Add tofu and stir-fry until golden on all sides.
    • Toss in the bell peppers, snap peas, and carrots, and stir-fry for an additional 3-4 minutes.
    • Add soy sauce and cook for another minute. Serve hot.
  4. Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes:
    • In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, avocado, and tomatoes.
    • Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Vegetable Pasta with Herbs:
    • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
    • In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté zucchini and tomatoes for 3-4 minutes until soft.
    • Toss the pasta with the vegetables and basil. Season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Feel free to swap the fish for chicken or another protein of your choice.
  • For a vegan option, substitute the dairy in the pasta with nutritional yeast.
  • You can meal prep by chopping veggies and cooking quinoa in advance.
  • Prep Time: PT15M
  • Cook Time: PT30M
  • Category: Dinner, Light Meals
  • Method: Grilling, Stir-frying, Boiling
  • Cuisine: Various (Mediterranean, Asian, American)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate or 1 portion per recipe
  • Calories: 350-400 (varies by recipe)
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: light dinner, weeknight meals, healthy dinner ideas, quick meals, simple dinner recipes, grilled fish, vegetable stir-fry, quinoa salad, vegetable pasta, healthy recipes

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Find it online: https://www.everydayrecipess.com/5-light-dinner-ideas/