Our contributor, Katherine Hilton, is here with five delicious, healthy and easy-to-make recipes perfect for those who like to cook—and those who don’t.
It’s no secret that I literally hate cooking. If I could have take out every night for dinner, I totally would. However, on my quest to eat healthier and more balanced, take out every night doesn’t really seem logical. Not to mention, it’s expensive.
I’ve always wished that I enjoyed cooking, but I just don’t. It takes up too much time and I am awful at buying enough cooking supplies to follow any recipes. In the new year, I decided that I wanted to cook more. I wanted to stop getting take out on my way home from work, or heating up that easy frozen dinner in the microwave, and start actually cooking real, good food.
I decided to start small and ease my way into the whole “cooking thing.” I have a busy schedule working full-time and being a full-time student, so I really wanted the quickest, easiest meals possible to get my foot in the door. I didn’t want to spend hours cooking after work and also wanted meals that would make leftovers for lunch the next day. After experimenting for a couple of weeks, I found five healthy and easy recipes with five ingredients or less that I have had on repeat this month. They all take little-to-no effort, are healthy and delicious! Added bonus, they can be heated up for lunch the next day.
Sheet-Pan Chicken and Veggies
This simple and quick dinner has been a go-to of mine on Sunday evenings.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts (I buy a package of 3)
- Veggies of your choice (I like to do Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes)
- Olive oil
- Seasoning of your choice (I love Trader Joe’s Everyday Seasoning)
On a large sheet pan, combine your chicken breasts and veggies of choice, drizzle with olive oil and top with your seasoning of choice. Depending on the size of your chicken breasts, you may need to separate your chicken and veggies onto two different pans. Stick in the oven at 425 degrees. Easy, delicious and it makes enough for lunches and dinners throughout the week!
Honey-Glazed Salmon Bowl
Easy and so yummy!
Ingredients:
- Salmon filet (I buy a package of 3)
- 1 package of broccoli
- Cauliflower rice (I buy a frozen bag from Traders Joe’s—quick and easy)
- Small lemon
- Honey
On one large sheet pan, combine your salmon and broccoli. In a separate bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon honey. Drizzle honey mixture over your salmon and broccoli and toss. Stick in the oven at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. While the salmon and broccoli are cooking, heat up your cauliflower rice on the stove. Once cooked, put your rice in a bowl, add in broccoli and salmon, and top with a drizzle of lemon honey sauce. Put your leftovers in the fridge for lunch the next day!
Zucchini Noodle Shrimp Scampi
A healthy twist on a classic, quick dish.
Ingredients:
- Small shrimp (I buy a frozen bag at Trader Joe’s)
- Fresh or frozen zucchini noodles (a lot of groceries have these already prepared)
- Small lemon
- Olive oil
- Seasoning of your choice (again, I use Trader Joe’s Everyday Seasoning for literally everything)
This dish from my one of my favorite nutritionists to follow, Kelly LeVeque, is so quick and simple to make. It’s perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Thaw out shrimp by running it under cold water. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a pan and add shrimp. Top with some fresh lemon juice and seasoning of choice. Let it cook. In a separate pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil and zucchini noodles. Let it cook. Once everything is done, combine in a bowl and top with a squeeze of lemon juice. So easy and yummy! Sometimes I add a spoon full of Trader Joe’s pesto sauce if I want some additional flavor.
Kale Chicken Caesar Salad
A delicious and healthy spin on a classic salad.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breast (Trader Joe’s has a great pre-made option, or you can use leftovers from the sheet pan recipe above)
- Kale
- Parmesan
- Roasted chickpeas (can buy pre-packaged or make your own)
- Caesar dressing (here is a healthy one I love)
This salad is an easy, healthy and oh-so delicious spin on the classic Caesar salad. This is one of my favorite salads to order at Freshii, so I decided to give it a go at home! In a bowl, prepare your kale for the base of your salad (buy a bag of chopped kale to make your life easier). Shred up your chicken and add it to a bowl. Sprinkle in some Parmesan (you can leave this option out if you are dairy-free) and add in your roasted chickpeas. Top with Caesar dressing of your choice, toss and serve. Easy and delicious.
Kale Lentil Soup
Although this has a little more than five ingredients, it is really simple, healthy and delicious. Also makes for great leftovers!
Ingredients:
- 4 cups vegetable broth (I use Trader Joe’s low-sodium broth)
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1½ teaspoons thyme
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1-2 cups mushrooms
- 2 cups lentils or quinoa
- 1 package kale
- Additional: 3 cups water, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt/pepper to taste
In large stockpot over medium heat, saute garlic, olive oil and thyme for about a minute. Add in veggie broth and water, then stir. Add in tomatoes, mushrooms and lentils. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Add kale during the last few minutes of cooking, stirring occasionally until kale wilts. Add salt/pepper to taste. I based this recipe loosely off of this one, but changed up a few things to make it my own!
Midwest-born and raised, Katherine is currently a college student living in NYC where she attends the Fashion Institute of Technology while studying Advertising and Marketing Communications with a focus in Public Relations. She tends to think of herself as a very non-traditional college student. She has a passion for health and wellness, home décor, fashion, city living and so much more. In her free time, you can find her scrolling Pinterest, hitting a workout class or watching HGTV.
Connect with Katherine on Instagram
You should also check out 5 Quick And Healthy Meals That Require Little Effort and 15 Healthy Recipes To Pin For The New Year!
