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7 Healthy Pantry Dinner Ideas Perfect for Busy Weeknights

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September 19, 2019
Photo Credit: The Endless Meal

By Lauren Paige

Home from work with no idea what to cook for dinner and with no energy to go shopping? No problem! These quick and clean dishes are easy to make from ingredients you probably have on hand. So dig in the back of the freezer and relax, you may even find your next masterpiece.

Vegetarian Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from The Kitchn

If you got a sweet potato, you’ve got dinner. With so many ways to use this healthy, hearty vegetable, all you need is a little protein plus some savory flavor to transform it from humble side into one incredible main. This vegetarian stuffed sweet potato seasoned with chipotle and lime is bound to be a new favorite.

Lemon garlic shrimp quinoa

Photo Credit: Jar of Lemons

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Quinoa from Jar of Lemons

Dust off that box of quinoa and thaw out those frozen shrimp to make this nutrient-dense dinner that is so good it could be served in a restaurant but tastes even better from your couch.

Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry from The Endless Meal

Wondering what to do with the last of those lentils? The creamy coconut curry is the perfect vehicle for those fiber-packed pods. This simple one-pot meal is packed with so many flavors that are not only delicious but nutritious, it’s proof that the food that’s good food you can also taste this good.

Buffalo chicken lettuce cups

Photo Credit: Laura Fuentes

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Cups from Laura Fuentes

When you keep a good hot sauce on hand and chicken in the freeze, these spicy buffalo chicken lettuce cups can be on standby as the perfect pantry meal. Quick clean up and bold flavors ensure you’ll be pulling together this dish again and again.

Savory Steel Cut Oats with Browned Mushrooms from Food Heaven Made Easy

Yes, we’re totally talking about having oatmeal for dinner! But this savory evening oatmeal is a far cry from its sweet breakfast counterpart. Steel coat oats get swirled with caramelized mushrooms to make for a healthy and hearty dish that feels grown up even if your grocery list isn’t.

Bacon sweet potato frittata

Photo Credit: Real Simple Good

Bacon Sweet Potato Frittata from Real Simple Good

Breakfast for dinner is a wonderful thing. Start your evening off right with a recipe that’s impossible to get wrong. This bacon and sweet potato frittata makes a great healthy dinner and as long as you have eggs it can be modified to fit whatever you may have lingering in the back of the fridge.

Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak from Whisk It Real Gud

This recipe is perfect for the nights when you’re feeling fancy but your wallet is feeling frugal. With only 4 ingredients, and big garlicky flavor, you can pair this with a quick salad or whatever else you have around to make it a well-rounded meal. Consider this steak night made simple.

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