Quick, easy, healthy: weeknight dinners you’ll love
Weeknights call for quick yet wholesome meals that require little effort but still taste delicious. Try a nutritious cauliflower and grain salad or a gut-friendly curry.
Weeknight dinners have a reputation for being either a stress-fueled rush or an uninspired routine. But gone are the days of overcooked lamb and bland sides reminiscent of 1970s fare. With a few modern twists, you can whip up meals that are not just healthy but taste spectacular. Whether you’re craving comfort food that still fits your health goals, like this Italian soup, or want to embrace the joys of bread in a balanced diet, there’s a recipe for every palate.
For those seeking deeper dietary insights, explore the growing evidence on low-carb, high-protein diets or learn how to eat what you love while improving your overall health.
Healthy weeknight dinners
The key to weeknight success is keeping it simple without sacrificing flavour. Think one-pot wonders, versatile salads, and dishes that come together in under 30 minutes.
Salads
Elizabeth Hewson’s light and summery pasta salad
When the weather calls for something refreshing yet satisfying, this summery pasta salad is the perfect choice. Featuring a mix of vibrant greens and tender pasta, it’s a balance of health and indulgence.
Elizabeth Hewson’s pasta salad recipe.
Crunchy and fresh Greek salad
Bright and inviting, this version of a Greek salad combines crunch, freshness, and a colourful presentation. It’s a simple yet satisfying option for any day of the week.
A Greek salad that’s fresh and inviting.
Roasted beet salad
Sweet meets savoury in this salad, where roasted beets shine alongside a medley of fresh ingredients. It’s a hearty dish perfect for evenings where you just want to dig right in.
Cabbage and tomato salad with mint and oregano
A celebration of simple ingredients, this tomato salad is spiked with fresh herbs, making it a plate of joy for any meal.
A salad spiked with mint, tomato, and oregano.
Late-summer tomato bounty salad
Make the most of late-summer tomatoes with this vibrant and delicious salad. A perfect pairing for any main course or as a standalone dish.
A tomato salad to make the most of summer’s bounty.
Roasted cauliflower and chickpea Cypriot salad
Cauliflower happily soaks up whatever flavours you fancy; the more you throw at it, the more interesting it becomes. Serve this vibrant salad as a side with grilled lamb or chicken skewers to get your fill of satiating protein.
This roasted cauliflower salad is a cracker.
Mediterranean dishes
A warming Italian soup for cool nights
This rustic Italian soup brings the heart of Mediterranean cooking to your table. With its rich broth and wholesome ingredients, it’s a dish you’ll return to time and again.
A warming Italian soup to have when you get home.
White beans with a kick of chilli
Kathy Tsaples brings her take on a truly Mediterranean dish of white beans and chilli. It’s homely and utterly moreish – a must try.
Try her recipe for fasoulatha.
A healthy one-tray veg bake
Ella Mittas looks to her father’s Greek heritage for this recipe, which is a great way of using up any left-over greens in the fridge. Try using spinach, chard, beetroot leaves or whatever you have on hand.
Try this easy one-tray bake recipe here.
A hearty chicken soup
David Herbert offers up this delicious and nutritious chicken soup which is chock full of vegetables.
David Herbert’s chicken soup recipe can be found here.
Gut healing favourites
A gut-friendly korma for everyone
Treat your gut while indulging in the creamy goodness of this korma. Packed with spices and probiotic-rich ingredients, it’s both a crowd-pleaser and a digestive hero.
A korma that will have your gut celebrating.
A gluten-free pizza alternative
David Herbert makes this pizza with a cauliflower base to provide a gluten-free alternative. The toppings are light and flavoursome – and the pizza making process itself is easier than you think.
Find the recipe for David Herbert’s gluten free pizza here.
A foolproof coconut dahl
This one-pot wonder is rich in flavour and seasoned with aromatic spices. Like most dahl, this dish is vegan and perfect for those who love a balanced meal that’s both healthy and delicious.
The perfect healthy dahl for you to make at home.
Fish curry with cauliflower rice
This fish curry is sure to become a house favourite, paired with cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative. Use barramundi or any other firm white fish for best results.
Find Luke Hines’s fish curry with cauliflower rice here.
Anytime meals
A versatile frittata for any time of day
This flavorful frittata is a true all-rounder. Packed with wholesome ingredients, it’s as good for breakfast as it is for dinner.
Full of flavour and goodness, this frittata is good anytime.
Irresistible salmon for weeknights
This salmon recipe is quick, healthy, and packed with flavour. It’s a perfect dish to satisfy both your taste buds and your health goals.
You won’t believe how good this salmon is.
A sumptuous roasted cauliflower and wheat salad
The combination of cauliflower and tahini alongside the grains make for a nourishing salad that is substantial enough to be a complete meal.
Cook up this roasted cauliflower recipe by Julia Busuttil Nishimura.
Fruit compote recipes
Amy Chaplin’s fruit compotes transform plain porridge into a sublime breakfast or, when folded into thick yoghurt, make an instant dessert or healthy snack.
Try these versatile fruit compote recipes.
Want more weeknight dinner ideas? Check out these easy Sunday roast recipes or try your hand at these salad recipes. For more food ideas, go to theaustralian.com.au/life/food-drink. For weekly recipes, sign up to our weekly food and wine newsletter.
