Healthy and Delicious Lunch Dinner Menu Ideas

I love food because I believe that a happy stomach means a happy life. And only good food can make your stomach happy.

We are so busy nowadays and making enough time to prepare delicious food to meet our cravings seems a challenge to many.

For the busy persons of this century, a food menu becomes perfect with the combination of 4 matters – healthy, delicious, easy, and quick. Your cravings for food fulfills only when these 4 matters combine perfectly.

We have tried to represent a list of food menu for your lunch and dinner by combining these 4 matters – healthy, delicious, easy, and quick.

Lunch Dinner Menu Ideas

20 Easy and Quick Lunch Dinner Menu Ideas

Cauliflower Pizza

Nowadays people are becoming conscious about food more than before and they are looking for a healthy diet. A healthy diet does not mean having tasteless food. Avoiding delicious food to maintain good health seems kind of torture to your craving for food.

Cauliflower pizza is a delicious pizza with low carb. It is gluten-free and compared to the traditional wheat flour pizza crust the cauliflower pizza crust is more healthy.

Cauliflower contains a lot of vitamin K and C. And you know vitamin K and C makes your bones and teeth healthy. Cauliflower helps to reduce high blood pressure, strengthens your immune system, and detoxes your liver.

You do not need to buy a lot of ingredients to make a tasty cauliflower pizza, only 5 ingredients are enough to make it. The recipe is easy and it does not take a lot of time to make.

A good pizza pan can make your work easier. You can look for the best pizza pan here.

Lunch Dinner Menu Ideas

Spaghetti

If you are a very busy person and cannot make enough time to prepare delicious food spaghetti is the best choice for you. Spaghetti is the item that lets you make delicious food of versatile taste without spending much time.

There are lots of recipes of spaghetti and also you can do experiments with this item with a little chance of making something with horrible taste.

Spaghetti

Nachos

I cannot think of anything more satisfying than a loaded tray of hot nachos that just came from the oven. Nachos is from Mexico but it is popular all over the world. Nachos contains everything- protein, carbs, veggies, and cheese.

Nachos have various kinds of recipes. Some people think that nachos are not good for health. But, it depends on the recipe. If you are a diet conscious person you can have zucchini nachos, bell pepper nachos, or cauliflower nachos.

The taste of your nachos highly depends on the toppings you are using. Here are some impressive toppings that you can use on your nachos:

Nachos
  • Black Olives
  • Shredded Lettuce
  • Grilled Corn
  • Pickled Red Onions
  • Cubed Steak
  • Pico De Gallo
  • Cotija Cheese
  • Pinto Beans
  • Fresh Jalapeño Slices
  • Shredded Chicken Or Crumbled Tofu

Fajitas

 For weeknight meal chicken fajita is a wonderful choice. Returning from work you feel tired but at the same time, you want to have tasty food. Fajitas is an easy and quick item that maximum takes 20 to 25 minutes to come on to your dining table from the kitchen.

To prepare fajitas you can either purchase fajitas seasoning from the market or you can make it at home. Since I am a lover of homemade food I like to make fajitas seasoning at home.

Chicken and beef both are used to make fajitas but the chicken fajitas are more common than the beef fajitas. Cheese, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole are the most common fajita toppings.

Fajitas

Jambalaya

If you want to have Spanish, French, and African flavor at the same time I would recommend you Jambalaya. It generally contains chicken or pork, seafood such as shrimp or crawfish, and andouille sausage.

You can also add vegetables blended with sofrito ( fried onion, garlic, and tomato) and white rice to this item. To make the food delicious and fresh use enough spices and freshly thawed shrimp.

Jambalaya

Buritto

Some food never gets old or you will never feel tired to have that item very often. Buritto is that kind of food. No matter whether you prefer cheese or salsa-topped steak, spicy beans or you are maintaining the popular keto diet you can customize your Buritto in that way.

I would like to inform you about some delicious Buritto recipes. For example- burrito egg rolls, steak burrito bowls, cabbage burritos, cheesy bacon burrito, old bay shrimp burritos, easy chicken-rice burritos, skinny burrito bowl, chicken and broccoli grilled burritos, and many more.

Buritto

Cobb Salad

I love having cobb salad with homemade dressing. Preparing homemade dressing is not a difficult task at all. You need red wine vinegar, mustard, and olive oil to make the dress for the cobb salad. If these ingredients are already in your kitchen then bring a mason jar, throw all these ingredients into the jar and shake it out.

You can prepare it by following versatile routes. It does not take more than half an hour to prepare. Here I am sharing a simple recipe for making cobb salad.

If the dressing has already been prepared, bring a large platter, and spread out lettuce. Then add hard-boiled eggs, chicken, bacon, avocado, blue cheese, and cherry tomatoes. Finally, season it with pepper and salt, drizzle with dressing, and garnish with chives.

Cobb Salad

Butternut Squash Soup

If you want to have soup in your lunch or dinner menu you can try the butternut squash soup. Here I am sharing a delicious butternut squash soup recipe. 

It requires a large butternut squash, olive oil (2 tbsp.), onion, garlic, ginger, low-sodium chicken broth (6 cups), fresh thyme (6 sprigs), white beans (15-ounce), chickpeas (15-ounce), couscous (1/2 cup), finely chopped roasted pistachios (1/4 cup), finely chopped dried apricots (1/4 cup), fresh cilantro (1/4 cup), and a scallion.

Peel and cut the butternut squash into small pieces. Then cook it at medium heat. It may take 8-10 minutes.

Then in another skillet spread the oil, add onion and cook it for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes add smashed garlic, ginger and cook it for one more minute.

Now it is time to add broth, thyme, and butternut squash. Cook the total mixture until it boils. Mash the white beans and finally add pistachios, apricots, cilantro, and scallion. Use the couscous mixture as the toppings and serve the warm soup.

Butternut Squash Soup

Beef Burger

Here I am sharing a zesty beef burger recipe. It requires ground beef (1-1/2 pounds), diced tomatoes and green chiles (10 ounces), tomato paste (6 ounces), ketchup (1/4 cup), brown sugar (2 tablespoons), spicy brown mustard (1 tablespoon),  salt (1/4 teaspoon), sandwich buns, and fresh arugula (optional).

The first step is to prepare the beef. Cook the beef over medium heat until it becomes pink. When it becomes pink stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and salt and cook until it starts boiling.

When it starts to boil simmer it reducing the heat for 5 minutes. The beef is prepared and then serve within the buns with arugula toppings.

Beef Burger

Mushroom and Beef with Potatoes

Beef and mushroom are my all-time favorite food. The beef, mushroom, and potato combo does not seem a worldly food to me rather a heavenly food. I am not exaggerating. If you have not tried it yet here I am giving you the recipe, please try it and I am sure that you will agree with me after tasting it once.

This recipe requires 1 pound beef (ground), ½ pound red potatoes (sliced), ½ pound sliced mushrooms, 1 sliced onion, 3 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth, 2 tablespoons butter, and ½  cup french-fried onions.

At first, you have to boil the potatoes. When the potatoes are boiling, cook the beef with mushrooms and onions over medium-high heat. Stir the flour, pepper, salt, and broth. The broth should be stirred gradually. When the mixture will start boiling reduce the heat, simmer, and uncover until it becomes thick.

The potatoes will get boiled in the meantime. Smash the potatoes, add butter, salt, and pepper. Add the mashed potatoes top of the beef mixture and sprinkle fried onions.

Your delicious lunch is ready. You can also have this meal at your dinner.

Mushroom and Beef with Potatoes

Cheese Macaroni

Cheese macaroni is so yummy. The cheese macaroni recipe I am going to share with you now is not only a delicious lunch item but also a perfect dish for a potluck party. You can gain praise from your friends or colleague in a potluck party by presenting this cheese macaroni.

The first ingredient you need is of course macaroni – 3 cups macaroni of your favorite shape, 16 ounces processed cheese, 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, 1-3/4 cups whole milk, 12 ounces evaporated milk, 3/4 cup melted butter, and 3 lightly beaten eggs.

Boil the macaroni in salted water. I recommend you use salted water as it will prevent the macaroni to stick with one another. When the macarons are boiled drain the water, stir it with the remaining ingredients and cook it at low temperature.

Cheese Macaroni

Tomato Panzanella

Tomato is my favorite vegetable. And tomato Panzanella is a mouth-watering salad that is easy and quick to prepare.

Tomato Panzanella needs 2 lb. heirloom tomatoes, 1/2  loaf sourdough bread, 6 anchovy fillets, 2 large cloves garlic, 3 cup basil, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp. sherry vinegar, Kosher salt, pepper, and 4 tbsp. unsalted butter to prepare.

Chop the garlic, anchovies, and basil (1 and ½ cup) and take all the ingredients in a bowl. Then add  1/4 cup olive oil, vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in this mixture. To thicken the dressing you can add pulse.

Cut the bread into large pieces and yes do not forget to separate the crusts from the bread. The tomatoes should be sliced into large wedges and chunks and tossed with dressing. Keep it at rest for half an hour.

In the meantime, the butter should be melted with the rest of the ¼ cup of oil. The bread should be coated with butter at a low temperature. The bread will be golden brown and crispy.

Finally, toss the fried bread with the tomatoes and mix the basil with it. Drizzle the extra oil and sprinkle the fresh cracked pepper.

Tomato Panzanella

Cheesy Chicken with Broccoli

The recipe of cheesy chicken and broccoli I am going to share with you is useful to cut down fat and calories. But it is not a tasteless recipe at all.

To make this dish you need fat-free milk (1 cup), 2 eggs, baking mix (1/2 cup), salt (1/2 teaspoon), pepper (1/4 teaspoon), shredded rotisserie chicken (1 cup), thawed and drained frozen broccoli florets (4 cups), shredded cheddar cheese (1/2 cup), and chopped onion.

Take a large bowl and whisk the eggs, milk, baking mix, salt, and pepper. Then stir in broccoli, chicken, onion, and 1/4 cup cheese and then transfer it in a 9 in. pie plate and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over it. The plate should be pre-greased.

The oven should be preheated to 400°. Then start baking for 15-20 minutes. When the color becomes golden brown insert a knife in it. If the knife comes out clean then the baking is finished. Finally, let it stand for 10 minutes and then serve the delicious cheesy chicken with broccoli.

Cheesy Chicken with Broccoli

Arborio Rice with White Bean

Soup or soupy food is the most comfortable food. Arborio rice with white beans is a soupy dish that takes about half an hour to make.

The necessary ingredients to make Arborio rice with white beans include arborio rice (3/4 cup), frozen broccoli-cauliflower blend (16 ounces), cannellini beans (15 ounces), vegetable broth (32 ounces), fresh spinach (2 cups), dried oregano (1/4 teaspoon), dried basil (3/4 teaspoon),  dried thyme (1/2 teaspoon),  olive oil (1 tablespoon), and minced garlic cloves.

Saute garlic in a skillet for one minute. You must spread oil before sauteeing garlic in the skillet. Then add rice, cook and stir the rice for 2-3 minutes. After that, add broth and herbs and continue stirring until it boils.

When boiling starts, reduce the heat, simmer it covered for 10 minutes. Then stir in the frozen vegetables and beans. Cook it over medium heat for 10 minutes and stir after every few minutes while cooking. Finally, stir with spinach until the spinach becomes wilted. The food is ready and you can now serve it with lemon wedges.

Arborio Rice with White Bean

Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a common recipe and we all are acquainted with this food. Here I am sharing a simple delicious recipe of fried chicken.

You need flour (1-3/4 cups), one egg, 1 cut-up broiler/fryer chicken, dried thyme (1 tablespoon), paprika (1 tablespoon), salt (2 teaspoons), garlic powder (2 teaspoons),  milk (1/3 cup), pepper (1 teaspoon),  lemon juice (2 tablespoons), and oil.

Take 2 bowls and mix the flour, thyme, paprika, salt, garlic, and pepper in one bowl and whisk the egg, milk, and lemon in another bowl.  Then dip the chicken in the first mixture and shake off the excess flour. After that dip the chicken in the egg mixture and again in the flour mixture.

Then heat oil on a deep fryer or skillet and fry the chicken until the color becomes golden brown. Drain the extra oil on paper towels.

Fried Chicken

Meatball Stroganoff

From kids to adults meatball stroganoff is a delicious dish to all. It requires uncooked egg noodles (3 cups),  1 package (12 ounces) frozen fully cooked meatballs, dried parsley flakes (1 teaspoon), dried basil (3/4 teaspoon), beef broth (1-1/2 cups), pepper (1/4 teaspoon), dried oregano (1/2 teaspoon), olive oil (1 tablespoon), salt (1/2 teaspoon), heavy whipping cream (1 cup), sour cream (3/4 cup).

I hope you know the procedure of making egg noodles. So, I am not describing it here. In the meantime, heat oil in a large skillet and cook the meatballs until it becomes brown. Then add broth, seasoning, and bring it to boil.

After that, add meatballs, noodles, and cream and bring it to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for 3 to 5 minutes. Finally, stir in sour cream and heat through and your meatball stroganoff is ready.

Roasted Chicken

If you want to make roasted chicken gather 2 fryer chickens, onion salt (3/4 teaspoon), celery salt (3/4 teaspoon), seasoned salt (3/4 teaspoon), and pepper (1/2 teaspoon).

Mix the seasoning and preheat the oven to 400°.

Bring a roasting pan and place chicken on it keeping the breast side up. Then rub the seasoning both in outside and inside of the chicken. Tie the drumstick together and tuck below the wings.

Then start roasting for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Then remove it from the oven and let it stand for 15 minutes.

Roasted Chicken

Pasta with Peas

You need pasta (12 ounces), sausage (1 pound), minced garlic, tomato paste (1/4 cup), crushed tomatoes (28 ounces), dried basil (1/2 teaspoon), crushed red pepper flakes (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon), frozen peas (1-1/2 cups), heavy whipping cream (1/2 cup), crumbled goat or feta cheese (1/2 cup), fresh basil.

I hope that you know the process of cooking rigatoni but if you do not know it is written on the package. So, I am not describing the process of cooking rigatoni here.

Meanwhile, start cooking the sausage over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Gradually add garlic, tomato paste one by one. Add dried basil and pepper flakes and continue heating. When it will start boiling reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes and yes do not forget to stir occasionally.

Then drain rigatoni, stir into sausage mixture. After that add peas and cream into the rigatoni and finally stir cheese and basil on the top.

Pasta with Peas

Beef with Bean

To prepare this dish you need lean ground beef (1 pound), onion, garlic, diced tomatoes with mild green chilies (14-1/2 ounces each), pinto beans (15 ounces each), black beans (15 ounces each), chili powder (2 to 3 tablespoons), ground cumin (2 teaspoons), salt (1/2 teaspoon), sour cream, chopped red onion, and minced fresh cilantro.

At the first stage cook the beef with onion, garlic, and other spices. When the beef is cooked transfer it to 5-qt. slow cooker. Then drain the tomatoes in the beef. After that, stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, beans, the rest of the tomatoes,  and cook it covered.

To increase the consistency mash the beans and finally serve with sour cream, chopped red onion, and minced fresh cilantro toppings.

Beef with Bean

Fish Sticks

To prepare the fish sticks you need dry bread crumbs (1/2 cup), salt (1/2 teaspoon), paprika (1/2 teaspoon), lemon-pepper seasoning (1/2 teaspoon), all-purpose flour (1/2 cup), 1 egg, cod fillets (3/4 pound) cut into 1-inch strips, and butter-flavored cooking spray.

Take a bowl and mix the bread crumbs with the seasoning. Take another bowl and mix the egg with flours. Dip the fish in the flour mixture and coat all the sides. Then remove the excess flour by shaking off.

Then dip it in the egg mixture and then in the crumb mixture.  Bring a baking sheet and place the fish sticks on it. Spray the butter-flavored cooking spray on the fish sticks and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Fish Sticks

Final Thought

The quality of your food largely depends on your skill of cooking. Do not worry as attaining good cooking skills is not a difficult task at all. You can be a good cook after trying several times and some people are so much talented that they can cook delicious food from the first attempt.

While cooking, try to use fresh ingredients, and if you have time try to prepare a homemade seasoning rather than purchasing one from the market as homemade items are healthier. 

Another important thing is the presentation of the food during serving. A nicely decorated dish seems more delicious than an ordinarily presented dish.

There is a trick to make a less delicious food more delicious. If your food is not so tasty decorate it more nicely. I hope that you have understood the trick.

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