21 Easy Dinner Recipes That Are Heart-Healthy
It doesn’t matter which diet or wellness plan you’re following: eating heart-healthy foods is beneficial to your overall health. In addition to reducing your risk of heart disease, these foods help lower your blood pressure and keep your cholesterol in check. All you need to do is incorporate a few fiber-filled foods into your diet, eat fish at least once a week, and limit your unhealthy fats. Easy, right? Actually, it is, especially when you have a collection of easy dinner recipes that are heart-healthy. I’ll let you in on a little secret: these recipes all taste delicious, too!
OUR LATEST VIDEOS The best way to incorporate more heart-healthy ingredients into your diet is to plan a few easy dinners. It’s a fool-proof way to eat more omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. We love this list of easy dinner recipes that are heart-healthy because they’re filled with tasty ingredients that also happen to be great for your overall health. When planning a heart-healthy meal, look for the following foods:
- Omega-3 rich proteins (like salmon, grass-fed beef, oysters, and anchovies)
- Nuts (like walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and cashews)
- Seeds (like quinoa, flaxseed, and chia seed)
- Berries (like raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries)
- Legumes (like chickpeas and lentils)
- Whole grains (like oatmeal and barley)
- Healthy fats found in avocados and olive oil
- Fiber-filled fruits and vegetables (like broccoli and Brussels sprouts)
We also wanted to find recipes that had minimal prep and didn’t take too long to cook. We love slow-cooker recipes and using the Instant Pot for this very reason, but we also have some great one-pot meals on the list. So, without further ado, here are our favorite easy dinner recipes that are heart-healthy.
1. Baked Lemon Salmon and Asparagus Foil Pack
Foil packs are my favorite way to turn a complicated recipe into an easy-to-execute dinner. You just pop everything inside the aluminum foil, seal it up, and dinner is ready 30 minutes later. Clean-up is a breeze, too!
2. Easy Vegetarian Quinoa Chili With Lentils Recipe
Enjoy this tasty vegetarian chili filled with protein-rich quinoa and lentils. These heart-healthy ingredients come together to create a tasty, belly-warming chili that’s filled with fiber and nutrient-dense vegetables.
3. Zucchini Noodles with Pistachio Pesto
This zoodles recipe is my favorite way to fill up on heart-healthy pistachios. It’s filling and packed full of protein, but feel free to add some omega-3 fatty acids by topping the dish with broiled salmon.
4. 5 Ingredient Spinach & Pasta Alfredo
Any recipe that has less than 10-ingredients is a winner in my book! This simple but delicious dish features heart-healthy whole wheat spaghetti, so you won’t have to feel guilty about eating those carbs.
5. Cilantro Lime Chicken with Mexican Quinoa
Skip the rice, which doesn’t do much for your heart, and swap in quinoa to create a zesty Mexican dish. It’s bursting with flavor from the fresh cilantro, tangy lime, and spicy chili powder. Your heart (and your belly) will thank you!
6. One Pan Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs, Tomatoes, and Chickpeas
It doesn’t get easier than a one-pan meal! This dish is filled with protein-rich chickpeas, which happen to be one of my favorite legumes. It’s saucy, textured, and savory – perfect for any night of the week!
7. Perfect Avocado and Poached Egg Quinoa Bowl
Eggs don’t have to be for breakfast! This poached egg quinoa bowl is the perfect way to celebrate protein-rich eggs for dinner. You’ll love the way the healthy-fat-filled avocado comes together with the crunchy quinoa and juicy tomatoes.
