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Here are my top healthy recipes for any meal of the day, from energizing breakfasts to satisfying dinners. These dishes are packed with vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins for delicious, balanced eating.

The term “healthy recipes” is hard to define. But after testing (literally) thousands of recipes over the past decade, I think I know what many people are looking for: food that makes you feel energized without sacrificing flavor that’s made of deliciously hearty and satisfying ingredients.

Here is a collection of recipes that have earned permanent spots in my dinner rotation, and the ones readers tell me they’ve made over and over. I’ve organized them by meal to make your planning easier, whether you’re looking for easy breakfast recipes, lunch ideas to take to work, or quick dinners for weeknights that are packed with nutrients.

What Makes These Recipes “Healthy”?

I follow a Mediterranean diet approach to cooking, which means these recipes emphasize colorful vegetables, whole grains, seafood, and healthy fats like olive oil. Each recipe I’ve selected delivers high amounts of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. I’m not claiming these are miracle foods, but they make balanced, nourishing meals.

For more about what specific recipes are right for you, consult your doctor or health care professional. You can also learn more about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet here.

50 Healthy Recipes to Try

Tips for Making Healthy Recipes Work

After years of testing and cooking these recipes, I’ve learned that success comes down to a few key strategies. First, meal prep components like grains, beans, and roasted vegetables on days off work.

Second, keep your pantry stocked with Mediterranean diet staples like olive oil, canned beans, whole grains, and frozen vegetables. Also, don’t be afraid to customize: these recipes work as templates you can adjust based on what’s in your fridge.

You can also explore recipes by dietary preference: see my plant-based recipes, vegan recipes, and gluten-free recipes.

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi there! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of two cookbooks, busy parents, and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share simple, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking. We now offer thousands of original recipes, cooking tips, and meal planning ideas—all written and photographed by the two of us (and tested on our kids!).

Leave a Comment

7 Comments

  1. standard bee says:

    Love these healthy recipes! Simple and tasty. I’ve shared some of my own ideas on standardbee.com

  2. Bob says:

    Thank you for all of these, my goal is to eat as healthy and as clean as possible and you have some great recipes to help me be more creative. Thanks!

  3. Camila Wilson says:

    I will definitely be bookmarking this post for future reference. Thanks for sharing these 50 amazing recipes!

  4. Sabrina says:

    thank you for all of these, very helpful, and really like the lentil soup!

  5. Levent says:

    Many thanks!

  6. Tarhibit says:

    One of the resourceful content I have even seen. Many thanks!

  7. Sabrina says:

    thank you for all of these, nice group of recipes – really like the eggplant pizza and loaded sweet potatoes (yay!)