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It’s totally normal to eat more than you usually do during the holidays. It’s all those special dishes—and times with friends and family—that make celebrating so special! I sure got my fill of herb-roasted turkey, melting potatoes and apple crisp with cranberries last week. In no way do you need to “eat clean” or “detox” afterward, but you might be feeling out of your routine—like me—and craving healthy dinners to help you feel your best. This week, I’m making dinners that come in around 400 calories per serving and are ready in three steps or less to keep your prep as easy as possible.
Your Meal Plan
The quality of the food we eat is more important than the number of calories it has, which is why these dinners are packed with nutrient-rich veggies, lean proteins and healthy carbs. Let’s dive in.
ThePork Chops with Balsamic Sweet Onionsrecipe makes a flavorful and healthy entree for Sunday dinner. Adding balsamic vinegar to your veggies makes them irresistibly delicious! The balsamic onions in this recipe are full of flavor, and the thyme and parsley add a touch of freshness. To complete the meal, I’ll serve the pork chops with a side of quinoa.
I’m planning to serve Tuesday’s dinner, theHoney Mustard Salmon with Mango Quinoa, with a side of quinoa, too, so making a double batch on Sunday means I can skip that step during the busier workweek. Honey mustard is one of my favorite condiments, and it’s so easy to make at home. Whether it’s on top of salmon (like in Tuesday’s dinner), slathered on grilled chicken or used as a salad dressing, it’s so tasty. The quinoa salad perfectly complements the fish; it’s crunchy and slightly sweet from mango, with a spicy twist from the jalapeño. I’ll serve this dish with someSautéed Zucchinito add a serving of veggies and round out the meal.
I’ll welcome the weekend with this mouthwateringSheet-Pan Shrimp Fried Ricerecipe. Sheet-pan recipes are great to make on busy nights. And though you’ll need a couple of bowls for this dinner, the cleanup is pretty straightforward, and there’s no need to clean your stovetop afterward. For easy prep, I’ll use precooked packets of brown rice, which will add a little more fiber to the dish than the white rice that’s called for.
Sunday:Pork Chops with Balsamic Sweet Onionswith a side of ⅔ cups ofcooked quinoa(394 calories)
Monday:Broccoli & Quinoa Casserolepaired with 2 cups of greens salad tossed with a tablespoon ofLemon-Herb Vinaigrette(400 calories)
Tuesday:Honey Mustard Salmon with Mango Quinoapaired with one serving ofSautéed Zucchini(384 calories)
Wednesday:Chickpea & Potato Hash(382 calories)
Thursday:Creamy White Chili with Cream Cheesewith a side ofBalsamic-Parmesan Sautéed Spinach(403 calories)
Friday:Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fried Rice(393 calories)
Get the printable shopping list.
Something to Sip On
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.
The temperature continues to drop here in Seattle, which makes me crave more comforting warm drinks instead of ice-cold ones. And this boozyBaileys & Chambord Spiked Hot Cocoais calling my name. This chocolaty drink can be whipped up in just a few minutes and only requires three ingredients (not counting the water and optional garnishes). This drink just might become your favorite cocoa for this holiday season.
Get the Recipe:Baileys & Chambord Spiked Hot Cocoa
What’s Inspiring Me This Week
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Find Out More:The 14 Best Sale Items at Costco in December
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