21 Heart-Healthy Dinner Recipes

Heart-healthy dinners don’t have to be boring or taste like cardboard. These 21 recipes focus on lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and lots of vegetables. Most of them are pretty simple to make and use ingredients you can find at any grocery store.

The best part is these meals actually taste good while being good for you. Many can be prepped ahead or made in big batches for leftovers during busy weeks.

Grilled Salmon with Quinoa and Roasted Vegetables

Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids which are great for your heart. The quinoa gives you complete protein and fiber while the roasted vegetables add tons of nutrients and flavor. You can use whatever vegetables you have – zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli, carrots all work great. The key is not overcooking the salmon – it should still be a little pink in the middle. This meal looks fancy but is actually pretty simple to throw together on a weeknight.

Get the recipe here.

Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Stew

This is basically a vegetarian powerhouse loaded with fiber, plant protein, and antioxidants. The chickpeas make it filling while tomatoes, onions, and whatever other vegetables you add provide tons of flavor. Some recipes include olives which add healthy fats. This gets better the next day when the flavors have time to meld together. You can make a big batch on Sunday and eat it all week. Goes great with a piece of whole grain bread for dipping.

Get the recipe here.

Baked Cod with Lemon Herb Crust and Steamed Broccoli

Cod is a lean white fish that’s mild tasting and hard to mess up. The herb crust is usually just breadcrumbs, herbs, and a little olive oil that gets crispy in the oven. Broccoli is one of the best vegetables for heart health and steaming keeps all the nutrients intact. This is a classic healthy dinner that never gets old. The fish cooks fast so its perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have much time.

Get the recipe here.

Turkey and Black Bean Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ground turkey is way leaner than beef but still gives you plenty of protein. The black beans add fiber and make the filling more substantial. Bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C and other antioxidants. Some recipes include brown rice in the stuffing which makes them even more filling. These look impressive but are actually pretty easy to make. You can prep them ahead and just pop in the oven when you get home from work.

Get the recipe here.

Lentil and Vegetable Curry with Brown Rice

Lentils are super cheap and packed with protein, fiber, and folate which is good for your heart. The curry spices like turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand – carrots, potatoes, spinach, peas all work. Brown rice has more fiber and nutrients than white rice. This is comfort food that happens to be really healthy. Leftovers taste even better and it freezes well too.

Get the recipe here.

Grilled Chicken Breast with Avocado Salsa

Chicken breast is lean protein and grilling keeps it healthy without adding extra fat. The avocado salsa has healthy monounsaturated fats plus whatever vegetables you add like tomatoes, onions, cilantro. Some recipes include corn and black beans which makes it more substantial. This is simple but tasty and you can change up the salsa ingredients based on what you have. Great for meal prep since both parts keep well in the fridge.

Get the recipe here.

Quinoa-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms are meaty enough to be satisfying without actual meat. The quinoa stuffing usually includes vegetables like onions, peppers, and sometimes nuts or cheese for extra flavor. These are naturally gluten-free and vegetarian but still filling. The mushrooms get tender and juicy when baked. This feels fancy enough for company but is simple enough for a regular dinner. Even meat-eaters usually like these.

Get the recipe here.

Baked Sweet Potato with Black Bean and Corn Salad

Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene, fiber, and potassium which are all good for heart health. The black bean and corn salad adds protein, fiber, and makes it more filling. You can add whatever vegetables you want to the salad – tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado. Some recipes include a lime vinaigrette which brightens everything up. This is cheap, filling, and colorful. Kids usually like it too because sweet potatoes taste good.

Get the recipe here.

Mediterranean Tuna and White Bean Salad

This is like a fancy tuna salad but way healthier. The white beans add fiber and protein while the Mediterranean flavors like olives, tomatoes, and olive oil provide healthy fats and antioxidants. You can serve it over greens or with whole grain bread. This is perfect for hot summer nights when you don’t want to cook. It actually tastes better if you make it ahead and let the flavors mix together in the fridge.

Get the recipe here.

Vegetable and Tofu Stir-Fry with Brown Rice

Tofu is a complete protein and takes on whatever flavors you cook it with. Stir-frying with minimal oil keeps the vegetables crisp and bright. You can use whatever vegetables you have – broccoli, snap peas, carrots, bell peppers all work great. The key is not overcrowding the pan and cooking everything at high heat. This is fast, healthy, and cheap. Even people who think they don’t like tofu usually enjoy this.

Get the recipe here.

Herb-Crusted Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Chicken thighs have more flavor than breasts and stay moist even if you overcook them a little. The herb crust adds flavor without breading. Brussels sprouts get sweet and caramelized when roasted properly. Some people think they hate brussels sprouts but roasting them changes everything. This is a complete meal that cooks in one pan which means less cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something healthy but don’t want to spend all evening cooking.

Get the recipe here.

Spinach and Mushroom Frittata with Mixed Greens

Eggs are cheap protein and frittatas are basically foolproof. The spinach wilts down to nothing but adds iron and other nutrients. Mushrooms give meaty flavor and texture. You can add whatever vegetables you have on hand. This works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and tastes good hot or at room temperature. The mixed greens add more vegetables and fiber. Great for using up leftover vegetables in the fridge.

Get the recipe here.

Grilled Vegetable and Hummus Wrap

Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and adds smoky flavor. Hummus provides protein and healthy fats. Whole grain wraps have more fiber than regular ones. You can use whatever vegetables grill well – zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions. This is perfect for summer when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen. Also good for meal prep since the components keep well separately and you can assemble them fresh.

Get the recipe here.

Baked Trout with Almond and Herb Topping

Trout is another fish high in omega-3s and it has a mild flavor that most people like. The almond and herb topping adds healthy fats and crunch without breading. Almonds provide vitamin E which is good for heart health. This looks fancy but is actually really simple – just mix the topping ingredients and spread on the fish before baking. The fish cooks quickly so its perfect for weeknight dinners.

Get the recipe here.

Turkey Meatballs with Marinara and Zucchini Noodles

Ground turkey is much leaner than beef but the meatballs still taste good if you season them well. Some recipes include oats or breadcrumbs to keep them moist. Zucchini noodles have way fewer carbs and calories than pasta but still feel like you’re eating noodles. The marinara sauce adds lycopene which is good for your heart. This satisfies pasta cravings without all the heavy carbs. My kids don’t even notice the zucchini noodles if I don’t tell them.

Get the recipe here.

Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Bowl

These Buddha bowls are super trendy but also really healthy and filling. You can use whatever vegetables you have and roasting brings out their natural sweetness. Quinoa provides complete protein and fiber. Some recipes include a tahini or vinaigrette dressing which adds healthy fats. These are perfect for meal prep since all the components keep well and you can mix and match throughout the week. Very Instagram-worthy too if you care about that.

Get the recipe here.

Grilled Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice Pilaf

Shrimp is low in calories but high in protein and cooks super fast. Cauliflower rice has way fewer carbs than regular rice but still feels substantial. You can buy it pre-made or make your own by pulsing cauliflower in a food processor. The pilaf usually includes vegetables like onions, carrots, and peas. This feels like a fancy restaurant meal but is actually pretty simple to make at home.

Get the recipe here.

Lemon Garlic Chicken with Steamed Asparagus

This is a classic combination that never gets old. The lemon and garlic give tons of flavor without adding calories or unhealthy fats. Asparagus is loaded with folate and other heart-healthy nutrients. Both the chicken and asparagus cook quickly so this is perfect for busy weeknights. You can prep the chicken ahead with the marinade and just throw everything together when you get home. Simple but tasty.

Get the recipe here.

Three-Bean Chili with Cornbread

Beans are fiber powerhouses and the different types give you variety in texture and flavor. This is usually vegetarian but some recipes include lean ground turkey. The chili gets better the longer it simmers and tastes even better the next day. Cornbread made with whole grain cornmeal adds fiber. This is perfect comfort food for cold weather and makes a huge batch so you’ll have leftovers for days.

Get the recipe here.

Baked Eggplant Parmesan with Side Salad

This version uses baking instead of frying which cuts way down on the oil and calories. The eggplant gets tender and creamy inside while the coating gets crispy. Using part-skim mozzarella and less cheese overall makes it lighter. The side salad adds more vegetables and fiber. This satisfies Italian food cravings without all the guilt. Even people who think they don’t like eggplant usually enjoy this.

Get the recipe here.

Wild Rice and Vegetable Stuffed Acorn Squash

Wild rice has more protein and fiber than regular rice and a nutty flavor. Acorn squash is loaded with beta-carotene and other antioxidants. The stuffing usually includes vegetables like onions, celery, and sometimes dried cranberries or nuts. This looks really impressive when you serve it but isn’t actually that hard to make. Perfect for fall when squash is in season. This is filling enough to be a complete meal even for meat-eaters.

Get the recipe here.