Some days you might want to play around in the kitchen and tackle that three-page recipe from your favorite gourmet cookbook. Other days, you aim to throw together healthy meals between rushing to work and rushing to work out. Believe us, we get the change of pace. But even though a microwaveable or pre-packaged breakfast or dinner may seem easier on those no-time-to-breathe days, reaching for these types of quickie dishes could mean more processed foods, or even worse, fast foods that derail your health and fitness goals. Good news is you don’t have to sacrifice happy hour to put together a happy, nutritious meal. Give us 20 minutes and we’ll prove that healthy in a hurry is not only possible, but also delicious!
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20-Minute Breakfast Recipes
1. Sweet and Savory Quinoa Oatmeal
More often seen at the dinner table, quinoa can actually make for an unexpected but satisfying start to the day. Add a handful of pumpkin seeds for extra fiber, and say goodbye to not-so-nutritious breakfasts for good. Better yet, make a big batch of this recipe to last all week and you can truly grab and go. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life By DailyBurn
2. Tofu Scramble
This protein-rich breakfast isn’t just a vegan alternative to scrambled eggs, but a delicious and healthy dish in its own right. Speckle tofu crumbles with colorful vegetables and toss in turmeric, which has many anti-inflammatory benefits. To keep this recipe under 20 minutes, omit the roasted tomatoes (or eat them raw). Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
3. Açaí Breakfast Bowl
Since açaí berries have such a high concentration of antioxidants, they’re a great way to fortify healthy meals for the mornings. Just blend, mix and serve — prep work done in five minutes flat. Garnish your smoothie bowl with granola for crunch and fresh berries for color — it’ll give you new reasons to rise and shine. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by DailyBurn
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4. Mac and Cheese Scrambled Eggs
Mac and cheese for breakfast? Yes, you read that right. Eggs take the place of most of the mac in this tasty, cheesy meal. And not only do they cut down on carbs, but the eggs boost protein, too. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
5. Blueberry Buckwheat Breakfast Pudding
Many people think of buckwheat as a cereal, when in fact it’s a fruit seed. That means it’ll make a great option for those who want to avoid gluten and grains. For this recipe, soak buckwheat overnight and then blend with antioxidant-rich blueberries to make a decadent, creamy pudding. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life By DailyBurn
6. Chocolate-Banana Protein Pancakes
Wake up to a protein packed breakfast with these quick and easy protein pancakes. With just 275 calories per serving — and 22 grams of protein — these flapjacks provide serious morning fuel. Round it out with your favorite fruit, and you’ve got a real breakfast champion. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life By DailyBurn
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20-Minute Lunch Recipes
7. Avocado Toast, Three Ways
This très chic open-face sandwich is a cinch to make. Just mash your avocado, add it to toast, then top with smoked salmon, radishes or tomatoes — the combos are endlessly customizable. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life By DailyBurn
8. Sriracha Spicy Shrimp Wrap
Shrimp is a great source of low-fat protein, heart-healthy omega-3s and energizing vitamin B12. The juicy prawns are also a good option for a light lunch, especially when spiked with a little Sriracha. It’s a combo that makes a seriously healthy meal — but not a ho-hum one. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
9. Vegan Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Borrowing inspiration from the Italian Caprese salad, this recipe combines flavorful dairy-free cheese, pesto, sliced tomatoes and fresh basil. Translation: one damn good, indulgent-like sandwich. Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life by Daily Burn
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10. Raw Rainbow Collard Greens Wrap
This vibrant, raw wrap bursts with a rainbow of vegetables. And they’re all contained by another nutrient-packed vegetable: the collard green. This dark, leafy green is an excellent source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Plus, it’s gluten free, completely unprocessed and super low in calories! Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
11. Kale Chicken Caesar Salad
Caesar salads don’t exactly have a reputation for being good for you. In this version made for healthy meals, you’ll swap out romaine for nutrient-dense kale, do away with the croutons, and toss in crunchy roasted chickpeas instead. A juicy grilled chicken breast rounds it out for a complete meal. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
12. Chopped Mason Jar Salad
Who said salad can’t be portable? You’ll have no problem meeting your recommended daily servings of vegetables with this flavorful mason-jar salad. Creamy peanut and ginger dressing gives the crisp veggies a blast of flavor while edamame and quinoa add protein. This dish delivers lots of fiber, too, which will fuel you for an afternoon of endless meetings. Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life By Daily Burn
13. Healthy Low-Carb BLT
This carb-free wrap showcases all the tasty things we love about BLTs (bacon, bacon, bacon) without the bread. Amp up the greens to make a refreshing and light lettuce wrap and use creamy avocado and a boiled egg as a healthier substitute for mayo. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
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20-Minute Dinner Recipes
14. Healthy Turkey Burgers
Compared to beef, ground turkey breast has the same amount of protein but half the saturated fat. Using an English muffin in place of a bun saves you some carbs, too. Pile on your veggies of choice and top them off with avocado for an extra creamy and fulfilling kick. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
15. Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo
The average Alfredo can easily pack 1,000 calories in a single serving. This recipe swaps the fattening dairy for steamed cauliflower and nutritional yeast — a vegan source of protein and fiber that tastes like cheese. Best of all, you can whip the sauce up in the time it takes to boil pasta. Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life By Daily Burn
16. Miso Glazed Salmon with Snap Peas
Savory miso and sweet maple syrup team up to give this meaty and flavorful fish an irresistible caramelized finish. The sugar snap peas also pack the meal with a generous serving of fiber and vitamin C. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
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17. Healthy Pork Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps are quick and easy to prepare, and a great alternative to bread if you’re watching your carb intake. Combining a sweet and savory filling with a crispy crunch, your taste buds won’t even realize grains are missing. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
18. Miso Vegetable Soup Recipe
Let’s not forget, it’s flu season. And miso has powerful immune-boosting benefits that help our bodies fight illness. Couple that with the natural antibiotic properties of ginger and vitamin C from the colorful vegetables in this soup, and you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way. Start sipping! Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
19. Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Choosing a lean, high-quality, grass-fed cut will make you feel better about what you’re putting in your body — without having to sacrifice flavor. This tangy chimichurri sauce is the perfect complement to grilled steak, and it keeps the meal light. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
20. Pear and Prosciutto Pizza
Hold the pepperoni (yes, we said it)! Prosciutto offers a leaner alternative and provides the same meaty satisfaction without the added grease. This whole-wheat pizza also trades mozzarella for goat cheese, so you still get cheesy goodness, but with fewer calories. Voilá, pizzas made for healthy meals. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
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