Healthy recipe ideas that don't sacrifice on taste
Looking for healthy recipe ideas to kickstart the new year? You've come to the right place. We're here to prove that healthy needn't mean boring, with a collection of over 80 of our most popular recipes. Delicious and nutritious in equal measure, we guarantee you'll find a new family favourite to repeat time after time.
From chicken recipes to veggie recipes and pastas to comforting curries, there is something to satisfy everyone around the table. Better yet, many of the recipes take less than 30 minutes to prepare, so are perfect to add to your weeknight roster.
Seabass Coconut Curry with Paratha
This south Indian-style curry is wonderfully fragrant and light.
Recipe: Seabass Coconut Curry with Paratha
Miso Pork Meatballs with Kale Crisps and Butterbean Mash
The miso paste adds umami and depth to these meatballs, while the crispy kale gives crunch.
Recipe: Miso Pork Meatballs with Kale Crisps and Butterbean Mash
Grated Tofu ‘Chorizo’ Tacos
Grating the tofu allows it to crisp up in the pan quickly, while the mushrooms and spices give it a meaty flavour reminiscent of chorizo.
Recipe: Grated Tofu ‘Chorizo’ Tacos
Quinoa Paella
High in protein and fibre, quinoa makes this vegan paella-style dish filling and healthy.
Recipe: Quinoa Paella
Piri Piri Fish Pie
This punchy spice mix is usually served with chicken, but here we’ve used it to jazz up a classic fish pie.
Recipe: Piri Piri Fish Pie
Smoked Salmon Poke Bowl
We’ve swapped traditional raw fish for smoked salmon in this midweek marvel.
Recipe: Smoked Salmon Poke Bowl
Fajita Traybake
If you don’t fancy rice, serve inside warm wholemeal tortillas instead.
Recipe: Fajita Traybake
Curried Baked Beans
A recipe that’s easily scalable or divisible. Would make a delicious brunch too.
Recipe: Curried Baked Beans
Roast Tomato and Chilli Soup
Comforting midweek dinner. For a soup that packs a punch, keep the seeds in your chillies.
Recipe: Roast Tomato and Chilli Soup
Red Pepper and Lamb Lahmacun
A little lamb mince goes a long way on these crisp and easy flatbreads, inspired by Turkey’s answer to the pizza.
Recipe: Red Pepper and Lamb Lahmacun
Chicken Piccata Escalope with Fennel-Pea Salad
Crispy chicken served with a refreshing, crunchy salad.
Recipe: Chicken Piccata Escalope with Fennel-Pea Salad
Virtue Bowl
Move over Buddha bowl, that’s so last year!
Recipe: Virtue Bowl
Pork and Mushroom Yaki Udon
This tasty stir-fry is filled with vegetables and just enough meat to satisfy.
Recipe: Pork and Mushroom Yaki Udon
Easy Courgette and Leek Lasagne
This low calorie lasagne makes for a tasty midweek dinner
Recipe: Easy Courgette and Leek Lasagne
Crispy Cod with Pearl Barley Risotto
Pearl barley always retains a slight chew, but you still want it to be tender.
Recipe: Crispy Cod with Pearl Barley Risotto
Tuna Traybake with Salsa Verde Dressing
Let your oven do the work with this simple, colourful recipe.
Recipe: Tuna Traybake with Salsa Verde Dressing
Cauliflower and Lentil Bolognese
Lentils and cauliflower give this sauce a toothsome texture.
Recipe: Cauliflower and Lentil Bolognese
Zesty Carrot and Lentil Soup
A simple and warming soup brought to life with orange zest and harissa.
Recipe: Zesty Carrot and Lentil Soup
Chicken Borscht with Rye Dumplings
This vibrant soup is sure to warm up a chilly day and can be easily adapted to become vegetarian. The rye bread flavour is authentic, but you can use fresh brown breadcrumbs too if you like.
Recipe: Chicken Borscht with Rye Dumplings
Lentil and Quinoa Burger
A satisfying burger, sure to placate even the most demanding meat eaters.
Recipe: Lentil and Quinoa Burger
Mixed Bean Falafel and Sweet Potato Hummus
The falafel and hummus can easily be doubled for a tasty lunchbox treat.
Recipe: Mixed Bean Falafel and Sweet Potato Hummus
Vietnamese Lamb Cups
Fresh and flavoursome, this low-carb supper works well with pork mince too. If you prefer a more substantial meal, add some cooked rice noodles to the lamb mixture.
Recipe: Vietnamese Lamb Cups
Light fennel, bean and chicken stew
If you can't find fresh tarragon, use fresh parsley or basil instead in this light fennel, bean and chicken stew.
Recipe: Light fennel, bean and chicken stew
Prawn and Pineapple Thai Curry
This tasty curry comes together quickly. If you can't get the tiger variety, jumbo king prawns work just as well.
Recipe: Prawn and Pineapple Thai Curry
Kale Pesto Pasta
Full of good fats and easy to make, this is best eaten immediately, as the rice pasta can get gluey with resting.
Recipe: Kale Pesto Pasta
Turkey bolognese
Lean turkey meat is a great choice for those watching their weight. This Turkey bolognese is simple to prepare and full of flavour.
Recipe: Turkey bolognese
Chicken and Apricot Tagine
Chicken thigh fillets are a cheap and tasty alternative to chicken breasts and work wonderfully in this warming tagine recipe.
Recipe: Chicken and Apricot Tagine
Ham, Lentil and Kale Soup
This filling soup is ideal for a winter’s evening, or reheated the next day for a comforting lunch.
Recipe: Ham, Lentil and Kale Soup
Salmon Tray Bake
Try tenderstem broccoli or asparagus in this recipe instead of beans.
Recipe: Salmon Tray Bake
One-pan Puttanesca
We've made this tasty pasta dish even simpler, by cooking everything in one pan- and there's less washing up too!
Recipe: One-pan Puttanesca
Sardine and courgette pizzas
Tinned sardines are not only cheap, but some of the big supermarkets’ own brands are sustainably caught, too.
Recipe: Sardine and courgette pizzas
Cauliflower & Butternut Squash Curry
Go meat-free one night this week with this quick and simple vegetarian curry recipe
Recipe: Cauliflower & Butternut Squash Curry
Tortilla pizzas with salad
Try this quick-fix pizza recipe - perfect for a mid-week meal.
Recipe: Tortilla pizzas with salad
Fish curry
If you’re trying to up your veg intake, fold through a few large handfuls of spinach just before serving.
Recipe: Fish curry
Fruit and nut lentil stew
Packed full of flavour, this vegetarian stew is great served with garlic bread.
Recipe: Fruit and nut lentil stew
Shakshuka
We’ve added pulses to bulk up this Middle Eastern breakfast dish. Make sure your eggs are the freshest possible to poach neatly.
Recipe: Shakshuka
Curried Squash and Lentil Soup
Hearty and thick, this soup is sure to banish the winter blues served with our easy naans.
Recipe: Curried Squash and Lentil Soup
Turkey, pepper and haricot casserole
Use lean cuts of turkey for this satisfying dish with dried beans, peppers and courgettes.
Recipe: Turkey, pepper and haricot casserole
Healthy ham, egg and chips
Pulled ham hock is now available from some supermarkets but if you can’t find it, just shred some thickly sliced ham.
Recipe: Healthy ham, egg and chips
Sweet Chilli Salmon and Freekeh
Freekeh is wheat that has been harvested while still green, then roasted to create a distinct smokey flavour.
Recipe: Sweet Chilli Salmon and Freekeh
Zingy fish one pan
This all-in-one meal is assembled in a flash and cooks in no time
Recipe: Zingy fish one pan
Scotch Broth
Using rustic broth uses simple ingredients to create a satisfying dish, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Recipe: Scotch Broth
Kale Polpette with Watercress Pesto
Polpette may mean meatballs in Italian, but these are packed with vegetables and lentils instead.
Recipe: Kale Polpette with Watercress Pesto
Beef pho
Delicately spiced, this healing soup is reviving and restoring.
Recipe: Beef pho
Spiced Lamb Pilaf
Leftover lamb from your Sunday roast will also work well here. Simply shred and add with peas and tomatoes.
Recipe: Spiced Lamb Pilaf
Colourful Pattie Stack
These patties are packed with vegetables and baked rather than fried.
Recipe: Colourful Pattie Stack
Thai prawn and sprouted bean salad
Sprouted beans and grains are in everything at the moment - try them for yourself our healthy noodle salad.
Recipe: Thai prawn and sprouted bean salad
Salmon and Orange Stir-Fry
A light and easy midweek meal, packed full of goodness.
Recipe: Salmon and Orange Stir-Fry
Chicken and Roasted Chickpea Salad
Perfect for a light dinner, or tasty lunch. Use any leftover cooked chicken you have, if you like.
Recipe: Chicken and Roasted Chickpea Salad
Miso Mackerel With Sticky Rice
It’s important you rinse and wash your rice thoroughly to help remove the starch, ensuring the end result is sticky rather than sloppy.
Recipe: Miso Mackerel With Sticky Rice
Vietnamese turkey noodle soup
This restorative broth is fast to prepare, perfect for using up leftover turkey, and sure to warm up grey and chilly days.
Recipe: Vietnamese turkey noodle soup
Chicken Fajita Bowl With Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower makes a great low-carb substitute to rice, although if you fancy something a little more hearty, use cooked brown basmati (but don’t whizz it).
Recipe: Chicken Fajita Bowl With Cauliflower Rice
Rainbow Salad
Wonderfully bright and brimming with goodness. Any leftovers make a satisfying packed lunch.
Recipe: Rainbow Salad
Buckwheat, Mushroom and Ham Risotto
A seed, not a grain, buckwheat is full of amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and makes a delicious risotto.
Recipe: Buckwheat, Mushroom and Ham Risotto
Healing chicken and ginger broth
This healing chicken and ginger broth works just as well with turkey or pork.
Recipe: Healing chicken and ginger broth
Fish Tacos
Perfect food for sharing. Our home-made tacos have a wonderful toasty flavour.
Recipe: Fish Tacos
Black Eyed Bean ‘Taco’ Soup
Fibre-rich beans are a great source of vegetarian protein. If you prefer, soak your own black eyed beans or try with tinned mixed beans.
Recipe: Black Eyed Bean ‘Taco’ Soup
Thai salad
Here, the noodles are tossed with sugarsnaps, beansprouts, toasted cashew nuts, coriander, carrots and a spicy chilli dressing for satisfying salad.
Recipe: Thai salad
Herring curry salad
Using a light mayonnaise in the sauce gives a richness to this classic Scandinavian dish without adding fat.
Recipe: Herring curry salad
Tantanmen Pork Ramen
If you have time, marinating your soft-boiled eggs adds an extra flavour dimension to this restorative bowl.
Recipe: Tantanmen Pork Ramen
Smoked mackerel superfood salad
Our smoked mackerel superfood salad is packed with good-for-you ingredients your family will love.
Recipe: Smoked mackerel superfood salad
Marinated tuna with coriander rice
This meaty fresh tuna is infused with exotic Asian flavours like ginger and orange.
Recipe: Marinated tuna with coriander rice
Polenta with Garlicky Wild Mushrooms
The butternut squash adds sweetness to the polenta and helps to keep it softer and smoother.
Recipe: Polenta with Garlicky Wild Mushrooms
Quorn meatballs
Ready-made Quorn meatballs makes this one easy, speedy vegetarian dinner.
Recipe: Quorn meatballs
Multi Veg Macaroni Cheese
All the comfort but with added goodness. Including some cream cheese helps create cheesy richness without needing too much Cheddar.
Recipe: Multi Veg Macaroni Cheese
Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap
This Koren-style rice bowl is so versatile and delicious. Freeze the steaks (in their packaging) for 10min to make them easier to slice thinly.
Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap
Vietnamese chicken salad
This zingy salad has great textures and flavours, and works well with leftover roast chicken, or you could use roast beef or pork.
Recipe: Vietnamese chicken salad
Light Chicken Noodle Salad
Warming and aromatic, this speedy salad supper is sure to become a midweek favourite.
Recipe: Light Chicken Noodle Salad
Scandi chopped salad
We've combined classic Scandi flavours in a fresh and flavourful salad.
Recipe: Scandi chopped salad
Chicken pho
Light and nutrituous, this bowl of noodle soup is packed full of flavour.
Recipe: Chicken pho
Lebanese Cauliflower Bowls
Crispy spicy cauliflower pairs well with smoky smooth baba ganoush.
Recipe: Lebanese Cauliflower Bowls
Teriyaki Turkey Balls with Soba Noodles
Soba is the Japanese name for buckwheat, which gives the noodles a nutty flavour. They’re usually made with wheat flour in addition, so are not gluten free.
Recipe: Teriyaki Turkey Balls with Soba Noodles
Low fat lentil beef burgers
Lentils add extra fibre and texture to this delicious dish.
Recipe: Low fat lentil beef burgers
Mushroom and Lentil Bourguinon with Oatmeal Dumplings
A hearty vegetarian version of a classic dish.
Recipe: Mushroom and Lentil Bourguinon with Oatmeal Dumplings
Bursting Berry Bake
This is often made with double cream, but we’ve substituted in yogurt for a healthier version.
Recipe: Bursting Berry Bake
Lightweight mango and passion fruit mousse
A hint of lime brings out the tropical mango flavour, and 0% fat Greek yogurt adds creaminess without boosting the calorie count.
Recipe: Lightweight mango and passion fruit mousse
Egg-free Chocolate Mousse with Seedy Brittle
This does require time to set, but these vegan mousses are visually impressive and delicious with chocolate flavoured aquafaba and a mixed seed brittle.
Recipe: Egg-free Chocolate Mousse with Seedy Brittle
Tropical smoothie jelly
Fruit smoothies can seem an extravagant drink, but once you’ve transformed one into refreshing home-made jelly, you’ll buy them again and again.
Recipe: Tropical smoothie jelly
Chocolate and Beetroot Steamed Puddings
These hidden-ingredient puddings are fluffy and delicious. Feel free to serve with a hot chocolate sauce, instead of the crème fraîche, for something a little more indulgent.
Recipe: Chocolate and Beetroot Steamed Puddings
Easy banana ice cream
Keep peeled banana chunks in a sealed container in the freezer, so you can whiz up this low-fat ice cream in seconds.
Recipe: Easy banana ice cream
Sticky Roast Bananas with Lime Yogurt
Simple and comforting, this is a nursery-style pud for grown-ups.
Recipe: Sticky Roast Bananas with Lime Yogurt
Frozen yoghurt sorbet
Try this light and refreshing fruit dessert.
Recipe: Frozen yoghurt sorbet
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