40 Easy, Healthy Recipes That Anyone Can Cook

A big part of feeling great is learning how to feed yourself in a way that's delicious, energizing, and stress-free. Getting into a regular cooking routine takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it you'll likely realize that it's really just a matter of choosing a few simple recipes every week, stocking the necessary ingredients, and giving yourself enough time to cook—whether it's all at once on a Sunday, a few nights a week, or at every meal. Of course, it's really important to cook recipes you love, since that's probably what will ultimately make the habit stick.

Below, you’ll find 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners, and 10 snacks that will help you stay on track with your healthy living goals. All of the recipes have a dietitian-approved balance of carbs, protein, and fat, in accordance with the current USDA dietary guidelines. And, because many of our #TeamSELF fans have asked for recipes that work for special diets, there are several dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian recipes, all indicated in the list below.

We didn’t turn the recipes into a meal plan, because we know that everybody’s needs and preferences are so different when it comes to food. But if you find meal plans helpful, we created this printable PDF that makes it super easy to create your own plan and grocery list.

BREAKFAST

Veggie-packed breakfasts that are quick enough for a weekday, simple smoothies with a new twist, and cheesy egg sandwiches are just a few of the recipes on offer. Get the recipes below.

Baked Egg and Asparagus with Feta (vegetarian)
Cantaloupe with Honey Yogurt and Pistachios (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Cherry Coconut Overnight Oats (gluten-free*, vegetarian) Chickpea and Egg Sandwich (vegetarian)
Egg-in-the-Hole Grilled Cheese (vegetarian)
Gingersnap Green Smoothie (gluten-free*, vegetarian)
Mango Cherry Smoothie (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Potato and Mustard Green Frittata (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Raisin Oatmeal (gluten-free*, vegetarian)
Tomato Avocado Egg Sandwich (dairy-free, vegetarian)

*Many oat products are cross-contaminated with wheat. If you're allergic to gluten or avoiding gluten for any reason, be sure to only use oats labeled as gluten-free.

LUNCH

Whether you pack lunch to go or throw something quick together midday, these meals are satiating and easy to prep ahead of time. Get the recipes below.

Kale-Quinoa Salad with Plum (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian)
Marinated Fennel with White Beans and Raisins (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian)
Peanutty Kale Salad with Sweet Potato and Chicken (dairy-free, gluten-free)
Quinoa and Spinach Salad with Pear and Goat Cheese (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Shaved Carrot Salad with Quinoa, Chickpeas, and Goat Cheese (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Slow-Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches (dairy-free)
Slow-Cooker Vegetable Quinoa Stew (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian)
Tomato Soup with Cheesy English Muffin (vegetarian)
Turkey, Apple, and Cheddar Sandwich
Zoodle Bowl with Chickpeas and Peanut Dressing (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian)

DINNER

No matter what you find yourself in the mood for, there's bound to be something on this list that'll make you want to rush home and get dinner going. There are quick stovetop dinners, tacos, burgers, and more! Get the recipes below.

Cheeseburger with Herb Corn Salad
Chicken Quinoa Bowl with Zucchini (dairy-free, gluten-free)
Chickpea Fajita Bowl (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potato (gluten-free, vegetarian)
One-Pot Potato and Edamame Salad (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Pan-Roasted Cod with Farro and Brussels Sprouts (dairy-free)
Pan-Seared Salmon With Coconut Mustard Greens and Quinoa (dairy-free, gluten-free)
Salmon Tacos with Beets and Corn (gluten-free)
Stir-Fried Broccoli and Farro with Fried Eggs (dairy-free, vegetarian)
Tuna and Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers (gluten-free)

SNACKS

It's not always realistic to DIY your own snacks during the day, but if you have the right ingredients on hand, it only takes a few minutes. (Oh, and if that's too much of a hassle, here are 19 snacks you can order online to stash in your pantry or at your desk!) Get the recipes below.

Cherry Cheesecake Pudding (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Cherry Pecan Yogurt Bark (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Chickpea and Scallion Toast (dairy-free, vegetarian)
Cinnamon-Peanut Butter Quinoa (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian)
Cucumber Feta Salad (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Dark Chocolate Yogurt (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Pizza English Muffin (vegetarian)
Strawberry Smoothie (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Strawberry Yogurt (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Tomato Cottage Cheese Toast (vegetarian)

The Strong with SELF Challenge also includes four weeks of awesome workouts that you can scale to any ability level, daily emails that will motivate you and guide you through the program, and support from SELF editors and other #TeamSELF fans. Sign up now!