Thursday, November 19, 2009

Healthy Cheap & Fast Dinner Ideas

Lime Cilantro Shrimp is Healthy, Cheap and Fast for Dinner


Cheap and fast dinner ideas do not have to compromise on being healthy. There are many dinner ideas that take less than 20 minutes and are not only fast but healthy and cheap. Buy produce when it is on sale or frozen for the best deals and stock up on a few dinner staples like whole wheat pasta and cheese so that you don't have any excuses not to eat healthy.


BBQ Chicken Pizza


Homemade pizza can be healthy, cheap and just as fast as take-out pizza. Using a lean protein source like chicken as the main ingredient and pairing it with a whole wheat crust is a very healthy alternative to take-out.


Spread tomato sauce on a pre-made whole wheat pizza crust or make your own dough for pennies in a bread machine. Add Monterey jack cheese and cooked chicken strips on top. Then drop about six to nine teaspoons worth of BBQ sauce on it if you want a BBQ chicken pizza. Bake according to the pizza crust directions or until cheese is bubbly. Serve with a side salad for a healthy side dish.


Veggie Wrap


A trio of vegetables and cheese are rolled up and melted into a warm tortilla for this healthy, cheap and fast dinner idea. Heat up a nonstick pan over medium heat. While pan is heating, layer Monterey Jack cheese, chopped zucchini, a few slices of tomatoes and fresh spinach on a tortilla. Roll the tortilla up and cook until cheese is melted. Cut the veggie wrap into two and serve with a side of coleslaw, if you wish.


Chicken Pesto Pasta


Spice up the typical spaghetti night with chicken pesto pasta instead. Pesto has a unique flavor and can give your taste buds a surprise. Boil your choice of whole wheat pasta as directed. While pasta is boiling, heat up 4 tablespoons of pesto over low heat. Drain cooked pasta and toss with pesto and pre-cooked chicken strips. You can serve this healthy, cheap and fast dinner with salad and a whole wheat roll.


Lime Cilantro Shrimp


This dish gives shrimp a little bit of flair. The lime gives the shrimp a citrus kick and AllRecipes.com suggests using lemon instead of lime. Sauté shrimp for a couple of minutes and then turn and add two teaspoons of lime juice and chopped cilantro. Serve over a bed of rice.

Tags: whole wheat, fast dinner, healthy cheap, cheap fast, Cheap Fast, Cheap Fast Dinner, cheap fast dinner