25 Easy Healthy Make Ahead Dinner Recipes for your slow cooker, instant pot, oven, stove, and air fryer!
It’s day THREE of healthy eats.
This week I’m focusing on easy healthy make ahead recipes. So far, we’ve covered breakfast and lunch, and today, we’re talkin’ allll about dinner.
The hardest question to answer each week is the infamous: WHAT’S FOR DINNER?! I don’t know about you, but I always struggle to answer this. I want something healthy and homemade, but I’m also tired at the end of the day, and often find myself caving and going with something easy like frozen pizza or picking something up from the nearest restaurant.
But having a healthy home cooked meal doesn’t have to be any less delicious than that restaurant take-out. It also doesn’t have to be hard or take a ton of time . . . or dishes.
All of today’s healthy make ahead dinner recipes are:
- Quick and Easy.
- Healthy.
- Meal prep friendly.
- Delicious!
My absolute favorite way to cook an easy healthy dinner is to throw it in my crockpot, but I’ve also included recipes for your instant pot, oven, stove, and even air fryer!
Crockpot
The crockpot is the ultimate tool for easy healthy make ahead dinners: throw the ingredients into your crockpot before work and BAM dinner is ready right when you walk through the door. Pair with a light, crisp salad for a complete meal!
Don’t have time before work? Prep the ingredients the night before and store them in a ziplock baggie in the fridge. If you’re looking for exact meal prep directions on a certain recipe, let me know in the comments below!
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
![bowl of slow cooker beef stew above](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Slow-Cooker-Beef-Stew-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
Crockpot Orange Chicken
![This Crockpot Orange Chicken is better than take out! It tastes better, is so much healthier, and is ridiculously easy to make. Orange chicken for the win! showmetheyummy.com #crockpot #orangechicken](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Crockpot-Orange-Chicken-Horizontal.jpg)
Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe
![Slow Cooker Carnitas. An easy, flavorful, healthy meal made in the crockpot. Tender pork served in your favorite tortilla and topped with a homemade salsa? Gimme! showmetheyummy.com #porkcarnitas #slowcookercarnitas](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Slow-Cooker-Carnitas-Horizontal.jpg)
Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry Recipe
![This Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry is packed with vegetables and loaded with all your favorite Thai flavors: red curry paste, coconut milk, peanut butter, and more! Healthy. Vegan. Gluten Free. showmetheyummy.com](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Slow-Cooker-Vegetable-Curry-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-2.jpg)
Crockpot Thai Chicken Curry
![This Crockpot Thai Chicken Curry is healthy, tasty, & only takes one dish & five minutes to put together! 3 hours of cook time & you've got one yummy meal! showmetheyummy.com #crockpot #slowcooker](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Crockpot-Thai-Chicken-Curry-Horizontal.jpg)
Instant pot
I like to call the Instant Pot, the slow cooker for people who don’t plan ahead. 😉 It has the ease of a slow cooker, but it’s much much faster. If you DO plan ahead and want to meal prep, all of these recipes can be stored in the fridge and re-heat beautifully!
Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Cheeseburger Soup
![bowl of healthy instant pot turkey cheeseburger soup above](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Healthy-Instant-Pot-Turkey-Cheeseburger-Soup-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes Recipe
![Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes. A health-i-fied vegan, gluten free version of a classic! Quick, easy, meatless weeknight dinner. showmetheyummy.com](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Instant-Pot-Lentil-Sloppy-Joes-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-2.jpg)
Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
![This Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili is SO quick and easy to make and full of vegetables, beans, and quinoa! Healthy. Gluten free. Vegan. Ready in 30 mins! Less than 300 calories per serving. showmetheyummy.com #instantpot #vegan #healthy](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Instant-Pot-Vegetarian-Chili-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-2.jpg)
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Instant Pot Chili
![bowl of instant pot chili above](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Instant-Pot-Chili-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
Oven
Say goodbye to boring healthy baked chicken breasts and helllooo to these easy, flavorful oven baked dinners. Everything from scallops, to turkey, chicken, and everything in between.
These are great quick, last minute dinner ideas, but if you’re looking for exact make ahead directions on a certain recipe, let me know in the comments below!
Pork Tenderloin
![pork tenderloin on plate with veggies above](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pork-Tenderloin-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
BBQ Cheddar Turkey Meatloaf Muffin Cups
![bbq cheddar turkey meatloaf muffin cups stacked](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BBQ-Cheddar-Turkey-Meatloaf-Muffin-Cups-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-3.jpg)
Walnut Baked Scallops
![walnut baked scallops on plate above](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Walnut-Baked-Scallops-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Easy Lemon Honey Baked Salmon
![Easy Lemon Honey Baked Salmon. A quick, easy, gluten free, and healthy recipe made with salmon fillets, salt, pepper, garlic powder, honey, lemon juice, butter, and dijon mustard! showmetheyummy.com #lemon #honey #baked #salmon #glutenfree #healthy](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Easy-Lemon-Honey-Baked-Salmon-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-2.jpg)
Sweet Potato Tacos Recipe
![These Sweet Potato Tacos are gluten free, vegan, healthy, and oh yeah, absolutely DE-LICIOUS! Loaded with sweet potatoes, mushrooms, black beans, and spices - these hearty tacos will surely satisfy! showmetheyummy.com](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Sweet-Potato-Tacos-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-4.jpg)
Air fryer
An air fryer is a fun way to “deep fry” in a healthier way . . . no oil necessary! I also love reheating leftovers in the air fryer to re-crisp. 🙂
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
![Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets on cooling rack with pickles](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Air-Fryer-Chicken-Nuggets-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
Homemade Healthy Air Fryer Fish Sticks Recipe
![homemade healthy air fryer fish sticks on plate above](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Homemade-Healthy-Air-Fryer-Fish-Sticks-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
![plate of air fryer chicken taquitos above](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Air-Fryer-Chicken-Taquitos-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
Stovetop
Whether you’re looking for Mexican, Chinese, pasta, or something in between, I’ve got you covered with these quick and easy stovetop dinners.
Taco Cauliflower Rice Skillet Recipe
![This Taco Cauliflower Rice Skillet is quick, easy, healthy, low carb, and absolutely delicious! Loaded with ground turkey or chicken, vegetables, and frozen cauliflower rice! showmetheyummy.com](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Taco-Cauliflower-Rice-Skillet-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-2.jpg)
Healthy Mexican Casserole
![This Healthy Mexican Casserole is full of good for you ingredients like ground turkey, quinoa, black beans & bell peppers! Healthy Mexican food? Yes please! showmetheyummy.com #mexican #healthy](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Healthy-Mexican-Casserole-Horizontal.jpg)
Blackened Tilapia with Homemade Spice Rub
![This blackened tilapia recipe is not for the weak! It's spicy, the flavors are bold, and the lemon juice brightens the whole thing up! For those of you who think healthy eating is boring, think again! showmetheyummy.com #fish #tilapia #spicy #spicerub #healthy #lemon](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Blackened-Tilapia-Horizontal.jpg)
Turkey Bolognese
![This Healthy Turkey Bolognese Recipe aka Turkey Meat Sauce is quick, easy, healthy, and so delicious! Ground turkey (or meat of choice) is cooked with onion, carrots, celery, garlic, spices: basil, Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, and nutmeg - tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth! showmetheyummy.com #turkey #healthy #bolognese](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthy-Turkey-Bolognese-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-3.jpg)
Healthy Alfredo Sauce Recipe
![This Healthy Alfredo Sauce is a lightened up version of a classic (530 calories for the ENTIRE recipe). Made with greek yogurt, skim milk, and parmesan! showmetheyummy.com #healthy #alfredosauce](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Healthy-Alfredo-Sauce-Horizontal.jpg)
Ground Turkey Fried Rice
![ground turkey fried rice on plate above](https://showmetheyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Ground-Turkey-Fried-Rice-Show-Me-the-Yummy-Google-Thumb-Retina-1-opt.jpg)
– Jennifer
Looking for more? Be sure to see all our healthy dinner recipes.