5 Healthy Quick & Easy Meals for Busy People

Are you looking for a quick and yummy meal but don’t want to end up in a drive-thru with fatty burgers and fries?

No worries, we have you sorted when it comes to  your no-time-to-cook problem.

With life getting back to normal after being hit by a pandemic for over two years, it’s evident that we lead a busy work life, but you don't have to settle for unhealthy meals when it comes to quick and easy food.

This article aims to change the definition of fast food for you.

Here is a thoughtfully curated list of 5 recipes that can be cooked in no time, pampers your taste buds to bits, and are super healthy.

Meal #1 Chickpeas With Veggies:

Just turned vegan? You will love this simple, quick, and filling chickpeas with veggies.

Chickpeas are a good source of protein, are highly nutritious, and it is also said to keep you full for a longer period. 

Here are the ingredients and recipe.

Ingredients:

• Boiled Chickpeas - 400 gms (you can even roast them if you have extra time.)
• Julienned onion - ½ cup
• Julienned pepper (add red, yellow, green for color) - ½ cup
• Cherry tomatoes - ½ cup
• Salad leaves - a handful
• Brussel sprouts - ½ cup
• Sesame seeds (optional)

For The Dressing:

• 1 TBSP Olive oil 
• 1 TSP Lemon juice
• 1 TSP Honey
• Salt to taste 
• Black pepper to taste
• ½ TSP Chilly Sauce.

Instructions:

• Add chickpeas and veggies to a salad bowl.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dressing.
• Season it with salt and black pepper.
• Give it a good toss.
• Serve cold. 

Source: NBC News

Meal #2 Brussels Sprouts and Goat Cheese Flatbread

Had a long and tiring day at work and looking for something nutritious? This brussels sprouts and goat cheese flatbread will come to the rescue.

This quick and easy-to-follow recipe is delicious, and you can cook this in just 15 mins.

Let's look at the recipe and the ingredients.

Ingredients:

• Flatout thin pizza crust - 1
• Thinly sliced Brussel sprouts - ½ cup
• Goat cheese - 1 ounce
• Honey ½ TSP
• Lemon zest ½ TSP
• Salt to taste 
• Roasted walnut - ¼ cup 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake the crust on the oven rack until golden and crisp.
• Add cheese and top it up with other ingredients.
• Serve hot. 

Source: Pinterest

Meal #3 Two-Ingredient-Dough Margherita Pizza

Yes! You read that right—a delicious and healthy Margherita pizza with just two-ingredient dough.

This pizza is for you when you crave classics but don’t want to indulge in a greasy delivery pizza. The best part is it cooks up in only 15 mins; you need not give the dough any rest time to rise.

Let’s take you through the ingredient list and the recipe.

Ingredients:

• Two ingredient dough - 1 pound (prepare the soft dough using self-rising flour and greek yogurt)
• All-purpose flour for rolling.
• Cornmeal - ½ TSP
• Pizza sauce - ⅓ cup
• Shredded mozzarella cheese - ¾ cup
• Basil leaves - ⅓ cup

Instructions:

• Place a baking sheet in the bottom rack of the oven and preheat it to 450 degrees. 
• Lightly dust the surface with all-purpose flour, and roll the dough into a 10 - 12 inch round.
• Sprinkle the pizza peel with cornmeal, and place the rolled dough on top.
• Spread the pizza sauce, add cheese and scatter some hand-chopped basil leaves. 
• Bake until the crust is well cooked (golden brown), and the cheese is melted.
• Serve hot.

Source: Pinterest

Meal #4 Prawn & mango noodles

Are you planning to spend the weekend by yourself, indulging in Netflix and chill me-time?

This prawn and mango noodles will be the perfect weekend supper option. You can whip up this dish in less than 15 mins and enjoy.

Let us look at the ingredients and the instructions 

Ingredients:

• Instant Rice noodles - 1 pack
• Carrot, peeled and thinly sliced - 1
• Lemon juice - 1 TSP
• Fish Sauce - 1 TSP
• Sliced Red chilly - 1 (add more to taste)
• Chopped coriander - ¼ cup
• Picked and chopped mint leaves - ¼ cup
• Mangoes cut into chunks - 1 cup
• Cooked prawns - 1 cup
• Crushed salted peanuts - 2 TBSP
• Pinch of salt and brown sugar

Instructions:

• In a bowl pour in boiling water and add rice noodles. Cover it with a lid and let it rest until well cooked.
• Drain the water, run the noodle through cold water, and strain well. Transfer the well-strained noodles to a salad bowl.
• Add sliced carrots. 
• Add lemon juice, fish sauce, herbs, and chilies to a small mixing bowl; season it with salt and sugar. And give it a good mix.
• Pour half of the dressing on the noodles and toss it well. Pile mango and cooked prawns over noodles; now add the leftover dressing.
• Scatter some peanuts on top and dig into the goodness.

Source: bbc good food

Meal #5 Peanut Noodles

Easy peanut noodles

Do you love flavorful and yummy peanut noodles? They’re a simple and tasty dish you can cook quickly and save time. If that’s you, you’ll love this one.

Here’s the recipe!

Ingredients:

• Pasta - 16 oz

For The Sauce:

• Unsweetened peanut butter - 1 cup
• Soy sauce - ¼ cup
• Rice vinegar - 2 TBSP
• Brown sugar - ¼ cup
• Chili garlic sauce - 2 TSP (add to taste)
• Lemon juice - 2 TBSP
• Grated garlic cloves - 3
• Grated ginger root - 1

For Garnish:

• Sesame seeds - 2 TBSP
• Chopped green onion - 1
• Chopped salted peanuts - ¼ cup

Instructions:

• Cook pasta as instructed. Drain the excess water and make sure you save 1 cup.
• For the sauce, combine all ingredients and give it a good whisk.
• Add the peanut sauce to pasta, and little by little, add the pasta water. Mix it and add water until you get a creamy desired consistency. 
• Serve in a noodle bowl and garnish with sesame seeds, green onion, and scatter salted peanuts.

Source: NBC News

Conclusion

Cooking is an art; it’s like therapy, and can calm your mind after a stressful day or energizing workout. Plus, if you enjoy doing it as a hobby, the ideas flow naturally.

These recipes will pamper your taste buds if you don't like spending much time in the kitchen but are indeed perfect for a foodie at heart.

I hope you will try these and enjoy your evening!

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