3 Must-Try Quick Healthy Meals for Busy Moms
If you’re a busy mom juggling kids, work, and everything in between—welcome. I’m a registered dietitian, divorced parent, and single mom who knows all too well how crazy evenings can get. Between after-school chaos, last-minute homework, and laundry piles that multiply overnight, the last thing any of us need is a complicated dinner routine.
But here’s the good news: feeding your family delicious and nutrition meals that they will actually eat doesn’t have to take hours, cost your whole paycheck, or leave you with a sink full of dishes (ugh…). Whether you’re navigating the single mom life post-divorce (like me) or just trying to make it through the week without ordering takeout—these 3 quick and healthy meal ideas are here to save your sanity.
Sheetpan Chicken Fajitas
Why it’s a quick healthy meal win…
Minimal clean-up, 6 simple ingredients that are packed with protein and fiber and flavors you and kids are familiar with and likely love which means everyone will eat it
What you need to make this quick healthy meal…
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 3 colorful bell peppers
- 1 red onion
- 1 packet of your favorite taco seasoning
- 8 corn tortilla shells
- Avocado oil spray
Combine sliced chicken, red onion and bell peppers in a large mixing bowl, generously spreay with avocado oil, add the taco seasoning, mix well and broil in the oven for 10 minutes
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Why its a quick healthy meal win…
Minimal clean-up, 4 simple ingredients packed with fiber, flavor and high quality protein. Great way to add another veggie to the menu using spaghetti squash instead of spaghetti noodles for a fun texture and flavor adventure
What you need to make this quick healthy meal…
- 2 spaghetti squash
- 1 jar of your favorite pasta salad
- 1 package of MightySpark tomato, basil and garlic ground chicken
- 1 cup of mozzarella cheese
Bake spaghetti squash whole in the oven on 400 for 1 hour. Slice open and remove seeds once fully cooked. Brown flavored ground chicken until cooked fully through and add pasta sauce. Spoon meat and sauce mixture into each spaghetti squash, sprinkle with cheese and cook in the oven for 10 on 400.
Mediterranean Bowl
Why its a quick healthy meal win…
Minimal clean-up, perfect meal to prep in individual containers and freeze giving you a quick healthy meal in a pinch on a busy weeknight, packed with colorful veggies, whole grains and lean protein
What you need to make this quick healthy meal…
- ½ cup rice
- 1 cup veggie broth
- 1chicken breasts
- 1/2 zucchini
- 1/2 roasted red peppers
- 1/4 red onion
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp. oregano, garlic powder and onion powder
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
In a small glass bowl, add rice, broth, chicken, greek yogurt, zucchini, red onion, bell pepper, spices and feta cheese. Bake in the oven on 350 for 50 minutes.
There were nights where I felt overwhelmed, overstimulated and underwhelmed at the fridge full of “nothing to eat.” So I got creative and made these quick, healthy meals not just to eat better—but to live better. To reclaim my evenings, reduce stress, and take care of myself and my kiddo without losing my sh*t in the process.
Being a single mom isn’t easy. But dinner dilemmas don’t have to be hard. Start with one of these simple meals this week to skip the dilemma and dive straight into delicious!