12 DIY Dinner Recipes That Are Absolutely Delicious

Making dinner is way more fun when you can get excited about what you’re going to eat! We know it can be stressful to try and make dinners that are both enjoyable and healthy, especially after a long day. By trying out these simple DIY dinner recipes, you can be sure you’ll make a meal that is full of flavor as well as nutritional value to help you stay on track with your weight loss goals.

Easy preparation, outstanding flavor and high nutritional content are all key when it comes to these healthy DIY dinner recipes from South Beach Diet. Change up your dinner menu and get cooking with these healthy and absolutely delicious dinner recipes!

Add these 12 tasty DIY dinner recipes to your regular menu!

1. Pistachio Turkey Salad >

Sweet meets savory in this delightful salad with a charming mix of grapes, celery, pistachios and a few other seasonings you probably have in your pantry. Choose roasted turkey or chicken to cube and mix in with your favorite choice of greens for a protein-packed salad that’s fun to eat on its own or wrapped in a whole wheat pita!

2. Thai Vegetable Stir-Fry >

Enjoy the lovely tastes of Thai cuisine with colorful and bold flavors from coconut, lemon, lime, basil, bok choy, peanuts, red pepper, soy sauce and more. Fresh mushrooms and asparagus make this a protein and fiber-rich dish that’s just as delicious as it is beautiful! This vibrant and savory vegetable stir-fry is sure to become a mainstay on your dinner menu.

3. Shredded Chicken Chili >

Start your slow-cooker in the morning and throw in your ingredients so you can come home to a tender chicken breast that’s ready for shredding. If you love chili and hoarding herbs in your pantry, you can easily create your own homemade taco seasoning to add amazing flavor to this slow-cooked chicken dish. Combine all your classic chili ingredients and seasonings in the crockpot and cook for six hours to enjoy zesty bites of shredded, smokey chicken with fresh avocado slices and cilantro served on top!

4. Whole-Wheat Vegetable Lasagna >

For those who love their comfort foods—now you can put a healthy twist on your favorite homemade lasagna recipe. Layers of whole-wheat noodles, crispy-baked zucchini, nutrient-rich spinach and low-sugar spaghetti sauce ensure this filling dinner won’t fill out your waistline. A trio of cheeses including, Parmesan, ricotta and mozzarella create irresistible, melty goodness with each bite of this warm and inviting lasagna!

5. Chicken Salad with Avocado >

This simple garden-fresh salad is the perfect pick-me-up to make for dinner after a long day. You can quickly throw together a vibrant mix of crisp romaine lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers for a nutritious base. Toss in tender chunks of grilled chicken with slices of fresh avocado, and season your salad with a healthy mix of olive oil, cilantro, salt and lime to coat each bite with zesty flavor!

6. “Soufflé” Stuffed Chicken Recipe >

You can create your own restaurant-worthy dinner with the help of a frozen spinach soufflé! Impress guests and stay on track with your weight loss goals with a filling soufflé that’s full of protein-rich chicken and nutritious veggies. A tender chicken stuffed in a soufflé soaks up tons of great flavors as it simmers in a broth with lemon, mustard, salt and pepper—and cooked until golden-brown. Serve your crispy chicken soufflé with some parsley sprigs and lemon on top for added charm!

7. Simple Shrimp Scampi >

Now you can enjoy pasta without feeling weighed down or bloated with your DIY dinner recipes. Choose healthy whole-wheat spaghetti or capellini noodles to create this light yet decadent creamy pasta dish. Enjoy your perfectly-cooked noodles with a flavorful garlic scampi sauce, bell peppers and fresh, plump shrimp! Top your pasta with a fresh squeeze of lemon and sprig of parsley for added flavor and presentation. Healthy fats from olive oil and protein-packed shrimp make this meal easy to enjoy guilt-free, week after week. If you’re following a lower carb diet, simply pour your shrimp mixture over a bed of your favorite greens instead of noodles.

8. Meatballs with Tomato and Zucchini Medley >

There’s nothing more delicious for dinner than a bowl of rich, hearty meatballs that are bursting with flavor! You can easily whip up some perfectly round meatballs and make them healthy with extra-lean ground beef and whole-wheat bread crumbs. Familiar Italian seasonings plus flavors from Parmesan cheese, garlic and basil make these meatballs a noteworthy way to end any day. An addition of baked zucchini and yellow squash balance out the meatiness of this mouthwatering meal. You can also pair your meatballs with whole grain bread or noodles.

9. Zesty Crab Cakes with Creamy Pepper Sauce >

Craft a batch of crispy, golden-brown crab cakes with fresh lump crab meat and whole wheat bread crumbs for a truly light yet filling meal. Serve your heaping crab cakes with a dollop of homemade pepper puree as a creamy and zesty complement to your fresh-caught dinner. Seafood is loaded with protein and healthy fats from omega-3s to fill you up with healthy ingredients while losing weight.

10. Cauliflower Rice Shrimp Fajita Bowl >

A vibrant combo of cauliflower rice, colorful veggies and plump peeled shrimp is a delicious and diet-approved substitution for your favorite Mexican burrito bowl. This enticing full-flavored dinner is loaded with texture and packs a symphony of flavors in each bite. Cauliflower rice provides a nutritious base for bright-colored veggies, including avocado, cilantro, bell peppers, garlic and scallions. Freshly squeezed lime juice, salsa and some bold fajita seasonings transform each bite of this hearty shrimp and rice bowl into heaven!

11. Cauliflower “Rice” and Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers >

Spanish-inspired stuffed peppers are just what you need to make healthy eating exciting with DIY dinner recipes! You can easily hollow out a healthy raw green bell pepper and stuff it full of a savory sautéed mixture—made of cauliflower rice, ground beef, onions, tomatoes and all the right spices and seasonings. A sprinkle of cheddar cheese takes your ground beef and cauliflower rice stuffed peppers to new levels of tasty!

12. Easy Chicken Parm >

The name says it all with this Easy Chicken Parm recipe that’s one of the best DIY dinner recipes to make when you want a satisfying, hot and homemade meal without much effort. Bake a beautiful, breaded chicken breast in a healthier way by using almond flour to coat it before cooking it in the oven to crispy perfection. Place your chicken atop a base of cooked zoodles (zucchini noodles), and a healthy tomato sauce. Enjoy this classic chicken parm dinner as a protein-rich way to end the day.