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I'm a Dietitian & These Are the Easy Dinners I Make When I Didn't Meal Plan

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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  • 1/12

    20 Dinner Recipes to Make with a Can of Tuna

  • <p>This popular Israeli breakfast or brunch skillet recipe features eggs cooked on a bed of roasted tomato sauce. Serve with warm crusty bread and hot sauce.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252833/baked-eggs-tomatoes-chiles-shakshuka/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    2/12

    Baked Eggs, Tomatoes & Chiles (Shakshuka)

    This popular Israeli breakfast or brunch skillet recipe features eggs cooked on a bed of roasted tomato sauce. Serve with warm crusty bread and hot sauce.

    View Recipe

  • <p>Use the one-pot pasta cooking method to make this tuna pasta recipe that calls for just 5 ingredients and is ready in just over half an hour. For extra crunch and a tuna noodle casserole feel, sprinkle this speedy pasta dish with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262451/one-pot-pasta-with-tuna/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    3/12

    One-Pot Pasta with Tuna

    Use the one-pot pasta cooking method to make this tuna pasta recipe that calls for just 5 ingredients and is ready in just over half an hour. For extra crunch and a tuna noodle casserole feel, sprinkle this speedy pasta dish with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs.

    View Recipe

  • <p>Tender, smoky sweet potato is the star of these vegetarian tacos. A mashed black bean spread with onion holds everything in place. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7914347/sweet-potato-black-bean-tacos/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    4/12

    Sweet Potato-Black Bean Tacos

    Tender, smoky sweet potato is the star of these vegetarian tacos. A mashed black bean spread with onion holds everything in place. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

    View Recipe

  • <p>Green peas add a pop of color to this bright whole-grain side dish. Plus, choosing frozen saves you time—no shelling required! Want to save even more time? Use a pouch of precooked quinoa.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7892008/quinoa-with-peas-lemon/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    5/12

    Quinoa with Peas & Lemon

    Green peas add a pop of color to this bright whole-grain side dish. Plus, choosing frozen saves you time—no shelling required! Want to save even more time? Use a pouch of precooked quinoa.

    View Recipe

  • <p>Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit--sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/256489/easy-vegetarian-chili/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    6/12

    Easy Vegetarian Chili

    Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit--sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.

    View Recipe

  • <p>You can often find presliced and ready-to-cook fresh vegetables in your grocer's produce section. Use these to your advantage to cut down on dinnertime prep. Here, presliced fajita vegetables are sautéed with canned black beans and Southwest seasoning for a quick and easy Tex Mex-inspired meal. Plus, this recipe requires just three ingredients, not including basics like salt, pepper and oil. You can easily take your bowl up a notch by adding some cheese, sour cream or another tasty topping.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7886570/black-bean-fajita-skillet/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    7/12

    Black Bean Fajita Skillet

    You can often find presliced and ready-to-cook fresh vegetables in your grocer's produce section. Use these to your advantage to cut down on dinnertime prep. Here, presliced fajita vegetables are sautéed with canned black beans and Southwest seasoning for a quick and easy Tex Mex-inspired meal. Plus, this recipe requires just three ingredients, not including basics like salt, pepper and oil. You can easily take your bowl up a notch by adding some cheese, sour cream or another tasty topping.

    View Recipe

  • <p>Maya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, has worked with many low-income families and is well-versed in the realities of putting food on the table that is healthy, tastes good, isn't time-prohibitive and is affordable. "A traditional tuna casserole provides both protein and carbohydrates to keep you full, and is kid-friendly and easy to make," she says about this tuna casserole recipe. <em>(This recipe was part of a feature story, "<a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7889028/dinner-on-a-shoestring/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Real Cost of Healthy Food;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">The Real Cost of Healthy Food</a>," in </em>EatingWell <em>magazine and has not been tested by our Test Kitchen.)</em></p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7889554/tuna-casserole-with-peas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    8/12

    Tuna Casserole with Peas

    Maya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, has worked with many low-income families and is well-versed in the realities of putting food on the table that is healthy, tastes good, isn't time-prohibitive and is affordable. "A traditional tuna casserole provides both protein and carbohydrates to keep you full, and is kid-friendly and easy to make," she says about this tuna casserole recipe. (This recipe was part of a feature story, "The Real Cost of Healthy Food," in EatingWell magazine and has not been tested by our Test Kitchen.)

    View Recipe

  • <p>This vegetarian bean burrito recipe is perfect any time of day, from breakfast (add a scrambled egg) to a late-night snack. It's also ideal for days when you need an energy boost to get through a draining event like a soccer tournament or a marathon meeting. Bonus: You can wrap it in foil and eat it on the go. Excerpted from The Dinner Plan by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion, published by ABRAMS © 2017.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/261899/kitchen-sink-burritos/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    9/12

    Kitchen Sink Burritos

    This vegetarian bean burrito recipe is perfect any time of day, from breakfast (add a scrambled egg) to a late-night snack. It's also ideal for days when you need an energy boost to get through a draining event like a soccer tournament or a marathon meeting. Bonus: You can wrap it in foil and eat it on the go. Excerpted from The Dinner Plan by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion, published by ABRAMS © 2017.

    View Recipe

  • <p>This one-pot dinner is like a deconstructed burrito bowl--especially when topped with salsa, sliced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy accent. You can also enjoy it as a meal on its own, or as a vegetarian taco or burrito filling or a side dish on taco night.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/279977/one-pot-beans-rice-with-corn-salsa/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    10/12

    One-Pot Beans & Rice with Corn & Salsa

    This one-pot dinner is like a deconstructed burrito bowl--especially when topped with salsa, sliced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy accent. You can also enjoy it as a meal on its own, or as a vegetarian taco or burrito filling or a side dish on taco night.

    View Recipe

  • <p>Garlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that's low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/269888/hearty-tomato-soup-with-beans-greens/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    11/12

    Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & Greens

    Garlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that's low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.

    View Recipe

  • <p>Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260717/stuffed-sweet-potato-with-hummus-dressing/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
    12/12

    Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing

    Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!

    View Recipe

<p>This popular Israeli breakfast or brunch skillet recipe features eggs cooked on a bed of roasted tomato sauce. Serve with warm crusty bread and hot sauce.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252833/baked-eggs-tomatoes-chiles-shakshuka/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>Use the one-pot pasta cooking method to make this tuna pasta recipe that calls for just 5 ingredients and is ready in just over half an hour. For extra crunch and a tuna noodle casserole feel, sprinkle this speedy pasta dish with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262451/one-pot-pasta-with-tuna/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>Tender, smoky sweet potato is the star of these vegetarian tacos. A mashed black bean spread with onion holds everything in place. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7914347/sweet-potato-black-bean-tacos/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>Green peas add a pop of color to this bright whole-grain side dish. Plus, choosing frozen saves you time—no shelling required! Want to save even more time? Use a pouch of precooked quinoa.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7892008/quinoa-with-peas-lemon/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit--sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/256489/easy-vegetarian-chili/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>You can often find presliced and ready-to-cook fresh vegetables in your grocer's produce section. Use these to your advantage to cut down on dinnertime prep. Here, presliced fajita vegetables are sautéed with canned black beans and Southwest seasoning for a quick and easy Tex Mex-inspired meal. Plus, this recipe requires just three ingredients, not including basics like salt, pepper and oil. You can easily take your bowl up a notch by adding some cheese, sour cream or another tasty topping.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7886570/black-bean-fajita-skillet/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>Maya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, has worked with many low-income families and is well-versed in the realities of putting food on the table that is healthy, tastes good, isn't time-prohibitive and is affordable. "A traditional tuna casserole provides both protein and carbohydrates to keep you full, and is kid-friendly and easy to make," she says about this tuna casserole recipe. <em>(This recipe was part of a feature story, "<a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7889028/dinner-on-a-shoestring/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Real Cost of Healthy Food;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">The Real Cost of Healthy Food</a>," in </em>EatingWell <em>magazine and has not been tested by our Test Kitchen.)</em></p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7889554/tuna-casserole-with-peas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>This vegetarian bean burrito recipe is perfect any time of day, from breakfast (add a scrambled egg) to a late-night snack. It's also ideal for days when you need an energy boost to get through a draining event like a soccer tournament or a marathon meeting. Bonus: You can wrap it in foil and eat it on the go. Excerpted from The Dinner Plan by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion, published by ABRAMS © 2017.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/261899/kitchen-sink-burritos/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>This one-pot dinner is like a deconstructed burrito bowl--especially when topped with salsa, sliced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy accent. You can also enjoy it as a meal on its own, or as a vegetarian taco or burrito filling or a side dish on taco night.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/279977/one-pot-beans-rice-with-corn-salsa/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>Garlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that's low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/269888/hearty-tomato-soup-with-beans-greens/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>
<p>Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!</p> <p> <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260717/stuffed-sweet-potato-with-hummus-dressing/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:View Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">View Recipe</a></p>

As a dietitian on a budget, I try to meal plan to start my week as it helps me save money, cut down on food waste and save time in the kitchen. That said, life gets busy and no one is perfect. Especially when I'm returning home from travel or after hectic weekends, it's harder to take inventory of my kitchen, meal plan and get to the grocery store. During those weeks, I rely on these healthy, super easy dinner recipes. Dishes like Black Bean Fajita Skillet and One-Pot Pasta with Tuna can be mostly made with pantry staples like canned beans, diced tomatoes and canned or frozen produce. Regardless of how bare my fridge gets, I know I usually have what I need on hand. Plus, these recipes are customizable to your palate and what's stocked in your kitchen. Don't have eggs for Shakshuka? Try adding a can of beans instead. Want to add frozen spinach to your Kitchen Sink Burrito? The world is your oyster. These meals are simple to make with whatever you have on hand while helping you feel full and nourished for a week you forgot to do your typical menu planning. For more budget-friendly beginner cooking tips, check out Thrifty.