20 Healthy Dinner Recipes for Father’s Day
Article posted in: Diet & NutritionFather’s Day brings families together to honor the men who support, care for and love their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other people in their lives. The celebration isn’t complete until the whole gang gathers for a hearty dinner that can satisfy man-size appetites.
What can you serve that everyone will enjoy, is healthy and keeps you (and maybe dad, too) on track with your Nutrisystem weight loss plan? Here are 20 healthy Father’s Day dinner recipes that feature real ingredients and plenty of protein to fill you all up. Many are so quick and easy to prepare, you don’t need to wait for a holiday to make them.
1. Filet Mignon with Parmesan Cream Sauce
Special occasions call for special meals and Dad will truly appreciate a Father’s Day dinner made with filet mignon, the most tender and flavorful cut of beef. Topping it with Parmesan cream sauce sounds decadent, but this version is actually healthy without compromising on taste. Click here for the full recipe! >
2. Bone-in Pork Chops with Mashed Sweet Potato and Roasted Broccoli
With this recipe, you can serve bone-in pork chops that are juicy and delicious but still fit into a healthy diet. Cooking them quickly in a cast-iron skillet seals in the flavors and keeps them from drying out. We’ve paired the chops with two simple side dishes that complete this classic, homestyle Father’s Day dinner, but you can substitute your family’s favorite veggies. Click here for the full recipe! >
3. Instant Pot Beef Stew
Dads who love comfort foods will be excited to dig into this hearty beef stew, filled with chunks of potatoes, carrots and meat in a rich, flavorful gravy. Using the handy instant pot saves you hours of time in the kitchen, while still giving the stew that “slow-cooked” flavor. Click here for the full recipe! >
4. Sheet Pan Pesto Salmon and Veggies
You can serve your family an entire elegant Father’s Day Dinner from just the ingredients you can fit on one basic sheet pan. Everybody gets a protein-rich salmon filet, topped with flavorful pesto, plus sides of crunchy green beans and tender roasted potatoes. If you like a milder fish, you can substitute tilapia. Click here for the full recipe! >
5. Marinated and Baked Beef Flank Steak
The only way to make steak better is to soak it in a marinade that brings out its naturally rich flavors. After marinating this flank steak for a couple hours, you bake it in the oven for less than 10 minutes per side, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the day with the fathers you love. And if steak isn’t a favorite for everyone in your family, the marinade bumps up the flavor of chicken, too. Click here for the full recipe! >
6. Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Tender white meat chicken gets a burst of heat from spicy jalapeno peppers while creamy melted cheese soothes the burn. You can accompany these quick-and-easy chicken breasts with a vegetable and whole grain side or slice up the chicken and serve it with tortillas, salsa and other burrito fixings. Click here for the full recipe! >
7. Herb Crusted Pork Chops with Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
If the fathers you celebrate with love a classic American dinner, they will smile when you serve them these pork chops seasoned with rosemary, thyme, sage and garlic, along with roasted baby potatoes and sautéed Brussels sprouts. You will be pleased you can enjoy this hearty meal and stay on track to your weight loss goal. Click here for the full recipe! >
8. Caprese Turkey Burger
Ordinary burgers become a meal for special days when you add gooey melted mozzarella, thick slices of tomato and sprigs of fresh basil. We start with ground turkey, which is high in protein but is lower in calories and saturated fat than beef. Click here for the full recipe! >
9. No-Bake French Onion Beef Casserole
Toss savory beef flavored with onions and garlic together with whole wheat bowtie pasta, shredded mozzarella and light sour cream to make a filling dish that the entire family will love. Add broccoli, zucchini or your favorite veggies and you’ve got a complete healthy meal. Click here for the full recipe! >
10. Marinated Chicken Thighs
Hot and juicy chicken thighs, fresh off the grill, are the foundation for a relaxing meal outside on a balmy Father’s Day. The marinade, made with orange juice, lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, black pepper and a dash of salt, is so flavorful that you can skip the high-sugar bottled barbecue sauce. Click here for the full recipe! >
11. Cedar Plank Salmon
The secret to grilling fish to perfection is in a soaked piece of cedar wood, which gives salmon rich, smoky flavor while heating it until it’s tender, flaky and ready to serve. Seasoning the fish with paprika, garlic and black pepper adds lots of flavor but no extra calories. You can use the salmon as an entrée with sides of vegetables and whole grains or put it on top of a bed of greens to turn a salad into a meal. Click here for the full recipe! >
12. Easy Chicken Enchiladas
The kids can celebrate dad by helping to prepare this simple meal of enchiladas, plump with shredded chicken, shredded cheese and diced tomatoes. Set up a toppings bar with ingredients such as salsa, spicy peppers and avocado slices, then let everyone add their favorites to their plates. Click here for the full recipe! >
13. Instant Pot Smoked Brisket
This brisket will satisfy big appetites for smoky, savory beef. With the handy instant pot, you don’t have braise the meat for hours before enjoying it. It comes out fork-tender and infused with flavor in under an hour. Click here for the full recipe! >
14. Marinated Steak Kebabs
Beef lovers will be happy with these skewers of lean sirloin tips, marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Add baby potatoes, onions and sweet peppers to make the hearty meal complete. You can cook these skewers on the grill or in the oven. Click here for the full recipe! >
15. Bacon Jalapeno Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Smoky bacon, spicy jalapenos and creamy cheese come together to take mac and cheese to the next level. The tenderized cauliflower bites deliver all the great flavors and fill you up with lots of fiber. Don’t be surprised when the family asks for seconds. Click here for the full recipe! >
16. One Pan Chicken Parmesan and Green Beans
Chicken Parm is a crowd pleaser for many families, but it can be messy to prepare and is often loaded with calories. With this version, you still get all of the good stuff you crave, starting with the coated chicken breast—crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside—topped with tangy marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. It comes with a ready-to-eat side of green beans. Click here for the full recipe! >
17. Shrimp Fra Diavolo
If your family loves classic pasta dishes, this one is sure to become a favorite. It’s loaded with sweet and succulent shrimp tossed with whole wheat noodles and coated with a zesty tomato sauce. Click here for the full recipe! >
18. Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Drumsticks are a fun party food that can be both lip-smacking delicious and truly healthy in the air fryer. We flavored ours with Cajun seasonings but you can use any herbs and spices that you and your family like. Click here for the full recipe! >
19. Chicken Sausage and Peppers Sandwich
Warm and juicy sausage is draped in sautéed peppers and onions, then nestled inside a toasted bun. Look around your table and see everyone else enjoying these filling sandwiches too. That’s a healthy meal worth celebrating. Click here for the full recipe! >
20. Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
Fajitas made with slices of tender steak turn Father’s Day dinner into a fiesta. All of the ingredients, including sweet peppers and zesty onions, go in the oven on a single sheet pan, so even the cook gets to enjoy the party. Click here for the full recipe! >