Black Bean and Rice Enchiladas
I love Mexican food, but I'm always looking for ways to make it more healthy. I "renovated" a dish that I have enjoyed in restaurants to suit my taste and lifestyle. —Christie Ladd, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod
After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Applesauce-Glazed Pork Chops
These tasty, tender pork chops and applesauce are packed with sweet, smoky flavor. They're on the table in no time at all, so they're perfect for hectic weeknights. —Brenda Campbell, Olympia, Washington
Delicious Oven Barbecued Chicken
A friend made this saucy chicken for us when we had our first child. I pared down the recipe to make it lower in fat and calories. Now it's a family favorite, and even the kids ask for it. —Marge Wagner, Roselle, Illinois
Provolone Ziti Bake
As easy as it is filling and delicious, this Italian meal appeals to everyone—and they won’t even miss the meat. Serve with salad and hot French bread, and watch it disappear. —Vicky Palmer, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mushroom Turkey Tetrazzini
This creamy, comforting casserole makes a fantastic way to use up that leftover Thanksgiving turkey. And it’s a real family-pleaser! —Linda Howe, Lisle, Illinois.
Garlic-Ginger Turkey Tenderloins
This good-for-you entree can be on your family’s plates quicker than Chinese takeout…and for a lot less money! Ginger and brown sugar flavor the sauce that spices up the turkey as it bakes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Maple-Roasted Chicken & Acorn Squash
When I became a new mother, my mom helped me find comforting and simple recipes to have on hand. This terrific roast chicken is a happy discovery. —Sara Eilers, Surprise, Arizona
Pork Tenderloin with Mango Relish
Colorful mango relish is a refreshing counterpoint to the “heat” in the meat rub I use to pep up a number of pork dishes. These roasted tenderloins are sure to turn out nice and juicy. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Italian Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini
I've always had to be creative when getting my family to eat vegetables, so I decided to make stuffed zucchini using the pizza flavors that everyone loves. It worked! We like to include sausage for a main dish but it could be a meatless side dish, too. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Five-Cheese Jumbo Shells
Using five cheeses in one dish doesn't usually translate to a dish that's considered light, but this meatless meal is proof that it can be done with great success—and flavor! The shells freeze beautifully, so leftovers are a cinch to save for another quick dinner when you're in a pinch for time. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Italian Herb-Crusted Pork Loin
I like to change things up during the holidays with pork loin recipes that incorporate my favorite herbs and veggies. This showpiece dish really dazzles my family. —Kim Palmer, Kingston, Georgia
Makeover Creamy Mac & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese just may be king of the comfort foods. This sensational version is bubbling with creamy goodness—but is lighter on calories. —April Taylor, Holcomb, Kansas
Basil Vegetable Strata
I've been cooking this strata for years, and my family just can't get enough! The fresh basil gives this healthy brunch dish an added flavor boost. —Jean L. Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin.
Artichoke Cod with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Cod is a great break from heavier dishes. I like to serve it over a bed of greens, or with pasta or quinoa. A squeeze of lemon gives it another layer of freshness. —Hiroko Miles, El Dorado Hills, California
Fiery Stuffed Poblanos
I love southwest-inspired cuisine, but the dishes are often unhealthy. As a dietitian, I try to come up with nutritious twists on recipes, which is how my stuffed chile dish was born. —Amber Massey, Coppell, Texas
Zucchini Lasagna
I plant zucchini every year, and we always seem to have more than we can use! This recipe is a particularly delicious way to use our abundant crop. —Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois
Cajun Crawfish Sliders
Add a touch of southern hospitality to your festivities with our upscale version of a slider. The crawfish gets a touch of spicy goodness from the chipotle mayo and jalapeno. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Power Lasagna
When my husband and I wanted to live healthier, our first step was to eat more power foods, such as whole grains, fresh veggies and protein. Combined with our love for Italian food, this tasty lasagna is one of the nutritious results.—Jennifer Yaden, Richmond, Kentucky
Chicken-Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers
Here's a different take on traditional stuffed peppers. I substituted chicken for the beef and used Cubanelle peppers in place of the green peppers that are usually featured in such a dish. —Ron Burlingame, Canton, Ohio
Beef, Potato & Egg Bake
To keep my family going all morning, I start with lean ground beef and spices, then sneak some spinach into this protein-packed dish. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Spinach 'n' Broccoli Enchiladas
I like to top this wonderful meatless meal with lettuce and serve it with extra picante sauce. It's quick, easy, filled with fresh flavor and definitely satisfying! —Lesley Tragesser, Charleston, Missouri
Sausage & Pepper Pizza
All pizza should satisfy a craving. This one easily beats delivery service to your table. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Honey-Pecan Baked Cod
One night at dinner, while vacationing in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we tried a pecan-encrusted trout that we've tried to re-create. We enjoy this tasty version with fresh or frozen cod often. —Lana German, Lenoir, North Carolina
Stuffed Vegetarian Shells
When my aunt first told me about these shells, they sounded like a lot of work—but the recipe whips up in no time. Sometimes I add a little cooked bacon to the ricotta filling. —Amelia Hopkin, Salt Lake, Utah
Parsley-Crusted Cod
Struggling to increase your family’s fish servings? You’ll appreciate this easy cod with staple ingredients. The flavors are mild and delicious, so even picky eaters won’t complain. —Judy Grebetz, Racine, Wisconsin
Butternut & Portobello Lasagna
Lasagna gets fresh flavor and color when you make it with roasted butternut squash, portobello mushrooms, basil and spinach. We feast on this. —Edward and Danielle Walker, Traverse City, Michigan
Spinach Chicken Manicotti
Pepper and nutmeg spice up the rich sauce in this hearty pasta dish. I made this for my boyfriend on our first Valentine’s Day. It was a big success—now we're married! —Amy Luce, Dallas, Texas
Rich Baked Spaghetti
It takes a little longer to make baked spaghetti, but the difference in taste, texture and richness is well worth the time. I serve this lasagna-style dish with a tossed green salad and breadsticks for a hearty, healthy meal. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Sausage & Feta Stuffed Tomatoes
I'm all about eating healthy. In fact, I'm a professional weight loss coach. My clients and blog followers love these tomatoes so much, I had to put them in my cookbook. Check out my blog at gettingfitwithfood.com. —Shana Conradt, Greenville, Wisconsin
Penne Beef Bake
I had ground beef and veggies on hand so I came up with this pizza-flavored casserole. I never expected my family to love it so much. It's a good way to sneak in some extra veggies for the kids. —Jennifer Wise, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Roasted Vegetable Strata
With the abundance of zucchini my family has in the fall, this is the perfect dish to use what we have. Cheesy and rich, this is a warm, classic breakfast dish sure to please! —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Turkey-Thyme Stuffed Peppers
Chloe, my 3-year-old, is a big fan of these healthy peppers, which have a great thyme flavor. She likes to help mix the ingredients and make meals with me. —Jennifer Kent, Media, Pennsylvania
Cheese Manicotti
Cheese manicotti was the first meal I cooked for my husband, and years later he still enjoys it! —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Artichoke Ratatouille Chicken
I loaded all the fresh produce I could find into this speedy chicken dinner. Serve it on its own or over pasta. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Shells
This is my own personal recipe. I'm very proud of it because I am still a beginner cook and it was the first recipe I created. You can adjust it to your liking by doubling the spinach or adding some meat. —Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas
Colorful Broccoli Cheddar Casserole
When we have houseguests, we make broccoli and cheese strata the night before so we can relax and visit while it bubbles in the oven. —Gale Lalmond, Deering, New Hampshire
Cozumel Red Snapper Veracruz
Cozumel, Mexico, is home to magnificent Veracruz-style red snapper. You can't bring it home, so create your own. Try parchment paper instead of the foil packet. —Barb Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
Beef & Bulgur-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
My mom frequently cooked giant zucchini that she grew in her garden. I adapted this recipe from one of her favorite weeknight meals. Though I love the taste of fresh-picked zucchini, the ones I've bought from the grocery store work great, too.—Susan Peterson, Blaine, Minnesota.
Chipotle Turkey Chilaquiles
As a frugal mom, I try to use leftovers in a way that provides good nutrition. This recipe does just that and it’s also a great way for my children to learn to enjoy the flavors of their Mexican heritage. —Aimee Day, Ferndale, Washington
Garlic Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
I have reduced grains and other starches in my diet due to health reasons, so I was looking for filling, comforting meals without pasta or potatoes. When I was tinkering with this recipe, I discovered that spaghetti squash is fun to experiment with as well as eat. —Becky Ruff, Mc Gregor, Iowa
Greek Stuffed Banana Peppers
If you're looking for a ground turkey recipe that delivers, this is the one! The filling is flavorful and the peppers add some nice heat. You can easily stuff them ahead of time and bake them up when you're ready. —Ola Snow, Powell, Ohio
Thai Chicken & Slaw
This recipe is foolproof and well worth the prep time. Kids love the sweetness of the honey, and I serve the slaw on the side so my vegetarian friends can enjoy it, too.—Karen Norris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spinach-Basil Lasagna
In the kitchen, my husband and I like to use classic ingredients in new ways. I came up with this lasagna one day and haven't made another type since. We love it! —Charlotte Gehle, Brownstown, Michigan
Black Bean Turkey Enchiladas
My best friend and I created this recipe together because we wanted a meal that’s easy to prepare, affordable and nutritious. We both have hectic schedules, so when we’re feeling crunched for time, it’s a relief to have these wholesome enchiladas waiting for us in the freezer. —Holly Baber, Seattle, Washington
Broccoli Tuna Casserole
When I was in the Navy, a co-worker's wife shared this recipe with me. I’ve tweaked it over the years, but it still brings back memories of my "family" away from home. —Yvonne Cook, Haskins, Ohio
Turkey Sausage Zucchini Boats
When I worked in the school library, my co-workers were my taste testers. They approved this healthy and happy spin on stuffed zucchini. —Stephanie Cotterman, West Alexandria, Ohio
Sunday Brunch Egg Casserole
My favorite brunch dish got a makeover with egg substitute and lower-fat cheese. The lightened-up version still tastes delicious, but it won't weigh you down. —Alice Hofmann, Sussex, Wisconsin
Indian Baked Chicken
Cumin and turmeric give this hearty entree just the right amount of Indian flavor while maintaining appeal for the picky eaters in the bunch. —Stephanie Kurin, Muncie, Indiana
Oven Chicken Cordon Bleu
My son loves Chicken Cordon Bleu, but I’m not a fan of store versions. My recipe has all the yummy flavors in a 30-minute meal. Leftovers freeze well. —Ronda Eagle, Goose Creek, South Carolina
The post 50 Healthy 13×9 Dinners to Make for Dinner Tonight appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Racette Parulski