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Healthy Cooking for a Healthy Texas

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Grab and Go Meal Ideas

August 13, 2025 by odessa.keenan

Check out these grab-and-go meal ideas that are quick, portable, and still satisfying-perfect for busy days, lunchboxes, or events:

Wraps & Sandwiches

  • Turkey & Spinach Wrap (with hummus or cream cheese)
  • Chicken Caesar Wrap
  • PB&J or Nut Butter & Banana Sandwich
  • Egg Salad or Tuna Salad Sandwich
  • Caprese Sandwich (mozzarella, tomato, pesto)

Salad Jars (just shake and eat!)

  • Greek Salad Jar (chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, olives, feta)
  • Taco Salad Jar (ground beef or beans, corn, lettuce, salsa, cheese)
  • Pasta Salad with Chicken & Veggies

Muffin-Tin Meals

  • Mini Frittatas or Egg Muffins
  • Meatloaf Muffins
  • Mac & Cheese Cups
  • Oatmeal Cups (sweet or savory)

Protein Boxes

  • Hard-boiled Eggs, Cheese Cubes, Crackers, Fruit
  • Deli Meat Roll-ups, Veggie Sticks, Hummus
  • Mini Quesadillas, Salsa, Apple Slices

Bowls (Cold or Reheat)

  • Chicken & Rice Bowl
  • Quinoa, Roasted Veggies & Feta Bowl
  • Asian Noodle Salad with Edamame

Handheld Options

  • Homemade Hot Pockets or Calzones
  • Mini Pizza Bites (on English muffins or tortillas)
  • Stuffed Pita with Hummus, Veggies, Chicken

Breakfast-On-the-Go

  • Breakfast Burritos
  • Yogurt Parfaits in Jars
  • Overnight Oats
  • Bagels with Cream Cheese & Smoked Salmon

Filed Under: Uncategorized

No Cook Meal Ideas

August 13, 2025 by odessa.keenan

Living a busy student life with limited time to cook? No worries! The Dinner Tonight team can help. Whether you’re cramming for finals or juggling classes and work, you still deserve tasty, nutritious meals that don’t require a stove. Check out this list of 15 no-cook meals ideas that are quick, budget-friendly, healthy, and dorm-approved.

Savory & Satisfying

  1. Hummus & Veggie Wraps-Whole wheat tortilla, hummus, spinach, shredded carrots, cucumber slices.
  2. Tuna Salad Lettuce Cups-Canned tuna mixed with mayo or Greek yogurt, served in romaine leaves.
  3. Caprese Sandwich-Fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, basil, and balsamic glaze on ciabatta.
  4. Greek Pita Pockets-Stuffed with hummus, olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and feta.
  5. Avocado Toast-Mashed avocado on whole grain bread with salt, pepper, and chili flakes.

Bowls & Salads

  1. Chickpea Salad Bowl-Canned chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, lemon juice.
  2. Mexican Black Bean Bowl-Black beans, corn, salsa, avocado, and tortilla chips.
  3. Asian Peanut Noodle Salad-Pre-cooked rice noodles, shredded carrots, cabbage, and peanut sauce.
  4. Fruit & Cottage Cheese Bowl-Cottage cheese topped with pineapple, berries, or peaches.
  5. Quinoa & Edamame Salad-Pre-cooked quinoa, edamame, bell peppers, sesame dressing.

Quick Snacks & Mini Meals

  1. Cheese & Crackers Plate-Add grapes, nuts, and deli meat for a balanced snack.
  2. Peanut Butter Banana Wrap-Tortilla with peanut butter and banana slices.
  3. Yogurt Parfait-Greek yogurt layered with granola and fresh fruit.
  4. Hard-Boiled Egg Snack Box-Eggs, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, and a handful of almonds.
  5. Cold Pasta Salad-Pre-cooked pasta with Italian dressing, olives, and veggies.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

High Protein Recipes

December 20, 2024 by Dinner Tonight

Lean protein is an essential component of a balanced diet, providing numerous health benefits for both adults and children. Incorporating lean protein into daily meals can support overall health, growth, and development.

What Is Lean Protein?

Lean protein refers to protein sources that are lower in fat and calories but rich in essential nutrients. Examples include:

  • Beef and pork trimmed of extra fat
  • Ground beef and pork that is 93% lean or more
  • Skinless poultry
  • Fish and seafood
  • Legumes (beans, lentils, peas)
  • Low-fat dairy products (e.g., yogurt, milk, and cheese)
  • Eggs
  • Plant-based alternatives

Benefits of Lean Protein

Supports Growth and Development
Protein is vital for building and repairing tissues, making it particularly important for children during growth spurts. It also supports the development of muscles, bones, and organs.

Maintains Muscle Mass
For adults, lean protein helps maintain muscle mass, especially as they age. Preserving muscle is key to maintaining strength and metabolism.

Promotes Healthy Weight Management
Protein is highly satiating, meaning it keeps you feeling full longer. Including lean protein in meals can reduce overeating and support healthy weight management for all age groups.

Provides Essential Nutrients
Lean protein sources often come packed with additional nutrients such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which are critical for energy production, immune function, and brain development.

Heart Health
Substituting lean protein for high-fat meats can lower saturated fat intake, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Daily Protein Recommendations

The amount of protein needed varies based on age, sex, and activity level. The 2020-2025 and 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend:

  • Children aged 1-3 years: 13 grams per day
  • Children aged 4-8 years: 19 grams per day
  • Adolescents aged 9-13 years: 34 grams per day
  • Adults: 1.2-1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, adjusting as needed based on your individual caloric requirements.

Including lean protein in a healthy diet benefits adults and children by supporting growth, muscle maintenance, and overall health. A focus on lean options also helps manage calorie and fat intake while providing essential nutrients.

Here is a list of over 130 recipes that are high in protein, 20 grams or more, per serving. We hope you enjoy these recipes!

  • Air Fried Red Snapper
  • Apple and Leek Pork Chops
  • Apple Tuna Salad Sandwich
  • Asian Chicken and Brown Rice Salad
  • Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich
  • Baked Parmesan Catfish
  • Baked Pork Chops
  • Baked Tilapia
  • Baked Ziti
  • Bang Bang Salmon Bowls
  • BBQ Pepper Steak
  • Beef & Cauliflower
  • Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
  • Beef and Cheese French Bread
  • Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry
  • Beef Goulash
  • Beef Italian Pasta
  • Beef Kabobs
  • Beef Skillet Supper
  • Beef Stuffed Acorn Squash
  • Beef Stuffed Pasta
  • Beefy Vegetable Stuffed Peppers
  • Beet, Tuna, and White Bean Salad
  • Black Bean and Spinach Quesadillas
  • Black Bean Salsa with Pineapple
  • Blackberry Chipotle Chicken
  • Blackened Tilapia
  • Breakfast Power Bowls
  • Buffalo Chicken Salad
  • Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)
  • Cabbage & Meatballs
  • Cajun Chicken
  • Cajun Grilled Fish Tacos
  • Cheesy Chicken Spinach Noodle Casserole
  • Cheesy Lasagna Rolls
  • Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
  • Chicken and Gnocchi Dumplings
  • Chicken and Rice Stir Fry
  • Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
  • Chicken and Summer Veggies Grilling Pocket
  • Chicken Bow Tie Sausage Pasta
  • Chicken Caesar Pitas
  • Chicken Caprese Spaghetti Squash
  • Chicken Ceasar Pasta Salad
  • Chicken Fajitas
  • Chicken Flautas Air Fryer
  • Chicken Fried Steak Air Fryer Minis
  • Chicken Harvest Lunch Bowl
  • Chicken Marsala
  • Chicken Parmesan
  • Chicken Tacos with Roasted Street Corn
  • Chicken with Peachy Ginger Sauce Slow Cooker
  • Chicken, Broccoli and Sesame Stir Fry
  • Chili
  • Chinese Chicken
  • Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad
  • Corn Stuffed Pork Chops
  • Couscous Chicken
  • Cranberry Orange Meatballs
  • Crispy Crab Taquitos
  • Crunchy Lime Wasabi Salmon
  • Double Chocolate Protein Balls
  • Easy Egg Salad
  • Easy Spinach and Chicken Pasta
  • Grape and Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
  • Greek Meatballs
  • Green Enchilada Soup
  • Hearty Two Bean Minestrone Soup
  • Herbed Citrus Grouper
  • How to Make the Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg
  • Italian Artichoke Chicken
  • Italian Chicken
  • Italian Style Cod
  • Italian Wedding Soup
  • Leek and Potato Frittata
  • Lemon Butter Fish
  • Mango Chicken Salad
  • Marry Me Chicken
  • Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
  • Mexican Chicken Soup
  • Mexican Lasagna
  • Minestrone Pasta
  • Mocha Rubbed Pot Roast
  • Moroccan Chicken Tagine
  • Mustard Crusted Fish
  • Nacho Mac n’ Cheese
  • One Dish Chicken Green Beans and Potatoes
  • One Pan Tex Mex Beef and Rice
  • Orange and Ginger Salmon
  • Pad Thai Egg Rolls
  • Pan-Roasted Grouper with Carolina Gold Rice Salad
  • Pepperoni Frittata
  • Pork Tenderloin with Cayenne Cherry Sauce
  • Pretzel-Crusted Chicken
  • Pumpkin Chili
  • Quick Chicken and Spring Vegetables
  • Quick Zucchini Beef Boats Recipe
  • Roasted Tilapia with Orange Parsley Salsa
  • Salmon Bowtie Pasta
  • Salmon Patties
  • Salsa Beef & Rice
  • Salsa Orange Chicken
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Tostadas
  • Shepherd’s Pie
  • Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Sauce
  • Skillet Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • Skillet Lasagna
  • Skillet Noodle Pie
  • Skillet Pizzas
  • Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili
  • Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore
  • Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
  • Slow Cooker Street Tacos
  • Smokey Pork Tenderloin Tacos
  • Southwest Chicken Soup
  • Southwest Egg Muffins
  • Southwest Turkey Bake
  • Spicy Stuffed Bell Peppers
  • Stuffed Baked Potatoes
  • Swiss Steak Deluxe
  • Taco Casserole
  • Teriyaki Ginger Pork Tenderloin
  • Tex Mex Beef Skillet
  • Tuna Cakes
  • Tuna Ceviche Cucumber Bites
  • Tuna Melt Sandwiches
  • Turkey Burrito Bowl
  • Turkey Chili
  • Venison Stir Fry
  • White Chicken Chili

Sources:

  • Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025
    • https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
  • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source – Protein
    • https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/protein/
  • American Heart Association: Protein and Heart Health
    • https://www.heart.org
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Protein Foods for Every Body
    • https://www.eatright.org
  • Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2050-2030
    • https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: fall, spring, winter

Super Seeds

February 16, 2021 by Dinner Tonight

Boost the nutrient content of your dish with some of our heart-healthy favorites. Read below to learn more about the nutrition content of these super seeds.

Chia seeds:
Benefits :
Protein
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fiber
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Potassium

Flax Seeds:
Benefits :
Protein
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fiber
Potassium
Magnesium
Calcium
Iron

Hemp Seeds:
Benefits :
Complete Protein
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fiber
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium
Zinc

Uses: Add to breakfast cereal or oats, Mix with Greek yogurt, bake into baked goods, or top off your favorite smoothie or salad.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Matcha

March 4, 2019 by Dinner Tonight

Want to know more about the popular green tea powder, Matcha? Below we have some matcha basics, tips on how you can use it, and a healthy recipe!

• A SMALL AMOUNT OF MATCHA HAS A HIGHER AMOUNT of CAFFEINE COMPARED TO A CUP OF COFFEE; HOWEVER, IT RELEASES SLOWLY THROUGH YOUR BLOODSTREAM. THUS, PROVIDING MORE ENERGY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. • IS FILLED WITH ANTIOXIDANTS WHICH PROVIDES SEVERAL HEALTH BENEFITS - I.E., HEART, AND METABOLISM HEALTH.

Whisk it! Match powder can be whisked and stirred into lattes, smoothies, water, and baked goods.

Matcha powder can be whisked and stirred into lattes, smoothies, water, and baked goods

When you need a boost of energy what’s your go-to fix? A coffee, energy drink, or soda? Watch this video for research-based information how much caffeine is considered safe and to find out how much you drink each day. Also look out for alternatives to caffeine for sustained energy throughout the day!

 

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17906191

Texas A&M Food and Nutrition Extension

 

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