20+ Best Dinner Recipes for Healthy Aging

Aging is simply a fact of life and it’s not something to be afraid of! To help keep you feeling your best as you age, it’s important to eat a variety-filled diet that contains the nutrients your body needs to thrive. These highly-rated dinner recipes meet our parameters for healthy aging since each dish has at least 20% of the daily value for two or more of the following nutrients: fiber, calcium, protein and/or vitamin D. Try options like our Creamy Chickpea Soup and our High-Protein Lemon Chicken & Rice Skillet for a nourishing meal that tastes great and supports your well-being.

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High-Protein Sheet-Pan Salmon with Broccoli

Ali Redmond

Fresh, fast and full of flavor, this sheet-pan salmon with broccoli is a healthy weeknight winner. A zesty mix of lemon, garlic and olive oil brings brightness to both the tender salmon and the roasted broccoli.

Creamy Chickpea Soup

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.

This creamy chickpea soup comes together in just 20 minutes. Cream cheese melts right into this zesty soup for a velvety texture that feels cozy and comforting. Garnished with cilantro and crunchy tortilla strips, it’s a one-pot meal that’s weeknight-friendly and crowd-pleasing.

High-Protein Lemon Chicken & Rice Skillet

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.

This savory dish comes together in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze. Juicy chicken breast, brown rice and Parmesan cheese deliver a hearty boost of protein and fiber to keep you full and energized.

One-Pan Chicken Florentine

Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.

Classic chicken Florentine—creamy spinach served alongside sautéed chicken—is a fast and easy meal. This dish is simple enough for weekdays but also elegant enough for a dinner party.

Marry Me Tortellini

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.

This Marry Me Tortellini is a quick and creamy pasta dish inspired by the viral “Marry Me” chicken recipe known for its sun-dried tomato sauce. Cheese tortellini are simmered right in the skillet in a brothy mix of tomatoes, shallots and garlic finished with cream.

High-Fiber Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Skillet

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Josh Hoggle.

Tender cubes of butternut squash and hearty black beans are simmered in green enchilada sauce, with tortilla strips stirred in. A layer of melted cheese ties everything together for a satisfying, vegetarian-friendly dish.

Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

This cozy dish will remind you of broccoli-Cheddar soup, but in a convenient skillet. Tender butter beans add creaminess and plant-based protein, making the dish filling enough for a main course. Broccoli florets bring color, while sharp Cheddar cheese melts in for that classic flavor.

Rotisserie Chicken, Mushroom & Rice Casserole

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.

Tender shredded rotisserie chicken is combined with earthy mushrooms, rice and a creamy sauce that brings everything together. A layer of melted cheese on top adds a golden, bubbly finish.

Salmon with Mango Salsa

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

This vibrant meal is bursting with freshness from the antioxidant-packed mango salsa, and we elevated brown rice with coconut milk to pair with the smoky, flaky salmon.

Spanakopita-Inspired Skillet Beans

Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Isabelle Easter, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Creamy, herbaceous and comforting, these skillet beans draw inspiration from spanakopita, the Greek spinach pie. Cannellini beans add protein and fiber to make this dinner filling while fresh dill, parsley and a squeeze of lemon provide brightness.

High-Fiber Vegetable Stew

Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

This vegetable stew is a cozy dish for two that highlights the best of late-summer, early-fall produce. Simmered with warm spices and a savory broth, it’s delicious served with warm naan on the side for dipping.

High-Protein Thai Sweet Chili Salmon Bowls

Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali

These Thai sweet chili salmon bowls are a flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for two. Salmon is served over fluffy rice with crisp coleslaw for crunch and balance. It’s a colorful bowl that hits all the sweet, spicy and savory notes.

Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Arugula-Tomato Salad

Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

This flavor-packed dish features juicy chicken thighs that are cooked until golden, then coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. They’re served over a crisp arugula and tomato salad. It’s a simple dinner for two that tastes delicious and comes together quickly.

Salmon Cakes with Tahini Slaw

Food: Sammy Mila Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

These pan-seared salmon cakes make a fresh meal for two that’s packed with flavor and crunch. On the side, a crisp slaw tossed in a sweet tahini dressing adds a nutty-sweet contrast and plenty of texture.

High-Protein Mini Meatloaves & Veggies

Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

The mini meatloaves, made with either meatloaf mix or lean ground beef, cook alongside tender carrots and zucchini for a balanced meal with minimal cleanup. It’s a no-fuss dinner that serves two.

High-Protein Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

This skillet is a hearty, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chunks of sweet potato and shredded chicken combine with store-bought enchilada sauce for a flavorful shortcut.

High-Protein Spaghetti Squash Caprese

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.

Here’s a fun twist on the classic Italian salad—combining traditional caprese ingredients with tender strands of roasted spaghetti squash. The squash is tossed with juicy plum tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant fresh basil and great northern beans for a boost of plant-based protein. A drizzle of balsamic glaze ties the dish together with a sweet-tangy finish.

Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes

Ali Redmond

Pasta is cooked alongside frozen sweet peas, then tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes and basil pesto for a fresh, herbaceous finish. A sprinkle of Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon add the perfect final touch.

High-Fiber Chopped Salad with Italian Vinaigrette

Ali Redmond

This chopped salad is a crisp, colorful mix of veggies. It’s tossed with a zesty homemade vinaigrette while chickpeas bring on the plant-based protein and fiber. Everything is chopped small for the perfect forkful every time.

Maple-Mustard Salmon with Veggies

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

Here, salmon is coated in a sweet and tangy maple-mustard glaze that caramelizes beautifully as it broils. Surrounding the tender fish is a mix of seasonal vegetables, including broccoli and potatoes, that roast to perfection.

Ground Turkey Fajita Bowls

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

This ground turkey rice bowl is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Lean ground turkey is cooked with savory seasonings like chili powder, cumin and oregano before being tossed with pico de gallo. The mixture pairs well with brown rice and sautéed onions and peppers to create a hearty dinner.

Unstuffed Zucchini Casserole

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

This hearty dinner takes all the flavors of classic stuffed zucchini and turns them into an easy casserole. Instead of hollowing and stuffing each zucchini, everything is layered in one dish for a quick, no-fuss dinner. A sprinkle of shredded cheese on top melts into a bubbly, golden layer that ties it all together.

Chicken Alfredo Bake

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

This chicken Alfredo bake is a comforting, creamy casserole that combines tender chicken breast, whole-wheat pasta and a silky homemade Alfredo sauce, all baked together until golden and bubbly.

Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet

Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This skillet dinner is perfect for scooping up with your favorite toasted whole-grain bread. Juicy cherry tomatoes burst as they roast, mingling with creamy white beans to create a flavorful base. Chunky pieces of feta cheese are nestled into the skillet and baked until warm and soft.

Chicken Guacamole Bowls

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

Juicy chicken thighs and colorful veggies are served over a fresh and creamy guacamole with a sprinkle of tangy cotija cheese. A squeeze of lime at the end brightens up the dish and ties all the bold, fresh flavors together.