30-Minute Meals to Help You Lose Weight Fast

Are you looking for quick, nutritious 30-minute meals that you can make to help you lose weight fast? When you juggle a busy work and family schedule, the last thing you want to do is to spend all evening in the kitchen.

These 30- minute meals only take one-pan. They’re not only delicious and low in calories, but they also make cleanup a breeze.

1. Ham & Veggie Pasta

One-pan meals are a home cook’s best friend. This dish is an attractive medley of colorful veggies, ham, and oodles of noodles. It is a healthy, low-calorie meal that’s ready in a snap.

Ingredients:

• 2 C. dry spiral pasta
• 8 C. cold water
• 1 Large bunch fresh asparagus, chopped
• 1 Large gold bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• Large red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 5 Medium tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 Lb. fully cooked ham steak, cubed
• Small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 Bunch fresh basil, chopped
• Small bunch fresh oregano, chopped
• 1/2 Tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 Tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/2 C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a medium stockpot over medium-high heat, bring the water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and allow it to cook until al dente, about 7-10 minutes.
2. In a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and sauté asparagus and bell peppers until tender-crisp.
3. Add the tomatoes and ham and stir well until heated through.
4. Use a colander to drain pasta well and stir it into the ham and veggie mixture. Sprinkle in the parsley, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper and stir until combined. Sprinkle liberally with the cheese and serve hot.

2. Garden Fresh Pizza

Who says you can’t have pizza and still lose weight? This yummy 30-minute meal is one that the whole family will enjoy. Put any leftovers in the refrigerator and enjoy it cold the next day.

Ingredients:

• 1 C. low-fat ricotta cheese
• Clove of garlic, minced
• 1 Pre-baked whole wheat pizza crust (12 inches)
• One Small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 Large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 Tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/4 Tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 Tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 C. baby spinach
• 3/4 C. low-fat mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. In a small mixing bowl, mix the ricotta and garlic and set aside.
3. On a large pizza pan, place the crust and use a spatula to spread on the ricotta cheese with about a one- inch margin of crust all around.
4. Arrange the onions and bell peppers on the pizza, then sprinkle on the seasonings. Lastly, sprinkle the cheese evenly on top.
5. Place the pan on a low oven rack and bake the pizza until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the pizza from the oven and spread the spinach evenly on top. Slice and enjoy it hot.

3. BLT Pasta Skillet

If you are a BLT fan, you will love this quick and easy pasta dish. It’s loaded with crispy bacon, tangy tomatoes, and peppery arugula to tempt your taste buds. The good news is that it is also low in calories.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Lb. uncooked whole-wheat spaghetti
• 8 C. cold water
• 1/4 Lb. bacon
• 2 Rome tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• One clove garlic, minced
• 1 Small lemon, juiced
• 3/4 Tsp. sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 2 C. fresh arugula
• 1/4 C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Small bunch fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. In a medium stockpot over medium-high heat, bring water to a rapid boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 7-10 minutes.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until golden brown and crisp, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove the bacon and arrange on a layer of paper towels to drain.
3. Reserve about two tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet. Chop bacon and set aside.
4. Add the tomatoes and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, salt, pepper, and bacon.
5. Use a colander to drain the pasta well and then stir it into the bacon and veggie mixture. Top with arugula, Parmesan, and parsley and serve immediately.

4. Asian-Style Veggie Wraps

Are you and your family trying meatless Mondays? Why not try this tasty wrap that is loaded with healthy vegetables and Asian inspired spices? You probably won’t even miss the meat when you taste the goodness of the flavored veggies.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons sesame oil
• 1/2 Lb. baby portabella mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2-Lb. fresh button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 Large red bell pepper, diced
• 1 Medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• One large carrot, shredded
• 1/4 C. hoisin sauce
• 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root, minced
• 3 Cloves of garlic, minced
• 8 Boston lettuce leaves

Directions:

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and add mushrooms, bell pepper, onions, and carrots. Sauté until mushrooms are tender and veggies are tender-crisp about 5-8 minutes.
2. Stir in hoisin sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens a bit, about 5 minutes.
3. Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon a mound of the veggie mixture into each leaf and serve warm.

5. Greek-Style Chicken with Orzo

Take a culinary trip to the Greek isles with this delightful 30-minute meal. The tender chicken is delicately seasoned with lemon, briny Kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese. It’s an easy meal to make any day of the week.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 C. chicken stock
• 2/3 C. uncooked whole wheat orzo pasta
• 2 Medium lemons, 1 juiced and 1 cut into wedges
• 1 C. Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 1 Small bunch fresh oregano
• 1/4 Tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 C. Feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
2. In the same skillet, increase heat to medium-high and add the stock. Use a wooden spoon to stir the stock and loosen bits of browned meat from the skillet’s bottom.
3. Stir in pasta, lemons, lemon juice, olives, oregano, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.
4. Add the chicken breasts to the pan, cover, and cook until the pasta is tender, and a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken registers at least 170 degrees F. Arrange on a large platter and sprinkle with feta. Serve hot.

6. Egg Roll Skillet

This 30-minute meal is a creative and tasty take on the classic Asian-style egg roll. The tender-crisp veggies and warm spices are everything you want in an egg roll without the deep-frying. If you have leftovers, take them for a quick lunch at school or work.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
• 1/2-Lb. ground pork
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 Cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 Tsp. salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 Tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 Large head green cabbage, shredded
• 2 Large carrots, shredded
• 1 Package rice noodles
• 4 Green onions, thinly sliced into rings

Directions:

1. In a heavy skillet or wok over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Crumble the pork into the pan and sauté until browned, about 4-6 minutes.
2. Add soy sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, and turmeric and stir well. Add cabbage and carrots and continue stirring until veggies are tender-crisp, about 6 minutes more.
3. Cook the rice noodles according to the package directions. Use a colander to strain the noodles well and stir them into the pork and veggie mixture. Garnish the top with sliced green onion rings and serve with a side of soy sauce or Asian-style hot mustard.

7. Aunt Edna’s Hearty Goulash

On a chilly winter’s evening, nothing warms your tummy like a steaming bowl of meaty goulash. This 30-minute meal has all the meat, seasoning, and pasta you love without the original’s extra calories. Aunt Edna wouldn’t mind a bit.

Ingredients:

• 2 C. uncooked medium pasta shells or spiral pasta
• 8 C. cold water
• One Tbsp. of canola oil
• 1 Large sweet onion, diced
• 2 Cloves garlic, minced
• 1-Lb. lean ground turkey
• 1 Can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 Can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• One Tsp. agave nectar
• 1/2 Tsp. salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 Tsp. smoked paprika

Directions:

1. In a large stockpot over high heat, add water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7-10 minutes. Remove the stockpot from the heat and use a colander to strain the pasta well. Set aside and don’t rinse.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onions are translucent and fragrant about 3 minutes. Add the turkey and use a wooden spoon to break it up while cooking until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes, sauce, nectar, salt, pepper, and paprika and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until heated through and the flavors are melded about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the pasta and cook until heated through. Serve with a fresh green salad.

Easy Meals to Help You Lose Weight Fast

Just because you are watching your weight and are in a hurry doesn’t mean you must skimp on flavor. Try these tasty 30-minute meals and watch the smiles across your dinner table. You’ll also smile when you see the number on the scales decreasing at a fast rate.