Spice Up Weeknight Dinners
August 3, 2026
Coming home after a busy day and needing to cook a balanced meal can be a big feat. Ensuring that it is quick, balanced, and tastes good can take a lot of mental space and energy. It is common to fall into the same cycle of meals that can lead to boredom, which ultimately can lead to eating out and potentially making a choice that is not the most balanced. Here are some tips to get out of the boring-dinner-rut:
Make Restaurant Meals at Home– think about what you would order if you were to get takeout or order DoorDash and try to make that. For example if you were thinking about ordering a pizza, try making your own. Get mini pizza crusts or tortillas, sauce, cheese, and different toppings. Load it with veggies or prep a caesar salad kit to add a little extra color and fiber. Next time you are dining out think about how you can make that meal at home. If you are craving sushi, try making the spicy tuna bowl recipe below!
Save favorite recipes– keep a running list of recipes that you have enjoyed to reference when you are in a rut. Another option is to create a recipe folder on social media platforms so if you are scrolling and come across a fun recipe you can save it to come back to when you want to try something new.
Get the family involved– create a menu for the week and everyone in the house can pick 1-2 options for dinners for the week. That way everyone gets something they want and someone might come up with a new idea that you may not have thought of otherwise.
Switch up leftovers– make a base protein with versatile ingredients and change up the dish through the week. For example, ground turkey, tortillas, and fajita veggies can be turkey tacos on Monday, nachos on Tuesday, and a quesadilla on Wednesday.
Here’s a recipe for spicy tuna bowls that is quick, easy, and uses foods you may already have at home:
Recipe makes 4 servings
- 2c cooked Brown Rice
- 2 cans of Tuna
- 1/4c Light Mayonnaise or non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1tsp Sriracha, or whatever hot sauce you prefer
- Vegetable toppings- shredded carrots, cucumber, green onions, etc.
- Soy sauce and Sesame seeds, optional for topping
Mix the tuna, mayo, and sriracha together in a bowl. Then plate it up with the rice, tuna, whatever vegetables you like, soy sauce, and sesame seeds.
It is totally fine to have go-to meals that you enjoy, but if you find yourself falling into the same meal cycle that can be a sign to switch it up and try some of these tips to find something new. Healthy eating does not have to be boring, having fun with food can help you stay on track toward your goals!
