17 Anti-Inflammatory Lazy Dinner Meals

After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen preparing a complicated dinner. But that doesn’t mean you have to resort to unhealthy takeout or processed meals that can fuel inflammation. With these 17 lazy anti-inflammatory dinner recipes, you can have a delicious, nourishing, and inflammation-fighting meal on the table with minimal effort. From sheet-pan wonders to one-pot meals, these recipes are designed for busy weeknights.

1. Sheet-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Asparagus

This elegant and easy dinner comes together on one pan for minimal cleanup.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
• 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a baking sheet, toss the asparagus with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the salmon fillets on the same baking sheet. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Top the salmon and asparagus with lemon slices.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the asparagus is tender.

2. One-Pot Coconut Curry with Chickpeas and Spinach

A flavorful and creamy curry that’s both comforting and packed with anti-inflammatory spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons red curry paste
• 1 can (13.5 ounces) full-fat coconut milk
• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• Cooked quinoa or brown rice for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute.
3. Add the red curry paste and cook for one minute more, until fragrant.
4. Stir in the coconut milk and chickpeas. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Stir in the spinach until wilted. Serve over quinoa or brown rice.

3. Turkey and Black Bean Burgers

These flavorful burgers are a healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and mashed
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Whole-grain buns and your favorite toppings for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, mashed black beans, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
3. Cook the burgers on a grill or in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
4. Serve on whole-grain buns with your favorite toppings.

4. Veggie-Packed Frittata

A frittata is a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you have in the fridge.

Ingredients:

• 8 large eggs
• 1/4 cup milk or unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups chopped vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, onions, spinach, broccoli)
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper.
3. In an oven-safe skillet, sauté the vegetables until tender.
4. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables. Sprinkle with cheese, if using.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the eggs are set.

5. Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-fry

A quick and easy stir-fry that’s packed with flavor and nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet or wok, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the shrimp and cook until pink. Remove from the skillet.
3. Add the broccoli to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute.
5. Return the shrimp to the skillet. Add the soy sauce and honey and toss to combine.

6. Stuffed Bell Peppers

A classic comfort food that’s both healthy and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, halved and seeded
• 1 pound ground turkey or lean ground beef
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the ground meat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in the cooked quinoa, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Spoon the mixture into the bell pepper halves.
5. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.

7. Black Bean Soup

A simple and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a chilly evening.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Toppings: avocado, cilantro, Greek yogurt

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic.
3. Add the black beans, vegetable broth, and cumin. Bring to a simmer.
4. Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some texture.
5. Serve topped with avocado, cilantro, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.

8. Chicken and Veggie Skewers

These colorful skewers are perfect for grilling or baking.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, red onion)
• Marinade: 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients.
2. Add the chicken and vegetables and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
3. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
4. Grill or bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

9. Pasta with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

A simple and flavorful pasta dish that comes together in minutes.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces whole-wheat or chickpea pasta
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• A handful of fresh basil

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
3. Stir in the pesto and cherry tomatoes.
4. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

10. Baked Sweet Potatoes with Toppings

A simple and satisfying meal that can be customized with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients:

• 2 sweet potatoes, baked
• Toppings: shredded chicken, black beans, avocado, salsa, Greek yogurt

Instructions:

1. Split the baked sweet potatoes open.
2. Load them up with your favorite anti-inflammatory toppings.

11. One-Pan Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetables

A hearty and comforting meal that’s perfect for a cozy night in.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 4 cups mixed root vegetables (e.g., carrots, sweet potatoes, parsnips), chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a large baking sheet, toss the root vegetables with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
4. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

12. Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

A hearty and comforting vegetarian version of a classic dish.

Ingredients:

• Filling: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 cup brown lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Topping: 4 large sweet potatoes, boiled and mashed with a splash of milk and a pat of butter or olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Make the filling: Sauté the vegetables, then add the lentils, broth, and thyme. Simmer until the lentils are tender.
3. Pour the lentil filling into a baking dish.
4. Top with the mashed sweet potatoes.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is lightly browned.

13. Tofu Stir-fry with Peanut Sauce

A flavorful and satisfying plant-based stir-fry.

Ingredients:

• 1 block (14 ounces) extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 4 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas)
• Peanut sauce: 1/4 cup peanut butter, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2-3 tablespoons water

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, heat the sesame oil and pan-fry the tofu until golden brown.
2. Add the vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut sauce ingredients.
4. Pour the sauce over the tofu and vegetables and toss to coat.

14. Deconstructed Burrito Bowl

All the flavors of a burrito, without the tortilla.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
• 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 avocado, diced
• A dollop of Greek yogurt

Instructions:

1. Assemble all the ingredients in a bowl and enjoy.

15. Simple Salmon Patties

These easy salmon patties are a great way to use canned salmon.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces) salmon, drained and flaked
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or almond flour
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine all ingredients.
2. Form into patties and pan-fry in a little olive oil for 3-4 minutes per side.

16. Chicken and White Bean Chili

A lighter, yet still hearty, version of chili.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin

Instructions:

1. In a pot, cook the ground chicken and onion until the chicken is browned.
2. Add the beans, broth, and cumin. Simmer for 20 minutes.

17. Leftover Remix Bowl

The ultimate lazy dinner! Get creative and turn your leftovers into a new and exciting meal.

Ingredients:

• Leftover cooked protein (chicken, fish, beans)
• Leftover roasted or steamed vegetables
• Leftover grains (quinoa, rice)
• A flavorful sauce or dressing

Instructions:

1. Combine all your leftovers in a bowl.
2. Drizzle with your favorite sauce or dressing to tie it all together.

These 17 lazy anti-inflammatory dinner recipes prove that you don’t have to sacrifice your health or your time to enjoy a delicious and satisfying evening meal. Keep these ideas in your back pocket for those nights when you need a quick, easy, and nourishing dinner.