20 Healthy Dinner Bowl Ideas for Quick, Easy and Flexible Family Meals

Harissa Chicken and Lentil Bowl with Arugula and Herbs

A bowl is the ultimate solution for flexibility and convenience when it comes to dinner. You can follow a recipe, swap out parts of it to meet any special diet needs or preferences, or throw a bowl together using whatever leftovers or ingredients you have on hand. Just start with a base of grains or greens or veggies, pile on your favorite protein (from chicken or steak to shrimp or beans), then then add toppings and sauces to give it the flavors and textures you love. These 20 healthy bowl recipes are quick and easy dinners that you can enjoy together as a family, or let everyone assemble on their own when they finally have time to sit down and eat.

What is a Dinner Bowl?

Buddha bowls, burrito bowls, power bowls, grain bowls, even a big salad bowl, a meal in a bowl is not just popular, it's practical. They are an easy way to pack whole grains, lean protein, and plenty of veggies into a single meal that's also fun to make and eat. You can plate them up or let everyone make their own and gather around the table together.

Or when it's a crazy busy night and the entire family is running in and out between school and work and sports and activities, just set out platters or containers with all of the ingredients. Then as each person comes and goes, they can assemble their own healthy bowl of deliciousness whenever they have time!

What to Put in a Dinner Bowl?

You can take inspiration from any of your favorite cuisines. Traditionally you have likely most often seen Asian-style or Mexican-inspired versions, but these types of meals work for any flavor you love, from traditional Americas fare to saucy barbecue, and even breakfast for dinner.

And the best part is that you can get all of the ingredients to follow a recipe to the tee. Or you can just pull all the leftovers out of the fridge, add a base or maybe some extra toppings, and just use up what you have.

The Base

Grains such as white rice, brown rice, or quinoa are quite common, though these can be swapped out with a lower-carb alternative such as cauliflower rice. Similarly, you can go with mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower. And a hearty option like roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes is also great. And let's not forget about a big pile of leafy greens for an epic dinner salad.

The Protein

This can be anything from barbecue pulled pork, to a perfectly grilled steak to slow cooker chicken. Of course, we can't forget seafood like salmon or shrimp. And there are tons of vegetarian options like spicy black beans, creamy hummus, or seared tofu.

Related: My Husband Cracked the Code to the Juiciest, Most Flavorful Chicken Breast

The Toppings

This is a great way to work in lots of veggies. Raw veggies like cucumbers, peppers, and shredded lettuce add some crunch. Roasted vegetables add depth of flavor. But don't forget you can always just heat up a bag of frozen broccoli or carrots when you are pressed for time.

And things like herbs, tortilla chips, nuts, and cheese punch up the flavor and textures.

The Sauces

Sauces really pull the entire meal together. Making an Asian bowl? Don't forget the teriyaki or sriracha sauce. Going Tex Mex? You need salsa and guacamole. Kick up the heat with sriracha or buffalo hot sauce. And you can also drizzle it with your favorite barbecue sauce or salad dressing.

Related: The Surprising Ingredient Eva Longoria Adds to Her Guacamole

Now it's time to assemble your dinner bowls. Make one these 20 incredible recipes, or use them as inspiration to create your own!

Healthy Dinner Bowl Recipes

More Healthy Meals in a Bowl:

• 10 Smoothie Bowl Recipes will be a sweet and healthy start to your day.

• 19 Salad Recipes are more than just a bowl of lettuce.

• 16 Low Carb Soup Recipes are the ultimate when you need keto comfort food.

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