Our 20 Most Popular Dinner Recipes for Heart Health

Pan-seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions with a simple side salad of greens on the plate
Photo: Diana Chistruga

Prioritize your heart health with these balanced and delicious dinner recipes. These highly-rated recipes have gained the most attention from EatingWell readers, and we know you’ll love them, too. Plus, each recipe meets our heart-healthy nutrition parameters, focusing on ingredients that are low in sodium and saturated fats and prioritizing lean proteins, healthy fats and fiber-packed veggies. Recipes like our Chickpea Curry Chhole and Walnut Rosemary Crusted salmon are some of our favorite picks for a flavorful, nourishing evening meal.

01 of 20

Easy Eggplant Stir-Fry

Easy Eggplant Stir-Fry

This eggplant stir-fry is easy to make. We call for long and tender Japanese eggplant, but regular eggplant will work well, too, cut into 1-inch pieces. Jalapeño peppers can vary from mild to very spicy. If you need to cut the heat, opt for small sweet peppers in their place.

02 of 20

Chhole (Chickpea Curry)

chickpea curry (chhole)

This healthy Indian recipe is a flavorful chickpea curry that you can make in just 20 minutes. Also called chana masala, this dish is a comforting and delicious dinner.

03 of 20

Creamy White Bean Soup

Creamy White Bean Soup
Caitlin Bensel

This light, creamy white bean soup recipe is richly flavored thanks to plenty of beans, veggies and Parmesan cheese.

04 of 20

Lemon & Dill Chicken

Lemon & Dill Chicken

Fresh lemon and dill create a quick Greek-inspired pan sauce for simple sautéed chicken breasts.

05 of 20

Maple-Glazed Chicken Breasts

Maple-glazed Chicken Breast and asparagus on a plate
Julia Estrada

Here's an easy main dish that's sure to set you on your own quest for the best maple syrup. Start the chicken breasts marinating on a Saturday afternoon for a quick meal later in the day.

06 of 20

Walnut-Rosemary Crusted Salmon

Walnut-Rosemary Crusted Salmon

Salmon and walnuts are both great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Pair this easy walnut-crusted salmon recipe with a simple salad and a side of roasted potatoes for dinner.

07 of 20

Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions

Pan-seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions with a simple side salad of greens on the plate
Diana Chistruga

This is a classic way to cook pork tenderloin medallions on a stovetop. Pan-seared pork tenderloin is perfect when sliced and served over salad, roasted potatoes, in a wrap or as a hearty appetizer on its own. You could cook the tenderloin and then slice it, but then you would miss the crispy seared coating that touches every corner of these two-bite wonders. Many big box stores sell pork tenderloins in pairs. Instead of making one for dinner and freezing the second one, try this recipe to set yourself up for delicious, filling, healthy lunches for the week.

08 of 20

Chicken & White Bean Soup

Chicken & White Bean Soup

Once again, rotisserie chickens can really relieve the dinner-rush pressure-especially in this Italian-inspired soup that cries out for a piece of crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

09 of 20

Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry

Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry

This comforting and creamy slow-cooker soup is loaded with earthy, umami flavor from the mushrooms and soy sauce. Garnish with additional black pepper and chopped fresh thyme, if desired.

10 of 20

Slow-Cooker Chicken & Brown Rice with Roasted Corn & Black Beans

a recipe photo of the Slow-Cooker Chicken & Pinto Bean Enchilada Casserole
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

With plenty of spice from ground cumin, cayenne and paprika and the bit of char that frozen roasted sweet corn brings to the dish, you won't miss the browning step in this easy load-and-go recipe. If frozen roasted corn isn't available, substitute regular.

11 of 20

One-Pan Chicken & Asparagus Bake

One-Pan Chicken & Asparagus Bake

In this chicken and asparagus bake recipe, we use one baking sheet to whip up dinner quickly, veggies included. Pounding the chicken thin helps it cook quickly alongside the carrots and potatoes, with asparagus rounding out the meal.

12 of 20

Shrimp-Stuffed Pasta Shells

two stuffed shells with shrimp on a red plate

When choosing dry white wine for enhancing this deluxe dish, pick a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay in the $8 to $10 range.

13 of 20

Okonomiyaki (Japanese Cabbage Pancake)

a recipe photo of the Okonomiyaki (Japanese Cabbage Pancake) served on a plate
Photographer: Stacy K. Allen. Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This cabbage pancake is a popular dish throughout Japan and is easily adapted to one's preferences. While the fillings and toppings can vary, from pork and fried eggs to ginger and bonito flakes, the base features a cabbage pancake made with a savory batter—and that's what we do here to let the vegetable shine. The flexibility of this dish is reflected in its name, okonomi and yaki, which roughly translates to "cooked as you like it."

14 of 20

20-Minute Balsamic Mushroom & Spinach Pasta

20-Minute Balsamic Mushroom & Spinach Pasta
Antonis Achilleos

This 20-minute veggie pasta dish is super savory, thanks to meaty mushrooms, while the natural sweetness from the balsamic vinegar, basil and pistachios brighten up this quick, healthy vegetarian dinner.

15 of 20

Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto

Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto

This fragrant, Italian-flavored soup takes advantage of quick-cooking ingredients--boneless, skinless chicken breast, bagged baby spinach and canned beans. It features a simple homemade basil pesto swirled in at the end to add a fresh herb flavor. If you are very pressed for time, you can substitute 3 to 4 tablespoons of a store-bought basil pesto.

16 of 20

Creamy Asparagus-Potato Soup

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In this fast asparagus soup recipe, potato adds creaminess without adding cream. Double or triple this soup and freeze the leftovers for a quick lunch.

17 of 20

Provençal Baked Fish with Roasted Potatoes & Mushrooms

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This easy healthy meal—which requires just 15 minutes of active time—is typical of southern France. You can use halibut, grouper or cod for this simple Mediterranean baked fish recipe, so just choose what looks best at your market. Look for herbes de Provence, an aromatic spice blend, at most grocery stores.

18 of 20

Red Lentil & Cauliflower Curry

Cauliflower & Red Lentil Curry
Jason Donnelly

This cauliflower curry recipe also features red lentils, which turn yellow when cooked. Curry powder, onions, cumin and other seasonings give this vegetarian dinner tons of flavor. Serve over rice to complete the meal.

19 of 20

Lemon-Garlic Steak & Green Beans

Lemon-Garlic Steak & Green Beans
Jason Donnelly

For a steak that's deliciously tender, flavorful and not too fatty, we reach for strip (also known as New York strip or shell steak). It has less than half the saturated fat of a rib-eye but is more tender than leaner sirloin. Here, we cook green beans in the same pan used to sear the spiced steak. All those delicious drippings add richness to the beans—plus there's one less pan to wash!

20 of 20

Easy Sesame Chicken with Green Beans

Easy Sesame Chicken with Green Beans

Sweet-salty hoisin sauce and nutty sesame team up in this easy meal that's cooked on one baking sheet. Serve this sesame chicken with brown rice and sliced cucumbers, drizzled with sesame oil and rice vinegar.

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