4 Light Dinner Ideas: Easy Recipes To Please Every Palate

Evenings are meant for relaxation and enjoyment, and what better way to do that than by indulging in delicious, home-cooked meals for dinner? Yet, as we all know, whipping up something special and delightful every night can be a challenge, especially when you’re running low on time and energy. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy light dinner ideas that can be just as satisfying and tasty as a full-course meal without requiring as much effort. 

In this article, we’ll share four easy-to-make recipes guaranteed to please even the pickiest of palates. What’s more, each of these easy dinner ideas is gluten-free! So keep reading and make dinner time a lot less complicated and a lot more enjoyable!

4 Light and Easy Dinner Recipes

Quality dinner doesn't have to mean complicated recipes that require you to slave away in the kitchen for hours. With these four easy light dinner ideas, you can create a satisfying meal without any fuss. 

1. Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers with Olives

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tub (7oz) Buddig Original Beef Lunch Meat, minced
• 4 large bell peppers (any color you prefer)
• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• 1 cup cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut off the tops of the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Rinse the peppers thoroughly and set them aside.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the minced beef lunch meat, chopped onion, and garlic. Stir in the cooked quinoa, diced tomatoes, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Then, add the sliced black olives and remove the skillet from the heat.
• Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the beef and quinoa mixture and put them in a baking dish. If you have remaining stuffing, you can sprinkle it around the peppers.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake it for about 25-30 minutes or until the bell peppers are tender.
• Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each stuffed pepper. 
• Finally, bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Once the cheese has melted, take the stuffed bell peppers out of the oven and serve them hot. 

2. Savory Spinach Ham Frittata

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tub (9oz) Buddig Original Ham Lunch Meat, diced
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

• Start creating this gluten-free easy dinner idea by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Whisk 6 eggs in a large mixing bowl until the yolks and whites are fully combined. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper for added flavor.
• Gently fold the chopped fresh spinach, diced ham, and crumbled feta cheese into the egg mixture. Make sure the ingredients are mixed well.
• Heat a 10-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with non-stick cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and spread it evenly.
• Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the frittata for about 15-20 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. You can also insert a toothpick into the center to check. If the toothpick comes out clean, it's ready. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving and cutting into wedges. 

3. Zucchini Noodles with Ground Honey Smoked Ham

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pack Buddig Premium Deli Honey Smoked Ham, ground
• 2 large zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnishing)

DIRECTIONS:

• Use a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler to create zucchini noodles. 
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if used) and sauté until fragrant. Then, stir in the ground honey-smoked ham in the skillet and cook until lightly browned. Transfer the sautéd ham to a bowl and set aside for later. 
• In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium-low and add the zucchini noodles. Season the zucchini noodles with salt and pepper to taste and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender. Be careful not to overcook them, as you want them to retain a bit of crunch.
• Transfer the zucchini noodles to a serving plate and put the ground honey-smoked ham on top of the noodles. 
• For the finishing touch, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley to add a burst of color and extra flavor. 

4. Turkey Avocado Rice Paper Rolls

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 slices of Buddig Original Turkey Lunch Meat 
• 8 round rice paper wrappers (gluten-free)
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• ½ cucumber, julienned
• 1 cup cucumber, julienned
• 1 cup lettuce leaves
• Fresh cilantro leaves (or any preferred herbs)
• Gluten-free dipping sauce

DIRECTIONS:

• Fill a shallow dish or a large plate with warm water. Take one rice paper wrapper and submerge it in the water for 10-15 seconds until it becomes soft and pliable. 
• Place the softened rice paper on a clean, flat surface, like a cutting board or a clean tea towel. 
• Put a slice of turkey in the center of the softened rice paper wrapper, followed by a few pieces of avocado, julienned carrots, cucumber, and fresh cilantro leaves (or any preferred herbs). But do not overstuff it to make rolling easier.
• Fold the sides of the rice paper wrapper over the fillings. Then, starting from the bottom, carefully roll the wrapper upwards, tucking in the stuffing as you go. Repeat with the remaining wrappers. 
• Arrange the rice paper rolls on a serving plate and serve them with your favorite gluten-free dipping sauce, such as a gluten-free hoisin sauce or a peanut sauce. 

End Your Day on a Delicious yet Effortless Note with Buddig

No matter which recipe you choose, these easy light dinner ideas are perfect for busy nights when you need something delicious in a pinch. Plus, all these easy dinner ideas feature gluten-free Buddig products so you can count on quality and flavor with each bite.

Ready to whip up something scrumptious for tonight’s meal? Use the Buddig Store Locator to find a nearby store that carries all Buddig meats, and get ready to create savory bites in a jiffy!