Eating healthy as a travel nurse often means getting creative. After work, you’d probably rather spend your time exploring, resting, or meeting up with friends than shopping and preparing food. In other words — with all the things you have going on — you might find yourself picking up mac and cheese from the cafeteria again!
But believe it or not, you can have your cake and eat it too. We’ve compiled a list of 15 recipes with just five or less ingredients. This means eating healthy as a travel nurse doesn’t have to be hard. You can make healthy meals that are quick and tasty (even without access to a whole cupboard of spices) so you can feel great, but still have time to indulge in whatever you like to do.
1. Enchilada Casserole
Making enchiladas can be time consuming, but this recipe only takes 5 minutes of prep time. Make it extra healthy before serving by adding olives, avocados, and tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Enchilada sauce
- Cheese
- Corn tortillas
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/4-ingredient-healthy-chicken-enchilada-casserole/
2. Teriyaki Salmon Broccoli Bowls
You’ll feel like a Michelin star chef after throwing together this quick, tasty, and healthy meal. (Friendly workplace pro tip: Eat this meal at home. Reheated fish in the communal microwave doesn’t make many friends.)
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Teriyaki marinade
- Broccoli florets
- Brown rice
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/teriyaki-salmon-broccoli-bowls/
3. Kale Pasta Caesar Salad
This pasta salad is magic when it comes to getting your belly full on vitamin-rich foods.
Ingredients:
- Pasta
- Cherry tomatoes
- Kale
- Caesar salad dressing
- Parmesan cheese
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.foodiecrush.com/kale-caesar-pasta-salad/
4. Thai Pumpkin Soup
Thai flavors always feel right, and this soup is quick to whip up and share with a friend.
Ingredients:
- Red curry paste
- Broth
- Pumpkin puree
- Coconut milk
- Red chili pepper
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 7 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.foodiecrush.com/5-ingredient-thai-pumpkin-soup/
5. Chicken Taco Spaghetti Squash
Pack in the veggies with this healthy meal that tastes like comfort food.
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti squash
- Olive oil
- Salsa
- Chicken
- Cheddar cheese
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.seasonalcravings.com/chicken-taco-spaghetti-squash/
6. Lemon Chicken with Asparagus
Turns out, eating healthy can also mean eating fancy. Frankly, the pictures say it all with this meal.
Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Flour
- Lemon
- Asparagus
- Lemon pepper
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Full recipe here: https://pinchofyum.com/5-ingredient-lemon-chicken-asparagus
7. Pesto Chicken Stuffed Peppers
The combination of flavors in this quick (but fancy-seeming meal) is incredible.
Ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Chicken
- Mozzarella cheese
- Quinoa
- Pesto
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.layersofhappiness.com/5-ingredient-pesto-chicken-stuffed-peppers/
8. Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
When you want to feel full on lots of healthy power foods, this hearty chili is the way to go.
Ingredients:
- Onion
- Black beans
- Sweet potato
- Veggie stock
- Salsa
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Full recipe here: https://minimalistbaker.com/5-ingredient-sweet-potato-black-bean-chili/
9. Grilled Chicken Pesto Pizza
Pro tip: Substitute the chicken for grilled peppers if you want to be extra healthy.
Ingredients:
- Freschetta 4-cheese pizza
- Chicken breast
- Cherry tomatoes
- Pesto
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.maebells.com/grilled-pesto-chicken-pizza/
10. Butternut Squash, Arugula, and Goat Cheese Pasta
You can’t not try this one. The mix of flavors feels like home even when you’re traveling.
Ingredients:
- Butternut squash
- Pasta
- Goat cheese
- Arugula
- Pine nuts
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/5-ingredient-butternut-squash-arugula-and-goat-cheese-pasta/
11. White Chicken Chili
Packed with good proteins, this chili will keep you full even through long shifts on your feet.
Ingredients:
- Chicken broth
- Chicken
- White beans
- Salsa verde
- Cumin
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Full recipe here: https://damndelicious.net/2013/09/22/5-ingredient-white-chicken-chili/
12. One Pot Asian Noodles
If you’re wanting something with both a little sweetness and a little spice, this Asian-inspired dish will be sure to satisfy.
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti noodles
- Peanut sauce
- Green onions
- Chicken
- Peanuts
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.babble.com/best-recipes/5-ingredient-one-pot-asian-noodles/
13. Cheesy Portobello Pizzas
Any mushroom lovers out there? This is the meal for you.
Ingredients:
- Portobello mushrooms
- Olive oil
- Tomato sauce
- Cheese
- Toppings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.oprah.com/food/mini-portobello-pizzas-recipe
14. Almond-Crusted Tilapia
Garnishing fish with nuts might seem a little out of the ordinary, but it will definitely please your palate.
Ingredients:
- Sliced almonds
- Flour
- Tilapia fillets
- Salt
- Olive oil
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Full recipe here: https://www.fannetasticfood.com/recipes/almond-encrusted-tilapia/
15. Creamy Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese
And if you’re still craving that cafeteria mac, whip up this dish instead. Eating healthy as a travel nurse doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice what’s good. (The recipe even sneaks some spinach in there to get you those vitamins you’re needing.)
Ingredients:
- Elbow pasta
- Cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Full recipe here: https://cookingalamel.com/2013/08/creamy-greek-yogurt-mac-cheese.html
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