Your August Healthy Meal Plan

Back-to-school season is a hectic time. Use our healthy meal plan to keep you worry-free and on track all month.

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Day 1: Sneaky Turkey Meatballs

Like most kids, mine refuse to eat certain veggies. In order to feed them healthy foods, I have to be sneaky sometimes. The veggies in this recipe keep the meatballs moist while providing nutrients—and I’m happy to say my kids love ’em. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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Day 2: Martha’s Fish Tacos

We can’t get enough barbecued fish at our house. This recipe can be made ahead and served cold, or you can eat it hot off the grill. It’s fantastic either way! —Martha Benoit, Proctorsville, Vermont
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Day 4: Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups

The slow cooker is our summertime go-to for cool kitchen cooking. After swim lessons and outdoor activities, it's so nice to come back to a tasty, light dinner. If you can't find Bibb or Boston, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but can work in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Day 5: Salmon with Tomato-Goat Cheese Couscous

Rich with goat cheese and tomato, this recipe works for a weeknight supper or an elegant company dinner—and is adjustable for number of people. —Toni Roberts, La Canada, California
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Day 6: Naked Fish Tacos

This is one of my husband's all-time favorite meals. I've even converted some friends to fish after eating this. I serve it with fresh melon when it's in season to balance the subtle heat of the cabbage mixture. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
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Day 7: Pork Chops with Nectarine Sauce

As a dietitian, I’m always looking for ways to make meals healthy and delicious. These juicy chops are fast, too. —Suellen Pineda, Victor, New York
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Day 8: Shrimp with Warm German-Style Coleslaw

We love anything that is tangy or has bacon. With fennel and tarragon, this is a super savory dish. I use the medley from Minute Rice if I don't have time to make my own. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
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Day 9: Beef & Bulgur-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

My mom frequently cooked the giant zucchini that she grew in her garden. I adapted this recipe from one of her favorite weeknight meals. Though I love the taste of fresh-picked zucchini, the ones I've bought from the grocery store work great, too.—Susan Peterson, Blaine, Minnesota.
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Day 10: Healthier-than-Egg Rolls

Frying anything at home is a little intimidating for me, but I love egg rolls. With this recipe, I've figured out a way to get the best part of the eggroll—without the mess. If you prefer a traditional egg rolls made with wrappers, you can use this as the filling! —Sue Mitchell, Leakey, Texas
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Day 11: Black Bean Bulgur Salad

The only cooking in this easy bulgur salad is heating the broth and bulgur. You can adapt the recipe to your preference; if you want to add chopped cooked chicken, use chicken broth in place of vegetable broth. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
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Day 12: Ginger-Glazed Grilled Salmon

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Day 13: Beef and Beans

This deliciously spicy steak and beans over rice will have family and friends asking for more. It's a favorite in my recipe collection. —Marie Leamon, Bethesda, Maryland
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Day 14: Quick Ginger Pork

My husband and I are empty nesters. It was a challenge learning to cook for just two again, but recipes like this give us delicious scaled-down dinners. —Esther Johnson Danielson, Lawton, Pennsylvania
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Day 15: Spinach & Feta Stuffed Chicken

My chicken bundles are simple, clean and comforting. Serve them with wild rice and green beans for one of our favorite meals. —Jim Knepper, Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania
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Day 16: Stir-Fry Rice Bowl

My meatless version of Korean bibimbap is tasty, pretty and easy to tweak for different spice levels. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
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Day 17: Fish Tacos with Guacamole

Fish tacos are my new favorite thing—lighter and healthier than beef tacos smothered in cheese. Try adding tomatoes, green onions and chopped jalapeno on top. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
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Day 18: Tandoori Spiced Chicken Pita Pizza with Greek Yogurt and Cilantro

My family and I are big picnickers, and I'm always looking for new dishes to try in the great outdoors. The amazing flavors at our favorite Indian restaurant inspired these mini pizzas. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
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Day 19: Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles

I love quick and bright meals like this one-skillet wonder. The way it tastes, you'd think it takes a lot more effort, but it goes from prep to dinner table in half an hour. The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp. —Tammy Brownlow, Dallas, Texas
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Day 20: Ricotta, Tomato & Corn Pasta

I love to make healthy meals with produce from my latest farmers market trip. This pasta takes just 30 minutes from pantry to dinner table. You can easily make it a meat entree by adding cooked, shredded chicken. —Jerilyn Korver, Bellflower, California
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Day 21: Grecian Chicken

The caper, tomato and olive flavors will whisk you away to the Greek isles. This easy skillet dish is perfect for hectic weeknights. —Jan Marler, Murchison, Texas
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Day 22: Spicy Mongolian Beef Salad

This light and loaded beef salad even satisfies my meat-loving husband. —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Day 23: Sesame Turkey Stir-Fry

I really like the rich taste of sesame oil in this Thai-inspired dish. If you don't have it, canola oil does the trick, too. To get a similar nuttiness, toss in a handful sliced almonds before serving. —Kelli Whiting, Fortville, Indiana
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Day 24: Edamame Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

This bright baby kale salad is packed with a little bit of everything: hearty greens, a nutty crunch, a zip of citrusy goodness and a big protein punch. It's pure bliss in a bowl. —Darla Andrews, Schertz, Texas
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Day 25: Chicken and Broccoli with Dill Sauce

I've had this chicken and broccoli recipe for so many years, I don't remember when I first made it. Serve it with a side of couscous or rice for a complete meal, or add some sliced mushrooms or carrots for extra veggies. —Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
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Day 26: Curried Shrimp Pasta

his light and spicy shrimp dish comes together easily. My favorite pasta to use is capellini, but angel hair works fine if it isn’t available. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
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Day 27: Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Dressing

I love this recipe because its simplicity allows me to spend time with my family while not sacrificing taste or nutrition. Plus the fresh spring flavors really shine through! —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Day 28: Asian Salmon Tacos

This Asian/Mexican fusion dish is ready in minutes—perfect when time is tight! If the salmon begins to stick, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and continue cooking. —Marisa Raponi, Vaughan, Ontario
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Day 29: Curried Chicken Skillet

This protein-packed skillet dish is loaded with bright flavor. A little curry and fresh ginger make the veggies, chicken and quinoa pop. —Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh, Willimantic, Connecticut
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Day 30: Scallops with Snow Peas

The vibrant, crisp pea pods in this dish are a nice contrast with the soft scallops. The dish looks and tastes bright and fresh. —Barb Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
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Day 31: Cod and Asparagus Bake

The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you'd like. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Rashanda Cobbins
Rashanda is a former food editor for Taste of Home. While studying for her bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, Rashanda interned in Southern Living’s test kitchen and later spent nearly a decade developing recipes and food content at ConAgra Brands. In her spare time, she loves scoping out local farmers markets and having picnics in the park.