It’s Getting Dark Early—These Are The Easy Dinners That Brighten Up My Day
Things are about to get brighter after dark.
Now that it gets dark out as early as—wait for it—4:30 P.M., my resolve to make myself dinner swiftly goes out the window. So this Daylight Savings Time (which ended on November 3, 2024 and starts back up on March 9, 2025), I've decided to do things a bit differently, if not just to save me $$$ on take-out orders. How is that? Well, I've decided to focus on making all my favorite day-brightening (and super quick) dinner recipes, including some that have hints of summer-y, light flavors that have me daydreaming of swinging in a hammock somewhere super warm.
If that all sounds delightful to you (and why wouldn't it?), I think you'll find that these dinners all have another delicious secret sauce that'll liven up your winter months: novelty. Say bye to same ol' fall and winter recipes with something packed with textures and new flavor combos, like our vegan white bean chili or our creamy garlic alfredo ditalini. Or maybe you want familiar flavors, but flipped on their heads? In which case, try our pizza beans skillet or our Mediterranean pizza on a dreary night to perk things up. When in doubt, I highly suggest making a recipe that'll take you to a place that's far from your reality of snow tires and grey days. Our recipes for summer roll bowls, Mexican corn and chicken bowls, and avocado chicken salad are kind of as close as you can get to eating pure sunshine, but way tastier.
Vegan White Bean Chili
Whether you’re full-time vegan or just love a plant-based moment, vegan chili is where it’s at. This flavor-packed vegan white bean chili has so much goodness going on and all of the fresh, crunchy toppings too.
Get the Vegan White Bean Chili recipe.
Pizza Beans Skillet
Tired, hungry, and running low on groceries? Pizza beans have your back. Featuring simple pantry staples and only 30 minutes of cooking time, this comforting one-pan dinner promises to make any weeknight feel special.
Get the Pizza Beans Skillet recipe.
Summer Roll Bowl
Love a Vietnamese summer roll but don’t want to fuss with the wrapper? Meet your new favorite dinner. Rice noodles, shrimp, avocado, thinly sliced veggies, and a plethora of greens are tossed together in a tangy nước chấm dressing for a refreshing dinner twist.
Get the Summer Roll Bowls recipe.
Mediterranean Pizza
Classic pizza dough and sauce are swapped out for alternatives (including an infused oil) to create a lighter pie perfect for when you want a bit of spring in the dead of winter. Topped with plenty of Mediterranean-inspired veggies, marinated olives, and crumbled feta, this flavor-packed pizza is worthy of any dinner for two.
Get the Mediterranean Pizza recipe.
Sheet-Pan Roasted Halloumi & Broccolini
Need a new protein in your life? Try halloumi! Almost meaty in its profile, briny Halloumi has a satisfying stretchiness akin to the texture of fresh mozzarella, but with a pleasing exterior crackle when cooked properly.
Harvest Caesar Salad
If you thought kale Caesar was over, you’ve clearly never topped it with crispy squash croutons. Featuring butternut squash and crispy baked Parmesan frico, this autumn spin on the classic Caesar salad will have you wishing it was fall all year round.
Get the Harvest Caesar Salad recipe.
Creamy Garlicky Alfredo Ditalini
Avocado Chicken Salad
This isn't your mom's chicken salad—this recipe is packed with diced avocado, corn, fresh cherry tomatoes, red onion, mango, and a simple herby dressing that ties everything together for a bright, light dinner salad that'll have you thinking it's summertime. It comes together in 30 minutes, and will please at any potluck you bring it to.
Get the Avocado Chicken Salad recipe.
Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs
Curry paste is an extremely underrated pantry staple. Just a few tablespoons can take your dinner from sorry to sensational, and will have you actually looking forward to leftovers. This easy dinner combines ginger-garlic meatballs and a spicy red curry coconut sauce to create a flavorful dish that's both comforting and packed with bold, aromatic spices.
Mexican Corn & Chicken Bowls
These bowls are full of punchy citrusy flavor with a kick of heat from fresh jalapeños and chipotle mayo. This is an ideal lunch or dinner featuring sweet corn, lime, and honey-marinated chicken, and fluffy white rice. It’s a straightforward yet satisfying meal that’ll please everyone’s palates.
Get the Mexican Corn & Chicken Bowls recipe.
Cacio E Pepe White Beans Skillet
Craving 5-star flavors at home on a weeknight? Make these cacio e pepe white beans. Using just six ingredients, this classy one-pan dinner promises the luscious richness and bold flavors of a fine dining restaurant in just 15 minutes, perfect for when it feels like it's been dark for hours.
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