Tuna Avocado Tacos with Roasted Tomatoes and Asparagus

Fast, simple, nutritious, delicious. This dinner has it all. The tacos have only a few ingredients, but pack a punch of flavor. Make these when you're short on time but still want to wow your guests (or just yourself.) Also, while I used albacore tuna here, you can certainly substitute another kind.

Then, if you've never had roasted tomatoes before, you are in for a treat. When they are roasted they become extra sweet and juicy. Just be careful eating them or you might end up with tomato juice shooting all over your shirt!

Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 min
Cost: $19.79

Broccolini-Tempeh Stir Fry

This was my first attempt at cooking with tempeh, but it certainly will NOT be my last. Matt and I both truly enjoyed this soy product. Yes, soy. That means it's the same base as tofu, but it turns out entirely differently. Tempeh is originally from Indonesia and it's bound into a very firm patty, unlike the much softer tofu. It's also stuffed with protein, fiber, and vitamins while staying low in calories - how can you not like that?

I chose to stir fry the tempeh, taking the already firm patty but crisping it up even more. It was absolutely delicious and paired wonderfully with the broccolini and rice. However, I am sure this versatile soy product would work well with nearly any combination of vegetables, so get creative and give us ideas in the comments for future meals!

Difficulty: medium-easy
Time: 25 min
Cost: $15.43

Shrimp and Cajun Stuffed Potatoes

I cannot say enough about these. Perhaps, though, that's not much of a surprise. When you use a potato as a base and add in shrimp, onion, zucchini, and cheese, all cooked in savory cajun spices, there isn't much to criticize. There were three of us eating and the potatoes disappeared off the plate in near-record speed. (Though, even with our best efforts, there were still some leftovers for lunch the next day. Potatoes certainly are filling!) Then, to add in some more veggies, I also whipped up the always popular spaghetti squash with cherry tomatoes and pesto. It's a side that can pair with nearly any meal.

Make sure to plan in advance when making this recipe. It's delicious, but it does take a long time from start to finish. Luckily, the majority of that time is for roasting (in my case roasting potatoes AND spaghetti squash) so you can at least be productive while keeping an eye on the kitchen.

Difficulty: medium-easy
Time: 1.5 hrs
Cost: $23.27