14 All-American Recipes You Won’t Feel Guilty Enjoying
If all you can think of for dinner is a greasy hamburger and fries, you may need some inspiration for classic American meals that are both delicious and good for you. While American food is not top-of-mind when it comes to healthy eating, a lot of these dishes can easily be made healthy with a few simple swaps just like in these fourteen recipes.
1. Lemon Garlic Potatoes
![An side view of a white dish filled with Garlic Lemon Potatoes and half a lemon. Wooden spoon rest on the dish.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/garlic-lemon-potatoes-recipe-msn-1024x576.jpg)
Looking for an all-around side dish? These Lemon Garlic Potatoes have the perfect balance of flavor, nutrition, and convenience. They’re your basic oven-roasted potatoes but with a twist of Greek flavors from oregano, thyme, rosemary, lemon, and feta.
2. Tuna Noodle Casserole
![A serving of Tuna Noodle Casserole in a white bowl.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tuna-noodle-casserole-recipe-h-1-.jpg)
Nothing says comfort food quite like Tuna Noodle Casserole. But is the popular dish really as bad for you as its reputation suggests? It all depends on how you make it.
3. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
![Serve on buns and drizzle with ranch.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/buffalo-chicken-sandwiches-recipe-h-1-copy.jpg)
Have an Instant Pot? These Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches will cook up super fast with minimal work. Just bring home some buns and some ranch dressing and get dinner on the table fast.
4. Baked Turkey Burgers
![A baked turkey burger with the top bun half way off and to the right side.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/baked-turkey-burgers-1024x576.png)
Baked Turkey Burgers are delicious. But you can also put these on the grill if you’ll be grilling this holiday. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
5. BLT Pasta Salad
![Closeup of a BLT pasta salad in a white bowl.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/blt-pasta-salad-recipe-1024x576.png)
This BLT Pasta Salad recipe comes together quickly and easily with minimal ingredients. And let’s face it, you can’t get much more patriotic than an American BLT. But you can turn it into pasta for a dinner that is unforgettable.
6. Air Fried Chicken Wings
![A few golden brown chicken wings laying on a piece of parchment paper.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/air-fryer-chicken-wings-1024x576.png)
If you don’t have time for grilling this year, these Air Fried Chicken Wings are a great way to celebrate without heating up the grill. Made in your air fryer, you can make as many batches as you need without dirtying a ton of dishes.
7. Easy Macaroni Salad
![An overview shot of this clean eating easy macaroni salad recipe, looking down into the bowl at this colorful dish.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/clean-eating-easty-macaroni-salad-recipe-h-2-.jpg)
Macaroni salad is a big American pastime dish. It’s at almost every barbecue you go to and most summer events as well. This Easy Macaroni Salad is made quickly and easily with just a little chopping of the veggies. You can even cook the pasta ahead of time.
8. Ground Turkey Meatloaf
![A loaf pan filled with just-baked ground turkey meatloaf.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ground-turkey-meatloaf-1024x576.png)
This ground turkey meatloaf is delicious comfort food. It’s great served with potatoes and vegetables or even enjoyed cold the next day in a sandwich. Nothing beats homestyle cooking.
9. No Mayo Potato Salad
![A closeup of a bowl of no-mayo potato salad.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/no-mayo-potato-salad-1024x576.png)
Not everyone likes mayo in their potato salad. So for those people, this No Mayo Potato Salad is a great alternative. Potato salad goes with just about anything you could cook for the 4th, so this easy salad is a great idea for making ahead, even if you just cook the potatoes ahead of time.
10. Easy Coleslaw
![A closeup of homemade, easy coleslaw on a white plate.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/easy-coleslaw-1024x576.png)
Yup, another easy one. This super fast and Easy Coleslaw comes together even faster if you purchase a pre-cut coleslaw mix. It’s a no-fuss, no-muss type of side dish.
11. Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
![Clean Eating Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs Recipe Served](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/slow-cooker-ribs-h-.jpg)
Let the ribs cook themselves in your slow cooker. These Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are sure to please this 4th of July, and with your slow cooker doing all the work, you can make the rest of the meal with a little less stress.
12. From Scratch Apple Pie
![A closeup of a slice of apple pie in a white dish.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/apple-pie-1024x576.png)
You really can’t get more American than From Scratch Apple Pie. Apple pie made at home is unequaled if it’s done right. This recipe proves that.
13. Homemade Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
![And overhead view of Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies sitting on a cutting board.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/peanut-butter-swirl-brownies-recipe-h-1-.jpg)
Peanut butter and chocolate is one of the most popular combos, which is why this homemade peanut butter swirl brownie recipe is so amazing.
14. Pumpkin Blondies
![A single Pumpkin Blondie with a bite removed, on white parchment paper.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/pumpkin-blondies-h-2-.jpg)
Everyone loves sweet, gooey pumpkin blondies. These homemade pumpkin blondies are loaded with healthy pumpkin puree.
Sick Of The Same Ol’ Chicken For Dinner? Here Are 101 New Ways To Make It!
![A dutch oven with a cooked whole chicken topped with rosemary twigs.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/dutch-oven-chicken-1024x576.png)
Having chicken for dinner… again? Here are 101 new ways to level up your dinner game tonight.
Healthy Ground Turkey Dinner Ideas That Actually Taste Good
![A skillet filled with ground turkey, chopped tomatoes, chopped avocado and garnished with fresh parsley.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/turkey-vegetable-skillet-1024x576.png)
Lean ground turkey is a great replacement for ground beef if you are working on your health. Here, we give you 17 Meals with ground turkey that are surprisingly good for you.
While You’re Cooking, Prep Breakfast For Tomorrow Too. It Only Takes 5 Minutes!
![An overhead view of a small canning jar filled with overnight oats with raisins.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/overnight-oatmeal-1024x576.png)
Prepping overnight oats the night before is a fantastic way to ensure that your morning runs smoothly. These delicious oatmeal recipes are prepped in just 5 minutes. In fact, you can even make homemade oatmeal packets with these recipes, so all you have to do is grab a packet and get it in the fridge.
This originally appeared on The Gracious Pantry.