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Eggs are undeniably one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen. Rich in protein and nutrients, they can help elevate dishes far beyond their traditional use on a breakfast plate. Due to their affordability and versatility, eggs are used in virtually every cuisine on the planet and offer endless possibilities for enjoying sophisticated dinner entrees.
Whether scrambled, poached, or baked, eggs are a cost-effective ingredient that provides essential minerals and nutrients like amino acids, vitamins D and B12, selenium, and choline. This means you can create exciting and nourishing meals for busy households without breaking the bank.
To help demonstrate the flexibility of eggs in the kitchen, our dedicated team of foodies put together these ten egg-based recipes showcasing various cooking techniques and global culinary influences for an elevated weeknight dinner.
Are Eggs Healthy for Dinner Meals?
When most people think of eggs, they picture breakfast, but eggs can also be a great option for a healthy dinner. There are quite a few egg dishes where they are the star of the show, like a frittata or a shakshuka. Or, eggs can be added to more common dishes, like balancing out a grain bowl or adding protein punch to a healthy salad.
Eggs are versatile and nutritious proteins that can be prepared quickly. They are a nutritional powerhouse that offers a source of complete protein and the essential amino acids needed to help maintain muscle growth and metabolic processes. Eggs are also rich in vitamin D and B12, which are important for bone health and energy, and they are also a great source of selenium and choline, which support brain health.
What Makes Eggs a Good Dinner Choice?
Egg dishes can be an excellent choice for dinner for many reasons, the first being their nutritional components. They are not only a high-quality source of protein, but eggs are also complete proteins, meaning they provide all nine essential amino acids our bodies need to maintain overall health and repair muscles.
For busy people who lack time to prepare healthy meals, eggs cook quickly with minimal effort and have a longer shelf life than many other proteins. They are also more affordable than expensive cuts of meat and can offer an additional source of vitamins and minerals on virtually any budget.
As if that weren’t enough, eggs are incredibly versatile. They can be adapted to suit many different dietary preferences and complement nearly every type of cuisine. Whether you’re making a simple scrambled egg dish or a more elaborate entrée like a quiche or soufflé, eggs offer flexibility in both flavor and texture.
10 Inspiring Dinner Meal Ideas With Eggs
Many different globally inspired recipes make good use of egg’s nutritional benefits and diverse flavors and textures. Whether new to cooking or a seasoned chef, these ten egg-based recipes transform simple ingredients into delicious dinners that inspire.
Mediterranean Shakshuka With Herbs
Traditional Mediterranean shakshuka showcases eggs’ creamy texture in a vibrant, aromatic tomato sauce seasoned with rich herbs and spices. The eggs are poached directly in the sauce for a one-pan dish that serves as a comforting and flavorful dinner.
Spinach Mushroom Frittata Supreme
An Italian-inspired frittata layers fluffy eggs with sautéed spinach and earthy mushrooms for a nutrient-rich dinner. Frittatas are versatile, as they can be enjoyed warm or served chilled for a thicker texture.
Thai Basil Egg Curry
For a unique twist on a traditional Thai dish, eggs are infused with coconut milk, fragrant Thai basil, and rich, warm curry spices. The result is a flavorful curry that is both savory and spicy with a hint of sweetness and a luscious creamy texture.
Spanish Tortilla With Potatoes
This classic dish is the Spanish version of an omelet. It combines eggs, crispy fried potatoes, and onions to create a hearty, comforting meal. It can be served hot or cold and is traditionally cut into small tapas for sharing.
Baked Eggs Florentine Style
Like Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine swaps the meat for iron-rich spinach to create an elegant and rich dinner dish. Eggs are nestled, baked in a creamy spinach sauce, and topped with hollandaise. They can be served with greens and toast for a complete meal.
Japanese Egg Rice Bowl
Also known as Tamago kake Gohan, this is a simple Japanese comfort food with sweet and savory chicken wrapped in a soft egg scramble and served over fluffy rice. It’s best enjoyed alongside traditional Japanese condiments and spices like furikake.
Mexican Huevos Rancheros Casserole
Perfect for a family-style meal, this casserole nestles eggs and layers them with corn tortillas, pinto beans, spicy salsa, and melted cheese. It’s a bold, protein-packed dinner that is both savory and healthy.
French Cheese Souffle Dinner
This is an impressive, light, and airy meal that combines eggs and cheese in a classic French soufflé. The Parmigiano and Gruyere add a touch of complexity to the flavor, resulting in a rich and pleasantly spiced dinner that is easier to make than it looks.
Korean Egg Rice Bibimbap
This colorful Korean dish features a perfectly fried egg atop seasoned vegetables and rice and is drizzled with authentic gochujang sauce. It is easily adapted to any ingredients you have on hand and is quick to prepare for an easy weeknight dinner.
Italian Carbonara With Eggs
This classic Italian pasta dish incorporates egg yolks and hard cheese with cured pork to create a silky, rich sauce that coats spaghetti perfectly. A touch of black pepper and parmesan on top completes this comforting dish.
Which Ingredients Pair Well with Eggs?
Eggs can be an excellent canvas for a wide range of ingredients. However, it’s important to know which ingredients pair well with eggs to maximize their flavor and nutritional benefits and to avoid unsavory combinations. Here are some of the top ingredients to pair with eggs for a satisfying dinner:
Fresh Herbs and Spices
Aromatic herbs and spices can help transform the flavor profile of an egg-based dish to create depth and complexity. Opt for fresh herbs like chives, parsley, dill, and tarragon. Spices such as cumin, paprika, and black pepper are also excellent pairings for enhanced flavor.
Cheese And Dairy Products
The silky smooth texture of eggs pairs beautifully with various cheeses and dairy products. Rich, sharp cheddar, creamy goat cheese, or quality Parmesan, as well as cream, yogurt, and butter, create satisfying textures and flavors when combined with eggs.
Seasonal Fresh Vegetables
Incorporating fresh seasonal vegetables is a great way to increase the nutritional value and add exciting textures, colors, and fresh flavors. An egg-based meal can be easily elevated with additions like spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Quality Cured Meats
The salty, umami quality of cured meats like prosciutto, bacon, or chorizo pairs well with the creamy, savory textures of eggs. They can help fill out a meal with added protein for a more substantial dinner.
Which Ingredients Pair Well with Eggs?
Eggs can be an excellent canvas for a wide range of ingredients. However, it’s important to know which ingredients pair well with eggs to maximize their flavor and nutritional benefits and to avoid unsavory combinations. Here are some of the top ingredients to pair with eggs for a satisfying dinner:
Fresh Herbs and Spices
Aromatic herbs and spices can help transform the flavor profile of an egg-based dish to create depth and complexity. Opt for fresh herbs like chives, parsley, dill, and tarragon. Spices such as cumin, paprika, and black pepper are also excellent pairings for enhanced flavor.
Cheese And Dairy Products
The silky smooth texture of eggs pairs beautifully with various cheeses and dairy products. Rich, sharp cheddar, creamy goat cheese, or quality Parmesan, as well as cream, yogurt, and butter, create satisfying textures and flavors when combined with eggs.
Seasonal Fresh Vegetables
Incorporating fresh seasonal vegetables is a great way to increase the nutritional value and add exciting textures, colors, and fresh flavors. An egg-based meal can be easily elevated with additions like spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Quality Cured Meats
The salty, umami quality of cured meats like prosciutto, bacon, or chorizo pairs well with the creamy, savory textures of eggs. They can help fill out a meal with added protein for a more substantial dinner.
Which Meal Delivery Services Have Dinner Menus with Egg Recipes?
If you prefer to save yourself the time and hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping, several meal kit delivery services have recognized the appeal and demand for versatile egg-based dishes. You can frequently find delicious recipes on their weekly rotating menus that reflect a variety of cuisines and globally-inspired flavors. Some of the top options are:
HelloFresh
HelloFresh is one of the top-rated meal kit services and features one of the largest weekly menus with up to 100 different recipes to choose from. They regularly offer creative and delicious egg-based dinner recipes like cheesy scrambled egg migas tacos, Sweet Potato Soy Ramen with Poached Eggs, and Spinach, Feta, and Cheddar Egg Sandwiches.
The recipes are developed to be quick and easy to prepare, using familiar ingredients that the whole family will love. The menu is easy to sort and can be filtered to meet specific needs like vegetarian, low calorie, and low carb.
Blue Apron
Blue Apron aims to provide over 80 weekly chef-curated gourmet dinner offerings that contain high-quality, fresh, seasonal ingredients. The creative fusion recipes and upscale comfort food meals regularly feature eggs and their versatility, and they offer meal plans to cater to different dietary preferences. For added convenience, you can choose from oven-ready meals, family-friendly portions, and ready-to-heat options.
The egg-based dishes tend to have a global flair and include options like Spanish-style eggs with summer squash, Baked Eggs and Potato Hash with Sweet Peppers and Kale, and Cacciatore-Style Baked Eggs with Lacinato Kale.
Green Chef
Green Chef sets itself apart by using certified organic ingredients and certified humane eggs in its chef-designed recipes. They offer health-conscious and dietary-specific meals to support vegan, keto, gluten-free, and high-protein diets.
From their extensive weekly menu of over 80 rotating meal kits and market options, you can find several quality recipes featuring eggs. Some of the highest-rated include the Turkey Egg Roll Bowls with Boom Boom Sauce, Smoky Bacon and Cheddar Egg Bites, and Red Pepper and Swiss Egg Whites with Cottage Cheese.
Home Chef
Home Chef is a quality, affordable meal kit service that provides easy-to-make recipes with simple ingredients in just a few steps. The dishes are made for the busy home cook with limited time but still wants to cook healthy meals. They offer a really neat feature called “Customize It,” where you can easily swap out ingredients and portions to modify egg-centered recipes.
On their weekly menu, you can find options like an Egg Frittata with Cheese, Sausage, and Bacon, Egg Rolls with Bacon and Green Onions, and an Egg, Cheese, and Bacon Waffle Sandwich. You can find these recipes with different levels of preparation effort, like oven-ready, microwaveable, or express meal kits.
Can You Freeze Egg-Based Meals?
The short answer is yes, but not all egg-based meals hold up well to freezing. Some prepared dishes, like a sunny-side-up egg or a rich sauce like Hollandaise, will change in texture to the point where they are no longer enjoyable after being frozen. Others, like frittatas, casseroles, and quiches, freeze quite well.
The trick is to preserve the quality and texture of the egg dishes by cooling them entirely before freezing to protect the moisture content. They must also be wrapped tightly in plastic before wrapping a second time with foil. Doing so will help prevent freezer burn and absorb other odors from surrounding foods.
Always label foods when you freeze them to know when it was prepared and to help prevent food spoilage. If done successfully, many egg dishes can be stored for two to three months and still maintain a satisfying texture when reheated.
Bottom Line
Eggs can be the perfect foundation for healthy and satisfying dinners full of flavor and nutritional value. They are versatile enough for any cuisine and can be prepared in many ways to create affordable, protein-rich meals.
When paired with the right complementary ingredients, eggs can be transformed into elegant dishes that add complexity and depth to their flavor profiles and textures.
Whether cooking some of the recipes we covered here or enjoying the convenience of meal kit delivery services, eggs can open up the world of culinary possibilities.
