August 23, 2010 (Updated February 9, 2023)

Unique, Yet Satisfying

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

34 comments

Hello friends!

After 3 weeks of crazy travel, moving, and LOTS of meals out — there was nothing I wanted more tonight than my favorite go-to delicious, healthy, quick, “you’re home alone and no one else cares” dinner.

Behold:

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Mmmm… sweet potato topped with baked beans and a hefty sprinkle of cumin, how I have missed you. The star:

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…Except that this time I wasn’t enjoying this meal alone since Matt is here, too! He said it sounded weird, but he was willing to give it a try 😉

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The verdict was: “Unique… yet satisfying!” Success! 😉 I hope he’s ready for some more “weird” meals now that we live together! Heh

On the side, we had some raw sugar snap peas. Love the CRUNCH.

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And dessert was some juicy grapes:

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Yum. Best dinner ever. I’m not sure there’s anything more amazing than having your favorite healthy meal after lots of indulging and dining out.

What’s your favorite “I’m home alone and no one else cares” dinner? How do you get back on track after lots of indulging?

…

In other news, orientation at UNC today went really well — it got me so excited to start classes tomorrow and finally be embarking on this new adventure! I have a full day ahead so I’m off to prepare, but I’ll be back tomorrow with a recap and more details about my classes this semester. Also, get pumped — my “5 minute packable lunches” will be making a comeback, starting tomorrow! (You can check out all my previous 5 minutes packable lunches on my recipe page!)

Vegetarian
- anne

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34 comments
  • Evan Thomas
    Mmm, one of my fave meals is close to that. I bake sweet potato fries coated in olive oil, top it with 1/2 a can of baked beans, and then add on some Daiya vegan mozzarella shreds. It's so messy and sooo good.
    Reply
  • Kathleen @ More Than Easy Mac
    I literally went through the same need to get back on track/been eating out all the time a week ago after I had family visiting me. I sat down and figured out my meals for the week, focusing on really light, veggie-oriented meals, and made it a goal not to eat out at all for five days. I failed and went to Subway one day, but overall, it made me feel much healthier by the end of the week.
    Reply
  • Brie @ Brie Fit
    Whenever I'm home alone, I have breakfast for dinner--usually eggs, toast, fruit, and Greek yogurt! My husband HATES breakfast foods for lunch or dinner, but I love them. (Bonus: minimal clean-up!)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I love breakfast for dinner too! So easy and satisfying :)
      Reply
  • Dorry
    Glad orientation went well! Your dinner looks great. My go-to is lentils and spinach with hummus + pita chips OR black beans + avocado salad with tortilla chips. And I have some sort of dessert every night! Either fruit or cereal or chocolate or... :)
    Reply
  • Matt
    I have had sweet potato with black beans and it is DELICIOUS! Good luck tomorrow!
    Reply
  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    i keep seeing that on HTP and it sounds soo good! now that a man likes it maybe i can get my hubby to try it with me :)
    Reply
  • Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward
    My go-to "no one cares" meal is a snack plate with cheese and crackers and hummus and pita. Plus maybe a salad to round it out :) My husband would never be satisfied with such a light meal, so it is definitely for a night that he is working late!
    Reply
  • Amanda @ Vegacious
    Not gonna lie - when I first saw the pic, I thought it was beans on top of canteloupe! HA! :) Looks better now that I know it was a SP! I know.....I'm very strange.
    Reply
    • Becky
      I totally thought it was cantaloupe too.
      Reply
  • DHP
    Wow, weird, but good. Quite a combination. Well done - (How was orientation? How many other students in the program? From where? Etc.)
    Reply
  • Sana
    Have an amazing first day of classes!!!
    Reply
  • Drake (Flailing Towards Fitness)
    Hi Anne! I've been following your blog for a while now - you're awesome! My favorite easy meal is an Amy's Texas burger on toasted Ezekiel bread with hummus, basil, and a fat slice of tomato. Hits the spot every time! Every now and then I go crazy with feta - it really does make everything better!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Aw thanks! :) And your creation sounds amazing!
      Reply
  • Katie from Run Little Legs!
    I'm right there with Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward. I love brie and warm french bread with some hummus and pita chips. Maybe a glass of wine if I'm in the mood. Good luck on your first day at Carolina! GO HEELS!!!
    Reply
  • Gab*
    My go to meal is pasta with broccoli, baby spinach and pesto, I put the veg in with the pasta for the last minute or so, drain and stir through a tablespoon of pesto with a little reserved pasta water to make it creamy. So easy. My Husband isn't a fan though so he usually has something different!
    Reply
  • Lindsay @ Summit Sandwiches
    I'm all about eggs whenever I'm all alone and in a "no one cares" mood. Nothing is more satisfying to me than a good omelet....breakfast for dinner is the best! :)
    Reply
  • amanda
    I was on someone's else blog and saw the same combination of beans and sweet potatoes. Maybe a new eat for me now lol Anyway I just looks whats in the fridge and decide well this may go bad soon and whip into some type of meal. The other day I made corn on the cob with a bowl of avocado, tomotoes, and red pepper. That was my dinner.
    Reply
  • Lauren
    Okay, I need to try this. I even bought a can of baked beans specifically for this dinner but I still have yet to make it. I think I'm getting signs! :)
    Reply
  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    When I'm really home alone--no husband--I'll eat just a bowl of cereal. I know it's lame, but sometimes it just hits the spot. Can't wait for 5-minute bagged lunches. Making lunch for the next day is my least favorite part of the night.
    Reply
  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing
    After an indulgent few days I like to get back on track with an early morning work out, a healthy breakfast and a packed lunch. I love the sweet potato/baked bean combo for supper too :).
    Reply
  • Mary
    I have yet to try the baked beans sweet potato combination, but it looks delicious! :)
    Reply
  • Katherine
    my absolute favorite home alone go-to meal is: black beans, broccoli, and enchilada sauce thrown in a bowl, topped with a little cheddar cheese and avocado and microwaved. it's so satisfying to me, but i don't think my boyfriend would go for it, so i only have it when he's not home. that makes it even more special :)
    Reply
  • Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice
    Sometimes I just won't have a real meal if I'm alone. I'll just snack on a little bit of my favorite things and graze around the kitchen.
    Reply
  • Annie@stronghealthyfit
    Lately my "home alone" dinner has been banana soft serve. I know, not the most balanced, but I've just been craving it a lot lately :-) Yours looks delicious!
    Reply
  • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete
    My favorite meal when I am alone is eggs/toast. It is so easy and so delicious. Or I'll make oatmeal w/banana, choc chips and walnuts. It seems like such a splurge but it really isn't!
    Reply
  • Corey @ the runner's cookie
    That sounds like an awesome quick dinner!! My favorite is a heated up veggie burger with avocado and on the side whatever leftovers/veggies are in the fridge. It's nice to have dinners that require no thought or planning :)
    Reply
  • Ali (food, fitness, fashion)
    Looks good! Mine is a BLT with veggie bacon and vegan mayo...so good! I get back on track my making fresh meals at home and trying to avoid eating out when possible. I am going through the same thing. I think I ate dinner at home once last week...
    Reply
  • Lauren @ 40Apples
    One of my favorite "solo night = who cares!" meals is just a slew of whatever veggies I have laying around, steamed, with a simple homemade Thai peanut sauce (http://40apples.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/just-like-college/).... or a big chickpea-veggie mess with garam masala and golden raisins (world's easiest yet legit-seeming meal). I LOVE baked beans though. Haven't had 'em for ages but they so. good.
    Reply
  • Charise
    Mine is black beans and/or sweet potato topped with overeasy eggs, and garlic/red pepper flake spinach (from the Trader Joe's bag always in the freezer for just these situations). Although, these locally made veggie burgers called Luna Burgers served on a piece of toast with lots of sriracha are threatening to take over as best easy meal.
    Reply
  • AlisonJ
    One of my faves is spaghetti with butter & parmesan. So simple, yet so tasty! By the way, I think we were on the same flight on Sunday - from DC to Raleigh?!?! Welcome to NC (I live in Raleigh)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Oh no way really?? The one that got in to Raleigh at almost midnight? I was a total hot mess on that flight, ha. Sooo tired!
      Reply
  • Heather C
    My theory that Sweet potatoes go well with ANYTHING has yet to be proven wrong, this confirms yet another success. ;) Although your Mexican SP fries might reign above all else...
    Reply
  • Amanda @ Cakes and Ale
    I love this combo! Make it all the time. My husbands not really a fan, but he does like a slight variation. Instead, I make his with a regular potato and top it off with some turkey chili + shredded cheese. It's the manly man version of SP + baked beans, I guess!
    Reply