Experimenting with a wide range of food combos at dinner is really a matter of bliss for all food lovers across the world. America has got a diverse food cuisine which has been expanding for the last few centuries and they serve really mouth-watering dishes at the table for supper. For those who are eager to know about the best food to eat for dinner in the USA, here is the menu which will for sure satiate your appetite!
Americans mainly include meat, potatoes, bread, cheese, macaroni, fajitas, hamburgers, salads, baked beans, fish and fruits in their menu as they consider them as the best food to be taken for dinner. Out of which, mashed potato ranks first in terms of the most popular American dinner dish which obtained the highest number of positive opinions.
Grilled cheese, Steak and baked potato, Chicago’s deep-dish pizza, Thanksgiving turkey dinner, Pot roast are some of the delicious dishes which are high on demand. As per the 2018 Food and Health Survey Report, an average American dinner table consists of 12% fruits, 21% grains, 29% vegetables, and 38% proteins.
Top 5 Food to Eat For Dinner
1. Meatloaf with salad
Meatloaf is one of the lower-fat dishes with remarkable binding and consistency and has attained the seventh position in Americans’ favourite dish list. Apart from meat, vegetables can also be added in order to give a healthier twist to your meal.
Main ingredients of Meatloaf are as follows:
| INGREDIENTS | MEASURES |
|---|---|
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Spanish onion | 1(small) |
| Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper | As needed |
| Garlic cloves | 3 |
| Whole milk | Half cup |
| Dijon mustard | 1 tablespoon |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| hot sauce | 1 teaspoon |
| large eggs | 2(large) |
| Ground chuck | 1 pound |
| Ground pork | 8 ounces |
| Ground veal | 8 ounces |
| Coarsely crushed saltine crackers | 1 cup |
| Minced fresh parsley | 1/3 cup |
| Barbecue sauce | Half cup |
| Brown sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Apple cider vinegar | ¼ cup |
| Sriracha sauce | 2 tablespoons |
???? YIELD: 4 SERVINGS
⌛️ PREPARATION TIME: 2HRS
NUTRITION FACTS
| Calories | 346 |
| Total Fat | 22 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Sodium | 564 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 1 g |
| Protein | 23 g |
Salad
Including a bowl of salad as a side dish will not only make the meal perfect but also keep you healthy. Salad is rich in nutrients, vitamins and fibre. Moreover, it improves immunity and strengthens muscles.
Tips to make your side dish healthier:
- Add nuts, beans and seeds to pack it with protein and fibre
- Include dark green lettuce to get extra vitamins, phytochemicals and minerals
✯ Fun Fact ✯
Meatloaf became popularised in the USA during the era of the Great depression as people found its ingredients to be comparatively affordable. They chose inexpensive types of meat and leftovers to prepare the dish.
2. Fajitas with mashed potatoes
Fajitas, a traditional Tex – Mex dish, is considered as an easy weeknight meal. It is a versatile combination of striped meat, pepper strips and wheat or corn tortillas.
Choosing shrimp or white meat chicken instead of red meat will help to reduce the content of saturated fat, which in turn makes the dish all the healthier.
Main ingredients of Fajitas are as follows:
| INGREDIENTS | MEASURE |
|---|---|
| Skirt steak | 2 to 3 pounds |
| Tortillas | 8 to 12 (medium) |
| Beer | 12 ounce |
| Canola oil | 1/2 cup |
| Onion | 1(small) |
| Lime juice | 1/4 cup |
| Garlic cloves | 5 |
| Worcestershire sauce | 2 tablespoons |
| Chilli powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Kosher salt | 2 teaspoons |
| Freshly ground black pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Hot sauce | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground cumin | 1 teaspoon |
| Roma tomatoes | 4 |
| Red bell pepper | 1/2 |
| Yellow bell pepper | 1/2 |
| coarsely chopped onion | 1/4 cup |
| coarsely chopped cilantro | 1/4 cup |
| Jalapeños | 3 (medium) |
| Lime juice | 2 tablespoons |
???? YIELD: 4 – 6 SERVINGS
⌛️ PREPARATION TIME: 2HRS 15 MINUTES
NUTRITION FACTS
As per the records of USDA
, nutrition fact about Fajitas is as follows (amount per 100 grams):
| Calories | 135 |
| Total Fat | 6 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.6 g |
| Cholesterol | 88 mg |
| Sodium | 799mg |
| Potassium | 284mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2.2 g |
| Protein | 19 g |
| Calcium | 1% |
| Iron | 5% |
| Vitamin B6 | 20% |
| Cobalamin | 8% |
| Magnesium | 5% |
Mashed potato
Mashed potato goes really well with juicy steak fajitas and the combo will take you to another world! A blend of fresh potatoes, milk, pepper and butter can create magic on your table while served along with both vegetables and meat.
Tips to make mash potato healthy
- When you boil potato, add cauliflower along with and blend both so that you can reduce the amount of carbohydrates in it.
- Go for yogurt instead of fresh cream, to make it fat free.
✯ Fun Fact ✯
August 18 is considered National Fajitas day.
3. Macaroni and Cheese
It is a heavenly composition of pasta (macaroni) and cheese-based roux. Americans have a greater craving for mac and cheese, mainly for the creamy, tangy taste of cheddar cheese added to it. Interestingly, kids are also very much fond of Mac and Cheese.
Main ingredients of Macaroni and Cheese are as follows:
| INGREDIENTS | MEASURE |
|---|---|
| Macaroni | 1 cup |
| Butter | 1 tablespoon |
| Onion | 1/4 cup finely chopped |
| Garlic clove | 1 |
| Flour | 1 tablespoon |
| Milk | 1 and half cups |
| Black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Extra sharp cheddar cheese | 1/2 cup |
| Extra sharp cheddar cheese | 1/2 cup |
| Mild cheddar cheese | 1/2 cup |
???? YIELDS: 4 SERVINGS
⌛️ PREPARATION TIME:50 MINUTES
NUTRITION FACTS
As per the records of USDA, the nutrition contents in Macaroni and Cheese are as follows (amount per 100 grams) :
| Calories | 164 |
| Total Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.6 g |
| Trans fat regulation | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 8 mg |
| Sodium | 460 mg |
| Potassium | 80 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.2 g |
| Sugar | 1.6 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Calcium | 8% |
| Iron | 6% |
| Cobalamin | 5% |
| Magnesium | 3% |
✯ Fun Fact ✯
Thomas Jefferson is believed to have introduced Mac and Cheese to Americans.
4. Spaghetti with meatball
An Italian – American dish, Spaghetti and meatballs is a highly nutritious choice to be included for dinner. It can be classified as a classic comfort dish that contains high amounts of protein. The dish can be made healthier by choosing whole-grain spaghetti rich in fibre and nutrients.
Main ingredients of Spaghetti and meatball are as follows:
| INGREDIENTS | MEASURE |
|---|---|
| White sandwich bread | 2 slices |
| Cold milk | 1/3 cup |
| Ground pork | 1/2 pound |
| Ground veal | 1/2 pound |
| Ground beef chuck | 1/2 pound |
| Grated Parmesan | 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons |
| Chopped flat-leaf parsley | 1/4 cup |
| Kosher salt | 2 teaspoons |
| Onion | 1/2 (medium) |
| Garlic cloves | 2 |
| Egg | 1(large) |
| Freshly ground black pepper | |
| Olive oil | 1/3 cup |
| Quick Marinara Sauce |
???? YIELDS: 4 SERVINGS
⌛️ PREPARATION TIME: 1 HOUR 36 MINUTES
NUTRITION FACTS
| Total Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.4 g |
| Trans fat regulation | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 7 mg |
| Sodium | 315 mg |
| Potassium | 201 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 11 eggs |
| Sugar | 2.7 g |
| Protein | 4.5 g |
| Vitamin C | 3% |
| Calcium | 3% |
| Iron | 6% |
| Vitamin B | 65% |
| Cobalamin | 3% |
| Magnesium | 3% |
✯ Fun Fact ✯
January 4 is considered as National Spaghetti day
5. Quinoa with fried eggs
This combo is one of the tastiest as well as protein-rich dishes which would supercharge your meal and energise your body. To enhance the taste and nutritional content of the dish, it is advisable to have it along with beans and avocado.
Main ingredients of Quinoa and fried eggs are as follows:
| INGREDIENTS | MEASURE |
|---|---|
| Quinoa | 75g |
| Black beans | 400g |
| Ground cumin | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground coriander | ½ teaspoon |
| Lime | 1 |
| Cider Vinegar | 1 teaspoon |
| Cherry tomatoes | 160 g |
| Avocado | 1(small) |
| Coriander | 2 tablespoon |
| Spring onion | 3 |
| Eggs | 2 (medium) |
| Rapeseed oil |
???? YIELDS: 2 SERVINGS
⌛️ PREPARATION TIME: 30 Minutes
NUTRITION FACTS
| Calories | 343 |
| Fat | 16.4 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.1 g |
| Mono fat | 9 g |
| Poly fat | 3.1 g |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrate | 35 g |
| Fibre | 9 g |
| Cholesterol | 186 mg |
| Iron | 4 mg |
| Sodium | 332 mg |
| Calcium | 86 mg |
| Sugar | 3 g |
✯ Fun Fact ✯
Quinoa is not a grain but a type of spinach, beets and chard; the edible part is seed because of which it is gluten-free
What type of food is good for dinner in the USA?
Mostly, an American dinner table consists of all types of food including vegetarian, non -vegetarian dishes which can supply an adequate amount of protein and starch. These eatables come in different forms with tempting flavours. Athletes in America would prefer to include salads, fruits and yoghurt in their night meals. An amazing fact revealed from a recent survey is that youngsters within the age group between 18 and 29 tend to consume vegetarian dishes more than the senior citizens for dinner.
However, as per the study report of “2012 Food & Health Survey: Consumer Attitudes toward Food Safety, Nutrition and Health”, it has been analysed that Americans have developed unhealthy eating habits usually in the end phase of a day.
Also Read: Best seafood dishes for dinner in the USA
What does an average American eat for dinner in the USA?
Now let’s see, what does an average American eat for dinner in the USA. One thing common about all the average families in the USA is that they definitely have a main course and side dish served on the dinner table. Some of the most common dishes that have dominated the American dinner table are chicken and fish (grilled/baked)dishes, beef steaks, mashed potato, vegetable salad, pork chops, mac and cheese, rice/quinoa dishes, meatloaf and so on. An average American would love to blend vegetarian and nonvegetarian recipes in order to get an elated food experience.
Some of the vegetarian dishes that an average American would consume for dinner are:
- Collard Greens
- Fried cabbage
- Corn Relish
- Rice with Maque Chaoux
- Potatoes O’Brien
Around 12% of Americans still are fond of enjoying the sweetness of yummy desserts at the end of the supper. They think that dinner is incomplete without a dessert. Let’s check the names of Americans’ favourite sweet courses:
- Apple pie
- Cheesecake
- Carrot cake
- Brownies
- Jell-O
- Fudge
What do kids opt for dinner in the USA?
Choosing the best food for kids is always a challenging task for parents. Being picky eaters, kids normally do not eat everything that we offer. Yet, there are certain kid-approved dishes that are generally made for dinner in the USA. Some of the kid’s favourite dinner dishes include:
- Baked macaroni and cheese
- Muffin tin cheeseburger cups
- Spaghetti nest
- Chicken Tacos
- Pizza casserole
CONCLUSION
As 70% of people in the USA consider carbohydrates, fat and sugar as the major source for increasing weight gain they would choose their dinner menus as per their requirements in terms of gaining weight. American dinner tables are now focused on healthy dishes, mostly based on vegan diets which can ensure health benefits and ideal weight control. Yet, the aforementioned dishes will never be outdated as they are still hailed as the top dinner dishes in the USA.