menu

20+ Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes

Watching what you eat will be so easy with these low-calorie recipes for dinner at your fingertips!

By: Beth Ann Morley, Editor, FaveHealthyRecipes.com

Imagine enjoying some of your favorite meals without worrying about your diet. Sounds impossible? Not with this collection of 20+ Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes! All of these healthy dinner recipes are filling, flavorful, and extra-satisfying. Your cravings won't stand a chance against these low-calorie recipes. The best news is that you can enjoy these recipes without adding inches to your waistline. These dinner recipes are low in calories and are also easy to make. Instead of ordering takeout, stick to your fitness plan by making these recipes!

We've featured a wide variety of hearty dishes for the meat-lovers in your family as well as lightened-up dinners for the vegetarians. There should be at least one meal in this healthy recipe collection that will please your entire family.

Need more diet-friendly recipes? Subscribe to our
e-newsletter for kitchen inspiration delivered right
to your inbox!

Low-Calorie Casserole Recipes

Bet you never thought that casseroles could be low in calories! You'll love digging in with this selection of casseroles that might be low in calories, but big on taste. From quick-and-easy casseroles that can be made on a busy weeknight to delicious and hearty dishes that are meant for lingering over a weekend dinner, these healthy and easy casserole recipes aim to please. You can even make some of these recipes the night before you plan to serve them, saving you some time in the long run.

If you're looking for a few serving suggestions, then consider including a fresh green salad on the side to round out the meal. Warm and comforting, these recipes will warm you up inside and out. These low-calorie dinner recipes are versatile, too, as you can easily serve them for a quick meal at home or as part of your holiday dinner. With options that include a kale quiche and even a vegan take on mac and cheese, there's no end to the type of recipes that you can make for dinner.

Light and Healthy Dinners

If you're looking for a light dinner, then check out these fabulous low-calorie recipes. They'll be sure to delight everyone in your family. From wraps to hearty and healthy salad recipes and everything in between, these recipes will be the perfect additions to your family's meal planning. You will discover that these recipes can be used all year-round, too. Make the most of summer's best in-season produce by making salads for dinner, then warm up with a bowl or two of homemade soup. 

Does the thought of chopping up veggies after a long day of work stress you out? Make things a little bit more manageable by preparing some of the vegetables the night before you plan to try a recipe. Carrots, onions, and cucumbers can be sliced and diced one night, then cooked the next. Just stash each veggie in its own container overnight. 

Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes with Chicken

If you've run out of ideas for how to prepare chicken, then these easy low-calorie recipes are perfect for you. With these chicken recipes for dinner, you'll have a few new recipes to impress your friends and family without adding on the calories. From the classic chicken noodle soup to barbecue chicken and so much more, there are quite a few low-calorie ways to prepare chicken that everyone will love.

In addition, you can easily adapt these recipes to feed a crowd. If you thought chicken recipes would be high in calories, then you'll be pleasantly surprised with this selection of dinner ideas!

Healthy Vegetarian Recipes

Don't eat meat? No problem! These healthy dinner recipes are refreshing, flavorful, and satisfying for any vegetarians. Even meat-eaters will like these delicious and healthy vegetarian recipes! These low-calorie dinner recipes can be made any night of the week, and the leftovers can make for a hearty lunch the next day. We've even included a vegan recipe in this selection so that you can cook without dairy, too. If you thought that vegetarian recipes would be tasteless and bland, you'll think again when you try these dishes!

Whether you're a life-long vegetarian or just want to try something new for dinner tonight, you're sure to love these recipes. You will discover that these recipes also make the most of fresh vegetables, so consider stopping by your favorite farmers market and load up on everything that you need to make dinner tonight.

How to Keep Your Entire Meal Low in Calories

If you're counting calories, then you don't want to derail your planning by serving side dishes that are rich and full of ingredients you don't need. What's a home cook to do? Take a look at the side dishes, appetizers, and even beverages and desserts that you plan to serve at your next meal, then strategize your next steps.

While there's nothing wrong with indulging in the occasional slice of pie or frothy beverage, you do need to put limits on what you're serving at the dinner table. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises serving fresh vegetables and fruit when possible, instead of sautéing or frying your potatoes, broccoli, and other produce. Other easy fixes to your next meal can include opting for water or milk instead of juice, soda, or blended beverages. Go easy on any sauces or condiments that you plan to serve, too, as they may be loaded with sugar. Finally, make sure you are eating the correct portions for your dietary needs on a daily basis. By taking a few simple steps, you can reduce the amount of calories you eat at every meal. 

Up Next:

7 Day Meal Plan for a Low Calorie Diet

What is your favorite low-calorie dinner recipe?

close

Main Menu

Categories