50 Easy Low-Calorie Dinners That Don't Skimp on Flavor
Healthy, hearty, and anything but boring—plus, every meal is under 500 calories.
If the words “low-calorie meals” makes you think of sauceless chicken breast with bland vegetables and brown rice, we totally hear you. Low-calorie eating has become all too synonymous with boring, fat-free, or underseasoned—aka, joyless. Luckily, there are a million and a half ways to eat well (and stay satiated) while also keeping an eye on the calorie count.
"Load up on colorful veggies and other fiber-rich ingredients like whole grains to help keep you full and provide a rainbow of nutrients," says Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab Director Stefani Sassos M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT. "Lean proteins are also important to make the meal satiating. A little healthy fat, like avocado or olive oil, can go a long way to help keep you full too."
In keeping with those guidelines, this list features recipes like Roasted Shrimp Scampi and Seared Salmon with Charred Green Beans, which pump up the protein while leaning heavily on fresh veg and bold flavors. Dishes like Zucchini Linguine include spiralized zucchini alongside—not instead of—pasta, so you can indulge in your favorite carb while keeping the calorie count under 500.
So go ahead: Take a look through, choose your favorites, and relax knowing we’ve done all the math for you already.
Italian-Marinated Chicken
The vinegary-herb dressing is the secret weapon to achieving this extra tasty salad—it acts as a marinade for the chicken and infuses the veggies with tons of flavor.
Get the Italian-Marinated Chicken recipe.
Chickpea Puttanesca
Puttanesca packs a briny, garlic breath-inducing punch that (we think) tastes good with almost anything—including plump, nutty-tasting chickpeas.
Get the Chickpea Puttanesca recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard
Everything—the Swiss chard, red onion, and salmon—cooks up in minutes right in the air fryer for the ultimate in weeknight convenience. But the best part? How that salmon skin crisps up so beautifully.
White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
You're going to love this elevated take on tuna salad that's so simple to throw together with white beans, jammy eggs, green beans, and a basil-shallot dressing.
Get the White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette recipe.
Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos
These flavorful tacos bring together Vietnamese and Mexican elements. Crunchy pickled veggies and a ground chicken mixture are piled high on crispy tortillas for an easy and delicious low-calorie dinner.
Get the Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos recipe.
RELATED: Healthier Chicken Recipes for Quick and Satisfying Meals
Steak and Rye Panzanella
Big on flavor, light on calories: This hearty salad featuring hunks of tender steak and grilled bread is sure to leave you full and satisfied.
Get the Steak and Rye Panzanella recipe.
Sheet Pan Okonomiyaki
In a review, one reader raved, "I make this at least once a week. Even my two-year-old loves it!" Our take on the beloved Japanese dish involves baking the cabbage pancake on a preheated sheet pan instead of cooking it in batches on the stovetop—so it's fast, easy and clocks in at under 400 calories a serving.
Get the Sheet Pan Okonomiyaki recipe.
Spaghetti Squash "Nests" with Marinara
Strands of roasted spaghetti squash make for a fun (low-calorie!) substitute to classic pasta that just happen to be gluten-free, too. Top it with garlicky sautéed kale, warmed marinara, and a bit of grated cheese to complete the meal.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Set out a platter of butter lettuce leaves alongside a bowl of hoisin-coated shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, and chicken for a family-style feast that delivers a ton of excitement without an abundance of calories.
Get the Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Best-Ever Marinated Flank Steak
Fresh orange and lime juice helps tenderize and season this steak without a ton of excess sugar or oil.
Slow-Cooker White Bean Soup with Pistou
To make this high-fiber, low-calorie meal, enlist the help of your slow cooker—and fill the appliance with budget-friendly beans, broth, onion, carrots, celery and herbs. A dollop of pistou right before serving adds lively basil flavor to every spoonful.
Dukkah Sweet Potato Bake
This hearty vegetarian main comes together on two sheet pans. A sprinkle of spice blend instantly ups the overall taste, without adding a ton of calories.
Get the Dukkah Sweet Potato Bake recipe.
RELATED: The Best Sweet Potato Recipes
Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini
Zucchini boats (hollowed-out summer squash) make for a great low-cal vessel for whatever fillings your heart desires. Try this five-ingredient recipe featuring cheesy chorizo stuffing or get creative with your own version.
Get the Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Beet Orzotto
This one-pot pasta gets its gorgeous pink hue from grated beets, a low-calorie vegetable that also provides fiber, potassium, and folate.
Get the Beet Orzotto recipe.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Try fajitas on a sheet pan for easy prep and even easier clean-up.
Get the Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe.
Zucchini Linguine
To lighten up pasta night, incorporate a few low-calorie ingredients into the mix. Grated zucchini gives this dish some oomph while lemon zest and a handful of microgreens freshen things up.
Get the Zucchini Linguine recipe.
Mushroom Lover's Soup
This soup proves that you can enjoy a cozy, creamy meal without going over your daily calorie limit. It's made with mushrooms three ways: dried, pureed into the broth, and roasted as a crispy topping.
Get the Mushroom Lover's Soup recipe.
Smoked Trout Salad
Think of smoked trout as the leaner and meatier companion to smoked salmon. Combined with a punchy dressing, boiled eggs, and fresh raw vegetables, it makes for a seriously satisfying (low-cal) meal.
Get the Smoked Trout Salad recipe.
Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad
This tasty salad is made with protein-packed lentils, creamy burrata cheese, and a flavor-packed dressing. It leaves you feeling full while coming in at just over 300 calories per serving.
Roasted Shrimp Scampi
Spiralized zucchini, shrimp, and crumbled feta come together in this flavorful but light dinner that takes less than 30 minutes to make.
Get the Roasted Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Readers Also Read
Chickpea Puttanesca
High-Protein Recipes You’ll Make on Repeat
50 Healthy Chicken Recipes for Weeknights
20+ Easy, Healthy Dinner Ideas
