15 Delicious Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes- Healthy + Full of Flavor (2024)

Tasty Low-Calorie Meal Ideas.

Have you decided on your New Year’s resolutions? The main resolution for many people in the new year is to eat healthy and lose weight! Yet many people abandonthis resolution just a few months into the year. Why? Because what they were eating was healthy, but not tasty! It’s not hard to eat healthy, if you’ve got some delicious recipes in your meal plan! To help you start the new year off right, here are 15 Delicious Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes!

15 Delicious Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes- Healthy + Full of Flavor (1)

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I’m a big fan of eating healthy! Not just because healthy eating usually means eating home-cooked meals from fresh ingredients (which is more frugal than eating out or using a bunch of boxed mixes), but because the healthy recipes my family eats actually taste good! For example, you’ll see some zoodle recipes below. While I was skeptical at first (like most people) I now love zoodles! Having a spiralizer helps me make them fast, and they’re a wonderful noodle substitute! I’m also a big fan of using ground turkey instead of ground beef. Add enough seasonings and mix-ins (onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc.) and you won’t miss ground beef at all!

And that’s what a good healthy recipe should be like- it should make you not miss unhealthy food because the healthy recipe just tastes so good! That’s why you won’t find any bare chicken breasts or lightly seasoned salmon below. All of these are low-calorie dinner recipes, but they’re full of flavor!

15 Delicious Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes

Cooking healthy low-calorie dinner recipes doesn’t mean you have to compromise on flavor. Making simple swaps and additions can help you reduce fat, carbs, and calories without losing out on taste. Here are some tips.

  • Meat – Lean meats like chicken and turkey will have less fat and fewer calories. You can also try meat substitutes, like the Beyond or Impossible line of meat alternatives. They can be surprisingly authentic tasting!
  • Pasta Swaps – Choose a whole grain pasta or swap in zoodles or squash for a healthier option.
  • Veggies – Load a meal with veggies. You will get a lot of food and your meal with be both colorful and tasty.
  • Dairy – You don’t have to give up dairy completely. Choose reduced fat cheeses instead of full fat options. And for milk choose 2% or skim milk, though I honestly never buy anything other than almond milk these days and find that it’s just as wonderful in cereal and in baking recipes!

1. Mexican Chipotle Beef Stuffed Peppers

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A delicious way to get all the vitamins in bell peppers is to make these Mexican Chipotle Beef Stuffed Peppers by Isabel Eats!

2. Balsamic Caramelized Onion Turkey Burger

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These Balsamic Caramelized Onion Turkey Burgers from The Foodie and the Fix are so juicy and flavorful you won’t even know it’s a healthier turkey burger!

3. One Pan Parmesan Tuscan Chicken

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This healthy One Pan Parmesan Tuscan Chicken from It’s Cheat Day Everyday will help to curb those craving for rich, hearty food without overindulging.

4. Honey Sriracha Mongolian Beef with Rice Noodles

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Forget the take out! Make this healthy, low calorie Honey Sriracha Mongolian Beef with Rice Noodles from Joyful Healthy Eats.It’s sweet, spicy, and perfect for a quick & easy weeknight meal.

5. Skinny Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake

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Damn Delicious’s skinny version of Shrimp Alfredo Pasta is just as creamy as the original but it’s much lighter.

6. Pesto Zoodles with Chicken

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Zoodles are a healthy substitute for pasta. This Pesto Zoodles with Chicken recipe from Bound By Food is big on flavor and light on carbs.

7. Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

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You won’t miss the tortillas or time spent rolling up the enchiladas when you make this Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Spaghetti Squash from Recipe Runner.

8. Turkey Spaghetti Zoodles

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This Turkey Spaghetti Zoodles from Skinny Fitalicious is pasta without the pasta! It’s a SUPER simple one-pan dinner that’s low calorie and low carb

9. One Pot Turkey Taco Skillet

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This One Pot Turkey Taco Skillet from Bijoux and Bits is piled high with veggies and you’ll only have one pan to clean.

10. Sweet Potato Spicy Chicken

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Sweet Potato Spicy Chicken from A Healthy Life for Me is an impressive dinner recipe that is easy, and packed full of rich flavor that is sure to make the whole family happy.

11.Greek Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Orzo & Creamy Feta Yogurt Sauce

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This meal looks amazing and has so many yummy ingredients! I can’t wait to try these Greek Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Orzo & Creamy Feta Yogurt Sauce from Ambitious Kitchen.

12. Healthy Orange Chicken Stir Fry with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

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Cauliflower rice is a great way to lower your calorie and carb intake and this yummy chicken will make it delicious! Ambitious Kitchen shows you how to make this tasty Orange Chicken Stir Fry with Coconut Cauliflower Rice.

13. Salmon and Asparagus Sheet Pan Meal

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Sheet pan meals are so great for busy families; everything goes on the pan and into the oven to cook. Time efficient and less mess in the kitchen to clean up after! That’s a win-win! Get the recipe for Salmon and Asparagus Sheet Pan Meal from A Couple Cooks.

14. Easy Power Bowl

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Get all the goods with this easy power bowl from A Couple Cooks! It is full of tons of good things and would be a great way to clean out the fridge.

15. Instant Pot Lentil Soup

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No Instant Pot, don’t worry it could be adapted to a cooktop recipe. Love and Lemons shows you how to make this easy lentil soup.

What’s your favorite low-calorie dinner recipe?

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15 Delicious Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes- Healthy + Full of Flavor (18)

You might also be interested in: Lemon Shrimp with Vegetable Noodles and Pasta

15 Delicious Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes- Healthy + Full of Flavor (2024)

FAQs

What foods fill you up but are low in calories? ›

The healthiest lower energy-dense choices are foods that are high in protein but low in fat and calories, such as:
  • Beans, peas and lentils, which are also good sources of fiber.
  • Fish.
  • Lean meat and poultry.
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Egg whites.

What is the lowest calorie meal I can eat? ›

Veggie-Packed Meals

Non-starchy vegetabeles, like greens, lettuce, zucchini, cucumber and peppers, are all super low in caloires but deliver lots of nutrients and fiber to fill you up. Even starchy vegetables-like winter squash, corn, peas and potatoes-have fewer calories than most foods.

How to eat under 300 calories a day? ›

15 Easy Meals Under 300 Calories
  1. Slow Cooker Chunky Beef and Potato Stew. ...
  2. Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken. ...
  3. Better Than Your Mom's Chicken Soup. ...
  4. Skinny Lasagna Rolls. ...
  5. Barbeque Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas. ...
  6. Asian Stuffed Bell Peppers. ...
  7. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry. ...
  8. Chicken Enchiladas with Green Chili Sauce.
Sep 19, 2023

What foods are under 300 calories? ›

Louis, share the healthiest low-calorie snacks to munch and crunch on at home or on-the-go.
  • Apple and Almond Butter.
  • Cottage Cheese and Tomatoes.
  • High-Protein Yogurt, Berries, and Walnuts.
  • Hard-Boiled Eggs on Toast.
  • Whey Protein and Banana.
  • Turkey Half-Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread.
  • Shrimp co*cktail with Crudité
Jun 22, 2023

What food can you eat unlimited amounts of? ›

Let's take a look at some of these wonderful foods:
  • Celery. Celery is a vegetable that is made up of 95% water! ...
  • Broccoli. It is well known for the natural substance it contains – sulforaphane, which has an anti-cancerous effect. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Lettuce. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Raspberries.

What is a food that you can eat a lot of and not gain weight? ›

15 Healthy Foods You Can Eat Without Gaining Weight

Because of its high water content, a whole tomato has a mere 22 calories. Cauliflower, kale, carrots and sprouts are similarly nutrient-dense and light in calories. These produce mainstays bring a few other things to the table.

How to lose 5 pounds in a week? ›

Losing 5 pounds a week comes to reducing your food intake by 3500 calories over seven days. The value that represents the decrease in calorie intake is known as the calorie deficit. If you want to lose 5 pounds in a week, you will need to reduce your food intake by 17,500 calories, which is a huge calorie deficit.

How much weight will I lose in a week eating 300 calories a day? ›

For most people, a calorie deficit of 300–500 is sufficient to lose 0.5 kilograms (kg) (1.1 pounds) per week. However, this needs to be re-evaluated constantly, especially as you lose weight.

How many calories are in one egg? ›

How many calories are there in an egg? The calories in an egg will vary depending on the size and how it is prepared. However, on average a single medium-sized egg will contain around 66 calories, an average small egg will contain around 55 calories and an average large egg around 80 calories.

How many calories are in a banana? ›

A medium banana contains 105 calories, per the USDA's FoodData Central database. That's about the same amount of calories in a medium sweet potato or a cup of grapes. A small banana has 90 calories, while a large banana contains 121 calories.

What food makes up 1,200 calories? ›

Another example of a 1,200-calorie-a-day diet:
  • Breakfast. One serving of whole-grain toast (100 calories) Two eggs (140 calories) ...
  • Lunch. Three ounces of grilled chicken breast (120 calories) One cup of steamed broccoli (55 calories) ...
  • Dinner. Three ounces of fish (120 calories) One cup of mixed greens (5 calories)
Jan 24, 2023

Which food can you have the most of for 200 calories? ›

Snacks under 200 calories*:

That's about an egg-sized portion. An apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter. A cup of grapes with an ounce of cheese (1 ounce of cheese is about the size of your whole thumb, from base to tip). 2 tablespoons of hummus and raw veggies like carrots, celery, cauliflower or broccoli.

How to eat 1,200 calories without being hungry? ›

People on a 1,200-calorie diet need to eat nutrient-dense food to avoid feeling hungry and prevent malnourishment. Lean proteins tend to be very dense in nutrients and low in calories. By contrast, white carbohydrates, such as white bread, contain more calories and fewer nutrients.

How to feel full on 1200 calories a day? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, and other similar vegetables are high in fiber and water. Adding these non-starchy vegetables to your lunch and dinner can help you feel full. If you need some dinner plans, you could make salmon, a baked potato, and vegetables like green beans or carrots.

What food keeps you full the longest? ›

Whole, unprocessed foods that are high in protein and fiber will generally leave you more sated, which means you feel full for a longer period of time. Some of the most filling foods include boiled potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, and popcorn.

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