Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Cooking Light Diet
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 30-Day Mediterranean Diet Challenge

      Try one of the world's healthiest ways of eating: the Mediterranean Diet. Read More Next
    • These Are the Best and Worst Diets of 2021

      We took a look at the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report to see which diets ranked at the top and bottom of their lists. Read More Next
    • Simple 30-Day Weight-Loss Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories

      A full month of easy-to-make recipes and helpful meal-prep tips, this healthy meal plan sets you up for weight-loss success. Read More Next
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See all Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See all Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See all Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See all Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See all Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See all Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See all Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Family Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See all Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Cooking Light Diet
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Healthy Recipes Chevron Right
  3. Recipes for Weight Loss & Diet Chevron Right
  4. Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss Chevron Right
  5. $3 Diet Dinners

$3 Diet Dinners

August 27, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Cheap and easy diet dinners for $3 or less per serving.Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!Watch Video
Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Beef & Potato Salad with Smoky Chipotle

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In central Mexico, this salad is a standard--served as an appetizer, main dish or taco filling. Serve it with lime wedges, warm tortillas or tortilla chips. (Recipe from Fiesta at Rick's by Rick Bayless; W.W. Norton and Company, July 2010.)

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken & Fruit Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chicken, melon, walnuts and feta top mixed salad greens for a refreshing summer salad. Use your favorite summer fruit in place of the melon if you wish.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

2 of 25

3 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Green Pizza

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Why not use cooler-weather vegetables like broccoli and arugula as an unconventional pizza topping? The arugula adds a slightly bitter, peppery taste--for a milder flavor, use spinach instead. Serve with wedges of fresh tomato tossed with vinegar, olive oil, basil and freshly ground pepper.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hot Chile Grilled Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This deconstructed version of a chile relleno turned sandwich packs some heat and an ooey-gooey filling. We like the flavor of sourdough, but any kind of bread will work well. Serve with: Coleslaw and sliced pineapple.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

4 of 25

5 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Inside-Out Lasagna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here we take basic lasagna ingredients--ricotta cheese, pasta and tomatoes--and skip the layering and long baking time to make a super-quick and satisfying meal for the whole family. To cut down on prep time, look for presliced mushrooms. For meat lovers, brown some crumbled turkey sausage along with the onions and garlic. Serve with: Steamed broccoli and whole-grain baguette.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

5 of 25

6 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burgers

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These tasty turkey burgers, served on toasted focaccia and dressed with marinara sauce, are reminiscent of a sausage pizza. Shredded mozzarella combined with fresh basil melts beautifully inside these gems.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!
  • Watch Video

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken with Whole-Grain Mustard & Zucchini in Packets

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mustard and thyme flavor chicken and veggies in this easy dinner.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

7 of 25

8 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Smoky Ham & Corn Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh corn, diced deli ham and crunchy croutons are tossed with a smoky, creamy dressing in this light summer salad. Serve with a crisp glass of rosé and sliced melon.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

8 of 25

9 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Stuffed Chicken Thighs Braised in Tomato Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Spinach-Parmesan stuffing provides great flavor in boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Try it with the optional chicken livers in the stuffing for an extra-rich treat. And don't worry, even though when stuffed it looks like the filling will ooze out, it doesn't. The egg in the stuffing acts as a binder to keep everything in place. The recipe makes plenty of sauce, so be sure to cook up some pasta or make mashed potatoes to serve alongside the saucy chicken.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The EatingWell Taco

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Building the perfect taco is a very personal task--cheese under meat, cheese on top, no cheese at all? This is just our recommendation.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

10 of 25

11 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Turkey Cutlets with Rhubarb Chutney

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Try rhubarb in this tangy chutney with golden raisins and fresh ginger, served with turkey. You can also pair the sauce with grilled boneless, skinless chicken breasts or lean pork chops. Serve with: Whole-wheat couscous and steamed asparagus.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

11 of 25

12 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Oven-Barbecued Pork Chops

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Need a little summertime flavor? Try this swift recipe and enjoy a “barbecue” indoors. Make it a meal: Serve with coleslaw and cornbread.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The subtly sweet peanut sauce blends deliciously in this beef, cabbage and carrot sauté. Spice up the dish with a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Serve with udon noodles.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

13 of 25

14 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night. We love the smoky heat from the ground chipotle, but omit it if you prefer a mild chili. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread and coleslaw.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!
  • Watch Video

14 of 25

15 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Quick Coq au Vin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a quick version of Coq au Vin, a red wine-braised chicken-and-vegetable stew that usually takes the better part of an afternoon to make. Serve with herbed mashed potatoes and green beans.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Steak Bun

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

“Bun” is a Vietnamese noodle dish typically made with cold rice noodles, lots of crunchy vegetables and thinly sliced beef or pork all tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce. It's perfect for a hot summer night. Serve with sliced mango and iced mint green tea.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

16 of 25

17 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hilary's Heavenly Eggs

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This unusual combination of eggs braised in tomato sauce served on crusty bread is out of this world. Also try it over angel hair pasta. Serve with: Steamed broccolini.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

17 of 25

18 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Black-Eyed Peas with Pork & Greens

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This boldly flavored spin on Hoppin' John replaces salt pork or bacon with lean pork chops. Plus we've added greens--in this case kale--a traditional accompaniment with the dish. Serve with cornbread and a glass of Spanish rioja.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Szechuan Tofu & Green Bean Stir-Fry

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This spicy vegetarian stir-fry is a great way to use green beans when they're bountiful and inexpensive at the supermarket. You can also try it with other vegetables, such as broccoli or peppers, just make sure to cut them into small pieces so that they cook quickly. Coating the tofu in cornstarch before you cook it gives it a light crust.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

19 of 25

20 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Honey-Mustard Turkey Cutlets & Potatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Potatoes, leeks and turkey burst with intense flavor when roasted with honey, mustard and curry. Serve with: Steamed snow peas and carrots and a glass of white wine.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

20 of 25

21 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cheese-&-Spinach-Stuffed Portobellos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here we take the elements of a vegetarian lasagna filling--ricotta, spinach and Parmesan cheese--and nestle them into roasted portobello mushroom caps. The recipe works best with very large portobello caps; if you can only find smaller ones, buy one or two extra and divide the filling among all the caps. Serve with a tossed salad and a whole-wheat dinner roll or spaghetti tossed with marinara sauce.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!
  • Watch Video

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Crispy Turkey Tostadas

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Shredded leftover turkey tops homemade tostadas in this Tex-Mex favorite. Making your own tostada shells from fresh corn tortillas is easier than you might think--crisp them up in the oven while you prepare the toppings. Choose either regular petite diced tomatoes or those with added jalapeños, depending on your inclination for spicy food. Serve with black beans, rice and extra salsa or hot sauce on the side.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

22 of 25

23 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hungarian Beef Goulash

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This streamlined goulash skips the step of browning the beef, and instead coats it in a spice crust to give it a rich mahogany hue. This saucy dish is a natural served over whole-wheat egg noodles. Or, for something different, try prepared potato gnocchi or spaetzle.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!
  • Watch Video

23 of 25

24 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

EatingWell Fish Sticks

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You can make these homemade fish sticks in about the same amount of time it takes to bake a box of the frozen kind--with a fraction of the fat.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Neapolitan Meatballs

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A touch of cinnamon distinguishes these delicious tomato-sauced meatballs. Adding whole-grain bulgur allows you to use less meat, resulting in meatballs with less than half the total fat and saturated fat of the original. Plus a vibrant-tasting combination of fresh and canned tomatoes in the sauce helps reduce the sodium by two-thirds. Serve with pasta, polenta or even on a whole-grain roll with a bit of melted part-skim mozzarella for a meatball sub.

  • Download a FREE Top 10 Diet Recipes Cookbook!

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 25 Beef & Potato Salad with Smoky Chipotle
2 of 25 Chicken & Fruit Salad
3 of 25 Green Pizza
4 of 25 Hot Chile Grilled Cheese
5 of 25 Inside-Out Lasagna
6 of 25 Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burgers
7 of 25 Chicken with Whole-Grain Mustard & Zucchini in Packets
8 of 25 Smoky Ham & Corn Salad
9 of 25 Stuffed Chicken Thighs Braised in Tomato Sauce
10 of 25 The EatingWell Taco
11 of 25 Turkey Cutlets with Rhubarb Chutney
12 of 25 Oven-Barbecued Pork Chops
13 of 25 Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce
14 of 25 Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
15 of 25 Quick Coq au Vin
16 of 25 Steak Bun
17 of 25 Hilary's Heavenly Eggs
18 of 25 Black-Eyed Peas with Pork & Greens
19 of 25 Szechuan Tofu & Green Bean Stir-Fry
20 of 25 Honey-Mustard Turkey Cutlets & Potatoes
21 of 25 Cheese-&-Spinach-Stuffed Portobellos
22 of 25 Crispy Turkey Tostadas
23 of 25 Hungarian Beef Goulash
24 of 25 EatingWell Fish Sticks
25 of 25 Neapolitan Meatballs

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
EatingWell

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • Recipe Index
  • Jobs

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
© 2021 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from http://www.eatingwell.com

View image

$3 Diet Dinners
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.