Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes and Menus

Featured Recipes

Quick French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a favorite but it usually isn't substantial enough to make a complete meal. We've solved this problem by adding fiber-rich chickpeas to a broth flavored with sherry and three kinds of onions. Of course, we didn't forget the gooey topping, we've just made it a little lighter and a lot easier to prepare at home—simply top toasted whole-wheat bread with cheese and pour the soup on to melt it.

» Quick French Onion Soup

Caramelized Onion Lasagna

This unusual lasagna with portobello mushrooms, sweet onions, spinach and Gorgonzola cheese has a rich, complex flavor. It's also great with goat cheese instead of Gorgonzola, if you prefer.

» Caramelized Onion Lasagna

Parmesan Spinach Cakes

If you like spinach-cheese pie, try these simple but elegant-looking little spinach cakes.

» Parmesan Spinach Cakes

Braised Beef & Mushrooms

Traditional braises usually call for the meat to be browned first to seal in the juices, but here that step is skipped so it can absorb the wonderful taste of mushrooms, which completely permeate the sauce. If you find them, chanterelle mushrooms can be used in place of the shiitakes. Serve with whole-wheat egg noodles or spaetzle and a mixed green salad.

» Braised Beef & Mushrooms

Quick Chicken Cordon Bleu

To make traditional cordon bleu, you layer prosciutto (or other ham) and cheese in between thin slices of chicken or veal, then bread and sauté the whole stack. This quick, easy version keeps the flavors the same, but skips the fussy layering and breading steps. Serve with: Delicata squash and broccoli.

» Quick Chicken Cordon Bleu

Lemon Pudding Cakes

These magical little desserts start out as one batter and separate during baking into fluffy cake hiding a creamy layer of lemon pudding.

» Lemon Pudding Cakes

Chocolate Decadence

Inspired by the (now) old-school, ultra-rich, mousselike chocolate cake that usually called for a whole pound of chocolate, half a dozen eggs and lots of butter, here is an enlightened rendition with deep bittersweet chocolate flavor and that dense melt-in-your-mouth texture so characteristic of the genre. No one will guess it’s healthier. The secret is excellent natural cocoa powder and good-quality bittersweet chocolate, preferably with 70% cacao. Although the cake can be eaten once it’s completely cool, it comes out of the pan much easier and even tastes better if it has been chilled at least overnight.

» Chocolate Decadence

Try these healthy recipes for a low-calorie meal that tastes great.

According to recent data, Americans have reduced their fat intake from 41 to 34 percent of calories since the 1950s. However, our total calorie intake has actually increased, contributing to rising levels of obesity and its associated risks. Staying physically active, keeping portion sizes under control and selecting a good balance of foods that are naturally low in fat are a few ways to control calorie intake. Although we can’t help you get to the gym, we can give you some ideas for easy and delicious recipes that are lower in calories—350 calories or less for main dishes and 250 calories or less for side dishes and desserts. Feel free to mix and match and enjoy the feeling of being on the road to better health.