Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes

Find healthy, delicious low-calorie dinner ideas including low-calorie dinners on a budget, for two people, and for weight-loss. Healthier recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.

Most Popular

Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

Rating: 4 stars 63
This one-pan chicken pasta combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal that's garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it "Mom's Skillet Pasta" and she called it "Devon's Favorite Pasta." Either way it's a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It's a simple dinner the whole family will love.
By Devon O'Brien

American Goulash

Rating: 4.5 stars 30
American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.
By Carolyn Casner

Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup

Rating: 4.5 stars 17
Loaded with cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, tomato and plenty of seasoning, this healthy cabbage soup recipe packs in lots of flavor and is ultra-satisfying. This easy recipe makes a big batch for lunches or veggie-packed snacks all week. If you want to bump up the satisfaction factor even more, top with a little cheese or avocado.
By Carolyn Casner

Chhole (Chickpea Curry)

Rating: 4.5 stars 53
This healthy recipe is a flavorful chickpea curry that you can make in just 20 minutes. Also called chana masala, this dish is a comforting and delicious dinner.
Shefaly Ravula, PA-C
By Shefaly Ravula, PA-C

Minestra Maritata (Italian Wedding Soup) 

Rating: 4.5 stars 16
Forget the marble-size meatballs you find in many versions of this Italian Wedding Soup. In this easy recipe, they're full-size, full-flavored and plenty filling.
By Robin Bashinsky

Creamy Chicken & Mushrooms

Rating: 4 stars 25
Whether you scored wild mushrooms at the farmers' market, found cultivated maitake or shiitake at the supermarket or just have some baby bellas on hand, this healthy creamy chicken recipe is delicious with any of them. Serve over whole-wheat egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
By Carolyn Malcoun

One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Rating: 4.5 stars 29
This chicken Parmesan pasta uses the one-pot pasta method to cook your noodles, chicken and sauce all in one skillet for a fast and easy dinner with minimal cleanup.
Hilary Meyer
By Hilary Meyer

Skillet Lemon Chicken & Potatoes with Kale

Rating: 4 stars 22
This easy one-pan skillet-roasted lemon chicken is perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken thighs are cooked in the same pan as baby potatoes and kale for a satisfying meal with the added bonus of minimal cleanup.
By Carolyn Casner

Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

Rating: 3.5 stars 16
This one-pan chicken and broccoli casserole is prepared in a skillet on the stovetop, then finished in the oven until it's browned, cheesy and bubbling. Serve with a crunchy green salad.
By Robin Bashinsky

Chicken & White Bean Soup

Rating: 4.5 stars 21
Once again, rotisserie chickens can really relieve the dinner-rush pressure-especially in this Italian-inspired soup that cries out for a piece of crusty bread and a glass of red wine.
Eating Well Bio Page
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Carrot Soup

Rating: 5 stars 35
This easy carrot soup recipe is a great way to use up a bag of carrots that were forgotten in your produce drawer. The carrots cook together with aromatics like onions, garlic and fresh herbs before being puréed into a silky smooth soup that's delicious for dinner or packed up for lunch.
Eating Well Bio Page
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara

Rating: 4 stars 18
Fresh pasta cooks up faster than dried, making it a must-have for fast weeknight dinners like this luscious yet healthy meal. Eggs are the base of the creamy sauce. They don't get fully cooked, so use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs if you prefer.
By Adam Hickman
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Inspiration and Ideas

22 Low-Calorie Dinners You Can Make in 15 Minutes
From spicy tacos to garlicky pasta, these simple dinners have just 575 calories or less in every serving, making them a go-to option on evenings when you need something light, yet filling.
34 Low-Calorie, High-Protein Meals for Dinner Tonight
Make a delicious dinner with one of these high-protein, low-calorie recipes. These recipes are packed with at least 15 grams of protein per serving, thanks to ingredients like chicken, fish and tofu. And to keep these low-calorie meals filling, we pair protein with plenty of fiber-rich vegetables for staying power. Recipes like our Salmon Caesar Salad and Caprese Turkey Burgers are healthy and bold in flavor.
Chickpea & Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Rating: 4.5 stars 17

Quinoa and chickpeas pack this vegetarian grain bowl with plenty of plant-based protein. Whip up a batch of these flavorful grain bowls and pack them in lidded containers to stash in the fridge for easy, healthy grab-and-go lunches all week long.