Low in calories but rich with flavor, these meals are perfect for anyone counting their calorie intake. From fish dishes to hearty stews, each recipe features less than 500 kcal per serving!
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1. Slow-Cooker Mexican Beans with Basil
Slow cooking a dish provides ample opportunity for its flavors to develop and flourish, particularly when it comes to beans.
These Mexican-inspired pinto beans feature mouthwatering ingredients like chile peppers, garlic powder, and cumin for maximum flavor! Additionally, this recipe allows each person to customize it their way by selecting their own toppings.
To create these low-calorie bean tostadas, first toast corn tortilla shells in a skillet before topping with black beans and fresh basil. If desired, additional toppings such as avocado slices, lime juice, salsa, or sour cream may also be added for additional variety.
Alternatively, you could forego the soaking step and simply simmer dried beans with enough water to cover them by two to three inches for one or two hours until tender—this method saves both time and effort while yielding great results, although they might not taste quite as rich or creamy.
2. Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas
Enhance your weeknight dinners with this healthy, high-protein dish—easy to make on one baking sheet in under 30 minutes!
Combine oil, fajita seasoning mix, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large resealable plastic bag before adding chicken and vegetables; seal and toss before leaving it resting for 1 to 2 hours to marinate before spreading on a rimmed sheet pan to bake in the oven, stirring every 20-25 minutes, until chicken no longer appears pink and vegetables are tender (about 20 to 25 minutes total).
Serve this delicious meal with warm tortillas or refried beans and your desired fajita toppings, wrapped up in foil for lunch the following day! Feel free to switch out chicken for other protein sources such as grilled tofu or lean ground turkey and switch up vegetables by including diced sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or mushrooms. The possibilities are limitless!
3. Salmon with Roasted Asparagus and Citrus
This delicious salmon dinner recipe is chock-full of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium, with lemon juice and dill providing zesty flavors that complement perfectly with its meaty center, while grated zucchini adds color and fiber to this satisfying meal.
Make this delicious baked salmon dinner effortlessly and quickly using just one sheet pan! Plus, it’s gluten- and dairy-free for those who need special diets!
This recipe requires minimal prep work, making it the ideal solution for busy weeknights. Simply prepare the marinade in a resealable bag, rub it onto salmon fillets, seal it, and let it rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour before returning it to the pan.
Make delicious flavored butter by mashing together all of the ingredients with a fork or immersion blender until well-mixed (if you have one, use it to speed things up!). Spread most of it on salmon before dotting it over asparagus spears as you grill. Finish it all off by topping with slices of lemon for the perfect finishing touch!
4. Spicy Asian Zucchini
Spiralized zucchini, shrimp, and feta come together in this satisfying salad for less than 300 calories per serving! Enjoy it today with its flavorful dressing!
In this quick and delicious stir-fry recipe, zucchini spears get transformed into healthy meals using Sichuan peppercorn oil and spices for an irresistibly flavorful meal in minutes—the ideal weeknight dinner solution!
Combine soy sauce, Sriracha sauce, and honey before tossing zucchini spears with sesame seeds and green onions before topping off your dish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving. You could also switch out soy sauce for gluten-free tamari for added variety!
Zucchini is one of the most versatile vegetables you can incorporate into your meals, and these tasty recipes with it prove that. Try one or all three for delicious low-cal meals on busy weeknights that won’t break your diet goals—each serving has under 500 calories!
5. Asian Slaw with Chicken and Noodles
This vibrant and flavorful slaw will have you thinking you’re dining at a restaurant! Super satisfying and perfect as a meal prep option for lunches—think of it as a cheater’s version of Asian chicken salad using convenience items and pantry staples!
Mix together one package of pre-shredded coleslaw mix with half of the green cabbage, red bell peppers, carrots, and scallions from one half head of green cabbage, and add other components like red bell peppers, carrots, and scallions as desired. Prepare a miso dressing using rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar, and set it aside for later.
Bring a pot of water to a brisk boil, add one package of soy sauce-flavored ramen noodles, and cook for 90 seconds or until slightly tender. Drain, set aside, and toss with your choice of slaw and vegetables before tossing with dressing and topping with slices of almonds and mandarin oranges before refrigerating (this slaw should only remain out for up to 24 hours since too long in the sun can make its vegetables soggy!). Enjoy!
6. Roasted Eggplant Curry
No matter your taste in eggplants, this delicious vegan curry will satisfy. Roasting the eggplant first helps bring out its sweetness while eliminating bitterness for an enjoyable flavor profile.
This recipe draws its inspiration from South Indian cuisine (also known as Bharatnatyam), which employs spices like curry leaves, turmeric, ginger, and scallions to add depth of flavor to vegetable dishes. Since eggplants are available at most farmers markets during the late summer through early fall seasons in North America, make the most of their season! And enjoy making this comforting brinjal curry!
