50 Low-Calorie Meals That Pack Serious Flavor
Introducing our best dinners under 500 calories — plus, they're easy to make and super filling!
Whether you're looking for 500-calorie dinners or quick low-calorie breakfast ideas, this collection of low-calorie meals will include something (delicious!) for you. After all, reducing your calorie intake doesn't necessarily mean you're required to sacrifice your favorite foods. From high-protein dishes like chicken fajitas and steak to cozy pastas and veggie-packed soups, these recipes make it easy to eat healthy.
As you're choosing low-calorie dinners and lunches, you'll want to make sure your meal is balanced. "Load up on colorful veggies and other fiber-rich ingredients like whole grains to help keep you full and provide a rainbow of nutrients," says Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab Director Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT. "Lean proteins are also important to make the meal satiating. A little healthy fat, like avocado or olive oil, can go a long way to help keep you full too."
Keep reading for our favorite low-calorie meals.
Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos
These flavorful tacos bring together Vietnamese and Mexican elements. Crunchy pickled veggies and a ground chicken mixture are piled high on crispy tortillas for an easy and delicious low-calorie dinner.
Get the Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos recipe.
Sheet Pan Okonomiyaki
In a review, one reader raved, "I make this at least once a week. Even my two-year-old loves it!" Our take on the beloved Japanese dish involves baking the cabbage pancake on a preheated sheet pan instead of cooking it in batches on the stovetop — so it's fast, easy and clocks in at under 400 calories a serving.
Get the Sheet Pan Okonomiyaki recipe.
Spaghetti Squash "Nests" with Marinara
Strands of roasted spaghetti squash make for a fun (low-calorie!) substitute to classic pasta that just happen to be gluten-free, too. Top it with garlicky sautéed kale, warmed marinara and a bit of grated cheese to complete the meal.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Set out a platter of butter lettuce leaves alongside a bowl of hoisin-coated shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts and chicken for a family-style feast that delivers a ton of excitement without an abundance of calories.
Get the Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Best-Ever Marinated Flank Steak
Fresh orange and lime juice helps tenderize and season this steak without a ton of excess sugar or oil.
Slow-Cooker White Bean Soup with Pistou
To make this high-fiber, low-calorie meal, enlist the help of your slow cooker — and fill the appliance with budget-friendly beans, broth, onion, carrots, celery and herbs. A dollop of pistou right before serving adds lively basil flavor to every spoonful.
Dukkah Sweet Potato Bake
This hearty vegetarian main comes together on two sheet pans. A sprinkle of spice blend instantly ups the overall taste, without adding a ton of calories.
Get the Dukkah Sweet Potato Bake recipe.
Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini
Zucchini boats (hollowed-out summer squash) make for a great low-cal vessel for whatever fillings your heart desires. Try this five-ingredient recipe featuring cheesy chorizo stuffing or get creative.
Get the Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Beet Orzotto
This one-pot pasta gets its gorgeous pink hue from grated beets, a low-calorie vegetable that also provides fiber, potassium and folate.
Get the Beet Orzotto recipe.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Try fajitas on a sheet pan for easy prep and even easier clean-up.
Get the Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe.
Zucchini Linguine
To lighten up pasta night, incorporate a few low-calorie ingredients into the mix. Grated zucchini gives this dish some oomph while lemon zest and a handful of microgreens freshen things up.
Get the Zucchini Linguine recipe.
Mushroom Lover's Soup
This soup proves that you can enjoy a cozy, creamy meal without going over your daily calorie limit. It's made with mushrooms three ways: dried, pureed into the broth and roasted as a crispy topping.
Get the Mushroom Lover's Soup recipe.
Smoked Trout Salad
Think of smoked trout as the leaner and meatier companion to smoked salmon. Combined with a punchy dressing, boiled eggs and fresh raw vegetables, it makes for a seriously satisfying (low-cal) meal.
Get the Smoked Trout Salad recipe.
Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad
This satisfying salad is made with protein-packed lentils, creamy burrata cheese and a flavorful dressing. It leaves you feeling full while coming in at just over 300 calories per serving.
Roasted Shrimp Scampi
Spiralized zucchini, shrimp, and crumbled feta come together in this flavorful but light dinner that takes less than 30 minutes to make.
Get the Roasted Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Escarole Salad with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette
This salad is light on calories, but not light on flavor. Bright preserved lemon, creamy goat cheese, salty almonds, honey and escarole come together in this delicious dish that can be a side or a main.
Get the Escarole Salad with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette recipe.
Seared Salmon with Charred Green Beans
Here's what you need for this recipe: salmon, green beans, garlic, capers and red chile. That's it!
Balsamic Chicken Caprese
This protein-packed dinner requires just five main ingredients: chicken breasts, fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil and balsamic vinegar.
Get the Balsamic Chicken Caprese recipe.
Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup
Need an easy lunch to take to work or school? This make-ahead soup has plenty of vegetables, instant rice vermicelli and flavorful vegetable bouillon base. Just add water when you're ready to eat it!
Get the Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup recipe.
Roasted Shrimp, Tomatoes and Spinach
Jammy roasted onions and tomatoes perfectly complement roasted shrimp and wilted spinach. At less than 200 calories, it's a light lunch that doesn't feel restrictive. Did we mention it all comes together on a single sheet pan?
Get the Roasted Shrimp, Tomatoes and Spinach recipe.
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