10 Low-Calorie Dinners That You Won’t Be Able To Get Enough Of
It’s not always easy to find low-calorie recipes that are not only good for you but taste good as well. But, what if I told you it might be easier than you thought? Making a low-calorie recipe might not seem as appealing to some, but if you’re closely watching your diet, it’s a great way to cut back on calories and still have a tasty and satisfying meal! This list of low-calorie dinners are not only lacking those extra calories you don’t really need, but they’re also simply delicious to eat!
1. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
Don’t neglect your craving for delicious Mexican food, because with this dinner you can have it all but without the extra calories! This recipe calls for whole wheat tortillas instead of regular tortillas, but other than that, all the other ingredients are basically the same! Wrap up some shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and melty cheese into a couple of tortillas and cook them in a slow cooker for a few hours. Don’t worry if you don’t have a slow cooker for these enchiladas, you can always stick these in the oven to bake!
2. Three Cheese Penne
When it comes to yummy pasta dishes, it’s pretty easy for the calories to get out of control. Especially with a dish that has three different kinds of cheese, you’d think that there’s no way this dinner could be low-calorie. But, that’s where you’re wrong! This dish uses whole wheat pasta, light pasta sauce, and low-fat cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella. After cooking the pasta, spread into a baking dish and top with the cheeses, then bake!
3. Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Eating regular pizza is delicious of course, but it’s packed with calories that might not be ideal for everyone. Cauliflower crust pizza is a great alternative for any pizza lover who’s looking to cut back on calories but still enjoy a delicious pizza. You’ll need a food processor to grind up the cauliflower into a finer texture, plus some parmesan and mozzarella cheese to create the crust. Spread out the dough and bake until golden brown, then top with your favorite low-calorie toppings! If you’re looking to enjoy your pizza on the lighter side, check out this recipe!
4. Salmon Cakes
When regular salmon filets just aren’t cutting it for you, check out these low-calorie salmon cakes! You’ll need to flake apart some pre-cooked salmon in a bowl along with eggs, dijon mustard, and bread crumbs. You also can’t forget some diced onion, fresh parsley, and finely chopped celery. Roll this mixture into patties, then cook on a skillet until golden brown! Serve with a creamy sauce or a side of tasty vegetables to finish off this low-calorie dinner!
5. Light Spinach Alfredo
Like I’ve said before, it can be hard to resist a delicious pasta dish filled with tons of calories. But it can still be just as delicious with half the calories! This light spinach alfredo dinner is great for a quick and satisfying meal, and you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging! You’ll first make a cream sauce base using milk instead of heavy cream, then add in your parmesan cheese and finely chopped spinach. After the cheese is melted and the spinach is slightly wilted, you can either serve over pasta just like that or throw the sauce in a food processor for a smoother taste!
6. Southwestern Chicken Soup
If you’re looking for a hearty but low-calorie meal to enjoy, then look no further. This southwestern chicken soup is perfect for when you’re craving something spicy or you just want to sneak more vegetables into your dinner. You’ll need ingredients like shredded chicken, chicken broth, black beans, corn, and salsa. To thicken up the soup, this recipe also calls for one can of pure pumpkin. But once mixed with all of the other spices and flavors, I highly doubt you’ll be able to taste any pumpkin! This soup is delicious served with chopped jalapenos, tortilla chips, or sour cream!
7. Chicken Piccata
Some of your favorite chicken dishes might be loaded up with calories, but they don’t have to be. Take this healthy chicken piccata recipe for example. You’ll be getting lots of protein with this meal by using chicken breast cutlets, plus the delicious white wine sauce will leave you wanting more. The meal is great if you’re current diet is lacking a bit of flavor and you need something to spice it up! Pair this dish with some whole wheat angel hair pasta, brown rice, or anything low-calorie that you like!
8. Eggplant Parmesan
Traditionally, this next dish isn’t exactly the healthiest and is packed with calories. But, what if I told you you could make it low-calorie? That’s right! If you take away the heavy breading and frying steps, you’re left with a delicious meal that doesn’t have to take up all of your calories for the day. Plus, this recipe uses a mixture of part-skim ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese that reduces the amount of total fat consumed. Use any kind of low-sodium marinara sauce and go to town with this dinner!
9. Chicken, Broccoli, and Asparagus Stir Fry
Our next dinner idea on this list is pretty self-explanatory and simple to make and is great for a lighter meal! A lot of stir fry recipes call for high-sodium ingredients with lots of fats, but this dinner excludes much of that. You’ll start by cooking your broccoli and asparagus in a skillet, then eventually adding the chicken, along with some soy sauce, honey, and scallions. Sprinkle on some sesame seeds to finish and enjoy with brown rice or by itself!
10. Chicken Fried Rice
Just like our previous dish, fried rice tends to be on the high-calorie and high-sodium side of delicious foods, but it doesn’t necessarily need those things to be good. For ingredients, you’ll need chicken breast, brown rice, onion, garlic, peas and carrots mix, eggs, and soy sauce. Cook the chicken first in a large skillet or wok, then add the onion, peas and carrots, and later on the eggs. Finally, add your already cooked brown rice and combine it all together. Serve and enjoy this low-calorie dish!
