Fat Free Low Calorie Dinner Recipes

These low calorie meals are filling, healthy, and all have less than 400 calories per serving! Perfect for dinner and easy to make in advance, there are over 40 recipes and ideas to try!

For anyone who follows a low calorie diet or is trying to shed a few pounds, meal times can sometimes be a little tricky.

You may have been on track all day, with breakfast, lunch, and snacks, only to throw everything out the window with a high calorie dinner or main meal. This is a common theme amongst many dieters, and can ultimately be what is stopping them from achieving their weight loss goals.

Tasty Low Cal Dinners Ready In 30 Minutes Or Less

Luckily, with some simple planning and preparation, you can have a plethora of low calorie meals at your fingertips. Meals that can be prepared in advance, or take less than 10 minutes to whip up. They are delicious, filling, and will NOT derail you from your health goals!

The lowest calorie meal depends on the individual and their dietary needs. A meal between 400-500 calories ticks the boxes. My favorite high volume and low calorie meal is a dinner bowl. This involves lean protein, fresh vegetables, a grain, and some healthy fats. This combination promotes satiety and also is incredibly delicious. Here is how to make it.

Start by preparing your chicken by grilling it for 4-5 minutes each side, and until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. While the chicken is cooking, assemble the dinner bowl. Add your rice, followed by your favorite vegetables, then your avocado. Season with soy sauce and fresh lime juice and sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Add your grilled chicken then serve immediately.

High Volume Low Calorie Foods And Best Meals To Cook With Them

These are the BEST low calorie meals and ideas to provide plenty of variety, while keeping the calories down. You’ll find pizzas, pasta, stir-fries, casseroles, and more. Each recipe is easy to make and requires minimal preparation. They can also be batch cooked as part of a dinner meal prep. Not only are they simple to prepare, but they are incredibly delicious too, and all have five star ratings.

Every single recipe has less than 400 calories per serving, which makes it a fantastic bench mark to assess your own caloric needs. If your calorie needs are higher, you can add some bread, tortillas, or a healthy dressing on the side. Alternatively, you can enjoy the meal as is and then treat yourself to a healthy dessert after (like low calorie cookies or brownies!)- The option is all yours! 

You should always honor your cravings, and there are plenty of low calorie options for popular and delicious dinners. If you’re craving pizza, have some low calorie pizza. If it’s pasta you are after, you can have that too.

Low Calorie Meal Prep Ideas!

A healthy meal should be between 400-600 calories, depending on your caloric goals. If you are just starting out, 500 calories is a fantastic benchmark for your three main meals.

These low calorie meals are filling, healthy, and all have less than 400 calories per serving! Perfect for dinner and easy to make in advance, there are over 40 recipes to try!

TO STORE: The chicken and the rice are the two elements of the meal that require pre-preparation and storage. Both will keep well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.

Indian Low Calorie Recipes, Food

TO FREEZE: Place the cooled chicken into ziplock bags and the cooled rice into an airtight container. Store them both in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Serving: 1 low calorie meal Calories: 395 kcal Carbohydrates: 39 g Protein: 31 g Fat: 15 g Sodium: 545 mg Potassium: 1321 mg Fiber: 11 g Vitamin A: 1346 IU Vitamin C: 30 mg Calcium: 51 mg Iron: 2 mg NET CARBS: 28 g

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Delicious Low Calorie Dinner Recipes Healthy + Full Of Flavor

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.It's tough to eat healthy when you've got no time to cook. Problem solved! These 350-calorie (or less) dinners are ready in only 30 minutes.

This chicken rice bowl recipe is so easy to toss together on a busy weeknight, and I usually have the ingredients already on hand. I start sauteing the onion and pepper first, then I prepare the instant rice. If you like, top it with some shredded sharp cheddar cheese. —Tammy Daniels, Batavia, Ohio. Don’t forget to take a look at our collection of the best low-calorie recipes, too.

Shrimp Tostadas with Avocado Salsa“Try this quick and easy entrée for a fun, different Southwest meal idea, ” suggesets Karen Gulkin of Greeley, Colorado. “A splash of lime in the black beans balances the rich avocado salsa and shrimp.”

Low Calorie Meals: 90 Easy Dinners Under 500 Calories

Grilled Lime ChickenA wonderful citrusy marinade makes this grilled lime chicken tangy and tasty. A few hours before dinner, simply marinate the chicken for a fuss-free meal later on. —Lisa Dougherty, Vacaville, California

Sausage-Topped White PizzaI love cooking, and I learned from Nana and Mom. Pizza is easily one of my favorite dishes to prepare. I switched up this recipe to make it my own. —Tracy Brown, River Edge, New Jersey

Grilled Salmon FilletGrowing up on a family-owned resort, I was expected to help around the kitchen. Grilling salmon became my specialty. —Paul Noetzel, Grafton, Wisconsin

Asian Dishes Low In Calories And High In Flavor

Grilled Mahi MahiInstead of grilling out the usual hamburgers or chicken breasts, prepare this grilled mahi mahi and reel in raves! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried RiceThis healthier take on kimchi fried rice is one of my favorite recipes because it's customizable. If there's a vegetarian in the family, leave out the bacon and add your favorite veggies. —Stefanie Schaldenbrand, Los Angeles, California

Saucy Beef with BroccoliWhen I’m looking for a fast entree, I turn to this beef and broccoli stir-fry. It features a tantalizing sauce made with garlic and ginger. —Rosa Evans, Odessa, Missouri

Sample Low Fat 1,200 Calorie Diabetes Diet Meal Plan

Chicken & Vegetable Curry CouscousFor my busy family, a partly homemade one-pot meal is the best way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba

Larb GaiLarb gai (Thai chicken salad) is a dish made with ground chicken, chiles, mint and basil. Serve as a main dish or as an appetizer in lettuce cups. For a heartier version, serve it with rice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Caribbean Shrimp BowlAfter switching to a paleo diet a few years ago, we have started eating tons of veggies for almost every meal—yes, even breakfast. We’ve gotten used to swapping in cauliflower, broccoli and kale in place of carbs like rice or potatoes. This bowl is literally chock-full of veggies and has tons of Caribbean-inspired flavor! Plus, it is so simple to make and uses one skillet! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Calorie Meal Recipes

Southern Okra Bean StewWhen this spicy stew’s simmering on the stove, my family has a hard time waiting for dinner. It’s much like a thick tomato-based soup with a hearty mix of okra, brown rice and beans. Everyone leaves the table feeling satisfied—and eager to have it again soon. —Beverly McDowell, Athens, Georgia

Halibut Soft TacosI sometimes serve these halibut tacos wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Either way, the mango salsa tastes amazing with grilled halibut. This warm-weather recipe is quick, colorful and full of nutrients. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana

Quick Garlic-Lime ChickenAfter tending the farm and growing our own produce, I don’t have much time left for cooking. I’ve found this easy-to-prepare chicken is ideal for hectic days. —Doris Carnahan, Lincoln, Arkansas

Healthy 500 Calorie 20 Minute Dinner Recipes

Spinach Shrimp FettuccineI experimented for a couple of years before perfecting this colorful dish, and everyone raves about it. It is easy and light, and it fits into my busy schedule. —Kristin Walker, Suffolk, Virginia

Air-Fryer Roasted Salmon with Sauteed Balsamic SpinachThis air-fryer salmon recipe is my favorite. The dish is healthy, affordable, fast and delicious. —Susan Hall, Sparks, Maryland

Mini Mediterranean PizzaI was on a mini-pizza kick and had already served up Mexican and Italian variations, so I opted for a Mediterranean version and came up with these. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia

Low Calorie Dinners

Asparagus Ham DinnerI've been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it's a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska

Air-Fryer Crumb-Topped SoleLooking for a low-carb supper that’s ready in a flash? These buttery sole fillets are covered with a rich sauce and topped with toasty bread crumbs. They’re super speedy thanks to your air fryer. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Southwestern GoulashI had some extra cilantro in the fridge and didn't want to throw it away. Instead, I came up with this delightful and filling family recipe. Everyone just loved it! —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, Ohio

Low Calorie 10 Minute Lunch Recipes

Salmon with Spinach & White BeansMy husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first