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Eating low-calorie meals doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor: Our best 500-calorie dinners include hearty pasta dishes, healthy chicken dinners, vibrant fish mains and more. Plus, many of these recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less, which means you can stick to your health goals even on busy weeknights.
What do you get with a 500-calorie dinner? It's all about packing in the nutrition for the biggest bang for your (calorie) buck: protein, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats will fill you up without weighing you down, and focusing on flavor will make every bite that much more satisfying. Think lean meat like boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or tofu and beans for a vegetarian option), high-impact, low-cal ingredients like fresh citrus and spices and all the green vegetables you can fit on your plate.
Enjoy tacos filled with chicken, peppers and onions for a family of four or serve up salmon tossed with spicy green beans for a romantic — yet healthy — dinner for two. Fire up the grill for smoky flank steak, skewers and so much more. Grilling is another great way to impart flavor without added calories.
Looking for A.M. inspo too? Start the day off right with our dietitian-recommended low-calorie breakfasts.
Pork and Scallion Kebabs with Herbed Couscous
Toss thinly sliced pork in a quick lemon-garlic marinade for lots of flavor in little time — this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make.
Get the Pork and Scallion Kebabs with Herbed Couscous recipe.
Kale and Chickpea Toasts
Made with pantry staples, this vegetarian dinner is a cinch to add to your weekly rotation. Switch it up with different types of beans and greens!
Get the Kale and Chickpea Toasts recipe.
Shrimp and Asparagus Stir-Fry
Gochujang imparts deep, spicy flavor in this 5-ingredient stunner. Plus, it keeps in your fridge for a long time!
Get the Shrimp and Asparagus Stir-Fry recipe.
RELATED: 28 Healthy and Delicious Ways to Eat All the Shrimp
Spice-Rubbed Chicken Lettuce Cups
Crunchy lettuce cups make for a light dinner that's still satisfying, especially when filled with grilled chicken and a sour cream sauce.
Sticky Tofu Bowl
A sprinkle of Chinese five-spice powder adds tongue-tingling heat to this recipe: "The flavors work so incredibly well!" said one commenter.
Get the Sticky Tofu Bowl recipe.
RELATED: 35 Healthy Tofu Recipes That Even Meat Lovers Will Crave
Crispy Striped Bass with Citrus Soba
This recipe will teach you how to master crispy-skinned fish — it's easier than you think!
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Sliced pineapple roasted alongside the peppers and onions adds a hint of sweetness (the result: yum).
Get the Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe.
Samosa Salad
Turn to the freezer aisle for a fresh salad ingredient. Store-bought samosas add instant flavor and heft!
Get the Samosa Salad recipe.
Seared Salmon with Charred Green Beans
You can count the main ingredients for this recipe on one hand — really!
Best-Ever Marinated Flank Steak
Flank steak is a lean, low-cal cut that benefits from this citrusy marinade — it helps tenderize the meat into melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Get the Best-Ever Marinated Flank Steak recipe.
RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy
Cauliflower Alfredo
This vegan recipe relies on cooked cauliflower, which blends into a deliciously creamy (and nutrient-packed) sauce.
Get the Cauliflower Alfredo recipe.
Smoky Mussels Pomodoro
Did you know mussels can cook through in less than five minutes? Here's your chance to see for yourself.
Get the Smoky Mussels Pomodoro recipe.
Za’atar Chicken with Whipped Feta
Once you try puréed feta with lemon and dill, you may never go back to plain crumbles again.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Peppers with Thyme Frico
Served with a medley of peppers and tomatoes, this pasta dish keeps things relatively low-cal — and highly delicious.
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Peppers with Thyme Frico recipe.
Steak with Smashed Cucumber Salad
Tossed in a sesame-soy dressing, the cold, crunchy cucumber salad might just steal the show.
Sweet Potatoes with Roasted Peppers and Crispy Chickpeas
Add roasted sweet potatoes to your meal prep plan: They can be reheated and filled with toppings throughout the week!
Get the Sweet Potatoes with Roasted Peppers and Crispy Chickpeas recipe.
Moroccan-Spiced Skillet Chicken and Couscous
Low-cal eating is more fun when it's this easy — the chicken and couscous cook in the same skillet (in under 30 minutes!).
Get the Moroccan-Spiced Skillet Chicken and Couscous recipe.
RELATED: 60 Best Chicken Breast Recipes for a Winning Dinner Every Night
Air Fryer Fish Taco Bowls
Toss seasoned fish in the air fryer – instead of deep frying – for a healthier, fuss-free take.
Get the Air Fryer Fish Taco Bowls recipe.
RELATED: 78 Best Air Fryer Recipes That Are Easy and Delicious
Vegetarian Antipasto Salad
Loaded with chickpeas, mozzarella balls, veggies and fresh herbs, this towering salad definitely counts as dinner.
Get the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad recipe.
Roasted Chickpea, Tomato and Chicken Bowls
Store leftover farro, greens and chicken separately so everything stays fresh. The next day, toss it all together for serious #lunchgoals.
Get the Roasted Chickpea, Tomato and Chicken Bowls recipe.
RELATED: 36 Easy Mediterranean Diet Recipes That Are Absolutely Delicious
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
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