Close

butternut squash soup with apple grilled cheese sandwiches

If you’re aiming to add some protein to your diet this fall, look no further than these delicious, seasonally-flavored meals. Whether you’re looking tosupport your bone health, improve your digestion or repair your muscles after a workout, enjoying these low-calorie dinners will help you reap the benefits of a protein-rich diet. Recipes like our Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches contain fewer than 575 calories and more than 15 grams of protein per serving.

01of 19Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels SproutsView RecipeThis easy sheet-pan recipe brings together many fall favorites into a hearty dinner.

01of 19

Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels Sprouts

View Recipe

Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels Sprouts

This easy sheet-pan recipe brings together many fall favorites into a hearty dinner.

02of 19Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Grilled Cheese SandwichesView RecipeLayering apple slices into grilled cheese sandwiches adds a little crunch to a favorite soup dipper. And creamy butternut squash soup with ginger, cumin and turmeric is a nice change of pace from grilled cheese’s usual tomato soup partner. Serve the duo for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner for the family. The soup keeps well in the fridge, so save leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week.

02of 19

Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Layering apple slices into grilled cheese sandwiches adds a little crunch to a favorite soup dipper. And creamy butternut squash soup with ginger, cumin and turmeric is a nice change of pace from grilled cheese’s usual tomato soup partner. Serve the duo for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner for the family. The soup keeps well in the fridge, so save leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week.

03of 19Slow-Cooker Braised Beef with Carrots & TurnipsView RecipeThe spice blend in this healthy beef stew recipe–cinnamon, allspice and cloves–may conjure images of apple pie, but the combo is a great fit in savory applications too. Serve over creamy polenta or buttered whole-wheat egg noodles.

03of 19

Slow-Cooker Braised Beef with Carrots & Turnips

4293510.jpg

The spice blend in this healthy beef stew recipe–cinnamon, allspice and cloves–may conjure images of apple pie, but the combo is a great fit in savory applications too. Serve over creamy polenta or buttered whole-wheat egg noodles.

04of 19Chicken & Stuffing CasseroleView RecipeStuffing is not just for Thanksgiving with this easy chicken and stuffing casserole. And speaking of Thanksgiving, if you have leftover turkey, feel free to substitute it for the chicken in this comforting and healthy recipe. It’s also a great use for extra carrots, celery, onions and day-old bread you might have on hand around the holidays. There’s no boxed stuffing mix or canned soup in this lighter take on the comfort-food casserole, but it’s still super-easy to make. Poultry seasoning helps humble bread to taste like stuffing, while thickened chicken broth takes the place of canned soup. There are plenty of veggies in this one, too, making this a healthy casserole you can feel good about serving year-round.

04of 19

Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

Stuffing is not just for Thanksgiving with this easy chicken and stuffing casserole. And speaking of Thanksgiving, if you have leftover turkey, feel free to substitute it for the chicken in this comforting and healthy recipe. It’s also a great use for extra carrots, celery, onions and day-old bread you might have on hand around the holidays. There’s no boxed stuffing mix or canned soup in this lighter take on the comfort-food casserole, but it’s still super-easy to make. Poultry seasoning helps humble bread to taste like stuffing, while thickened chicken broth takes the place of canned soup. There are plenty of veggies in this one, too, making this a healthy casserole you can feel good about serving year-round.

05of 19Roast Chicken & Sweet PotatoesView RecipeThis sheet-pan dinner combines chicken thighs and sweet potatoes for a healthy dinner that cooks up fast in a very hot oven. Serve with a fall salad of mixed greens, sliced apples and blue cheese.

05of 19

Roast Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Roast Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

This sheet-pan dinner combines chicken thighs and sweet potatoes for a healthy dinner that cooks up fast in a very hot oven. Serve with a fall salad of mixed greens, sliced apples and blue cheese.

06of 19Lemon-Garlic Dump Dinner with Chicken, Potatoes & Brussels SproutsView RecipeCaitlin BenselTender chicken breast is bathed in a lemony marinade that brings a bright pop of flavor to this one-dish meal. The vegetables get crispy edges and, along with the juicy chicken, make this a winning combo.

06of 19

Lemon-Garlic Dump Dinner with Chicken, Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts

Caitlin Bensel

Lemon-Garlic Dump Dinner with Chicken, Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts

Tender chicken breast is bathed in a lemony marinade that brings a bright pop of flavor to this one-dish meal. The vegetables get crispy edges and, along with the juicy chicken, make this a winning combo.

07of 19Chicken Fajita BowlsView RecipeThese satisfying bowls are chock full of protein and fiber, thanks to chicken breast, black beans, sweet potatoes and bulgur–a versatile grain that has about 15 g fewer carbs (and more than twice the fiber) per cup than brown rice.

07of 19

Chicken Fajita Bowls

5633964.jpg

These satisfying bowls are chock full of protein and fiber, thanks to chicken breast, black beans, sweet potatoes and bulgur–a versatile grain that has about 15 g fewer carbs (and more than twice the fiber) per cup than brown rice.

08of 19Quinoa Power SaladView RecipeMake this satisfying salad in the evening and enjoy one portion for dinner, then pack the remaining portion for lunch the next day. Loaded with protein- and fiber-rich ingredients like chicken, sweet potato and quinoa plus power greens, this meal is nutrition-packed!

08of 19

Quinoa Power Salad

Quinoa Power Salad

Make this satisfying salad in the evening and enjoy one portion for dinner, then pack the remaining portion for lunch the next day. Loaded with protein- and fiber-rich ingredients like chicken, sweet potato and quinoa plus power greens, this meal is nutrition-packed!

09of 19

Creamy Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms One-Pot Pasta

Photography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Sammy Mila

Creamy Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms One-Pot Pasta

10of 19Sweet Potato Shepherd’s PieView RecipeFred HardyFresh herbs, Worcestershire sauce and ground pepper carry the flavor in this quick-cooking shepherd’s pie with a sweet potato topping. Ground beef adds a rich, savory flavor, but ground turkey or ground meat substitute would work well too.

10of 19

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Fred Hardy

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Fresh herbs, Worcestershire sauce and ground pepper carry the flavor in this quick-cooking shepherd’s pie with a sweet potato topping. Ground beef adds a rich, savory flavor, but ground turkey or ground meat substitute would work well too.

11of 19Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili with Butternut SquashView RecipeThis slow-cooker turkey and butternut squash chili is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The sweetness of the butternut squash tames the kick from cayenne, making this easy crock-pot chili just right for kids and adults alike. For those who prefer a spicier chili, just pass hot sauce at the table.

11of 19

Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili with Butternut Squash

This slow-cooker turkey and butternut squash chili is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The sweetness of the butternut squash tames the kick from cayenne, making this easy crock-pot chili just right for kids and adults alike. For those who prefer a spicier chili, just pass hot sauce at the table.

This slow-cooker turkey and butternut squash chili is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The sweetness of the butternut squash tames the kick from cayenne, making this easy crock-pot chili just right for kids and adults alike. For those who prefer a spicier chili, just pass hot sauce at the table.

12of 19Butternut Squash Carbonara with BroccoliView RecipeYou’ve never had carbonara quite like this! Loaded with veggies, this spiralized veggie noodle recipe is a healthy copycat of a traditional carbonara recipe. Butternut squash gets spiralized into long, tender noodles for a lower-carb version of this creamy, cheesy pasta dish. Look for a squash with a large, straight neck to make the longest veggie noodles.

12of 19

Butternut Squash Carbonara with Broccoli

Butternut Squash Carbonara with Broccoli

You’ve never had carbonara quite like this! Loaded with veggies, this spiralized veggie noodle recipe is a healthy copycat of a traditional carbonara recipe. Butternut squash gets spiralized into long, tender noodles for a lower-carb version of this creamy, cheesy pasta dish. Look for a squash with a large, straight neck to make the longest veggie noodles.

13of 19Paprika Chicken Thighs with Brussels SproutsView RecipeIn this healthy chicken recipe, paprika-rubbed chicken thighs are nestled into Brussels sprouts and shallots and roasted on a sheet pan in the oven for an easy, healthy dinner. As the chicken thighs roast, the garlicky drippings flavor the Brussels sprouts and shallots. Delicious one-pan cooking! Smoked paprika adds a touch of smoky flavor–look for it at well-stocked supermarkets or in the bulk-spice section at natural-foods markets. Regular paprika can be used in its place, but doesn’t add the hint of smoke.

13of 19

Paprika Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts

Paprika Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts

In this healthy chicken recipe, paprika-rubbed chicken thighs are nestled into Brussels sprouts and shallots and roasted on a sheet pan in the oven for an easy, healthy dinner. As the chicken thighs roast, the garlicky drippings flavor the Brussels sprouts and shallots. Delicious one-pan cooking! Smoked paprika adds a touch of smoky flavor–look for it at well-stocked supermarkets or in the bulk-spice section at natural-foods markets. Regular paprika can be used in its place, but doesn’t add the hint of smoke.

14of 19Roasted Chicken & Winter Squash over Mixed GreensView RecipeThis hearty salad comes together with little effort, since the squash and chicken can roast together on the same sheet pan. Prep the dressing and the salad greens while the chicken is roasting.

14of 19

Roasted Chicken & Winter Squash over Mixed Greens

5973120.jpg

This hearty salad comes together with little effort, since the squash and chicken can roast together on the same sheet pan. Prep the dressing and the salad greens while the chicken is roasting.

15of 19Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels SproutsView RecipeRoasting salmon on top of Brussels sprouts and garlic, flavored with wine and fresh oregano, is simple enough for a weeknight meal yet sophisticated enough to serve to company. Serve with whole-wheat couscous.

15of 19

Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts

Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts

Roasting salmon on top of Brussels sprouts and garlic, flavored with wine and fresh oregano, is simple enough for a weeknight meal yet sophisticated enough to serve to company. Serve with whole-wheat couscous.

16of 19Sheet-Pan Chicken & Brussels SproutsView RecipeRoasted Brussels sprouts and chicken thighs are a match we go back to over and over again in the Test Kitchen. Paired with cumin, thyme, sweet potatoes and a hit of sherry vinegar, they create one of our favorite easy dinner recipes.

16of 19

Sheet-Pan Chicken & Brussels Sprouts

5147298.jpg

Roasted Brussels sprouts and chicken thighs are a match we go back to over and over again in the Test Kitchen. Paired with cumin, thyme, sweet potatoes and a hit of sherry vinegar, they create one of our favorite easy dinner recipes.

17of 19Loaded Mediterranean Chicken-Quinoa SaladView RecipeTurn simple precooked ingredients into a delicious one-dish meal, high in fiber and with plenty of protein to keep you feeling satisfied.

17of 19

Loaded Mediterranean Chicken-Quinoa Salad

4576574.jpg

Turn simple precooked ingredients into a delicious one-dish meal, high in fiber and with plenty of protein to keep you feeling satisfied.

18of 19Paprika Baked Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes & BroccoliView RecipeYou’d never guess that this elegant meal comes together on just one baking sheet. While the pork rests, whip together an easy red pepper sauce to complete this impressive and healthy dinner. The sauce would also be delicious with chicken. We’re willing to bet this easy sheet-pan dinner recipe will go into heavy rotation on your kitchen playlist.

18of 19

Paprika Baked Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes & Broccoli

6859856.jpg

You’d never guess that this elegant meal comes together on just one baking sheet. While the pork rests, whip together an easy red pepper sauce to complete this impressive and healthy dinner. The sauce would also be delicious with chicken. We’re willing to bet this easy sheet-pan dinner recipe will go into heavy rotation on your kitchen playlist.

19of 19Chicken, Arugula & Butternut Squash Salad with Brussels SproutsView RecipeHot roasted vegetables lightly wilt the arugula in this healthy dinner salad recipe. Keep prep time minimal with leftover chicken, precut butternut squash and trimmed Brussels sprouts.

19of 19

Chicken, Arugula & Butternut Squash Salad with Brussels Sprouts

3879386.jpg

Hot roasted vegetables lightly wilt the arugula in this healthy dinner salad recipe. Keep prep time minimal with leftover chicken, precut butternut squash and trimmed Brussels sprouts.

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Tell us why!