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We pack each of theselow-calorie dinnerswith plenty of summer flavor, from crisp cucumber to juicy corn and tender zucchini. There’s a recipe for every occasion in this mix, whether you’re firing up the grill on the weekend or looking for a quick weeknight meal. Recipes like our Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad and Beef Suya Tacos will bring a little summer flair to your next delicious dinner, all in 500 calories or less.
01of 31Summer Vegetable Gnocchi SaladView RecipeThis riff on pasta salad is best served warm while the gnocchi are nice and tender. Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
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Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad
View Recipe
This riff on pasta salad is best served warm while the gnocchi are nice and tender. Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
02of 31Cheesy Spinach-Zucchini LasagnaView RecipeGreg DuPreeThanks to jarred marinara sauce and oven-ready lasagna noodles, this labor-of-love kind of meal can be ready in about an hour.
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Cheesy Spinach-Zucchini Lasagna
Greg DuPree
Thanks to jarred marinara sauce and oven-ready lasagna noodles, this labor-of-love kind of meal can be ready in about an hour.
03of 31Sheet-Pan Shrimp FajitasView RecipePhotographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly RaibikisFajitas make an excellent weeknight meal. These come together faster than ever, using quick-cooking shrimp and veggies all on one sheet pan so you can focus on family rather than cleanup.
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Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly Raibikis
Fajitas make an excellent weeknight meal. These come together faster than ever, using quick-cooking shrimp and veggies all on one sheet pan so you can focus on family rather than cleanup.
04of 31Skillet Mac & Cheese with Zucchini & PimientoView RecipeJacob FoxSweet and mild pimiento peppers add a little zest to this skillet mac and cheese, while zucchini boosts the veggie count. Here we boil the pasta a little less than usual, until just shy of al dente, so it doesn’t overcook in the oven.
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Skillet Mac & Cheese with Zucchini & Pimiento
Jacob Fox
Sweet and mild pimiento peppers add a little zest to this skillet mac and cheese, while zucchini boosts the veggie count. Here we boil the pasta a little less than usual, until just shy of al dente, so it doesn’t overcook in the oven.
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Beef Suya Tacos
Photographer: Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
06of 31Orange-Mint Freekeh Salad with Lima BeansView RecipeJacob FoxThis salad is loaded with colorful produce: fresh mint, snap peas, radishes and oranges. For pretty snap pea slices, cut them into long, thin strips.
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Orange-Mint Freekeh Salad with Lima Beans
This salad is loaded with colorful produce: fresh mint, snap peas, radishes and oranges. For pretty snap pea slices, cut them into long, thin strips.
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Tacos Gobernador
Charlotte & Johnny Autry
08of 31Grilled Chicken Thighs with Pickled Peaches & Herbed CouscousView RecipeTed CavanaughThis recipe is super-versatile—just about any green that’s hanging out in your crisper can be whirred into the garlicky sauce, and you can swap plums for the peaches and quinoa for the couscous.
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Grilled Chicken Thighs with Pickled Peaches & Herbed Couscous
Ted Cavanaugh
This recipe is super-versatile—just about any green that’s hanging out in your crisper can be whirred into the garlicky sauce, and you can swap plums for the peaches and quinoa for the couscous.
09of 31Grilled Bell Pepper-Bun Turkey Burgers with Avocado Goddess SauceView RecipeBrie PassanoWe skipped the traditional bun and opted for sweet and tender-crisp grilled peppers instead to cut carbs and boost veggies in this flavor-packed turkey burger. The creamy avocado goddess sauce adds texture and keeps everything in place.
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Grilled Bell Pepper-Bun Turkey Burgers with Avocado Goddess Sauce
Brie Passano
We skipped the traditional bun and opted for sweet and tender-crisp grilled peppers instead to cut carbs and boost veggies in this flavor-packed turkey burger. The creamy avocado goddess sauce adds texture and keeps everything in place.
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Salmon Rice Bowl
Ali Redmond
11of 31Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & EscaroleView RecipeThis easy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare, meaning that seared steak can be a weeknight meal. Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too.
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Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole
This easy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare, meaning that seared steak can be a weeknight meal. Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too.
12of 31Grilled Sausage, Peppers & Onions with Herb VinaigretteView RecipeJohnny AutryAdding a bright parsley-tarragon vinaigrette brings fresh flair to sausage and peppers. Serve with some crusty bread to sop it all up.
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Grilled Sausage, Peppers & Onions with Herb Vinaigrette
Johnny Autry
Adding a bright parsley-tarragon vinaigrette brings fresh flair to sausage and peppers. Serve with some crusty bread to sop it all up.
13of 31Grilled Shrimp Boil Foil PacketsView RecipeJohnny AutryHere, we put all the components of a classic shrimp boil into foil packets for cute, individually portioned meals. Be sure to choose extra-large, shell-on shrimp, which stay plump and juicy during the 15 to 20 minutes on the grill.
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Grilled Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
Here, we put all the components of a classic shrimp boil into foil packets for cute, individually portioned meals. Be sure to choose extra-large, shell-on shrimp, which stay plump and juicy during the 15 to 20 minutes on the grill.
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Gazpacho with Scallop Skewers
Jason Donnelly
15of 31Chopped Cobb Salad with Creamy Garlic DressingView RecipeJoy HowardIn place of bacon, this satisfying salad uses store-bought crispy chickpeas for lower saturated fat and less prep time. Using fresh herbs, bright citrus and a creamy base of yogurt and mayonnaise for the dressing gives it a flavorful finish.
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Chopped Cobb Salad with Creamy Garlic Dressing
Joy Howard
In place of bacon, this satisfying salad uses store-bought crispy chickpeas for lower saturated fat and less prep time. Using fresh herbs, bright citrus and a creamy base of yogurt and mayonnaise for the dressing gives it a flavorful finish.
16of 31Crab Louie SaladView RecipeEric WolfingerAt the Bayside Cafe in Morro Bay, California, this classic West Coast salad is made with Dungeness crab caught in the coastal waters. Lump crabmeat is a good substitute.
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Crab Louie Salad
Eric Wolfinger
At the Bayside Cafe in Morro Bay, California, this classic West Coast salad is made with Dungeness crab caught in the coastal waters. Lump crabmeat is a good substitute.
17of 31Grilled Halloumi & Summer Vegetable TacosView RecipeJason DonnellyBecause of its semi-firm texture, halloumi is prone to sticking to the grill. Be sure to oil the grill grates well before adding the brined Cypriot cheese.
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Grilled Halloumi & Summer Vegetable Tacos
Because of its semi-firm texture, halloumi is prone to sticking to the grill. Be sure to oil the grill grates well before adding the brined Cypriot cheese.
18of 31Skillet Caprese Chicken CasseroleView RecipeBrie PassanoThis one-skillet dinner features the flavors of a summer caprese salad. Fresh tomatoes and basil are combined with chicken and pasta and cooked in a creamy sauce before being topped with a layer of melted mozzarella. A good-quality balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of fresh basil completes the dish.
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Skillet Caprese Chicken Casserole
This one-skillet dinner features the flavors of a summer caprese salad. Fresh tomatoes and basil are combined with chicken and pasta and cooked in a creamy sauce before being topped with a layer of melted mozzarella. A good-quality balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of fresh basil completes the dish.
19of 31Tater Tot Casserole with Beef, Corn & ZucchiniView RecipeJason DonnellyCasseroles can be for summer too! We packed this one with peak-season vegetables—corn, zucchini and tomatoes—then topped it with crispy tater tots and gooey melted cheese, making it a dinner winner.
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Tater Tot Casserole with Beef, Corn & Zucchini
Casseroles can be for summer too! We packed this one with peak-season vegetables—corn, zucchini and tomatoes—then topped it with crispy tater tots and gooey melted cheese, making it a dinner winner.
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Salmon Burgers with Quick Pickles & Red Pepper Aioli
21of 31Baked Tomato & Feta PastaView RecipeJason DonnellyTomatoes and briny feta cheese form the base of the sauce that coats the pasta in this easy one-pan meal. Enjoy on its own as a vegetarian dinner or top with grilled chicken for some extra protein.
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Baked Tomato & Feta Pasta
Tomatoes and briny feta cheese form the base of the sauce that coats the pasta in this easy one-pan meal. Enjoy on its own as a vegetarian dinner or top with grilled chicken for some extra protein.
22of 31Grilled Shrimp TostadasView RecipeJason DonnellyGrilling gives these shrimp tostadas a boost of smoky flavor. Skewering the shrimp prevents them from falling through the grates while getting even char on each side. If you have a grill basket, you can throw them in that instead; just make sure to get them into a single layer so they don’t steam.
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Grilled Shrimp Tostadas
Grilling gives these shrimp tostadas a boost of smoky flavor. Skewering the shrimp prevents them from falling through the grates while getting even char on each side. If you have a grill basket, you can throw them in that instead; just make sure to get them into a single layer so they don’t steam.
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Blackened Chicken with Chopped Salad
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Peanut Zoodles with Edamame
A package of fresh zucchini noodles gets tossed with shelled edamame and store-bought peanut sauce in these 5-minute, no-cook vegetable noodle bowls. Because prepared sauces and dressings are commonly high in sodium, scan the label and opt for those that contain 150 mg sodium or less per tablespoon.
25of 31Blackened Fish TacosView RecipeCaitlin BenselThese blackened fish tacos pack a punch. The blackened fish gets plenty of flavor from herbs and spices, the salsa adds some zing and the cabbage provides a nice raw crunch.
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Blackened Fish Tacos
Caitlin Bensel
These blackened fish tacos pack a punch. The blackened fish gets plenty of flavor from herbs and spices, the salsa adds some zing and the cabbage provides a nice raw crunch.
26of 31Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato SoupView RecipeLeslie Grow |Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato SoupMaya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, upgrades this popular budget-friendly combo. “Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient-density of the meal,” she says. This recipe was part of a feature story, “The Real Cost of Healthy Food.”
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Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Leslie Grow |Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Maya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, upgrades this popular budget-friendly combo. “Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient-density of the meal,” she says. This recipe was part of a feature story, “The Real Cost of Healthy Food.”
27of 31Chickpea & Beef Burgers with Whipped FetaView RecipeJohnny & Charlotte AutryChickpeas add fiber to this blended burger, but the real joy here is the light and fluffy feta sauce that tops the whole shebang.
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Chickpea & Beef Burgers with Whipped Feta
Johnny & Charlotte Autry
Chickpeas add fiber to this blended burger, but the real joy here is the light and fluffy feta sauce that tops the whole shebang.
28of 31Parmesan Eggplant PastaView RecipeThis lightened-up version of the classic eggplant pasta dish swaps out some of the cheese and uses protein-rich lentil pasta.
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Parmesan Eggplant Pasta
This lightened-up version of the classic eggplant pasta dish swaps out some of the cheese and uses protein-rich lentil pasta.
29of 31Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered ChickenView RecipeThis super-fast and healthy smothered chicken tastes best on the deck with a chilled glass of gewürztraminer. The fruity white pairs nicely with the peaches here.
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Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered Chicken
This super-fast and healthy smothered chicken tastes best on the deck with a chilled glass of gewürztraminer. The fruity white pairs nicely with the peaches here.
30of 31Stuffed Eggplant with Couscous & AlmondsView RecipeSmoky almonds, meaty eggplant and whole-grain couscous with herbs make this meal plenty satisfying. Harissa gives the creamy sauce a little kick.
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Stuffed Eggplant with Couscous & Almonds
Smoky almonds, meaty eggplant and whole-grain couscous with herbs make this meal plenty satisfying. Harissa gives the creamy sauce a little kick.
31of 31Grilled Vegetable RatatouilleView RecipeThis ratatouille dish is perfect for your bounty from the garden or farmers' market. To keep the veggies from burning, watch them carefully while grilling. If necessary, move any that are cooking too quickly to a cooler spot on the grill.
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Grilled Vegetable Ratatouille
This ratatouille dish is perfect for your bounty from the garden or farmers' market. To keep the veggies from burning, watch them carefully while grilling. If necessary, move any that are cooking too quickly to a cooler spot on the grill.
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