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Photo: Jason Donnelly
These low-calorie dinners are healthy, delicious options you’ll want to turn to again and again. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re bound to find something that piques your interest in this collection of recipes, from pans of roasted chicken and veggies to tantalizingly fresh green salads. Recipes like our Lemony Lentil & Chard Soup and Grilled Shrimp Tostadas are rich withingredients prized in the Mediterranean diet, like lean protein, colorful fruits and veggies, filling whole grains and flavorful herbs.
01of 32Sheet-Pan Garlic-Soy Chicken & VegetablesView RecipePhotographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly RaibikisThis easy dish comes together quickly and is cooked all on one baking sheet. Putting the pan in the oven while it preheats makes it hot enough to lightly sear the chicken and vegetables, adding texture and flavor and also reducing the cook time. Chicken thighs emerge from the oven succulent and coated in the savory sauce (with less salt because of the low-sodium soy sauce) and fragrant from the garlic, ginger and scallions. We recommend serving this with brown rice or whole-wheat noodles.
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Sheet-Pan Garlic-Soy Chicken & Vegetables
View Recipe
Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly Raibikis
This easy dish comes together quickly and is cooked all on one baking sheet. Putting the pan in the oven while it preheats makes it hot enough to lightly sear the chicken and vegetables, adding texture and flavor and also reducing the cook time. Chicken thighs emerge from the oven succulent and coated in the savory sauce (with less salt because of the low-sodium soy sauce) and fragrant from the garlic, ginger and scallions. We recommend serving this with brown rice or whole-wheat noodles.
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Lemony Lentil & Chard Soup
Photography / Nico Schinco, Food Styling / Frances Boswell, Prop Stylist / Paige Hicks
03of 32Sheet-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
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 32Kale & Quinoa Salad with Lemon DressingView RecipePhotography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali RameeThis kale-quinoa salad pops with different flavors and textures. Massaging the kale helps break down its fibrous nature, while add-ins like toasted almonds, feta and cucumber add crunch and saltiness.
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Kale & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing
Photography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali Ramee
This kale-quinoa salad pops with different flavors and textures. Massaging the kale helps break down its fibrous nature, while add-ins like toasted almonds, feta and cucumber add crunch and saltiness.
05of 32Grilled 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
Jason Donnelly
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.
06of 32Pesto Chicken Quinoa BowlsView RecipeThis pesto chicken quinoa bowl is packed with herbs from the basil pesto and the Italian spice mix and gets a slight kick of heat from the red pepper. If you enjoy the flavor profile, this dish can also be made with orzo in place of quinoa.
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Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls
This pesto chicken quinoa bowl is packed with herbs from the basil pesto and the Italian spice mix and gets a slight kick of heat from the red pepper. If you enjoy the flavor profile, this dish can also be made with orzo in place of quinoa.
07of 32Winter Greens BowlView RecipeAli RedmondThis one-pan meal packs in lots of plant-based protein and flavor thanks to beans and quinoa, while a creamy lemon-garlic dressing completes the dish.
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Winter Greens Bowl
Ali Redmond
This one-pan meal packs in lots of plant-based protein and flavor thanks to beans and quinoa, while a creamy lemon-garlic dressing completes the dish.
08of 32Spicy One-Pot Codfish & Yuca StewView RecipeClara GonzalezThis irresistibly hearty stew scented with cumin and oregano gets a touch of heat from Scotch bonnet chile pepper. Celebrated in Latin American and African cooking, yuca thickens the stew and makes it into a complete meal alongside the vegetables and cod.
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Spicy One-Pot Codfish & Yuca Stew
Clara Gonzalez
This irresistibly hearty stew scented with cumin and oregano gets a touch of heat from Scotch bonnet chile pepper. Celebrated in Latin American and African cooking, yuca thickens the stew and makes it into a complete meal alongside the vegetables and cod.
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Chicken-&-Rice-Stuffed Peppers with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst
10of 32Cod Fish TacosView RecipePhotographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors HallLet your oven do the work for these quick and simple cod fish tacos. Broiling the cod allows the fish to stay moist and flake easily once finished. Hot sauce adds a punch of acidity and mild heat, while sour cream makes a creamy slaw that adds crunch to the taco.
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Cod Fish Tacos
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall
Let your oven do the work for these quick and simple cod fish tacos. Broiling the cod allows the fish to stay moist and flake easily once finished. Hot sauce adds a punch of acidity and mild heat, while sour cream makes a creamy slaw that adds crunch to the taco.
11of 32Seared Scallops with Green Goddess SlawView RecipePhotographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey BulatAvocado, yogurt and buttermilk lend creaminess to the herbaceous dressing coating this salad.
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Seared Scallops with Green Goddess Slaw
Photographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey Bulat
Avocado, yogurt and buttermilk lend creaminess to the herbaceous dressing coating this salad.
12of 32White Bean Soup with PastaView RecipeJacob FoxWe use mirepoix—a combination of onion, celery and carrots—to flavor this soup. Keep a store-bought bag of the mixture in your freezer to ensure you always have some on hand without worrying about it going bad.
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White Bean Soup with Pasta
Jacob Fox
We use mirepoix—a combination of onion, celery and carrots—to flavor this soup. Keep a store-bought bag of the mixture in your freezer to ensure you always have some on hand without worrying about it going bad.
13of 32Chickpea Tuna SaladView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThis chickpea tuna salad with capers, feta and cucumber makes for the perfect lunch to pack for work or school. You can prep the salad the night before (just be sure to keep the spinach separate and dress the salad right before serving).
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Chickpea Tuna Salad
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
This chickpea tuna salad with capers, feta and cucumber makes for the perfect lunch to pack for work or school. You can prep the salad the night before (just be sure to keep the spinach separate and dress the salad right before serving).
14of 32One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with ParmesanView RecipeAntonis AchilleosThis lentil-vegetable soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. If you have it, the Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body.
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One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan
Antonis Achilleos
This lentil-vegetable soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. If you have it, the Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body.
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Roasted Red Pepper & Peanut Soup with Crispy Spiced Chickpeas
Andrea Mathis
16of 323-Ingredient Teriyaki Edamame SautéView RecipeCarolyn A. Hodges, R.D.Whip up this high-fiber, plant-based stir-fry for a quick and convenient dinner. Look for bottled teriyaki sauce labeledless sodiumorreduced sodiumto cut back on the salt without sacrificing flavor.
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3-Ingredient Teriyaki Edamame Sauté
Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.
Whip up this high-fiber, plant-based stir-fry for a quick and convenient dinner. Look for bottled teriyaki sauce labeledless sodiumorreduced sodiumto cut back on the salt without sacrificing flavor.
17of 323-Ingredient Farro Bowl with Rotisserie ChickenView RecipeCarolyn HodgesTo make this hearty grain bowl, grab a salad kit from the grocery store. Then, top the kit with farro and chicken for a high-protein lunch or dinner that’s ready in minutes.
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3-Ingredient Farro Bowl with Rotisserie Chicken
Carolyn Hodges
To make this hearty grain bowl, grab a salad kit from the grocery store. Then, top the kit with farro and chicken for a high-protein lunch or dinner that’s ready in minutes.
18of 32Quinoa Chili with Sweet PotatoesView RecipeJennifer CauseyThis hearty vegetarian quinoa chili with sweet potatoes has mild spice from poblanos and green chiles. Chili powder, cumin and garlic provide classic chili flavor.
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Quinoa Chili with Sweet Potatoes
Jennifer Causey
This hearty vegetarian quinoa chili with sweet potatoes has mild spice from poblanos and green chiles. Chili powder, cumin and garlic provide classic chili flavor.
19of 32Lemon-Garlic Dump Chicken Thighs with BroccoliView RecipeBrie PassanoThis fuss-free dinner is as easy as dumping chicken thighs, veggies and sauce in a baking dish! As the chicken cooks it adds flavor to the sauce that thickens while it cooks and softens the vegetables.
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Lemon-Garlic Dump Chicken Thighs with Broccoli
Brie Passano
This fuss-free dinner is as easy as dumping chicken thighs, veggies and sauce in a baking dish! As the chicken cooks it adds flavor to the sauce that thickens while it cooks and softens the vegetables.
20of 3225-Minute Sweet Potato & Bean EnchiladasView RecipeAntonis AchilleosThese quick sweet potato and bean enchiladas are diabetes-friendly thanks to egg wraps that are lower in carbs than traditional tortillas. The vegetarian filling is both sweet and savory, while the topping adds texture and freshness.
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25-Minute Sweet Potato & Bean Enchiladas
These quick sweet potato and bean enchiladas are diabetes-friendly thanks to egg wraps that are lower in carbs than traditional tortillas. The vegetarian filling is both sweet and savory, while the topping adds texture and freshness.
21of 32Grilled Red Snapper & Okra with Spicy Tartar SauceView RecipeJason DonnellyMeaty snapper holds up well on the grill, but any firm white fish will work well in its place. Look for U.S. red snapper caught in the Gulf of Mexico for the most sustainable option according to Seafood Watch. Serve with a cold pale ale or lager.
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Grilled Red Snapper & Okra with Spicy Tartar Sauce
Meaty snapper holds up well on the grill, but any firm white fish will work well in its place. Look for U.S. red snapper caught in the Gulf of Mexico for the most sustainable option according to Seafood Watch. Serve with a cold pale ale or lager.
22of 32Egg-in-a-Hole Fried QuinoaView RecipeJason DonnellyWe used quinoa to bump up the fiber and protein in this stir-fry-inspired dish. Rather than making an omelet or stirring in the eggs as you would for fried rice, we cook them in divots right in the veggie-filled quinoa for a fun presentation. Opt for a flat skillet over a wok so you have plenty of room to nestle in the eggs.
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Egg-in-a-Hole Fried Quinoa
We used quinoa to bump up the fiber and protein in this stir-fry-inspired dish. Rather than making an omelet or stirring in the eggs as you would for fried rice, we cook them in divots right in the veggie-filled quinoa for a fun presentation. Opt for a flat skillet over a wok so you have plenty of room to nestle in the eggs.
23of 32Shrimp & Avocado SaladView RecipeJennifer CauseyPeppery fresh radishes complement sweet shrimp and creamy avocado in this quick salad. Enjoy this healthy salad as a quick light dinner or for lunch.
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Shrimp & Avocado Salad
Peppery fresh radishes complement sweet shrimp and creamy avocado in this quick salad. Enjoy this healthy salad as a quick light dinner or for lunch.
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3-Ingredient Chicken Caesar Flatbread
A frozen cauliflower-based pizza crust becomes the crispy base for this no-fuss flatbread. Pick up a Caesar-style salad kit to save yourself the hassle of needing to buy lots of other ingredients (everything’s included in the kit!), and use rotisserie chicken breast to simplify prep even more.
25of 323-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean SaladView RecipeCarolyn A. Hodges, R.D.Bagged salad and slaw blends are great shortcut ingredients for adding variety without needing to wash and chop lots of different vegetables. Toss a kale-and-broccoli slaw mix with canned white beans and yogurt-based green goddess dressing for a crunchy main-dish salad in minutes.
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3-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean Salad
Bagged salad and slaw blends are great shortcut ingredients for adding variety without needing to wash and chop lots of different vegetables. Toss a kale-and-broccoli slaw mix with canned white beans and yogurt-based green goddess dressing for a crunchy main-dish salad in minutes.
26of 32Easy Cauliflower TacosView RecipeCaitlin BenselThese easy vegan cauliflower tacos with chili powder, red onion and creamy avocado garnish are perfect for taco night.
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Easy Cauliflower Tacos
Caitlin Bensel
These easy vegan cauliflower tacos with chili powder, red onion and creamy avocado garnish are perfect for taco night.
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Black Bean Fajita Skillet
28of 3215-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders & Broccoli with Everything Bagel SeasoningView RecipeJacob FoxDinner is ready in only 15 minutes and cleanup is a breeze with these easy broiled chicken tenders coated in everything bagel seasoning with fresh broccoli on the side. The three-ingredient dipping sauce adds just a hint of sweet and spice.
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15-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders & Broccoli with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Dinner is ready in only 15 minutes and cleanup is a breeze with these easy broiled chicken tenders coated in everything bagel seasoning with fresh broccoli on the side. The three-ingredient dipping sauce adds just a hint of sweet and spice.
29of 32Lentil Curry with Cauliflower RiceView RecipeCombine precooked lentils (often located in the produce section of your grocery store) with an Indian-style simmer sauce for a super-fast and flavorful curry. Serving it over riced cauliflower bumps up the vegetable count and keeps carb servings in check. This 3-ingredient dinner (not counting salt, pepper and oil) is really as easy as it gets. To be mindful of the salt, look for simmer sauces with less than or close to 350 mg sodium per ¼-cup serving.
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Lentil Curry with Cauliflower Rice
Combine precooked lentils (often located in the produce section of your grocery store) with an Indian-style simmer sauce for a super-fast and flavorful curry. Serving it over riced cauliflower bumps up the vegetable count and keeps carb servings in check. This 3-ingredient dinner (not counting salt, pepper and oil) is really as easy as it gets. To be mindful of the salt, look for simmer sauces with less than or close to 350 mg sodium per ¼-cup serving.
30of 323-Ingredient Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprout Hash with Chicken SausageView RecipeCarolyn A. Hodges, R.D.Apple-flavored chicken sausage adds flavor and protein in this quick dinner hash that uses a bag of shaved Brussels sprouts as its hearty, high-fiber base. Steaming the cubed sweet potatoes in the microwave cuts way down on total cook time.
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3-Ingredient Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprout Hash with Chicken Sausage
Apple-flavored chicken sausage adds flavor and protein in this quick dinner hash that uses a bag of shaved Brussels sprouts as its hearty, high-fiber base. Steaming the cubed sweet potatoes in the microwave cuts way down on total cook time.
31of 32One-Pot Coconut Milk Curry with ChickpeasView RecipeThe assortment of vegetables in this vegan one-pot dish add varying textures and flavors to make each forkful exciting. The sweet potato balances the savory spices nicely. Serve this bright and flavorful curry with rice or rice noodles.
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One-Pot Coconut Milk Curry with Chickpeas
The assortment of vegetables in this vegan one-pot dish add varying textures and flavors to make each forkful exciting. The sweet potato balances the savory spices nicely. Serve this bright and flavorful curry with rice or rice noodles.
32of 32Sheet-Pan Balsamic-Parmesan Roasted Chickpeas & VegetablesView RecipeA tangy, balsamic dressing and nutty Parmesan cheese combine to coat tender roasted vegetables and chickpeas in this springy vegetarian dinner. To keep it vegetarian, serve it over quinoa or, for meat-eaters, serve with roasted chicken or pan-seared fish.
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Sheet-Pan Balsamic-Parmesan Roasted Chickpeas & Vegetables
A tangy, balsamic dressing and nutty Parmesan cheese combine to coat tender roasted vegetables and chickpeas in this springy vegetarian dinner. To keep it vegetarian, serve it over quinoa or, for meat-eaters, serve with roasted chicken or pan-seared fish.
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