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You’ll want to gather everyone around the table for one of these delicious, light dinners. Whether you choose a fresh salad, spicy tacos or a flavor-packed rice bowl, each of these meals has fewer than 575 calories per serving. The recipes also stick to heart-healthy levels of saturated fat and sodium and focus on complex carbs, like whole grains—so you knowthese dinners will work for a diabetes-friendly routine.Recipes like our Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower “Rice” Tabbouleh and Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon are tasty ways to hit your nutrition goals.
You’ll want to gather everyone around the table for one of these delicious, light dinners. Whether you choose a fresh salad, spicy tacos or a flavor-packed rice bowl, each of these meals has fewer than 575 calories per serving. The recipes also stick to heart-healthy levels of saturated fat and sodium and focus on complex carbs, like whole grains—so you knowthese dinners will work for a diabetes-friendly routine.
Recipes like our Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower “Rice” Tabbouleh and Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon are tasty ways to hit your nutrition goals.
01of 34Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower ‘Rice’ TabboulehView RecipeChicken breasts on the grill have a smoky flavor that’s enhanced with an easy spice rub. We chose flat-leaf parsley in this salad because it has a stronger herbal taste than its sometimes-bitter curly counterpart.
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Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower ‘Rice’ Tabbouleh
View Recipe
Chicken breasts on the grill have a smoky flavor that’s enhanced with an easy spice rub. We chose flat-leaf parsley in this salad because it has a stronger herbal taste than its sometimes-bitter curly counterpart.
02of 34Lemon-Garlic Pasta with SalmonView RecipeWondering what to do with leftover salmon? This is a delicious and easy way to turn it into another weeknight-friendly, quick dinner. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water—its starch thickens the lemon-garlic pasta sauce and makes it silky-smooth.
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Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon
Wondering what to do with leftover salmon? This is a delicious and easy way to turn it into another weeknight-friendly, quick dinner. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water—its starch thickens the lemon-garlic pasta sauce and makes it silky-smooth.
03of 34Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard GreensView RecipeDipping tofu in buttermilk makes the coating stick for a crispy pan-fried tofu, reminiscent of fried chicken. Spicing up the collards with paprika coats them with smoky flavor while keeping this dish vegetarian. And this quick, easy and healthy dinner comes together in just 25 minutes, so it’s great for busy weeknights.
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Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard Greens
Dipping tofu in buttermilk makes the coating stick for a crispy pan-fried tofu, reminiscent of fried chicken. Spicing up the collards with paprika coats them with smoky flavor while keeping this dish vegetarian. And this quick, easy and healthy dinner comes together in just 25 minutes, so it’s great for busy weeknights.
04of 34Chicken & Cucumber Lettuce Wraps with Peanut SauceView RecipeWe love the crunch from sliced cucumber and jicama in these savory chicken lettuce wraps. Serve with the simple peanut sauce for an easy dinner recipe that will impress kids and adults alike.
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Chicken & Cucumber Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
We love the crunch from sliced cucumber and jicama in these savory chicken lettuce wraps. Serve with the simple peanut sauce for an easy dinner recipe that will impress kids and adults alike.
05of 34Easy Pea & Spinach CarbonaraView RecipeFresh pasta cooks up faster than dried, making it a must-have for fast weeknight dinners like this luscious yet healthy meal. Eggs are the base of the creamy sauce. They don’t get fully cooked, so use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs if you prefer.
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Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara
Fresh pasta cooks up faster than dried, making it a must-have for fast weeknight dinners like this luscious yet healthy meal. Eggs are the base of the creamy sauce. They don’t get fully cooked, so use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs if you prefer.
06of 34Arepas with Spicy Black BeansView RecipeThese corncakes are a common style of flatbread in Colombia and Venezuela. Arepas are made with precooked cornmeal and served warmed with butter or cheese, or split open and filled, or topped, as we’ve done here. Our arepas filling is loaded with fragrant spices and vegetables to elevate the dish.
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Arepas with Spicy Black Beans
These corncakes are a common style of flatbread in Colombia and Venezuela. Arepas are made with precooked cornmeal and served warmed with butter or cheese, or split open and filled, or topped, as we’ve done here. Our arepas filling is loaded with fragrant spices and vegetables to elevate the dish.
07of 34Winter Kale & Quinoa Salad with AvocadoView RecipePrecooked quinoa helps keep this healthy salad recipe quick and simple. Loaded with black beans, kale and avocado, this recipe is as filling as it is nutritious. You can also make the sweet potatoes and dressing ahead.
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Winter Kale & Quinoa Salad with Avocado
Precooked quinoa helps keep this healthy salad recipe quick and simple. Loaded with black beans, kale and avocado, this recipe is as filling as it is nutritious. You can also make the sweet potatoes and dressing ahead.
08of 34Easy Fish Tacos with Kiwi SalsaView RecipeThese healthy fish tacos can be made with cod or any other firm white fish. A lively kiwi salsa and red cabbage brighten up the colors and flavors of the crispy tacos and complete this easy dinner recipe. The key to perfectly golden, crunchy fish is patience—let your oil get nice and hot before you add in the battered pieces. Dip an instant-read thermometer into the oil to make sure it’s up to temp before you get cooking.
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Easy Fish Tacos with Kiwi Salsa
These healthy fish tacos can be made with cod or any other firm white fish. A lively kiwi salsa and red cabbage brighten up the colors and flavors of the crispy tacos and complete this easy dinner recipe. The key to perfectly golden, crunchy fish is patience—let your oil get nice and hot before you add in the battered pieces. Dip an instant-read thermometer into the oil to make sure it’s up to temp before you get cooking.
09of 34Seared Scallops with White Bean Ragu & Charred LemonView RecipeThis recipe for seared scallops with white beans and spinach turns out a healthy dinner that looks impressive and tastes great in just 25 minutes. Giving lemons a quick sizzle in the skillet amps up the flavor of this piccata-inspired dish. The heat helps release even more citrus juice and sweetens it too. When shopping for scallops, look for ones labeled “dry.” Some scallops are soaked in a solution that prevents them from searing properly and can give them a soapy flavor.
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Seared Scallops with White Bean Ragu & Charred Lemon
This recipe for seared scallops with white beans and spinach turns out a healthy dinner that looks impressive and tastes great in just 25 minutes. Giving lemons a quick sizzle in the skillet amps up the flavor of this piccata-inspired dish. The heat helps release even more citrus juice and sweetens it too. When shopping for scallops, look for ones labeled “dry.” Some scallops are soaked in a solution that prevents them from searing properly and can give them a soapy flavor.
10of 34Kale & Roasted Sweet Potato HashView RecipeThis one-pan hash makes an easy fall dinner or a simple dish for a healthy brunch. You can even poach the eggs ahead of time—slip them into steaming-hot water to rewarm them just before serving.
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Kale & Roasted Sweet Potato Hash
This one-pan hash makes an easy fall dinner or a simple dish for a healthy brunch. You can even poach the eggs ahead of time—slip them into steaming-hot water to rewarm them just before serving.
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California Turkey Burgers & Baked Sweet Potato Fries
12of 34Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita BowlsView RecipeSkip the tortillas in favor of this warm fajita salad, which features a nutritious medley of chicken with roasted kale, bell peppers and black beans. The chicken, beans and vegetables are all cooked on the same pan, so this healthy dinner is easy to make—and the cleanup is easy too.
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Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls
Skip the tortillas in favor of this warm fajita salad, which features a nutritious medley of chicken with roasted kale, bell peppers and black beans. The chicken, beans and vegetables are all cooked on the same pan, so this healthy dinner is easy to make—and the cleanup is easy too.
13of 34Skillet Chicken PotpieView RecipeA store-bought pie crust, frozen veggies and precooked chicken simplify the prep for this easy potpie. This healthy dinner recipe is comfort food at its best.
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Skillet Chicken Potpie
A store-bought pie crust, frozen veggies and precooked chicken simplify the prep for this easy potpie. This healthy dinner recipe is comfort food at its best.
14of 34Pan-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.
15of 34Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa BowlsView RecipeThese shrimp, pesto and quinoa bowls are delicious, healthy, pretty and take less than 30 minutes to prep. In other words, they’re basically the ultimate easy weeknight dinner. Feel free to add additional vegetables and swap the shrimp for chicken, steak, tofu or edamame.
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Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa Bowls
These shrimp, pesto and quinoa bowls are delicious, healthy, pretty and take less than 30 minutes to prep. In other words, they’re basically the ultimate easy weeknight dinner. Feel free to add additional vegetables and swap the shrimp for chicken, steak, tofu or edamame.
16of 34Peppery Barbecue-Glazed Shrimp with Vegetables & OrzoView RecipeIn this healthy BBQ shrimp recipe, shrimp are seasoned with a peppery spice blend and served with zucchini, peppers and whole-grain orzo for a delicious and easy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The shrimp and veggies are cooked in the same skillet, so cleanup is a snap too.
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Peppery Barbecue-Glazed Shrimp with Vegetables & Orzo
In this healthy BBQ shrimp recipe, shrimp are seasoned with a peppery spice blend and served with zucchini, peppers and whole-grain orzo for a delicious and easy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The shrimp and veggies are cooked in the same skillet, so cleanup is a snap too.
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Lemon Chicken Pasta
18of 34Chicken & Veggie FajitasView RecipeTime to clean out the fridge? These versatile skillet chicken fajitas are designed to work with whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand. The key is to slice all the veggies to approximately the same size so they cook evenly.
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Chicken & Veggie Fajitas
Time to clean out the fridge? These versatile skillet chicken fajitas are designed to work with whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand. The key is to slice all the veggies to approximately the same size so they cook evenly.
19of 34Creamy White Chili with Cream CheeseView RecipeThis rich, yet healthy, white chicken chili comes together in a flash thanks to quick-cooking chicken thighs and canned white beans. Mashing some of the beans acts as a fast thickener when your soups don’t have a long time to simmer. Cream cheese adds the final bit of richness and a hint of sweet tang.
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Creamy White Chili with Cream Cheese
This rich, yet healthy, white chicken chili comes together in a flash thanks to quick-cooking chicken thighs and canned white beans. Mashing some of the beans acts as a fast thickener when your soups don’t have a long time to simmer. Cream cheese adds the final bit of richness and a hint of sweet tang.
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One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Spinach
21of 34Meal-Prep Chili-Lime Chicken BowlsView RecipeSkip takeout and whip up these equally delicious, and easy-to-make burrito bowls at home. They’re great for a fast and easy dinner or as meal-prep lunches to pack for work throughout the week.
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Meal-Prep Chili-Lime Chicken Bowls
Skip takeout and whip up these equally delicious, and easy-to-make burrito bowls at home. They’re great for a fast and easy dinner or as meal-prep lunches to pack for work throughout the week.
22of 34Chicken 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.
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Chicken Fajita Bowls
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.
23of 34Skillet Steak with Mushroom SauceView RecipeThis steak, broccolini and pea dinner is a one-skillet meal that will be on your table in just 25 minutes! The pan drippings combine with mushrooms, broth and grainy mustard to make a thick and delicious sauce.
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Skillet Steak with Mushroom Sauce
This steak, broccolini and pea dinner is a one-skillet meal that will be on your table in just 25 minutes! The pan drippings combine with mushrooms, broth and grainy mustard to make a thick and delicious sauce.
24of 34Simple Grilled Salmon & VegetablesView RecipeGrilled salmon and veggies make for a colorful and balanced seafood dinner that’s ready in just minutes. The grill turns the salmon flaky and moist while tenderizing the crispy pepper and onion pieces. Round out the meal with brown rice or quinoa.
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Simple Grilled Salmon & Vegetables
Grilled salmon and veggies make for a colorful and balanced seafood dinner that’s ready in just minutes. The grill turns the salmon flaky and moist while tenderizing the crispy pepper and onion pieces. Round out the meal with brown rice or quinoa.
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Baked Beans with Ground Beef
26of 34Green Veggie Bowl with Chicken & Lemon-Tahini DressingView RecipeFor this healthy 30-minute dinner, treat your veggies like pasta and cook until al dente, or just done. If you have a little extra time, double or triple the lemon-tahini dressing and use it to quickly dress a salad or as a sauce for steak or shrimp.
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Green Veggie Bowl with Chicken & Lemon-Tahini Dressing
For this healthy 30-minute dinner, treat your veggies like pasta and cook until al dente, or just done. If you have a little extra time, double or triple the lemon-tahini dressing and use it to quickly dress a salad or as a sauce for steak or shrimp.
27of 34Baked Fish Tacos with AvocadoView RecipeInstead of deep-frying, the fish fillets in this quick-and-easy 5-ingredient recipe are coated with a flavorful seasoning blend and baked. Several varieties of flaky white fish can be used for these tacos. When you go to the market to purchase fish, the best strategy is to be flexible and choose the variety that looks freshest that day.
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Baked Fish Tacos with Avocado
Instead of deep-frying, the fish fillets in this quick-and-easy 5-ingredient recipe are coated with a flavorful seasoning blend and baked. Several varieties of flaky white fish can be used for these tacos. When you go to the market to purchase fish, the best strategy is to be flexible and choose the variety that looks freshest that day.
28of 34Mixed Greens with Lentils & Sliced AppleView RecipeThis salad with lentils, feta and apple is a satisfying vegetarian entree to whip together for lunch. To save time, swap in drained canned lentils—just make sure to look for low-sodium and give them a rinse before adding them to the salad.
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Mixed Greens with Lentils & Sliced Apple
This salad with lentils, feta and apple is a satisfying vegetarian entree to whip together for lunch. To save time, swap in drained canned lentils—just make sure to look for low-sodium and give them a rinse before adding them to the salad.
29of 34Veggie & Hummus SandwichView RecipeThis mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
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Veggie & Hummus Sandwich
This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
30of 34Sheet-Pan Chicken FajitasView RecipeOne sheet pan is all you’ll need to whip up these zesty chicken fajitas. They’re quick and easy to make and cleanup is even faster!
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Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas
One sheet pan is all you’ll need to whip up these zesty chicken fajitas. They’re quick and easy to make and cleanup is even faster!
31of 34Green Goddess Salad with ChickpeasView RecipeIn this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.
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Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas
In this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.
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Creamy Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms One-Pot Pasta
Photography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Sammy Mila
33of 34Baked Halibut with Brussels Sprouts & QuinoaView RecipeFish plus two sides? It seems fancy but this healthy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes.
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Baked Halibut with Brussels Sprouts & Quinoa
Fish plus two sides? It seems fancy but this healthy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes.
34of 34Baked Cavatelli CasseroleView RecipeThis easy-to-make, comforting dish will keep you warm on a cold day and the creamy cheesiness will leave you forgetting it’s low-calorie.
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Baked Cavatelli Casserole
This easy-to-make, comforting dish will keep you warm on a cold day and the creamy cheesiness will leave you forgetting it’s low-calorie.
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