From split pea curry to mushroom risotto, from roast chicken to prawn stir-fry, here are the best low calorie meals under 500 calories that you can easily make at home.
“Low calorie meals are often crammed full of lean protein like beans, lentils, or chicken breast for example, which are filling as well as low in elements that produce fat in the body. When looking for good low calorie meals try to pick ones with high-water contents as well, such as steamed or boiled vegetables, as this will naturally make you feel full and are considered low calorie filling foods (opens in new tab),” says registered dietician and nutritionist Claire Murphy.
When it comes to losing weight, eating a lighter, low calorie dinner in the evening can be beneficial. Choosing to eat low calorie meals at dinner time is easier for your body to digest. It is less likely to make you bloat or cause discomfort too, which can interrupt sleep. As well as aiding weight loss, our recipes are packed full of nutrient-rich vegetables. Most are high in protein, keeping you fuller for longer as well as assisting your metabolism energy.
And just like our low calorie lunches (opens in new tab), these low calorie meals don’t shy away from flavour either as most are infused with a variety of calorie-free herbs and spices.
Low calorie meals under 500 calories
1. Split pea and vegetable curry
Calories: 288 Fat: 18.6g Carbs: 15.2g Protein: 12.9g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 30 mins
This deliciously spiced curry is packed with garlic, onion, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and heaps of low calorie herbs and spices.
Swapping full-fat coconut milk for the light version is a great way to cut down both fat and calorie content. The paneer cheese in this recipe is not only suitable for vegetarians but is a great choice of cheese as it's packed full of protein keeping you fuller for longer and if you choose the lower fat kind, made with low-fat milk, it’s also low calorie too.
It takes just 30 minutes to cook this mouthwatering curry. This recipe serves 6 - ideal for bigger families or if you’re a fan of bulk cooking. One of our best low calorie meals.
Get the recipe: Split pea and vegetable curry (opens in new tab)
2. Squash and pepper risotto
Calories: 367 Fat: 4.4g Carbs: 71.4g Protein: 11.6g 5-a-day: 3
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 35 mins
Well under the 500 calorie limit, this filling squash and pepper risotto contains three of your 5-a-day.
The onion, butternut squash, and pepper add nutrition to this recipe, particularly the squash which is packed full of vitamin C, vitamin A and calcium too. In this recipe we’ve used a minimum amount of Parmesan cheese as it's quite high in fat but the stronger the cheese, the less you’ll need to use to add flavour. Therefore cutting the calorie and fat count too.
It takes just five ingredients and 10 minutes to prep to make this speedy midweek meal.
Get the recipe: Squash and pepper risotto (opens in new tab)
3. Roast chicken with potato wedges
Calories: 378 Fat: 14.6g Carbs: 39.5g Protein: 23g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 2 Cooking time: 1 hour
This roasted one-pot is well worth the wait at just 378 calories per portion. Infused with lemon and parsley.
A chicken leg contains less fat when it comes to choosing which cut of chicken is the healthiest. It has around three times less saturated fat than chicken breast. The savoy cabbage is a great source of vitamin C which protects skin integrity.
This recipe serves two but can easily be doubled to feed a larger family. It’s the perfect Sunday roast dinner alternative if you’re looking for a lighter option. A favourite on our low calorie meals list.
Get the recipe: Roast chicken with potato wedges (opens in new tab)
4. Sweet chilli prawn stir-fry
Calories: 220 Fat: 4.8g Carbs: 23.6g Protein: 20.4g 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 12 mins
Ready in under 20 minutes, this speedy stir-fry brings prawns, noodles, and Thai sweet chilli sauce together to make one flavoursome dish.
Typically you’d associate stir fry with chicken or other meats, however swapping for prawn instead is a much less calorific option and lower in fat too. Not only are prawns lower in calories than other meat, but they’re also full of vitamins cut as vitamin A, E, B12, B6, and more. They are also high in calcium which helps build and maintain strong bones.
It takes just three steps to make this stir-fry serving four. A great amongst our low calorie meals.
Get the recipe: Sweet chilli prawn stir-fry (opens in new tab)
5. Baked stuffed peppers
Calories: 209 Fat: 13.1g Carbs: 12.8g Protein: 10.5g 5-a-day: 2
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 55 mins
These soft, sweet, and tender red peppers are stuffed with a moreish bacon, egg, and cheese filling.
A serving of this recipe works out at two of your 5-a-day which is great news. The egg and bacon up the protein count to keep you fuller for longer, meaning no late-night snacking. We’ve used a small portion of Cheddar cheese in this recipe keeping the calorie and fat count low, however, if you’d like to lower it further, choose low-fat cheese made with lower fat milk.
Serving six, this recipe will take approximately 20 minutes to prepare. It’s a great way of using up any leftovers in the fridge. Plus it's a great low calorie breakfast (opens in new tab) option oo.
Get the recipe: Baked stuffed peppers (opens in new tab)
6. Butternut squash risotto
Calories: 320 Fat: 1.8g Carbs: 69.8g Protein: 7.9g 5-a-day: 3
Skill level: Easy Serves: 2 Cooking time: 25 mins
Often when you think of risotto, you expect it to take hours to make but this butternut squash risotto is cooked in just 25 minutes.
At just 320 calories and with only 1.8g of fat, this butternut squash risotto is one of our favourite low calorie meals. Ideal for vegetarians, it's packed with squash, onion, garlic, sage and infused with lemon juice. Traditionally risotto is made using a generous amount of cheese but we’ve left the cheese out to make it a much lighter option.
Serving two, this recipe can easily be doubled to feed a family of four.
Get the recipe: Butternut squash risotto (opens in new tab)
7. Pissaladière
Calories: 293 Fat: 16.1g Carbs: 27.4g Protein: 7g 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Medium Serves: 6 Cooking time: 20 mins
Not just a lunch option, this French-style onion tart is similar to a pizza and is perfect as a low calorie dinner.
At just 293 calories per serving, this pissaladière can be served with a side of salad leaves and fresh veg. The onion and garlic not only add flavour to the dish, but they are also classed as antioxidants which help reduce the risk of many diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and more. The anchovies in this recipe are bursting with omega-3 fatty acids and the black olives help to reduce cholesterol.
This “pizza” serves six and takes just 20 minutes to cook in total - a great midweek meal for the whole family, particularly in the summer months.
Get the recipe: Pissaladière
8. Thai prawn curry and noodles
Calories: 326 Fat: 17.0g Carbs: 32.5g Protein: 11.3g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 15 mins
Warming, filling, and full of flavour, this Thai prawn curry and noodles dish is one of our favourite low calorie meals on the list.
We’ve used two cans of reduced-fat coconut milk in this recipe to ensure both the calorie and fat content are low. We’ve also chosen prawns over other meat too like chicken or beef as they are much leaner, and healthier. And at just 326 calories per portion, this dish could be served with a crust of bread as a real treat.
This vibrant dish takes just 20 minutes to prepare and cook and serves four.
Get the recipe: Thai prawn curry and noodles (opens in new tab)
9. Baked chicken jambalaya
Calories: 350 Fat: 15.2g Carbs: 17.4g Protein: 33.9g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 55 mins
This hearty jambalaya is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s super easy to make and leftovers can easily be reheated and enjoyed the next day for lunch.
Chicken thighs and drumsticks are used in this recipe as they are much lower in fat than breasts. They’re also cheaper too which is ideal. This dish is infused with heaps of low calorie, or calorie-free herbs and spices including thyme, pepper, garlic, and paprika. Paprika has an array of health benefits as it contains vitamin A, capsaicin, and carotenoid antioxidants which can help prevent inflammation, improve blood sugar levels and cholesterol to name a few.
Prepare this one-pot low calorie meal in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Baked chicken jambalaya (opens in new tab)
10. Chicken and spring onion pancakes
Calories: 298 Fat: 12.9g Carbs: 24.6g Protein: 20.2g 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Easy Serves: 1 Cooking time: 5 mins
Not just for Pancake Day, these savoury chicken and spring onion pancakes are the perfect low calorie option that will keep you fuller for longer.
The protein in the chicken ensures you’ll be full after enjoying a portion of this recipe. At just 298 calories, serve these pancakes with a side salad or portion of sweet potatoes. Choose semi-skimmed milk over full fat to keep the fat count low, you could also choose skimmed milk as an alternative too. The spring onions add a zing of flavour to each bite, as well as being rich in fiber helping to aid digestion.
These pancakes are best made and eaten on the same day for the freshest flavour and taste.
Get the recipe: Chicken and spring onion pancakes (opens in new tab)
11. Lasagne
Calories: 323 Fat: 10.5g Carbs: 31.3g Protein: 24.6g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Medium Serves: 8 Cooking time: 2 hours
It’s hard to believe that this classic family-favourite is part of our low calorie meals collection but it is at just 323 calories per portion.
Making the sauces from scratch is a great way to ensure that the fat, calorie, and salt content is kept low as some readymade sauces tend to contain a high amount of salt. We’ve used lean beef mince in this recipe as opposed to full-fat beef mince which is a much fattier option. You could swap the mince in this recipe for lean turkey mince, chicken, or Quorn for an even lower calorie and fat option.
A family favourite bursting with veg such as onion, garlic, carrots, and tomatoes. Ready in just four easy steps.
Get the recipe: Lasagne (opens in new tab)
12. Spicy lamb meatballs in sherry sauce
Calories: 344 Fat: 19.9g Carbs: 8.6g Protein: 27.5g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Medium Serves: 6 Cooking time: 25 mins
These tender lamb meatballs are cooked in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, onion, sherry, and dried chilli flakes.
These meatballs are a little higher in fat than some of the other recipes in this collection as they are made with standard lamb mince, however, you could easily swap for lean lamb mince, lean beef, or lean turkey for even less fat and calories. The rich tomato sauce is made from scratch. Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene which has a variety of health benefits including reducing the risk of heart diseases, and cancer. Tomatoes are also packed with vitamin C, K, and potassium.
Our spicy lamb meatballs in sherry sauce are 344 calories per serving - well under 500 calories.
Get the recipe: Spicy lamb meatballs in sherry sauce (opens in new tab)
13. Spanish-style ratatouille (opens in new tab)
Calories: 334 Fat: 7.9g Carbs: 58.8g Protein: 8.8g 5-a-day: 4
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 1hr 15 mins
Tomato-infused vegetables roasted and baked in the oven for over an hour for a soft texture and sweet flavour.
Ratatouille is a great way to ensure you get your 5-a-day. A portion of this delicious dish works out at four of your 5-a-day. All of the vegetables in this dish have a variety of health benefits as well as being low in calories and fat. Aubergine is an antioxidant, courgette is bursting with immune-boosting vitamin C and peppers are a great source of fiber.
This recipe serves four at 334 calories per serving but you could easily half your portion size and serve as a side dish alongside a medium fillet of baked cod at just 120 calories. One of our best low calorie meals.
Get the recipe: Spanish-style ratatouille (opens in new tab)
14. Greek-style lamb burger
Calories: 442 Fat: 22.2g Carbs: 34.4g Protein: 24.1g 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Medium Serves: 4 Cooking time: 30 mins
If you love burgers, you’ll be glad to know that you can still enjoy one under 500 calories.
Next on our low calorie meals list is this mouthwatering Greek-style lamb burger sandwiched between two small burger buns and topped with cucumber. Swap the usual sauces or burger relish for a much healthier, homemade yogurt-based sauce. Greek yogurt is a great source of calcium and is also known to contain healthy bacteria which help to balance bacteria in the gut. Using yogurt as a burger relish is a much lower fat option as well as lower in calories and salt.
This recipe serves four and takes just 30 minutes to cook.
Get the recipe: Greek-style lamb burger (opens in new tab)
15. Vegetarian pie
Calories: 303 Fat: 9g Carbs: 44.7g Protein: 9.8g 5-a-day: 2
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 1hr 15 mins
Made with ready-made filo pastry, protein-rich lentils, and plenty of sweet roasted vegetables this dish is delicious simply served with a salad or steamed veggies.
Choosing filo pastry over shortcrust keeps both the calorie and fat count down in this recipe. Lentils are not only an excellent source of protein but are low calorie too at just 14 calories per one tablespoon.
This pie is incredibly easy to make taking just 15 minutes to prepare. It serves six making it a perfect family dinner.
Get the recipe: Vegetarian pie (opens in new tab)
16. Spring chicken tray bake with green vegetables
Calories: 270 Fat: 15.8g Carbs: 14.5g Protein: 17.1g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4-6 Cooking time: 25 mins
Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s so easy to throw this spring chicken tray bake together in just one pot. You can mix and match the vegetables in this recipe with whatever you have in your fridge.
Small chicken thighs are used in this recipe to keep the calorie count down. To reduce it even further swap for skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts, which on average are around 30 calories less than thighs (based on 85g of meat).
With the added greens, a portion of this traybake counts towards one of your five-a-day. A speedy midweek choice taking just 5 minutes to prep.
Get the recipe: Spring chicken tray bake with green vegetables (opens in new tab)
17. Baked sausage and gnocchi gratin
Calories: 457 Fat: 20.9g Carbs: 48.4g Protein: 19g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 25 mins
This hearty baked sausage and gnocchi gratin is infused with fennel, chilli flakes, and fresh herbs. Gnocchi is commonly thought to be a high-calorie food but in this recipe, we've limited the amount per person to around 80g each; that's 131 calories and 0.2g of fat per portion of gnocchi.
Claire says; "Gnocchi is an ideal substitute for high-calorie pasta options and is perfectly suited to mixing in vegetables and grain. Fennel is a high fibre contribution that makes you feel fuller for longer and has been shown to help moderate blood sugar release as part of a meal. To reduce the calories, swap out the sausage for super firm tofu substitute, which is rich in protein."
This hearty family meal takes just 25 minutes to bake and serves four to six people. A portion of this mouthwatering dish also counts as one of your five-a-day.
Get the recipe: Baked sausage and fennel gnocchi gratin (opens in new tab)
18. Wholewheat spaghetti with roasted veg
Calories: 379 Fat: 11.7g Carbs: 60.2g Protein: 12.4g 5-a-day: 2
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 15 mins
This wholewheat spaghetti with roasted veg is really easy to make, packed with aubergines, drizzled in olive oil, and flavoured with a squeeze of lemon and sprinkle of fresh basil and mint.
Claire, a nutritionist for LastVerdict (opens in new tab), says; "A portion of wholewheat spaghetti contains as little as 174 calories, as well as 6g of fibre to help fill you up. Everything in this meal is low-calorie based, with not one ‘cheat’ component. Aubergines are a high-fibre, low-calorie based food that is rich in nutrients and comes with many positive health benefits such as a decrease in risk of heart disease, controlling blood sugar levels and weight loss."
This dish can easily be prepared ahead and served as a speedy, low calorie lunch option too. Leftovers can easily be stored in the fridge and reheated the next day.
Get the recipe: Wholewheat spaghetti with roasted veg (opens in new tab)
19. Mexican stuffed chicken with red rice
Calories: 479 Fat: 11.8g Carbs: 42.7g Protein: 53g 5-a-day: 3
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 25 mins
Our Mexican stuffed chicken with red rice is packed with jalapeño peppers, spinach, and Lancashire cheese. This mouth-watering recipe is ready in 30 minutes and is perfect served with fresh salad.
Chicken breasts are much lower in fat and calories than thighs for example, which is why they make a great choice in this recipe. Choosing to make flavoured rice from scratch is also a good way to cut calories and fat as some packet rice has high nutritional values.
As this dish is predominantly made with chicken, it is a high protein option keeping you fuller for longer. The spinach, tomatoes and peppers total three of your five a day in just one portion.
Get the recipe: Mexican stuffed chicken with red rice (opens in new tab)
20. Chicken and chorizo filo pie
Calories: 426 Fat: 25g Carbs: 24.9g Protein: 23.9g 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 1hr 50 mins
This low calorie meals is infused with chorizo and topped with crisp, golden filo pastry. A rich tomato-infused sauce brings this pie together nicely. Serve with new potatoes.
Filo pastry is a much lower-fat option than shortcrust pastry and is lighter too so you won't feel overfull or bloated after eating it. The pine nuts add a bonus of nutrients including Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and calcium.
Both the chicken and chorizo are an excellent source of protein meaning there will be no snacking after this dinner. This recipe serves six.
Get the recipe: Chicken and chorizo filo pie (opens in new tab)
21. Butternut squash risotto with crispy sage and pancetta
Calories: 377 Fat: 10.9g Carbs: 57.1g Protein: 10.3g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 25 mins
If you’re looking for a risotto with a difference this butternut squash risotto with crispy sage and pancetta is the perfect option. The soft and sweetness of the butternut squash pairs perfectly with the salty pancetta.
Butternut squash is a great low calorie option. This recipe contains 350g of squash, which is just 126 calories and 0.3g of fat. This vibrant, orange vegetable has a variety of health benefits too loaded with antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin E.
Replace the chicken stock with vegetables and remove the pancetta to make this dish vegetarian-friendly. This risotto is so easy to make and ideal for beginners taking just five minutes to prepare.
Get the recipe: Butternut squash risotto with crispy sage, and pancetta (opens in new tab)
22. Stuffed peppers with couscous, courgette and mozzarella
Calories: 243 Fat: 13.2g Carbs: 19.5g Protein: 11.2g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 20 mins
These stuffed peppers are so simple to make ready in just five easy steps. These sweet, refreshing peppers will keep you fuller for longer and count towards your five-a-day too.
Not only is couscous low calorie at just 178 calories per 100g, but it is also an excellent source of selenium. Selenium is a mineral with powerful antioxidant properties. It is known to help reduce cancer and heart disease risks.
Our stuffed peppers are packed with couscous, courgette and mozzarella but you could try stuffing them with rice, leftover chicken and different cheeses too. This recipe serves four but can easily be doubled to feed a larger family.
Get the recipe: Stuffed peppers with couscous, courgette and mozzarella (opens in new tab)
23. One-pot sausage and squash roast
Calories: 408 Fat: 23.5g Carbs: 34.5g Protein: 15.3g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 30 mins
You can prepare this one-pot sausage and squash roast in just 10 minutes. All roasted together the sausages, squash, and new potatoes are infused in paprika and drizzled in lemon. Choosing good quality sausages will ensure that both the fat and calorie count are kept low. Replace the crème fraiche with a low-fat yogurt if you’re looking to reduce the fat content.
Claire says; "Root vegetables are high in figure and low in fat, and are a perfect addition to a healthy meal. 200g of cooked butternut squash has just 80 calories and offers 7g of fibre, making it a brilliant choice if you’re looking to maintain a low-fat diet. Squash is rich in vitamin B6 and can help combat the risk of developing mental health concerns such as depression."
Along with all the nutrients squash promotes, the sausages provide the added protein ideal for fuelling a gym session or stopping any unwanted late-night snacking.
Get the recipe: One-pot sausage and squash roast (opens in new tab)
24. Wild mushroom risotto
Calories: 340 Fat: 19.1g Carbs: 36.9g Protein: 6.5g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Medium Serves: 3-4 Cooking time: 40 mins
This wild mushroom risotto is bursting with flavour thanks to the garlic, almond milk, and a variety of mushrooms including porcini and chestnut.
In this recipe, we have swapped cream for almond milk instead. Cream is a much more calorific option and contains approximately eight times more calories than almond milk (based on 300ml). Almond milk is also more health beneficial containing nutrients such as vitamin D, which helps regulate the amount of calcium in the body, and vitamin E, which helps maintain healthy skin and eyes.
A portion of this mouthwatering mushroom dish is one of your five a day. It will take around 40 minutes to cook this risotto and you will need to stay with it whilst it cooks to make sure there’s no sticking to the pan etc.
Get the recipe: Wild mushroom risotto (opens in new tab)
25. Sage pork chop with vegetable pasta
Calories: 464 Fat: 31.5g Carbs: 22.8g Protein: 22.1g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 35 mins
Our sage pork chops with vegetable pasta recipe is a great source of protein that will keep you fuller for longer. The sundried tomatoes paste, sliced black olives and sage leaves give this dish plenty of flavour.
Carbs like pasta and rice tend to have a high calorie count. In this recipe, we have been clever and have limited the pasta to just 50g per person, which is just 71 calories per portion. We have then bulked up the pasta by adding a variety of vegetables such as carrot, celery, and pepper.
Not only is this low calorie meal healthy, it’s also super easy too taking just 10 minutes to prepare. This recipe is ideal for a family of four.
Get the recipe: Sage pork chop with vegetable pasta (opens in new tab)
26. One-pot tuna pasta puttanesca
Calories: 302 Fat: 7.9g Carbs: 42.8 Protein: 15.8 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 20 mins
Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pot tuna pasta puttanesca is a speedy mid-week option. You can use whatever pasta shapes you have in the cupboard. Top with grated cheddar and mozzarella and serve.
Our one-pot tuna pasta puttanesca recipe has a homemade sauce made from chopped tomatoes and flavoured with basil, capers, and garlic. Choosing to make sauce from scratch is a much healthier and lower calorie option as you can control the ingredients and amount of salt in your food too.
This dinner serves four but any leftovers can easily be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. You could serve cold or warm through in the microwave.
Get the recipe: One-pot tuna pasta puttanesca (opens in new tab)
27. Homemade beans on toast
Calories: 360 Fat: 13.1g Carbs: 44.9g Protein: 14.8g 5-a-day: 3
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 15 mins
Our homemade baked beans serve four and will take just 20 minutes to prepare and cook. The mixed beans make this brunch option extra filling, making it one of our most ideal low calorie meals.
Beans are packed full of protein. Protein is important for building and repairing muscles and bodily tissues. As well as being an excellent vegan protein, butterbeans are rich in folate (vitamin B9) and iron which can help to prevent anemia.
Get the recipe: Homemade beans on toast (opens in new tab)
28. Sweet potato and courgette fish cakes
Calories: 268 Fat: 7.6g Carbs: 35.8g Protein: 15.8g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 20 mins
Next on our low calorie meals list are these filling sweet potato and courgette fish cakes are bursting with flavour thanks to the splash of lime juice and a dusting of smoked paprika. Two fish cakes work out at just 321 calories, so you can easily serve with a side salad and still keep it under 500 calories total.
Made with both sweet potato and baking potatoes, along with courgette these cod-based fish cakes work out as two of your five-a-day per portion. As most of the ingredients are vegetables, the calorie count will naturally be lower.
Get the recipe: Sweet potato and courgette fish cakes (opens in new tab)
29. Cornflake chicken dippers
Calories: 61 Fat: 2.4g Carbs: 6.3g Protein: 3.5g 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Easy Serves: 24 Cooking time: 15 mins
With a golden Cornflake coating, each chicken piece is tender on the inside, crunchy on the outside and has to be one of our favourite low calorie meals. Serve with salad and dip and you could even whip up some homemade chips or potato wedges too.
If you're serving this recipe for a family of four, you could have six pieces of chicken each. That works out at just 366 calories for six leaving you plenty of calories for sides. Of course, cut the calorie down further by eating less dippers. Four dippers per person is just 244 calories per serving.
Get the recipe: Cornflake chicken dippers (opens in new tab)
30. Greek-style chicken and salad
Calories: 342 Fat: 12.9g Carbs: 7.2g Protein: 48.2g 5-a-day: 3
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 30 mins
Each succulent chicken breast is stuffed with a spinach, shallot, mint and feta cheese mix which is bursting with flavour. Serve with a freshly prepared salad of peppers, tomatoes and cucumber.
Opting for chicken breast instead of thigh or wing cuts the calorie count down as chicken breast is much lower in calories and fat than other cuts. Serving protein with vegetables, particularly a salad, is a great way to keep the count low too. Cucumber is just 14 calories per 100g, tomatoes are just 22 calories per 100g and pepper is just 21 calories per 100g.
This salad serves four and is ideal for both lunch and dinner. A portion of this tasty low calorie meal is three of your five-a-day thanks to the added veg.
Get the recipe: Greek-style stuffed chicken and salad (opens in new tab)
31. Mini roasted cauliflowers with tomato sauce
Calories: 243 Fat: 15.7g Carbs: 13.2g Protein: 11.8g 5-a-day: 3
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 30 mins
Each cauliflower is topped with a thick tomato sauce and topped with plenty of cheese too. The pancetta and hint of Worcestershire sauce add a real depth of flavour to this family bake.
Cauliflower is a great substitute for rice, pasta, or potatoes. It's just a filling, keeping you fuller for longer but without the added calorie count. On average a small cauliflower (at 250g per head) is just 75 calories and 1g of fat.
This dish is so easy you could even get the kids involved in the preparation stages as we demo in the recipe video. A portion of this dinner is three of your five-a-day.
Get the recipe: Mini roasted cauliflowers with tomato sauce (opens in new tab)
32. Leek, asparagus, and pea pasta
Calories: 287 Fat: 13.7g Carbs: 29.4g Protein: 11.7g 5-a-day: 3
Skill level: Easy Serves: 2 Cooking time: 15 mins
Made with three different types of greens; leek, asparagus, and pea, this pasta recipe is topped with a little Parmesan for extra flavour and is just 287 calories per serving.
Other than being one of our top low calorie meals, this dish is also bursting with nutrients. Leeks are a great source of magnesium, asparagus is high in fibre and folate, and peas are a good source of plant-based protein. This dish also includes at least one of your five-a-day.
If you want to increase the protein in this dish you could add strips of leftover ham, chicken and beef and warm through. However, keep in mind that adding meat to a recipe will change the nutritional values.
Get the recipe: Leek, asparagus, and pea pasta (opens in new tab)
33. Lemon chicken and rice stir-fry
Calories: 216 Fat: 6.8g Carbs: 22.4g Protein: 17.3g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 10 mins
This lemon chicken and rice stir-fry recipe is made with ginger and lemon-infused chicken and quickly cooked veggies like sugar snaps and sweetcorn. Drizzle in soy sauce.
Claire says: "Stir-frying food is a great way of keeping the fat levels low in your food. The method results in tender-crisp vegetables that keep more nutrients than if they were boiled, and the process means you only use a small amount of fatty oil. 50g of chicken only contains 120 calories in total. Because of the high levels of vegetables, this meal can be enjoyed without the chicken, and would still retain all the favours."
This super speedy low calorie meal takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook making it the ideal midweek meal when you’re in a hurry. It’s also a cheap option if you’re on a budget.
Get the recipe: Lemon chicken and rice stir-fry (opens in new tab)
34. Cheese, tomato and ham deli tart
Calories: 469 Fat: 26.3g Carbs: 32.2g Protein: 25.3g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 25 mins
Topped with smoked Parma ham, tangy sun-blushed tomatoes, and a light cheese spread, this cheese, tomato, and ham deli tart can be on the table in just 35 minutes.
Fewer ingredients mean fewer calories and it takes just five ingredients to make this delicious tart. We've used curd cheese to coat the puff pastry. Swap this for a lower fat version to cut the calories further.
Get the recipe: Cheese, tomato and ham deli tart (opens in new tab)
35. Sausage and spinach frittata
Calories: 338 Fat: 23.9g Carbs: 10.6g Protein: 19.9g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 30 mins
This mouth-watering sausage and spinach frittata is packed with sausages, red onion, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and plenty of eggs. Serve with salad for one of our light yet filling low calorie meals.
This frittata is made with six eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein and are low calorie too. One medium egg contains just 66 calories. Research suggests that eggs also aid weight loss as they help to boost metabolism.
Get the recipe: Sausage and spinach frittata (opens in new tab)
36. Open Mediterranean lasagne
Calories: 437 Fat: 31.5g Carbs: 21.3g Protein: 17.1g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 25 mins
Substituting your meat for juicy aubergine is an easy way to reduce the calorie count in your lasagne. This open lasagne also has a lighter way of making the classic cheesy sauce.
Claire says; "The main component of this meal is aubergines, which are notoriously low in fat and high in fibre. All the ingredients in this meal provide a good balance, so as a meal it works perfectly well together. Red onions are packed with antioxidants, such as quercetin, which combats inflammation and boosts the immune system. Cut the calories by switching to a light cheese as opposed to mozzarella."
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37. Farmhouse chicken braise
Calories: 477 Fat: 37.4g Carbs: 6.7g Protein: 28.6g 5-a-day: 1
Skill level: Medium Serves: 4-6 Cooking time: 40 mins
It takes just 15 minutes to prepare this hearty chicken braise made with chicken thighs, carrot, and leek. Coated in a rich, double cream jus, it's hard to believe that this dish is under 500 calories.
If the fat count is a little high for you, you can use lower-fat cream or crème fraiche instead - this will cut the calories too. We've used chicken thighs for this recipe, which are a much cheaper option but if you want to reduce the calorie count further, swap for chicken breasts.
Ideal as an alternative to Sunday roast dinner, this dinner serves four to six people but can easily be adapted to cater for more. A portion of this traybake works out at just 99p per portion.
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38. Cheese and spinach pasta bake
Calories: 409 Fat: 26.9g Carbs: 23.6g Protein: 18.8g 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 55 mins
One of our favourite low calorie meals, this dish serves four to six people and is suitable for vegetarians. This bake has a light, fluffy texture as it's made with an eggy omlette-style mix. It also has a rich, creamy flavour thanks to the homemade cheese sauce.
The homemade cheese sauce keeps the calorie count under 500 calories for this recipe. This dinner has heaps of fresh spinach, which is packed full of nutrients, but you can easily add other vegetables too such as broccoli or kale to up your five-a-day count even further.
The majority of the time it takes to make this dish is spent in the oven meaning it’s a great option when you’re having a busy evening and just want something easy to rustle up.
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39. Spicy pepper pulled pork
Calories: 465 Fat: 30.1g Carbs: 16.1g Protein: 31.5g 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Easy Serves: 6 Cooking time: 5hr
Made with a hint of spice, this succulent pork works out at just 465 calories per serving which means you can serve with homemade potato wedges or chips and salad and still be under the 500 calories limit.
This recipe opts for a homemade sauce, which not only infuses the pork with plenty of flavour, it also keeps the calorie count low. We've made sure to avoid any added sugar or salt in this recipe too.
We’d recommend preparing this dish ahead and making it in the day time as it takes five hours to slow cook in the oven. That way you’ll guarantee it's ready to be eaten come dinner time.
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40. Warm chicken and barley salad
Calories: 313 Fat: 18.5g Carbs: 14.2g Protein: 23 5-a-day: 0
Skill level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 40 mins
Not only is this dish light on the calories, but it also works out as under £1 a head for a family of four. With fresh spinach, flaked almonds, and pearl barley, this warm chicken and barley salad is ideal for a hearty lunch.
Claire says; "The mix of barley and chicken means that you have a high fibre meal made from two low calorie ingredients, with very little else to bulk up the numbers. Barley is high in fibre, especially beta-glucan, which can reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It may also aid weight loss and improve digestion. Almonds have a high fibre and salt content, so removing them will lower the calorie levels slightly."
This dish is ideal if you’re looking to get your protein fix as it’s packed full of lean-protein from the chicken. This recipe is also so simple to make ready in just four easy steps.
Get the recipe: Warm chicken and barley salad (opens in new tab)