low calorie recipe nights are usually the ones where I am tired, hungry, and very close to ordering takeout just because it is easy. But I have learned something about myself. If I have a short list of go to meals that taste like real food, I actually cook. This post is basically my personal cheat sheet of 10 Delicious Low Calorie Recipes You’ll Love Making, the kind I repeat all the time when I want dinner to feel light but still satisfying. Nothing fussy, nothing weird, just everyday ingredients and simple steps. And yes, these are the meals I make when I want to feel good after eating, not like I need a nap. 
Spinach, Sweet Potato & Lentil Dhal
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A comforting and hearty dhal made with red lentils, sweet potatoes, and fresh spinach, seasoned with aromatic spices.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder or garam masala
- 1 pinch cumin (optional)
- 4 cups low sodium broth or water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- In a nonstick pot, cook the chopped onion with a splash of broth over medium heat until soft.
- Add the minced garlic, spices, lentils, and diced sweet potato to the pot.
- Pour enough broth to cover everything and bring to a simmer.
- Cook until the lentils are soft and the sweet potato is falling apart.
- Stir in the spinach right at the end and cook until wilted.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Notes
For extra satisfaction, top with plain yogurt or serve over cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: dhal, lentils, vegetarian, healthy dinner, low calorie
Spinach, sweet potato & lentil dhal
This is my cozy bowl meal. It smells amazing while it simmers, it is super filling, and it is one of those low calorie recipe options that still feels hearty. The sweet potato melts into the lentils and makes everything thick and comforting without needing cream or butter.
What you will need
- Red lentils (they cook fast and turn creamy)
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced small
- Fresh spinach (a couple big handfuls)
- Onion and garlic
- Curry powder or garam masala, plus a pinch of cumin if you have it
- Low sodium broth or water
- Salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon at the end
I start by cooking the onion in a nonstick pot with a splash of broth instead of oil. Add garlic, spices, lentils, and sweet potato. Pour in enough broth to cover everything, then simmer until the lentils are soft and the sweet potato is basically falling apart. Stir in spinach right at the end so it stays bright. I always finish with lemon because it wakes the whole pot up.
Serving tip: if you want it extra satisfying, add a spoon of plain yogurt on top, or serve it over cauliflower rice. And if you are on a soup kick too, you might like this 7-day vegetable soup diet recipe for another easy, veggie packed option.
;
Chicken and Rice Bowls
Chicken and rice bowls are my meal prep lifesaver. They are simple, flexible, and they reheat like a dream. This is one of those low calorie recipe ideas where you can keep it basic or make it feel like a restaurant bowl with just a few toppings.
Here is my go to combo: cooked rice (I usually do brown rice or jasmine), grilled or pan cooked chicken breast, crunchy cucumber, shredded carrots, and a little sauce. The sauce matters. I like a quick mix of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. It tastes creamy but stays light.
If you want to lean even more into the flavor side, try making a simple basil sauce. I have been obsessed with this low calorie pesto lately. A small spoon goes a long way and makes a bowl feel fancy without being heavy.
Quick bowl formula that never fails:
Base (rice or greens) + protein (chicken) + crunch (veg) + something tangy (lemon or pickles) + sauce (yogurt or pesto).
;
Lime Grilled Chicken
This is the chicken I make when I want big flavor without a long ingredient list. Lime grilled chicken is bright, a little smoky, and it works for tacos, salads, bowls, or just eating straight from the cutting board while you pretend you are “taste testing.”
My simple lime marinade
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: a tablespoon of olive oil, but you can skip it
I marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to overnight. Grill it if you can, but a hot skillet works too. The key is not overcooking. Pull it when it is just done, then let it rest for a few minutes before slicing so it stays juicy.
Serving ideas that keep it light: slice over a big salad, tuck into lettuce wraps, or pair with grilled veggies. If you like quick snacky sides while the chicken cooks, I keep a list of ideas like this low calorie high fibre snacks post because sometimes I need something crunchy right now.
;
Grilled Salmon Fillet
Salmon is one of my favorite “I want dinner to feel special but still healthy” meals. It cooks fast and tastes rich, so you do not need much to make it satisfying. Even though salmon has healthy fats, it still fits beautifully into a low calorie recipe plan if you keep portions reasonable and pair it with lighter sides.
My simple method: pat salmon dry, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Grill skin side down if it has skin, or bake if grilling is not happening today. I like it with asparagus, zucchini, or a big cucumber salad.
Two small tips that really help:
1) Do not mess with it too soon. Let it cook so it releases easily.
2) Finish with lemon juice right before serving. It makes it taste fresh and not fishy.
If you are into warm, comforting meals for the week, I also make a pot of this low sodium classic chicken noodle soup recipe and rotate it with salmon nights. It is a nice balance.
;
Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
Okay, here is the fun part. This section rounds out the list so you truly have 10 Delicious Low Calorie Recipes You’ll Love Making. I am keeping these quick because they are more like my weeknight hits than long formal recipes.
Six more favorites I actually make on repeat
1) Egg roll in a bowl
Ground turkey or chicken, shredded cabbage, carrots, soy sauce or coconut aminos, garlic, and ginger. Cook it all in one pan. It tastes like takeout, but lighter.
2) Zucchini noodle turkey marinara
Warm marinara sauce with cooked turkey and pile it on zoodles. If you are starving, do half pasta and half zoodles so it still feels like a real bowl.
3) Veggie loaded omelet
Eggs, mushrooms, spinach, onions, and a sprinkle of cheese. Fast, filling, and great for breakfast for dinner.
4) Greek yogurt chicken salad
Shredded chicken, Greek yogurt, Dijon, celery, grapes or apples, salt and pepper. I eat it in lettuce cups or on a rice cake.
5) Sheet pan shrimp fajitas
Shrimp, bell peppers, onion, fajita seasoning, and lime. Roast everything and serve in lettuce wraps or small tortillas.
6) Berry protein pudding bowl
This is my sweet tooth fix that still feels “good for me.” If you want a more structured version, check out this 7-ingredient protein pudding recipe. I top mine with berries and a pinch of cinnamon.
Real talk: if you are trying to stick with a low calorie recipe routine, variety is what saves you. I rotate chicken, salmon, eggs, and lentils, then swap seasonings so it never gets boring.
;
Common Questions
Q: How do I keep these meals low calorie without feeling hungry?
A: Build your plate with a lot of veggies and a solid protein. Lentils, chicken, fish, and Greek yogurt help a ton. Also, do not skip seasoning. Boring food makes you snack later.
Q: What is the easiest low calorie recipe for total beginners?
A: Chicken and rice bowls. Cook rice, cook chicken, chop a few veggies, add a quick yogurt sauce. No fancy timing required.
Q: Can I meal prep these for the week?
A: Yes. Dhal, chicken bowls, and soup type meals hold up especially well. Keep sauces separate so things do not get soggy.
Q: What are good sides that do not add a lot of calories?
A: Big salads, roasted broccoli, steamed green beans, cauliflower rice, cucumber salad, and berry bowls. Simple is fine.
Q: How do I make grilled chicken not dry?
A: Do not overcook it, and let it rest after cooking. A quick marinade with lime or yogurt also helps keep it tender.
A few last notes before you start cooking
If you want more inspiration beyond my kitchen, I love browsing collections like Low-calorie recipes – BBC Good Food when I am stuck in a dinner rut. And when I need something fast, this list of 66 Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes – Taste of Home is super practical. For more health focused ideas, I also save recipes from Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes – EatingWell because they keep things realistic and weeknight friendly.
Pick one low calorie recipe from this post and make it this week, then keep the leftovers for future you. The whole point is to make cooking easier, not harder. Once you find two or three meals you genuinely like, it gets so much simpler to stay consistent. Let me know which one you try first. 
