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50 Filling Dinners Under 500 Calories

Here’s the problem with healthy dinners: An hour later, we’re hungry again, dammit. But at the same time, we don’t want to eat a super-heavy meal that wrecks the virtuous choices we’ve made all day. That’s where these meals come in. They’re filling but still clock in at less than 500 calories per serving—and there are 50 of them.

8 Filling Foods That Can Help You Lose Weight


One-pot, 15-minute Pasta Limone

Short on time and ingredients? No problem. 

Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed With Barley Risotto

They may look fancy but they’re actually ridiculously easy to make. 


One-pan Eggs With Asparagus And Tomatoes

Breakfast for dinner? Yes, please. 

Butternut Squash And Red Lentil Soup

Who says you can’t enjoy soup year round?

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Skip the takeout with this easy-to-make dish.  

Pan-seared Chicken Breasts With Sundried Tomatoes

Flavor like whoa.

Spicy Red Lentil Curry

The best part: It takes only 30 minutes to make.

Bruschetta Chicken

Low carb, low cal and amazingly juicy—the ultimate triple threat. 


Grilled Jerk Chicken Cutlets With Mango Salsa

Barbecued to perfection. 

Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon

Sweet and savory, our favorite combo.

Spicy Chipotle Turkey Burrito

The more heat, the better.

Tortellini Soup With Italian Sausage

Why choose between our three favorite things when we can combine them into one delicious soup?

Burrata Salad With Stone Fruit And Asparagus

You’ll never make another Caesar salad again. 

One-pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms And Spinach

These are a few of our favorite things.


Cacio E Pepe Cauliflower

Quick and cheesy. What more could we ask for? 

Spiralized Zucchini Casserole With Red Peppers, Spinach And Artichokes

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Who says enchiladas require tortillas?

Corona Steamed Mussels With Corn And Chorizo

A little boozy, a lot delicious.

Chicken And Snap Pea Stir-fry

Possibly the easiest stir-fry ever.

Mexican Tuna Salad With Avocado

Has anything ever tasted bad after being stuffed in an avocado?

Creamy Lemon Grilled Chicken, Asparagus And Artichoke Pasta

Don’t skimp on the lemons.

Gazpacho With Crispy Chickpeas

Make extra chickpeas to save for a snack.


Sweet-and-sour Pork Skewers With Pineapple

No chopsticks required.

Rainbow Spring Rolls With Ginger Peanut Sauce

Prettyyyy.

Speedy Quinoa Tabbouleh With Tahini Dressing

Fact: Tahini dressing makes everything better.

Salsa Verde Lentil Tacos With Mango-pomegranate Pico

There’s no shortage of flavor here.


Kale Salad With Crispy Chickpeas

Fingers crossed there will be leftovers.

Bacon, Onion And Asiago Fondue

Cheese and bacon. We’re sold. 

Vegetarian Pizza With Zucchini And Bell Peppers

Yep, pizza is still on the menu. 

Spicy Turkey Enchiladas With Pumpkin Seeds

Say goodbye to boring turkey dinners. 

Sweet Potato And Lentil Cakes With Lemony Avocado Sauce

Throw these babies on some arugula for a little more substance (and only a few more calories).

Lentil Sloppy Joes

No meat? No problem.

Slow-cooker Stuffed Shells

Just like Grandma used to make. (Sorta.)

Slow-cooker Broccoli And Cheese Soup

Comfort food at its finest.

Spinach And Ricotta Grilled Cheese

This sandwich is making us feel things.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza With Kale And Roasted Garlic Sauce

Pictured in the dictionary under “perfection.”

Spicy Sesame Zoodles With Crispy Tofu

Marinated Fish Tacos

One-pot Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

We’ll eat bruschetta in any and all forms.

Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls

Get. In. Our. Mouth.

Sweet Potato Noodles With Almond Sauce

Did we mention it’s vegan?

Fettuccine With Pistachio Pesto Sauce

And now we never want to eat pesto without pistachios.


Cheater’s Prosciutto Hawaiian Pizza

Our favorite pairing of salty and sweet. 

Grilled Pesto Turkey Burgers

Cut even more calories by skipping the bun in favor of greens.

Oven-roasted Salmon Rice Bowl

Pretty in pink.

Sriracha Almond Crusted Pork Chops

Drizzled with spicy honey mustard sauce, of course.

Rainbow Collard Wraps With Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce

More dipping sauce please. 

Cheater’s Sicilian-style Pizza With Jalapeños And Honey

Tastier and faster than delivery.  

Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers

Have you ever seen (or tasted) something so beautiful?

Slow-cooker Moroccan Chicken

Set it and forget it. And then devour it.

Additional reporting by Alexandra Hough



sarah stiefvater

Wellness Director

Sarah Stiefvater is PureWow's Wellness Director. She's been at PureWow for ten years, and in that time has written and edited stories across all categories, but currently focuses...