22 Low-Calorie Meals You Can Make At Home

There are so many reasons why you might be looking for low-calorie, low-carb meals. Maybe you are opting for an overall lifestyle change, or maybe you just want to try to get into an old pair of jeans.

No matter the reason, we are here to give you some options! When it comes to easy, healthy meals, this is the place to be.

We know that it can be difficult to navigate this type of lifestyle change as a whole jumble of low-calorie dinner recipes is thrown out at you. That’s why we have done the work to find the best low calorie, low carb, meal ideas so that you don’t have to!

1. Sheet Pan Salmon Teriyaki

This delicious one-pan dinner is quick, easy, tasty, and healthy!

An Asian-inspired dish that packs flavor, is suitable for a pescatarian diet but can also be swapped with chicken, and has about 240 calories, this is a must-try for a busy night after work when you need something filling.

It is all about finding the easy low-calorie meals that will make both you and your diet plan happy!

2. Crock-Pot Tomato Soup

Needing some comfort food but trying to stick with a low-cal diet? This crockpot creamy tomato soup is perfect for you!

You can stick the ingredients in a crockpot before work and come home to a hot, creamy, filling low-calorie meal that is genuinely satisfying.

Not to mention, this soup is vegan and has just 58 kcals per serving (the recipe makes 8!)

Perfect for those weeknights when you are tired and need some yummy food that you can thank your past self for, you will not be disappointed with this one.

3. Fajita Salad With Steak

This dish follows Whole30, keto, and low-carb diets. Oh, and it is delicious!!

A quick, low-calorie dinner option that combines Mexican flavors and your servings of both veggies and protein, you won’t feel like you are sacrificing a single thing when you eat this salad. In fact, it might make you reconsider needing an ‘end’ to your diet!

Topped off with a chili-lime vinaigrette, the steak pairs perfectly with peppers, tomatoes, avocados, and other veggies to create a meal that you are sure to crave again.

Healthy low-calorie meals don’t have to be boring!

4. Healthy Tortilla Pizza

Another great gluten-free option that can be customized for vegetarians and vegans, this healthy homemade pizza will be a crowd-pleaser.

As the recipe mentions, deprivation is clearly not a goal in any of these recipes. The point is to find healthy alternatives, substitutions, and easy recipes that you can follow to stay healthy and happy.

Since this only needs 5-6 real ingredients, you might be able to pull out some pantry staples and make this one right now!

5. Spicy Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

We have another meal that is suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diets.

This delicious comfort food has a kick that you are sure to love! It is spicy and warm, perfect for colder weather, but also light and fresh, which makes it great for a summer evening.

The point is, this is an amazing meal for any time of year!

Between its price, very inexpensive, easy to make, and flavor, this soup is a gamechanger for those who might be struggling a bit with this sort of diet.

6. Egg Cups

Who doesn’t love starting the day with some eggs? How about with a nutritious, low-cal version of your favorite breakfast!

A great breakfast for adults running to work and kids who need to catch the school bus, they don’t take much more time to prepare than they do to eat. That means that these are a quick and easy option!

Again, these can be made on a budget and the vegetables included can be swapped for alternatives if you so please. It’s about balance, but also flexibility!

7. High Protein Creamy Taco Soup

With only 210 calories but 18 grams of protein, this fall favorite is a fantastic way to get your veggies, protein, and feel incredibly satisfied while doing so!

This recipe offers a helpful amount of flexibility in which vegetables, toppings, and protein you might put in while still managing to detail the portion sizing and giving other great information.

8. Chaffle (Gluten Free Bread Substitute)

So, what is a chaffle? Nothing other than a cheese waffle, of course!

Intrigued? You should be!

Only 48 calories but including 10 grams of protein, a chaffle is a great ‘diet’ food that will ensure that you don’t feel like you are on a diet at all.

A popular keto dish, cheese, and eggs are the stars of this recipe and prove to be great sandwich bread, side to your soup, or even just a standalone dish (they are that good!)

9. Grandma’s Jambalaya

A Cajun staple, this dish is 379 kcal but only takes about 20 minutes of prep time before cooking and is a great, healthy way to return to your roots without getting off track.

The balance of veggies and meats in this jambalaya are incredible, the flavor that is packed into just one dish will make this one of your new personal staples.

With all your favorite jambalaya ingredients, this dish combines comfort, community, and manages to keep its standing as low-calorie.

10. Sweet Chili Ground Beef & Brussel Sprouts Skillet

4 ingredients, 25 minutes, and just 270 calories. What is not to love about this one?

If you need more convincing, take the 27 grams of protein, the fact that you only need one pan, and the knowledge that this dish combines flavors that pair well to create an incredibly tasty dish that is great for colder weather days.

You don’t only have to enjoy this on a winter evening or a fall afternoon, however. This dish is great comfort food at the end of a long day, can be made for a potluck, and might become a new family favorite!

11. Banana Bread

Low fat and only 74 calories per slice, banana bread have never tasted so good!

This comfort dish is deliciously dense, great for all ages, and gives you a sweet and guilt-free sweet treat at the end of a long day.

Scratch that, this dish can be eaten as breakfast, a snack, a side dish, or a dessert. The options are endless!

12. Baked Chicken Tacos

If you are getting into meal prep, or are a seasoned pro, this recipe is for you!

You can prepare and then so much as freeze these baked tacos for future meals whenever you need a quick, yummy option.

The prep is so easy that these are also great if you are throwing a party or different sort of event. The crowd will be pleased and probably not even realize that they are eating something healthy. It really is that good!

13. Secretly Healthy Zucchini Brownies

On top of secretly healthy dishes, take these 87 calories brownies that are to die for, but also won’t kill your diet!

This can make the brownies gluten-free, while completely removing the need for oil and butter.

The recipe gives some optional add-ins, but we think that they look amazing just as they are!

14. Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites

Okay, so who doesn’t love EBTB at this point? Right??

Well, let’s talk about the way that you can really use everything but the bagel to create these cucumber bites.

A delicious, crunchy substitute for everything bagels with cream cheese, we know that you will love this one. Keto, vegetarian, and gluten-free friendly. YUM.

Also, if you don’t already have EBTB seasoning in your pantry… what are you doing?

15. Parmesan Zucchini Fries

Let’s circle back to zucchini dishes, shall we?

These healthy French fry alternatives are delicious, and often more flavorful than those potato fries we all miss from time to time.

Trust us, your tastebuds will thank you after you try this recipe! Eat them as a snack or a side and realize what you have been missing out on.

16. Honey Sesame Chicken

Another Asian-inspired dish, this homemade version of takeout saves you money and calories but does not skimp on the taste!

You can reheat, substitute soy if you need, use shrimp instead of chicken, and make other adaptations as needed. This versatile and convenient dish will help keep you on track while your wallet, and stomach, thank you.

17. Keto Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

Another keto favorite, this quick dish is one that you will love. Great for using those fresh summertime veggies, it can also be used as a heartier dish in cold weather to keep you feeling warm and comforted.

Something that the whole family will enjoy, you can use this as a quick weeknight meal that will bring you together before everyone goes off to start their homework or watch a little tv to decompress.

18. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Rich, creamy, low carb, keto, and truly indulgent. This meal is another great comfort food for any time of year and seems fancier than it really is to make.

Yummy sauce pairs with tender chicken and some veggies depending on your preference.

People will compliment your cooking skills and have no idea that this dish is so healthy.

19. Skinny Bang Bang Shrimp

We’ve got yet another yummy Asian dish for you, but this one lets you break out the air fryer for a crispy, light meal.

This recipe specifically mimics that of restaurants that serve this sort of shrimp dish, so you can rest assured that it is going to taste delicious! It perfectly details everything you will need to make the dish, as well as what you can expect throughout preparation and cooking.

If you are a shrimp lover, or even someone who only eats it once in a while, this dish is going to rock your world!

20. High Protein Crockpot Turkey Chili

Another great cold-weather meal that is packed with protein to make you feel warm, cozy, and full, this turkey chili is a real star.

You can throw it in the crockpot before work, or on a lazy Saturday morning while you clean the house (or binge a Netflix series… hey, we don’t judge!) It’ll let the crockpot do the work while you enjoy your day in whatever way it may be.

21. Zucchini Boat Turkey Tacos

What is this? Another zucchini dish? Absolutely!

These zucchini taco boats pack all the flavor, veggies, and protein that you need for a great rounded-out meal.

This is great for diabetics, as well, to avoid pasta and other carb-heavy aspects of other, similar dishes.

22. High Protein Snickerdoodle Muffins

Who doesn’t love snickerdoodles, right?

These muffins take a classic cookie and pack a whole 10 grams of protein but only 5 carbs and 120 calories. So, you can eat a few without the guilt but instead with the knowledge that you are staying healthy!

This recipe is also great at detailing substitutions, things to consider while baking, and other little notes that will help you along the way.

We hope that these low-calorie dinner ideas give you lots of fuel to keep your low-calorie diet going, while also getting you excited about all the possibilities!

Remember, a diet shouldn’t be sad or depriving, but should let you dive into a whole new world of food combinations that you maybe haven’t had the chance to try just yet!

Happy cooking!