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11 Amazing Summertime Dinners for Under 500 Calories
Posted: August 5, 2021 1:47 pm
From grilled bacon cheeseburgers to ice cream sandwiches, summer isn’t always filled with the most diet-friendly foods. After all those celebrations, we don’t always feel, or look, our best. Whether you’re looking to lose a few pounds or just want to regain your healthy glow, these 11 delicious summer recipes can help you pack in the nutrients your body needs at under 500 calories per serving.
Grilled Gnocchi with Summer Squash and Burst Tomatoes
345 Calories per Serving
Grilled gnocchi is a first, even for us! It does not disappoint, with crisp, charred lines and a soft pillowy center. The Kitchn throws these gnocchi kebabs on the grill with cherry tomatoes and ribbons of zucchini. Tossed with fresh parmesan cheese, basil and red pepper flakes, this low-cal meal is beautiful enough for a party.
Summer Fish Tacos
452 Calories per Serving
For under 500 calories, these fish tacos from Skinny Ms. pack in a whopping 43g of protein. Filling without being heavy, this recipe loads on the veggies with a combination of salsa, corn and cabbage. Greek yogurt adds the perfect creamy topping with a twist of bright, fresh lime juice to bring out those summer flavors.
Vegan Tempeh Egg Roll Bowls
288 Calories per Serving
If you’re a volume eater, this ultra low-calorie egg roll bowl is the recipe for you! In under 20 minutes, Making Thyme for Health pulls together a healthy mix of vegetable slaw and tempeh tossed in a sweet and savory Asian dressing. Coming in at under 300 calories per serving, you don’t have to feel bad about going back for seconds!
Citrus Shrimp and Avocado Salad
374 Calories per Serving
This simple shrimp salad from Foodie Crush captures everything we love about summer. Fresh avocado adds creaminess to a mix of fresh greens and crispy almonds. The shrimp are pan-seared in lemon or orange juice for a bright citrus burst with every bite. Mixing extra fruit juice with olive oil, this salad has a light, flavorful dressing that brings the whole dish together.
Asian Steak Roll-Ups
149 Calories per Serving
For a low-carb option, Mantitlement wraps strips of steak around sliced veggies for an easy summer meal. Glazed with a homemade Asian sauce, the meat takes on a savory ginger and sesame flavor. At just under 150 calories per serving, you can load up on wraps or pair this with rice (or cauliflower rice) for a filling dinner the whole family will love.
Marinated Chicken with Cilantro-Pineapple Salsa
489 Calories per Serving
In need of a tropical vacation? While you can’t get away every day, you can bring those tropical flavors to the dinner table with this chicken recipe from Chelsea’s Messy Apron. This chicken is marinated in a lime and honey mixture with garlic and spices for maximum flavor. Laid over rice and topped with fresh pineapple salsa, this tastes so indulgent for just under 500 calories!
Pasta Primavera
415 Calories per Serving
A low-calorie pasta recipe? You got it! Although pasta has a bad reputation when it comes to dieting, this recipe from Cooking Classy tops penne noodles with seven types of veggies for a vitamin-packed, low-calorie meal. With lemon, garlic and parmesan adding a punch of flavor, this rainbow-colored dish is anything but boring.
Salmon Burgers with Lemon Dill Sauce
344 Calories per Serving
When it comes to salmon burgers, it’s all about the mix. Jessica Gavin avoids dry, flavorless patties by adding mustard, shallots, capers and dill to the mix. In addition to all that flavor, she also uses breadcrumbs to soak up savory juices as the burgers cook, keeping the patties tender. Topped with a homemade lemon dill sauce, these creamy burgers won’t leave you missing the beef.
Grilled Bruscetta Chicken
288 Calories per Serving
Whether you’re following a keto diet or just looking for a low-carb, high protein option, this chicken recipe from Le Creme De La Crumb hits the mark! This dish comes together in 30-minutes with juicy grilled chicken, melted mozzarella cheese and a fresh tomato and basil topping. With 31g of protein, this simple Italian recipe is a crowd-pleaser for everything from weeknight dinners to summer parties.
Peach Burrata Salad
278 Calories per Serving
Just because you’re eating light, it doesn’t mean you can’t still pull out all the stops for a fancy meal. This peach burrata salad from The Kitchen Girl is as fancy as any dish you would see in an upscale restaurant and makes the perfect summer lunch or party appetizer. Combining fresh, juicy peaches, creamy burrata cheese and salty prosciutto, this salad is topped with crushed pistachios and a bright vinaigrette.
Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups
434 Calories per Serving
Swapping traditional lasagna noodles for thinly sliced strips of zucchini, Spoon, Fork, Bacon turns the classic Italian dish into a fun, low-carb meal. This recipe uses a combination of ground turkey and turkey sausage for a lean filling but these roll-ups can easily be made vegetarian by swapping meat for spinach and peppers (or any other veggie)! Each roll is loaded with seasoned ricotta, basil and marinara before being baked to a bubbly golden brown.
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