50 Skinny Dinner Recipes Under 400 Calories (2024)

Keep it light, keep it filling, and keep it oh-so-delicious with these skinny dinner recipes.

50 Skinny Dinner Recipes Under 400 Calories (1)

You can make a nutritious meal for every dinner and still not see the weight come off. Often times, even the meals we think are good for us are actually loaded with hidden calories. Healthy ingredients add up when we forget to look at our portion sizes, or we ignore the importance of putting together a balanced plate. That’s whereskinny dinner recipes under 400 calories come in handy.

We’ve taken the guess-work out of planning delicious whole-food meals that are just the right portion sizes to leave you feeling satisfied, but are also adept at keeping your calorie-count in check.

Imagine making a tiny switch in your dinner menu and seeing the pounds start to melt away. Making these 50 skinny dinner recipes under 400 calories a part of your evenings for the next 30 days will help you do just that. You won’t need to put in any additional effort at all! We’ve done the work for you!

These skinny dinners under 400 calories just might change your life.

1. 20-Minute Shrimp Scampi Zoodles | 312 Calories

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At 28 grams of protein per serving, this dish will provide you with all of the flavors you love about shrimp scampi, without blowing your diet! By swapping out high-carb pasta with low-carb zoodles, the calorie content is cut in half. In just 20 minutes, you’ll be able to dig into this savory dish, with zero guilt!

2. Baked Zucchini ‘Ziti’ Spirals with Mozzarella | 296 Calories

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These zucchini spirals may be pretty to look at, but they taste even better! We all experience a craving for a decadent pasta dish every now and then, but often times these recipes are chock-full of excess carbs and fats. Not this time! The carb-heavy pasta has been replaced with zucchini, to provide you with all of the same cheesy flavors without the added calories. Next time you’re experiencing an Italian food craving, try this simple skinny dinner recipe!

3. Veggie Niçoise Salad with Red Curry Green Beans | 267 Calories

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There’s just something about colorful salads that gets me every time! This French inspired, hearty salad is loaded with fresh and colorful veggies that will keep your belly feeling satisfied for hours. While this is a vegetarian recipe, you can feel free to add some canned tuna to it for extra protein, and eat it like the Parisians do!

4. Chicken, Broccoli, and Asparagus Stir Fry | 239 Calories

This stir-fry dish uses healthy oils, lean chicken, and superfoods instead of high-sodium ingredients, an overload of oil, and fatty cuts of meat.

4.30-Minute Spicy Butternut Squash Soup | 197 Calories

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When you just want something as simple and straightforward as a bowl of soup, try this 30-minute recipe.

5.Slow Cooker Black Bean Quinoa Pumpkin Chicken Chili | 320 Calories

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Revamp your classic chili recipe with this unique and healthy version that tastes so hearty and savory you won’t believe it’s on this list ofskinny dinner recipes under 400 calories.

6.Jalapeno-Cheddar Stuffed Enchilada Turkey Meatloaf | 303 Calories

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A classic American dish meets a classic Mexican dish in this fabulous recipe.

7. Tex Mex Quinoa Bowl |200 Calories

Keep things light one night with this super low-calorie skinny dinner recipe.

8.The Best Healthy Turkey Lasagna You’ll Ever Eat | 368 Calories

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This crowd-pleaser is made with homemade tomato basil sauce, fresh herbs, Italian spices, lean ground turkey, mozzarella, creamy ricotta, and a touch of parmesan.

9.Vegetarian Tofu Cashew Coconut Curry | 342 Calories

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Filled with hearty, healthy, and totally vegetarian ingredients, this recipe is a cashew coconut curry creation you’ll love.

10. Greek Rice Stuffed Peppers | 170 Calories

Oh-so-satisfying, these stuffed peppers feature ingredients like brown rice, tasty veggies, and savory spices. This is one of the easiest skinny dinner recipes you’ll try!

11. Roasted ShrimpwithCreamy Cabbage and Bok Choy Slaw | 164 Calories

This delicious option under 400 calories is bursting with flavor. The shrimp is marinated in ingredients, like: garlic, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and spices. The rich and creamy slaw rounds the dish out.

12.Baked Orange Cauliflower + Forbidden Rice | 342 Calories

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This is one of the most mouthwatering skinny dinner recipes. The cauliflower florets are coated in panko crumbs, then baked and topped with a sweet orange chili glaze.

13.Sesame Peanut Zucchini + Carrot Noodles | 97 Calories

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This recipe is for the nights when you want to keep things super light without sacrificing texture and flavor.

14.Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta and Pan Seared Brussels Sprouts | 310 Calories

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When pasta is calling your name, say yes to this creamy recipe.

15. Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Red Pepper Sauce | 200 Calories

When you want carby and saucy, give this zoodle recipe a go.

16. Skillet Pesto Chicken + Asparagus | 227 Calories

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This one-pot dish is your go-to for a low-calorie meal that requires little clean up.

17.Healthy Oven Baked Fish and Chips | 275 Calories

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This fish and chips makeover keeps things clean by oven-baking, instead of deep frying.

18.Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas | 203 Calories

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This is a family-friendly recipe that features: juicy seasoned chicken, bell peppers, caramelized onions, soft flour tortillas, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro.

19. Vegan Pumpkin Mac ‘N’ Cheese | 297 Calories

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It’s creamy, it’s dreamy, and it’s topped with savory sage.

20. Grilled Turkey Veggie Burgers | 228 Calories

Keep it simple after a long day with this healthy and flavorful veggie burger recipe.

21. Crockpot Cauliflower Fried Rice | 172 Calories

If you love Chinese food, you’re going to want to add this recipe to your skinny dinner recipes under 400 calories rotation.

22. Lentil Sweet Potato & Shepherd’s Pie | 273 Calories

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Get your fill of comfort food with this revamped shepherd’s pie recipe that you won’t believe is just 273 calories per serving.

23. Crispy Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan | 334 Calories

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Those who need to steer clear of gluten will love this healthy take on an Italian classic.

24. Barbecue Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas | 271 Calories

Your love for barbecue sauce is reimagined with this delicious recipe featuring lean chicken and creamy avocado.

25. Noodle-Free Pad Thai | 333 Calories

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Skip the noodles while still getting your fill of Thai food.

26.Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup | 338 Calories

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When you’re trying to detox but want something warm and filling, this turmeric lentil soup is a great, satisfying option.

27.Creamy Spinach + Mushroom Quinoa “Risotto” | 297 Calories

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Risotto is known for being rich, creamy, and pretty indulgent. This revamped version allows you to have all the flavors you love in classic risotto, without the overload on calories.

28.Korean Quinoa Bibimbap | 275 Calories

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This mouthwatering meal is made withquinoa, steamed vegetables, and a fried egg. Yum!

29. Oven-Crisp Fish Tacos | 396 Calories

Make taco night a healthy night with these delicious baked fish tacos. For two tacos, you’re going to come in at just under 400 calories, and surely feel satisfied.

30.Quinoa-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce | 366 Calories

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This Mediterranean quinoa-stuffed eggplant recipe is chock-full of flavor and takes just 30 minutes to whip up!

31.One-Pan Vegetable Quinoa Paella | 294 Calories

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This one-pan delight is a great option for your skinny dinner recipes under 400 calories menu. It’s packed with all the classic paella flavors you love, and is ready in less than 40 minutes.

32.Low-Carb, Grain-Free Bacon Cheeseburger Calzone | 287 Calories

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Can a bacon cheeseburger calzone really be healthy? This revamped version allows you to indulge without the calorie overload.

33. Turkey Sausage Egg Roll Bowl | 255 Calories

This recipe is just as easy as calling your favorite Chinese restaurant, but it uses real, whole, unprocessed foods.

34. Low-Carb Cauliflower Gnocchi | 243 Calories

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Get your Italian gnocchi fix without breaking the calorie bank with this recipe. It’s made gluten-free, grain-free, and features versatile and delicious cauliflower!

35.Southwest Sweet Potato Noodles | 215 Calories

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Superfood sweet potatoes provide you a healthy take on a typical pasta dish.

36. Low-Carb Mexican Lasagna | 287 Calories

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This dish combines the comforting flavors and textures of Mexican and Italian foods, without overdoing it on the calories, thanks to the healthy addition of cauliflower.

37. Slow Cooker Cheesy Spaghetti | 289 Calories

Who knew these cheesy spaghetti skinny dinner recipes could come in at just 289 calories per delicious serving?

38.Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Tenders | 351 Calories

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Chicken tenders aren’t just for kids! These healthy and delicious grilled tenders prove it.

39.Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas with Cilantro Rice | 358 Calories

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The flavorful pulled pork makes for one indulgent meal that’s low in calories and easy to make. To round it out, serve with cilantro, and you have a wonderfully filling dinner.

40.Crustless Spinach Quiche with Sun-Dried Tomatoes | 131 Calories

This breakfast-for-dinner dish has just 131 calories per slice, so go ahead and have two.

41.Creamy Quinoa Broccoli Casserole with Crunchy Topping | 379 Calories

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Crunchy, creamy, and healthy. What else could you want from skinny dinner recipes under 400 calories?

42. Southwestern Spaghetti Squash | 247 Calories

Bursting with flavor and color, you’ll enjoy every last bite of this sensational spaghetti squash.

43. Down-Home Vegan BBQ Burger | 267 Calories

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Down-home cookin’ doesn’t always have to be full of fat, carbs, and calories. This recipe is delish and good for you, too!

44.Spicy Swiss Chard Soba Noodle Stir Fry | 351 Calories

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Spicy Swiss chard makes this soba noodle stir fry one filling and delicious meal.

45.Artichoke Farro | 245 Calories

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Comfort food has been reinvented with this rich, delicious, and low-calorie meal.

46. Vegan Meatloaf | 172 Calories

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Vegans will be thrilled that there are some meatloaf skinny dinner recipes out there that are so rich in flavor but 100% free from animal products.

47. Slow Cooker Italian Chicken and Sweet Potatoes | 364 Calories

Keep it simple, clean, and totally satisfying with this slow cooker recipe featuring superfood sweet potatoes and protein-packed chicken.

48.Five-Spice Tofu with Chili Ginger Sauce | 320 calories

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Along with the chili and ginger sauce, you can thank the addition ofChinese five-spice for this mouthwatering meal.

49.Clean-Eating Chicken Parmesan | 306

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Super easy, super delicious, this clean-eating chicken parmesan recipe will indulge your need for something filling and heavenly.

50. Pan-Seared Salmon with Thai Vegetables | 309 Calories

Rounding out the list is salmon. This rich fish may seem high in calories based on the taste alone, but this entire meal has a mere 309 calories, so eat up!

Now that you have plenty of healthy dinners to choose from, you need some nutritious snacks! Try these50 Snacks That I Used to Lose 30 Pounds to fight off hunger on your way to reaching your fitness goals!

Just because you’re watching your weight doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderfully satisfying dinner. Just keep the calories in check with these delicious and skinny dinner recipes under 400 calories.

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50 Skinny Dinner Recipes Under 400 Calories (2024)

FAQs

Is 400 calories okay for dinner? ›

Although every person's daily caloric intake is individual, based on their personal goals and needs, nutrition experts estimate that average daily consumption at each meal should be broken down as follows: 300 to 400 calories for breakfast, and 500 to 700 calories each for lunch and dinner.

What is the most filling low calorie meal? ›

Lunch and dinner options:
  • Salad with lean poultry or beans, vegetables, and quinoa.
  • Beef or lentil soup or stew with vegetables, peppers, and rice.
  • Whole grain sandwich or wrap with lean protein, leafy greens, and low-fat cheese.
  • Grilled or baked salmon with roasted vegetables and potatoes.
Nov 6, 2023

What treat can I have for 400 calories? ›

The following 400-calorie snacks are options you can enjoy wherever you are, from the vending machine to happy hour, and everywhere in between.
  • Popcorn Party Trail Mix. ...
  • Chocolate-Vanilla Twist Ice Cream.
  • Mediterranean Munchies. ...
  • Brownie Bites + Milk. ...
  • Peanut Butter Break.
  • Cheese Lover's Snack. ...
  • Beer + Nuts At The Bar.
Jan 29, 2015

How much weight can you lose in 2 weeks eating 500 calories a day? ›

In general, if you cut about 500 calories a day from your usual diet, you may lose about ½ to 1 pound a week. But this can vary depending on your body, how much weight you want to lose, your gender and activity level.

What does 700 calories look like? ›

Here are a few examples of foods that would add up to roughly 700 calories: Three slices of pepperoni pizza (around 210 calories per slice) and a can of regular soda (around 140 calories) A double cheeseburger from a fast food restaurant (around 500-600 calories) and a small order of fries (around 200 calories)

How to lose 5 pounds in a week? ›

Losing 5 pounds a week comes to reducing your food intake by 3500 calories over seven days. The value that represents the decrease in calorie intake is known as the calorie deficit. If you want to lose 5 pounds in a week, you will need to reduce your food intake by 17,500 calories, which is a huge calorie deficit.

How can I lose 10 pounds in a month? ›

We explain how specific changes might help you meet these goals.
  1. Try cardio for weight loss. ...
  2. Eat fewer refined carbs. ...
  3. Counting calories. ...
  4. Choose better beverages. ...
  5. Eat slowly. ...
  6. Add fiber to your diet. ...
  7. Eat a high protein breakfast. ...
  8. Get enough sleep every night.
Jun 30, 2023

What foods can I eat unlimited amounts of? ›

Let's take a look at some of these wonderful foods:
  • Celery. Celery is a vegetable that is made up of 95% water! ...
  • Broccoli. It is well known for the natural substance it contains – sulforaphane, which has an anti-cancerous effect. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Lettuce. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Raspberries.

Is 400 calories starving? ›

It is impossible to be living on <400 calories a day! Are you a baby (well a few bottles of milk should be around that range)?? Obviously not, so you shouldn't be starving yourself. If you are doing this to lose weight, planning your diet and reducing unhealthy food can be a better way at weight management.

How to burn 400 calories at home? ›

You can burn 400 calories in a day by doing cardio exercises like riding a bike, running, swimming, or rowing. Lifting weights for about an hour can also help you burn 400 calories. You can also burn 400 calories in a day by getting at least 7,000 steps per day, cleaning your house, or playing sports with your friends.

How many calories a day to lose weight? ›

In order to lose at least a pound a week, try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, and reduce your daily calorie intake by at least 500 calories. However, calorie intake should not fall below 1,200 a day in women or 1,500 a day in men, except under the supervision of a health professional.

What happens if you only eat 400 calories a day? ›

Eating only 400 calories per day would be considered an extremely low-calorie diet and could have serious consequences for your health. At such a low calorie intake, your body would not be getting enough nutrients to function properly. You would likely feel fatigued, weak, and experience difficulty concentrating.

What food is high in protein and low in calories? ›

The healthiest lower energy-dense choices are foods that are high in protein but low in fat and calories, such as:
  • Beans, peas and lentils, which are also good sources of fiber.
  • Fish.
  • Lean meat and poultry.
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Egg whites.

What meals are high in protein but low in calories? ›

34 Low-Calorie, High-Protein Meals for Dinner Tonight
  • 01 of 34. Feta & Roasted Red Pepper Stuffed Chicken Breasts. ...
  • 02 of 34. Roasted Salmon with Spicy Cranberry Relish. ...
  • 03 of 34. Air-Fryer Pork Chops. ...
  • 04 of 34. White Turkey Chili. ...
  • 05 of 34. Chicken Hummus Bowls. ...
  • 06 of 34. Linguine with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. ...
  • 07 of 34. ...
  • 08 of 34.
Mar 3, 2023

How many calories is too much for dinner? ›

Generally, it is recommended that adults consume no more than 2,000–2,500 calories per day, depending on age, gender, activity level, and goals. Therefore, consuming more than 1000 calories in one single meal would exceed the recommended daily total for most adults.

Is it okay to eat 500 calories for dinner? ›

Most people can lose weight eating 1,500 calories a day and when we break down the calorie totals by meal, 500 calories is a healthy amount to have at dinner to stay satisfied throughout the evening.

Is 430 calories enough for dinner? ›

As part of its One You campaign, PHE recommends adults aim for a 400-600-600 diet, meaning we consume no more than 400 calories for breakfast and 600 calories for lunch and dinner. The remaining recommended daily calorie intake (2,000 for women and 2,500 for men) can be taken up by snacks.

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