20 Meal Ideas Within 500 Calorie
People on a strict diet often count the calories in their meals. Counting calories can be hectic and tiring. Most people think if you are following a calorie-restricted diet, you lack options which can be boring. But when you have the right recipes, you can enjoy the many tasteful dishes and still keep your calories under control.
If you are looking for delicious meals that are under 500 calories, look no further. You can find delicious, quick, easy and healthy recipes that are just perfect for you to enjoy. Here are 20 quick meal ideas that offer calories of no more than 500:
Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers
Nothing can beat Mexican flavors! They are refreshing and tantalize your taste-buds like nothing else. Stuffed bell peppers are a signature when it comes to Mexican cuisine, and this recipe is no different.
It is loaded with flavors from Mexican seasonings and texture from ingredients like quinoa, black beans, tomatoes and Monterey Jack cheese. this wholesome dish is easy to make and store and is just 485 kcal and is a delicious meal to enjoy whenever you like!
Tofu Buddha Bowl
Buddha bowl is known for its versatility and for offering many nutrients at one time. It offers so many amazing combinations of both flavors and textures. Plus, you can easily customize the ingredients according to your need and calorie count.
This tofu and peanut sauce buddha bowl is just as tasteful as any other dish. It is made from brown rice, tofu, broccoli, carrots, spinach and chickpeas.
The ingredients are drenched in a sweet and nutty peanut sauce, making it a perfect choice for lunch! With just 510 kcal, this dish is something to beat.
Coconut And Lime Chicken
If you are a Thai food lover, this coconut and lime chicken will win you over instantly. It is tasteful, refreshing and very satisfying on every level.
This dish is not just easy to make but is also keto-friendly and paleo and has only 502 kcal. The dish’s main ingredients include chicken, coconut milk and chicken broth. The flavors come from garlic, ginger, cilantro, lime juice, salt and black pepper.
Grilled Chicken with Corn And Avocado Salad
Grilled chicken with salad is among the best clean and refreshing yet wholesome meals. This Grilled Chicken with Corn and Avocado Salad recipe offers the best of everything.
The grilled chicken is marinated with spices like paprika, cumin, garlic, chili powder and lemon juice. Grilled until it gets a smokiness and charr, the chicken is served with a rich and refreshing sweet corn and avocado salad. With 472 kcal, you can serve this dish with rice or quinoa as well.
Shrimp Tacos
Tacos are quick, convenient and delicious! You can make hundreds of taco recipes, but a shrimp taco is humble, quick and loaded with flavor. For seafood lovers, this shrimp taco recipe is bliss.
The shrimp are marinated in paprika, cumin, garlic, cayenne and lime. Topped with a blend of Greek yogurt, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic and white wine, you can top the tacos with a coleslaw mix of cabbage. This recipe is just 492 kcal, and you can customize it in many ways!
Chicken And Rice
Chicken and rice are humble, comforting and quick dishes that can satisfy hunger like nothing else. It is flavorsome and fits just well in our 500 calories limit. This one-pot dish is super easy to make, and you can make it in a crackpot.
The flavors of this dish come from Italian herbs, lemon juice and zest, and butter. With tender and juicy chicken breasts cooked and served with brown rice, you can make this dish on both weekdays and weekends for your family!
French Onion Pot Roast
This French Onion Pot Roast is a delicious, hearty meal that’s perfect for a winter night. It’s made with chuck roast, onions, garlic, and herbs, and it’s cooked slowly in the oven until the meat is tender and the onions are caramelized.
Serve it with some crusty bread, and you’ve got a meal that everyone will love. With just 502 Kcal, this recipe is all you need on a cold winter night.
Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff is a classic Russian dish that not just offers flavors but is creamy, rich, comforting and just 467 kcal. The dish is actually a type of beef stew made from beef strips, brandy, cremini mushrooms, butter, sour cream and seasonings.
You can either enjoy this dish as it is or serve it with spaghetti, rice or mashed potatoes. Whatever you do, this dish offers flavor and is very indulging. The best thing is it is easy to make and far easier to store.
Italian Meatball Soup
Italian meatball soup is widely known for its comforting and rich flavor. The soup is a classic Italian recipe and is simply delicious.
If you are looking for a comforting soup for winter and fall, this recipe is the best one! Just a little above 500 calories, this soup dish is made from moist and tender meatballs that are cooked in a rich and flavorsome broth.
The soup is loaded with flavors that come from onion, garlic, Italian herbs, chicken broth and tomatoes. The soup is very easy to cook and works well when you have several mouths to feed.
Fajita Pasta
Nothing can beat a quick, tasteful, and healthy pasta. Among the many pasta recipes, we particularly love fajita pasta. It is loaded with Mexican flavors and has heat to it.
This pasta recipe is made with boneless chicken, onions, bell pepper, and tomatoes. Finished off with cheese, this pasta recipe is a treat for both lunch and dinner.
Although this pasta is 566 kcal, a few extra calories are totally worth it! Make it in advance and store it for later as well.
Prawn Fried Rice
Fried rice is a must when you plan a Chinese takeout! Although Chinese takeout seems super convenient, you can make delicious prawn fried rice at home, which is far easier than waiting for Chinese food and is also super delicious.
The best part is this prawn fried rice is just 522 kcal. Made with prawns, eggs, bacon, dry sherry, and white rice. The flavors come from a sauce made using oyster sauce, sesame oil and soy sauce. This recipe is super easy and very tasteful.
Pork Medallions
Pork medallions are delicious, meaty and almost everyone’s favorite. You might find several recipes, but this particular recipe has so many charms.
For one, it is just 347 kcal which is quite low for a pork dish. Plus, it is so tasty and easy to prepare. All you need is a few simple ingredients like pork tenderloin, dry white wine, butter, mushrooms, garlic, herbs and heavy cream.
This dish offers creamy richness, which is so satisfying. Try this amazingly simple and quick recipe, and I am sure you will love it!
Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Another delicious stuffed pepper recipe that is just at the borderline of our 500-calorie limit is turkey stuffed peppers. It is super delicious and super easy to make.
The best thing is that it offers so many flavors. You get flavors from ground turkey meat, rice, tomatoes and tons of mozzarella.
It is a truly wholesome dish to satisfy your hunger. Make it in advance and store it for later use as well. It is a great dish for meal prep as well.
BBQ Glazed Turkey Meatloaf
No holiday season is complete without a homemade turkey meatloaf. It is a classic dish and is super tasteful as well.
Now when you are on a special diet, you might think your options are limited; however, this recipe fits your 500-calorie limit really well. With just 413 calories per serving, this dish is a must-try!
You get flavors from a BBQ glaze made from ketchup, sugar, Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar. This recipe is a must-try for the holiday season or a weekend party!
Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon or simply known as vegetable and beef stew, is a classic French dish known for its rich and meaty flavor. This is probably the most comforting dish you can enjoy, especially during winter.
It gets its flavor and richness from beef and vegetables, plus all the spices used. It uses beef, carrots and potatoes as the main ingredients.
The dish might sound intimidating, but it is super easy to make and far easier to store so that you can enjoy it whenever you like.
Roman-Style Lamb Roast
Who doesn’t love a lamb roast? It is tender, moist, juicy and loaded with flavor. A perfectly cooked lamb roast with potatoes is often a compulsory dish at holiday parties.
However, you can also make it on weekends using this amazingly simple yet delicious Roman-style lamb roast recipe. Marinated with fresh herbs like rosemary, bay leaf, olive oil and white wine, you get so much flavor. This dish is a must-try!
White Clam Pasta
Seafood and pasta are an amazing combination and excite your taste buds like nothing else. The true oceanic flavor of clam brings out the best of everything.
This white clam pasta recipe is simple, quick and very tasteful. If you are a seafood lover, you will fall head over heels for this recipe. You get richness from tomatoes and creaminess from heavy cream.
And the best part is it is just 421 kcal. With simple flavors, this Italian dish wins hearts!
Tuna Rice Bowl
For those who love Asian cuisine, this tuna rice bowl is a delicious treat! It is super easy to make, and honestly, the flavors will beat any Asian or Chinese takeout!
The sesame-crusted tuna sautéed vegetables like carrots, snap peas, bell peppers, and avocados. Served over fragrant jasmine rice and a sweet and savory Miso sesame sauce, this recipe is simple yet luxurious.
Beef Teriyaki
Beef teriyaki is a quick one-pan dish that is perfect for both weekdays and weekends. It is loaded with flavors from a rich sauce.
The delicious juicy and tender beef flank steak strips crisped up and then cooked in a delicious and flavorsome sauce made using soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes and garlic is just perfect.
You can serve it with mashed potatoes, garlic rice or any other side dish you love. This beef teriyaki is 420 kcal and therefore is a great choice if you are on a calorie limit.
Dijon Salmon, Green Bean and Pilaf
If you are looking for a wholesome, rich, and complete meal with a fish base, try this delicious Salmon, Green Bean and Pilaf recipe. This recipe is not just under 500 calories but gives you a wide range of textures and flavors.
You get flaky salmon, crunch from green beans and a chewy texture of rice. The best thing about this dish is that despite a few elements, this dish is super easy to make. It is a perfect treat for a wholesome family dinner.
Conclusion
So the next time you are looking for recipes that are 500 calories, just remember the above-mentioned list f meal ideas we have given you. These recipes are tasteful, offer versatility and therefore are just right for you. Whether you are on a strict diet or simply restricting your calorie intake, these recipes will give you a wide range of flavors and ingredients to enjoy.
Let us know which recipe you found most tasteful and why. Till then, enjoy cooking!
About the Author
Camellia Jones is an editor at Twigs Cafe. She rounds up all the delicious food from the web for specific diets. She likes to spend the rest of her time with her children.
