The Best Low Calorie Recipes of 2021

Coconut Curry Chicken

My husband and I love this coconut curry chicken recipe! It's a breeze to prepare in the slow cooker, and it tastes just like a meal you'd have at your favorite Indian restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon

Roast Rosemary Leg of Lamb

Roast lamb is perfect for Easter time or any special occasion. This succulent rosemary leg of lamb recipe calls for a flavorful rosemary, garlic and onion rub. —Suzy Horvath, Milwaukie, Oregon

Sunshine Crepes

"My family wanted just a light brunch and coffee this year for Christmas morning, so I whipped up these sweet and fruity crepes that were a big hit with everyone! To save even more time, use pre-made crepes,” suggests Mary Hobbs, Campbell, Missouri.

Eggplant Casserole

With lots of vegetables, this good-for-you eggplant casserole is low in calories, but full of flavor. I make it often in summer when fresh produce is abundant.—Marelyn Baugher, Holdredge, Nebraska

Orange Barley Chicken

My mother used to prepare orange chicken with rice back in the ‘60s, and it was so good. My version uses pearl barley instead of rice, and I added parsnips for flavor and baby carrots for color. —Helen Glazier, Seattle, Washington

Sauteed Green Beans

These sauteed green beans with garlic and a variety of herbs and spices come together in no time at all for a well-seasoned side dish you'll make on repeat. —Heidi Wilcox, Lapeer, Michigan

Beef Stroganoff

You'd never guess this creamy, full-flavored Stroganoff is actually light! It's very meaty and features a thick tomato sauce that makes it look so impressive.—Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah

Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes

Wonderful blueberry flavor abounds in these thick and moist pancakes. My kids adore them, and I love that they're easy to make or reheat on busy mornings. —Amy Spainhoward, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Swiss 'n' Crab Supper Pie

Though some parts of Alaska are suitable for farming, we're on the Gulf, where commercial fishing is the main industry. Crab is plentiful here, and so is salmon, halibut, shrimp and sea herring. You don't need fresh crab for this delicious, easy-to-make supper pie, though. With canned crabmeat, it becomes a great "off-the-shelf" meal. Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does! —Kathy Crow, Cordova, Alaska

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

"This recipe is similar to a barbecue shrimp dish I love at a restaurant in Florida," writes Sandy Lutz from North Canton, Ohio. "I serve these grilled shrimp skewers as an entree with brown rice and a salad, but it could work as an appetizer, too."

Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry

"When our children were little, my husband frequently worked late," recalls Michelle McWilliams of Fort Lupton, Colorado. "This eye-catching stir-fry was a satisfying alternative to a big dinner for me and the kids."

Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

What fun! These double-chocolaty delights have a surprise inside! Atop the chocolate cookie base, marshmallow peeks out under chocolate icing. Kids love them! —June Formanek, Belle Plaine, Iowa

Oven-Roasted Carrots

My seven children and 15 grandchildren really look forward to these oven-roasted carrots. As a cook at our local school, I serve two generations of my family, plus relatives and friends from all over our area. —Marlene Schott, Devine, Texas

Easy Chicken Creole

While I was growing up, my family spent time in Haiti, where we enjoyed eating many authentic dishes just like this easy chicken Creole recipe. It's now a meal my husband requests often. —Maxine Weaver, Petersburg, West Virginia

Easy Peanut Butter Balls

"These simple saucepan cookies are a snap to make," assures Marg Mitro of Grafton, Ontario. "In fact, I can whip them up in 10 minutes for school lunches. The little treats are a big hit with any crowd—young or old," she adds.

Spanakopita Casserole

This traditional Spanakopita Casserole features spinach and feta cheese. You can serve it as a side dish or meatless main dish. My dad and I used to fight over the last piece. —Sharon Olney, Galt, California

Broccoli Bites

Herb stuffing and Parmesan cheese add nice flavor to the broccoli in these cute appetizers from Laurie Todd of Columbus, Mississippi. The recipe makes several dozen, so you can just take out of the freezer as many as you need.

Gingerbread Biscotti

Cranberries and almonds pair well with the mild gingerbread flavor in these gingerbread biscotti from our Test Kitchen. The crisp cookies taste terrific with a steaming cup of coffee.

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Aromatics and lemon lend pleasant flavor to this garlic butter shrimp recipe. I like to serve it over wild rice mix from a box. —Sheryll Hughes-Smith, Brandon, Mississippi

Meat-and-Potato Casserole

For variety, you can use another kind of cream soup (cream of mushroom, for instance). But try this meat and potato casserole this way first.—Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa

Wintertime Braised Beef Stew

This easy beef stew is incredibly rich. Since it's even better a day or two later, you may want to make a double batch. —Michaela Rosenthal, Woodland Hills, California

Homemade Pork Sausage

These county-style patties are so simple to prepare. You'll never again settle for store-bought pork sausages that are loaded with preservatives—and not nearly as good. —Bertha Bench, Mineral Wells, Texas

Broccoli-Stuffed Chicken

I was born in 1936 to a family of eight. Much of our food came from our garden and the henhouse. Mother served fried chicken every Sunday, but sometimes she surprised us with this broccoli-stuffed chicken. No arguments then as to who got what piece of chicken! —Donald Laugherty, Connellsville, Pennsylvania

Mexican Meat Loaf

Tasty taco ingredients makes this Mexican meat loaf extra special. Serve with sour cream and sliced fresh avocado. —Tena Huckleby, Greeneville, Tennessee

Skillet Pizza

Meet the Cook: I created this recipe during a hot spell one summer. With the temperature in the 90's every day, I didn't want to turn on the oven. So I decided to make our favorite family pizza in a skillet instead! Anyone who likes pizza, has kids or just wants a quick and simple meal would likely enjoy Skillet Pizza. It's great to take along to get-togethers, too - you can prepare it at home, then just plug in the skillet when you arrive. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Brisket

I enjoy fixing a sit-down meal for my husband and myself every evening, so this slow cooker barbecue beef brisket is often on the menu. It is fairly inexpensive and takes little effort to prepare. Let's not forget the wonderful flavor, too! —Anita Keppinger, Philomath, Oregon

Golden Granola

This crunchy granola—which may be eaten as cereal or used to top ice cream or fruit—makes a welcome gift. Package it in a tin or jar decked with a festive bow. —Maxine Smith, Owanka, South Dakota

Pecan Tarts

The flaky crust combined with a rich center makes these little pecan tarts a satisfying snack to serve and eat. They look so appealing on a pretty platter and make a great finger-food dessert when you're entertaining. They also freeze well. —Jean Rhodes, Tignall, Georgia

Steak and Shrimp Kabobs

These steak and shrimp kabobs make any get-together special. Cubes of marinated steak are skewered with shrimp and veggies, then grilled. For picnics, I assemble the kabobs at home and carry them in a large container. —Karen Mergener, St. Croix, Minnesota

Sausage Cheese Balls

These bite-sized sausage cheese balls are a favorite of mine. Feel free to swap in different cheese for the cheddar. You can also serve the cheesy meatballs with Dijon mustard instead of the barbecue and sweet-and-sour sauces. —Anna Damon, Bozeman, Montana

Coastal Carolina Muffin-Tin Frittatas

Incorporating the flavors of a low country South Carolina crab boil, these tasty frittatas are easy to make and fun to eat. If you have leftover cooked potatoes (roasted or boiled), try dicing them and substituting them for the refrigerated shredded potatoes in this recipe. —Shannon Kohn, Summerville, South Carolina

Potato-Lentil Stew

Jam-packed with veggies, this main-dish soup equals a meal the whole family will love. Serve with a loaf of your favorite bread and dinner’s done! —Krista Goodwin, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Shortbread Sandwich Cookies

I layer a creamy, coffee-flavored filling between buttery shortbread, then dip the sandwiches in chocolate. Guests always love them.—Bertha Seyer, Oak Ridge, Missouri

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

This savory, scrumptious hash brown breakfast casserole uses an egg substitute for lower fat and cholesterol. Serve with fresh fruit for a morning meal that’ll keep your family going strong until lunch! —Cindy Schneider, Sarasota, Florida

Shrimp in Cream Sauce

Looking for an extra-special Christmas Eve entree to delight your busy crowd? My family always manages to make time for this rich shrimp dish. We enjoy it over golden egg noodles.

Dark Chocolate Bourbon Balls

Remember the days at Grandma and Grandpa's house when you made these wonderfully traditional treats? We love these Kentucky Derby bourbon balls—the blended taste of bourbon and pecans is irresistible! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cajun Macaroni

When I follow my favorite meat loaf recipe, I end up with an extra half-pound of ground beef. So I came up with this easy Cajun mac and cheese dish to use it up.—June Ellis, Erie, Illinois

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Bacon lends a wonderful salty flavor while balsamic vinegar adds a hint of spicy tang. Who knew Brussels sprouts could taste so good? Paula Young -Tiffin, Ohio

Rice Meatballs

I first made these meatballs with rice when our children were small, and they just loved them. I occasionally use cream of mushroom soup instead of tomato soup, and that variation is delicious, too. —Mary Kelso, Hannibal, Missouri

Honey-Mustard Glazed Salmon

You won't need to fish for compliments from your dinner guests when you serve this spectacular honey mustard salmon! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Gooey Butter Cookies

As a native of St. Louis, I wanted to make a cookie version of the famous gooey butter cake. And although many gooey butter cake recipes use a cake mix, my cookies are made from scratch.—Julia Nouss, Richmond, Virginia

Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas

I created this black bean and corn enchiladas recipe one night when we were in the mood for enchiladas, but didn't want all the fat and calories of traditional ones. I used ingredients I had on hand, and now this recipe's a family favorite! —Nicole Barnett, Centennial, Colorado

Pot Roast with Gravy

My family loves this tangy, slow-cooked beef roast with gravy. We always hope for leftovers that I turn into a tasty sandwich spread.—Deborah Dailey Vancouver, Washington

Easy Italian Sausage and Peppers

My sister was hosting a birthday party and asked me to bring Italian sausage and peppers. I'd never made them before, so I altered a braised pepper recipe. Now family members request this dish often.—Jeanne Corsi, Arnold, Pennsylvania

Traditional Popcorn Balls

Kids of all ages enjoy this popcorn ball recipe as an old-fashioned holiday treat. One batch goes a long way. —Cathy Karges, Hazen, North Dakota

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

My sister-in-law, who is a dietitian, shared these buttermilk mashed potatoes with me. The garlic and buttermilk in these smooth mashed potatoes that are better for you than typical versions that include lots of butter. —Stephanie Bremson of Kansas City, Missouri

Grilled Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks

When Mom makes grilled chicken thighs and drumsticks, this is the way we like it prepared. It's juicy, has great barbecue flavor and makes a big batch, so it's perfect for a summer picnic and family reunions. —Brenda Beachy, Belvidere, Tennessee

Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

It’s fun to watch my friends eat these meatballs for the first time. They’re pleasantly surprised to find melted cheese in the middle. These meatballs are also great in a hot sub sandwich.

Sautéed Broccoli

I invented this sauteed broccoli recipe while looking for a different way to cook broccoli that was lower in fat and sodium. Quick, colorful and tasty, it makes a quick and easy accompaniment to a variety of meals.—Jim MacNeal, Waterloo, New York

Mushroom & Leek Strudel

This elegant hors d'oeuvre is almost effortless. Use fresh herbs if possible, and feel free to sub in whole wheat phyllo. —Lisa Diehl, Edina, Minnesota

Chicken Tostada Cups

Several years ago I tried a version of these cups at a restaurant in Santa Fe, and I wanted to make my own spin. These are great for gatherings where you can let everyone add their own favorite toppings. —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

My mom made these oatmeal banana cookies when I was young. Now my children like making them just as much as I did, and we quadruple the recipe to serve our large family. You can't eat just one of these goodies packed with chocolate morsels. —Jaqueline Wilson, Armstrong Creek, Wisconsin

Favorite Creamy Chicken Casserole

I created this creamy chicken casserole when my husband was craving a dish his aunt used to make. It tastes and smells great and is now a staple at our house. —Mari Warnke, Fremont, Wisconsin

Sweet and Savory Deviled Eggs

My Grandma Phyllis' sweet and savory deviled eggs are unrivaled by any of the ones I've tried. The sweetness of the cherries balances the heat of the jalapeno; celery and pickles give a nice crunch. These snacks are always a party pleaser. —Adrienne Vradenburg, Bakersfield, California

Herbed Garlic Cheese Spread

I've taken this creamy spread to many holiday gatherings and parties- and there's never any left to bring home! Well-seasoned with a blend of herb flavors, this cheesy treat tastes great on slices of French bread, too.