Order now: The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes

6 Delicious Plant-Based Dinners Under 500 Calories

Sharon Palmer

One of the best ways to maximize your health and promote a healthy weight is to boost well-balanced, moderate meals, packed with plant-powered proteins, whole grains, and vegetables. This eating strategy will help keep you full and satisfied for the rest of the evening, thus putting a hold on nibbling that can wreak havoc on your healthy eating goals. That’s why I picked out my top 6 delicious plant-based dinners that provide a balanced meal—all under 500 calories. These recipes are delicious and satisfying, packing in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. You can throw in a veggie salad or bowl of vegetable soup along with these meals to pile on even more fiber without negatively increasing the calorie level of your meals. The high nutrient content in these meals provides you with a bounty of vitamins and minerals that will allow you to feel good about what you eat. So, if you are actively searching for 100% plant-based (vegan) dinners that are both moderate in calories AND flavorful, check out six of my favorite recipes that will help you plan healthy meals for the week.

Six Plant-Based Dinners Under 500 Calories

Potato Crust Pizza with Tempeh and Greens

Everyone loves potatoes, but did you know that you can transform sliced potatoes into a scrumptious crust? All you have to do is layer the potatoes in circles, top them with a flavorful topping, and they’re ready to go! My favorite toppings to add to this fabulous plant-based potato crust pizza is with rich marinara sauce, smoky tempeh chunks, plant-based cheese, mushrooms, greens (kale, chard, mustard greens), herbs, and green onions. You can adjust any of the ingredients with your favorite vegetables and seasonings to satisfy your taste buds. Through in a bowl of vegetable soup to round out this meal.

Kimchi Veggie Udon Noodle Bowl

This plant-based bowl dinner option consists of a spicy-sour kick that enhances the flavor of the bowl and can be whipped up in just 20 minutes. The incorporation of chard, tofu, hearty udon noodles, veggies, and kimchi provide a ton of flavor and nutritional value, so you don’t want to miss out!

Jackfruit Black Bean and Quinoa Tacos

Build a better taco with these flavorful, healthy 100% plant-based tacos, which includes a spicy jackfruit filling, protein-rich black beans, high-fiber quinoa, crunchy cabbage, and a fluffy avocado crema. This recipe is super easy to make and can be ready in 30 minutes.

Southwest Bell Peppers Stuffed with Black Beans and Quinoa

These festive, feisty Southwestern Stuffed Bell Peppers are a meal in one — and one of my favorite dinners for easy weeknights or weekend dinner parties. You can use any type of vegetable suitable for stuffing for this recipe, such as round summer squash, acorn or butternut squashes, large tomatoes, and small eggplants.

Lentil Walnut Bolognese with Spaghetti

Tomato products provide just the right amount of pizzazz to pasta recipes, such as this hearty, plant-based Lentil Walnut Bolognese with Spaghetti dish. This plant-based dish contains a deep red color of tomatoes that is derived from lycopene — which is linked with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This allows you to enhance the nutrient content in your dish while also enjoying a delicious meal.

Veggie Shepherd’s Pie

If you’re looking for an easy, vegan comfort meal-in-one, try out this classic veggie take on a Shepherd’s pie, which I fashioned into easy, individual, potato-topped pies. Filled with veggies—zucchini, peas, carrots, peppers, onions—and plant-based seitan, these savory vegan mini pots of stew are topped with whipped potatoes and browned in the oven. Keep in mind that you are more than welcome to adjust the ingredients to suit what you already have in your pantry and modify the recipe to your liking.

Find more plant-based recipes under 500 calories here:

Tofu Kale Power Bowl with Tahini Dressing
Mediterranean Edamame Quinoa Bowl
Pistachio Turmeric Rice Power Bowl

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *