Under 500 Calories

Mexican Lasagna

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Mexican Lasagna
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 °F.
  2. Lightly spray a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.  Place two to three corn tortillas on the bottom, trimming as necessary for a good fit.
  3. Add beans, 1 cup tomato sauce, and ½ cup grated cheese.  Top with two to three more corn tortillas.
  4. Add 1 cup tomato sauce, spinach, and ½ cup cheese.  Top with two more corn tortillas.
  5. Add chicken and 1 cup tomato sauce.  Top with two more corn tortillas.
  6. Add 1 cup tomato sauce, ½ cup cheese, and cilantro.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned and chicken is reheated.
  8. Let stand for 5 minutes.  Cut into eight even squares, and serve.
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Shepherd’s Pie

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Shepherd's Pie
Instructions
  1. Place potatoes in a medium saucepan, and add enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, and simmer gently until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork, about 20 to 30 minutes.
  2. While the potatoes are cooking, begin to prepare the filling. Combine the vegetables, chicken broth, and oats in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, and simmer gently until the oatmeal is cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Add chicken, and continue to simmer until heated through. Season with parsley and pepper. Hold warm until potatoes are ready.
  3. When potatoes have about 5 minutes left to cook, preheat the oven to 450 ºF.
  4. When the potatoes are done, drain and dry them well, then mash with a potato masher or big fork.
  5. Immediately add the yogurt, hot milk, and salt to the potatoes. Stir well until smooth. Season with pepper and chives.
  6. Lightly spray an 8- by 8-inch square baking dish, or four individual 4-inch ceramic bowls, with cooking spray. Place filling in the bottom of prepared dish (about 2 cups each for individual bowls). Carefully spread potato mixture on top of the chicken and vegetables (about 1 cup each for individual bowls) so they remain in two separate layers.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are browned and chicken is reheated (to a minimum internal temperature of 165 ºF). Serve immediately.
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Baked Pork Chops With Apple Cranberry Sauce

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Baked Pork Chops With Apple Cranberry Sauce
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 °F.
  2. Season pork chops with pepper and orange zest.
  3. In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add pork chops, and cook until browned on one side, about 2 minutes.  Turn over and brown the second side, an additional 2 minutes.  Remove pork chops from the pan, place them on a nonstick baking sheet, and put in the oven to cook for an additional 10 minutes (to a minimum internal temperature of 160 °F).
  4. Add chicken broth to the sauté pan and stir to loosen the flavorful brown bits.  Set aside for later.
  5. Meanwhile, place grated apples, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf in a small saucepan.  Cook over medium heat until the apples begin to soften.
  6. Add cranberries, orange juice, and saved broth with flavorful brown bits. Bring to a boil, and then lower to a gentle simmer. Simmer for up to 10 minutes, or until the cranberries are plump and the apples are tender. Remove the cinnamon stick.
  7. Peel the orange used for the zest, and cut it into eight sections for garnish.
  8. Serve one pork chop with ¼ cup of sauce and two orange segments.
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Bowtie Pasta With Chicken, Broccoli, and Feta

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Bowtie Pasta With Chicken, Broccoli, and Feta
Instructions
  1. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat.
  2. Add pasta, and cook according to package directions.  Drain. .
  3. Heat olive oil and garlic in a large sauté pan over medium heat.  Cook until soft, but not browned (about 30 seconds).
  4. Add mushrooms and heat until lightly browned and soft.
  5. Add broccoli, diced chicken, and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil and simmer for about 3 minutes, until the broccoli and chicken are heated through.
  6. Add pasta, and toss gently.  Continue to simmer until pasta is hot, about 3–4 minutes.
  7. Add lemon zest and juice, and toss gently.
  8. Serve 2 cups of pasta and sauce per portion.  Top each portion with 1½ tablespoons feta cheese
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Buttons and Bows Pasta

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Buttons and Bows Pasta
Instructions
  1. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat.
  2. Add pasta, and cook according to package directions.  Drain.
  3. Meanwhile, heat olive oil and garlic over medium heat in a large sauté pan.  Cook until soft, but not browned.
  4. Add peas and carrots.  Cook gently until the vegetables are heated through.
  5. In a bowl, combine chicken broth and cornstarch.  Mix well.  Add to pan with vegetables, and bring to a boil.  Simmer gently for 1 minute.
  6. Add parsley, pasta, lemon zest, and pepper.  Toss gently, and cook until the pasta is hot.
  7. Serve 2 cups of pasta and vegetables per portion.
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Pasta Primavera

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Pasta Primavera
Instructions
  1. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat.
  2. Add spaghetti, and cook according to package directions.  Drain.
  3. Meanwhile, combine olive oil and garlic in a large sauté pan.  Cook until garlic is soft, but not browned (about 30 seconds).
  4. Add mixed vegetables, and cook until vegetables are soft, but not browned (about 3–5 minutes).
  5. Add diced tomatoes, tomato juice, and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Add spaghetti and parmesan cheese.  Toss until the pasta is hot and well mixed, and serve.
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Turkey and Beef Meatballs With Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Turkey and Beef Meatballs With Whole-Wheat Spaghetti
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 ºF.
  2. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat.
  3. Add pasta, and cook according to package directions.  Drain.
  4. Meanwhile, combine ingredients for the turkey and beef meatballs in separate bowls, and mix well.  Measure 1½ tablespoons of turkey mixture and roll in hand to form a ball; then place the meatball on a nonstick baking sheet.  Repeat, and follow same instruction for beef mixture, until eight turkey and eight beef meatballs are made.
  5. Bake meatballs on a nonstick baking sheet for 10 minutes (to a minimal internal temperature of 165 °F).
  6. Warm sauce, if necessary.
  7. Serve four meatballs, ¾ cup hot pasta, ½ cup sauce, 1 teaspoon cheese, and a pinch of basil per portion.
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Baked Eggrolls

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Baked Eggrolls
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 ºF.
  2. Heat vegetable and sesame oils in a large wok or sauté pan over medium heat.
  3. Add ginger and garlic. Stir fry quickly, about 30–45 seconds.
  4. Add cabbage and carrots. Continue stir frying until the cabbage is soft, about 2–3 minutes.
  5. Add chicken and soy sauce. Toss well and heat through.
  6. Remove mixture from the pan, and place in a large colander to drain.
  7. To assemble eggrolls, cover layers of phyllo with a damp cloth to stay moist. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a cutting board. Spray it lightly with cooking spray. Top with another layer of phyllo dough, and spray again. Repeat for a total of four layers. Prepare a second stack with the remaining four layers.
  8. Cut layered dough into four squares. Divide filling evenly (about 1 cup portions) into the center of each stack of squares. Fold one corner of the square into the middle (on top of the filling). Fold in the two sides, and roll the eggroll over so the folded parts are on the bottom.
  9. Place the rolls on a nonstick baking sheet, and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until brown and crisp and chicken is reheated. Serve immediately.
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Roasted Red Pepper and Toasted Orzo

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Roasted Red Pepper and Toasted Orzo
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 ºF. Place orzo on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes, or until it just begins to brown (or brown in a saucepan). Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  2. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook gently until it gets soft, but does not brown (about 30 seconds).
  3. Add peppers, and cook until heated through.
  4. Add toasted orzo and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer gently, stirring often until the pasta has absorbed all of the liquid and is fully cooked, about 10–15 minutes. (If necessary, add 2 more tablespoons broth at a time, up to ¼ cup.)
  5. Add herbs and cheese. Toss gently to mix; do not overmix or the cheese will become gummy. Serve immediately.
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Wow-y Maui Pasta Salad

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

https://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov

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Wow-y Maui Pasta Salad
Instructions
  1. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, cool, and set aside.
  2. In the meantime, place peapods in a microwavable dish, add enough water to keep moist, and microwave for 1–2 minutes, or until warm.
  3. Meanwhile, combine the remaining ingredients together in a separate bowl, and toss gently.
  4. Add cooked pasta and peapods, and toss gently to coat the pasta.
  5. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for later use.
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