31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (2024)

These low-calorie dinner recipes are perfect when you need a meal on the table quickly. These recipes take just 20 minutes or less to put together. Each serving has 400 calories or less and is full of fresh vegetables and filling proteins like chicken or shrimp. Recipes like Chicken Cutlets with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Cherry Tomato & Garlic Pasta are healthy, delicious and can help you meet your nutrition goals.

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Chicken Cutlets with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (1)

Though a chicken cutlet may be a chicken breast cut in half, this recipe shows how to make chicken cutlets with double the deliciousness. A jar of sun-dried tomatoes does double duty for this healthy dinner recipe. The flavorful oil they're packed in is used to sauté the chicken, and the tomatoes go into the cream sauce. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November 2019

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400-Calorie 20-Minute Chicken Dinner

Looking to lose weight or simply need to get a healthy dinner on the table? Watch how to make this 400-calorie 20-minute chicken cutlet dinner recipe.

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Crispy Gnocchi Pasta with Tomatoes & Leeks

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (2)

These gnocchi are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside because you sauté them in hot oil. Plus, they leave a little fond (crispy brown bits) in the pan that adds toasty flavor to the tomato and leek sauce, which is cooked in the same pan. Since this easy gnocchi recipe calls for store-bought shelf-stable gnocchi, it's quick to prepare--just 20 minutes, start to finish. Opt for whole-wheat gnocchi to get 2 extra grams of fiber per serving compared to white. This easy and healthy dinner is easy to customize too: see Tips for variations with shrimp, pesto instead of butter, and pork chops instead of gnocchi. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

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Mussels with White Beans & Tomatoes

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (3)

Cooking mussels may seem intimidating, but here we've made it quick and easy. We've added white beans to turn this classic mussels-in-white-wine-sauce dish into a heartier weeknight meal. Serve with whole-grain crusty bread to sop up the flavorful broth. Source: EatingWell Magazine, December 2019

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Easy Spicy Salmon Cakes

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (4)

Looking to add some interest to an easy dinner recipe? Five-spice may be your new best friend. What is five-spice powder? A mixture of these five spices: cinnamon, clove, fennel, star anise and Szechuan peppercorns. (There are regional recipes in China that include more spices, including white pepper, nutmeg and orange peel.) It adds a distinct warm flavor to these healthy salmon cakes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November 2019

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Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (5)

If you've ever wanted to make a meal out of warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. And here's what's almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

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Skillet Eggs with Sausage & Tomato Aioli

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (6)

This breakfast-for-dinner fried egg skillet is a no-brainer alternative to takeout when you're rushed. The sausage and dark leafy greens are cooked in the same pan as the eggs, so cleanup is a cinch. Loading kale into this quick dinner recipe provides some calcium as well as vitamins and fiber. Serve with whole-grain toast and simple tomato aioli for a weeknight dinner that's ready in 20 minutes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2019

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Antipasto Baked Smothered Chicken

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (7)

We like the touch of heat that pepperoncini give to this briny chicken, but if you really want to turn up the spiciness, swap them for hot cherry peppers. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2020

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Beefless Vegan Tacos

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (8)

Take taco night in a new direction with these healthy vegan tacos. We've swapped crumbled tofu for the ground beef, without sacrificing any of the savory seasonings you expect in a taco. You can also use the filling in burritos, bowls, taco salads and to top nachos. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2019

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Grilled Flank Steak with Tomato Salad

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (9)

Cutting the steak immediately after cooking breaks all the rules on meat cookery, but in this recipe we do it intentionally in order to capture the juices and incorporate them into the dressing. Serve this grilled flank steak recipe with crusty bread to soak up the deliciousness. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June 2020

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Salt & Pepper Shrimp with Snow Peas

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (10)

In China, salt and pepper shrimp is traditionally made with tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorns. If you have some in the pantry, feel free to use them here; we opted for a combo of easier-to-find white and black pepper. The white pepper adds earthy flavor, while black kicks up the heat. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June 2020

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Coconut-Curry Chicken Cutlets

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (11)

This easy chicken cutlet recipe will help you get a healthy meal on the table in just 20 minutes. Coconut milk's creamy consistency is perfect for making quick pan sauces--no need to add a thickener. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May 2020

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Mushroom & Tofu Stir-Fry

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (12)

This tofu veggie stir-fry is quick and easy, making it a great go-to weeknight meal. Baked tofu has a firm, toothsome texture that crisps well in a hot pan. You can find it in flavors like teriyaki and sesame, both of which are delicious here. Or opt for a smoked version, which has the same texture with a more robust flavor. Serve over brown rice. Source: EatingWell Magazine, December 2019

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Scallops & Cherry Tomatoes with Caper-Butter Sauce

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (13)

These pan-seared scallops come together in just 20 minutes for a delicious, easy dinner. You'll want some whole-wheat angel hair pasta or polenta to sop up all the rich, briny sauce. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May 2020

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Crispy Cod with Charred Snow Peas & Creamy Herb Sauce

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (14)

This crispy cod recipe shows you how to make golden fish that's not deep-fried, to put a healthy twist on a classic. Pat it dry and dredge it with a bit of flour before sautéing in a hot pan. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2020

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Sweet & Sour Chicken with Broccoli

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (15)

This easy chicken and broccoli recipe makes a delicious, healthier alternative to Chinese takeout--and it takes just 20 minutes to make, so it's ideal for an easy weeknight dinner. When toasted, ramen noodles make a tasty, crunchy topping for a stir-fry or salad. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June 2019

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Barbecue Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches

31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (16)

In this vegan copycat recipe of barbecue pulled pork, we swap out meat for jackfruit, a tropical fruit that, when not fully ripe, has a texture similar to shredded pork. The mild-flavored fruit soaks up the delicious homemade barbecue sauce for a finger-licking-good sandwich filling. Top the sandwiches with a fresh slaw for a satisfying meal. Source: EatingWell.com, November 2018

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Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry with Spinach

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (17)

This stir-fry recipe calls for buying shrimp that's already peeled and deveined, which saves you about 10 minutes of prep time. Want this on the milder side? Swap ketchup for the chili-garlic sauce. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2020

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Baked Lemon-Pepper Chicken

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (18)

Looking for a quick, easy dinner? This baked lemon-pepper chicken recipe is it. Chicken breasts are cooked in a skillet, then finished in the oven with lemon slices that soften and become part of the sauce, with a touch of maple syrup and butter to carry the flavor. It's so simple and delicious, you'll be making this healthy dinner again and again. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2019

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Vegetarian All-American Portobello Burgers

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (19)

Portobello mushrooms stand in for meat patties in this recipe for veggie burgers with all the fixings. Mushrooms are a source of glutamate, a naturally occurring compound that gives the fungi their umami flavor. But to really give these "patties" a savory boost, we brush them with steak sauce. Add a simple side salad or some grilled veggies for a satisfying and easy dinner on the grill. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June 2019

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Panko- & Parmesan-Crusted Baked Scallops

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (20)

These easy baked scallops have a delightful balance of crunchy, golden-brown topping and tender, sweet scallops. They feel decadent like scallops should, thanks to the tasty lemon-butter sauce. Look for uniform scallops; if they're particularly large, you might need to bake them for more than 10 minutes. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2019

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Shrimp Oreganata Cauliflower Gnocchi

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (21)

This cauliflower gnocchi dinner is ready in just minutes on busy nights. A simple flavor-packed sauce marries the tender pasta with cooked shrimp. If you don't eat shrimp, use rotisserie chicken instead. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Old Bay Salmon with Lemony Mashed Peas

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (22)

Cooking butter until it browns adds a toasty, nutty flavor to this easy skillet salmon recipe. Here it gives Old Bay-rubbed salmon a chef-worthy finish--not bad for 20 minutes! Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2020

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Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (23)

This easy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare, meaning that seared steak can be a weeknight meal. Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

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Cherry Tomato & Garlic Pasta

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (24)

This easy and healthy pasta recipe takes just 20 minutes to prep so it's a perfect weeknight dinner. Cooking garlic cloves whole and then mashing them into the sauce not only saves time, it creates a mellow garlic flavor that melds seamlessly into the silky burst cherry tomatoes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May 2019

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Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (25)

Enjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with a white wine-butter sauce and zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness. Source: 400 Calorie Recipes

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Skillet Pork Chops with Peas, Carrots & Pearl Onions

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (26)

This superfast one-dish dinner is full of classic flavor and is such a crowd pleaser that you'll want to work it into your regular weeknight dinner rotation. We call for bone-in pork chops to maximize flavor, but boneless pork chops are a fine substitution. To round out this meal a little more, serve with rice or mashed potatoes. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2019

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Easy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Green Pepper, Pineapple & Bacon

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (27)

This sweet, spicy and super-easy shrimp-and-vegetable stir-fry starts with a very small amount of bacon in the wok, which creates drippings that add tons of smoky flavor to the vegetables and shrimp that go in next. Keep the salt in check by using reduced-sodium tamari sauce. To complete this easy healthy dinner, add cooked brown rice. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2019

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Cornflake Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (28)

These crispy air-fried chicken nuggets are a quick kid-friendly dinner that parents will love too. The homemade nuggets are healthier than fast-food versions--and more flavorful, thanks to the cornflake coating. You can also cut the chicken into strips for air-fryer chicken tenders. Be sure to cook those 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until done. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Grilled Blackened Shrimp Tacos

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (29)

Give juicy shrimp tacos a Cajun flavor spin with spices and a quick sear on a hot grill. An easy avocado mash adds creaminess to cool off the spicy kick. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Cauliflower Gnocchi Carbonara

31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (30)

Frozen cauliflower gnocchi is a time-saving, low-carb convenience food that works perfectly as a base for creamy, comforting carbonara. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Raw Vegan Zoodles with Romesco

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31 Healthy 400-Calorie Dinners in 20 Minutes (31)

Trying out a raw vegan diet or just looking for an easy no-cook recipe? This spiralized zucchini noodle dinner with red pepper sauce is refreshing, satisfying and oh-so-delicious! Plus, it couldn't be easier to make. Just whir up the 5-ingredient sauce in your food processor or blender, toss and serve! Source: EatingWell.com, October 2018