Check out this list of 37 Vegetarian Dinners Under 500 Calories for quick and easy recipe options sure to satisfy hunger. This list of low-cal recipes includes something for every craving! Grams of fat are included as well.
Sometimes you’re craving pizza, and other times pasta. Sometimes you want greens, but a salad just won’t do! No matter what your craving may be, it’s usually easier when you can quickly reference a list of recipes that are sure to taste great but will be within your caloric limits too. That’s exactly what this list includes!
In this post you’ll find 37 vegetarian dinner ideas under 500 calories that are sure to rock your palette no matter your choice. Enjoy robust gyros, veggie-packed lasagna, creamy, bisque soup, or even jam-packed vegetarian sushi rolls!
Transform this week’s meal lineup with delicious meals that fit easily into your calorie allowance each and every time.
1
Israeli Couscous Salad with Beet and Feta
Try to think of a pink food. There aren't many, are there? The beautiful deep magenta shade of this beet Israeli couscous salad makes it that much more fun! Each bite is filled with delicious flavors that come from ingredients like feta, lemon juice, and beets. (279 calories, 8.1. grams fat)
2
Sweet Potato Salad with Quinoa and Hummus Dressing
Sweet potatoes do NOT have to be boring, and this sweet potato salad proves it. It's filled with delicious quinoa, arugula, onions, and feta, and it's topped with a yummy low-fat hummus dressing. Yum x 1 million! (267 calories, 10.3 grams fat)
3
Bulgur Salad with Feta and Pomegranate
This bulgur salad is a refreshing starter perfect for anyone who wants something light and delicious. It's made with whole grains, herbs, and juicy pomegranate seeds. Like many of my favorite appetizers, it also includes feta! (271 calories, 10.5 grams fat)
4
Greek Salad Sushi
Love sushi but not a fan of how long it takes to make (not to mention the mess!)? Instead, try your hand at making these perfectly crunchy Mediterranean-inspired Greek sushi rolls that take everything good about Greek salad and wrap it up into yummy rolls of sushi! (54 calories, 2.2 grams fat)
5
Chimichurri Orzo Salad
Need something quick and easy? Try this chimichurri orzo salad! It's loaded with veggies and made with lime juice, red wine vinegar, and plenty of spices. Topped with a simple herby dressing, this salad certainly doesn't skimp out on flavor! (448 calories, 30 grams fat)
1
Fresh Tomato Soup with Basil
Nothing screams cozy like a classic bowl of fresh tomato soup. This one uses garden-ripe tomatoes and fresh ingredients for a soup that's free of preservatives and full of all-natural flavor! It's an easy homemade soup that's perfect for using up those juicy summer tomatoes. (123 calories, 4.9 grams fat)
2
Easy Slow Cooker Cauliflower Soup
This recipe is great for days where prep time is slim. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare, and after that the rest of the magic happens in the slow cooker! Top with chickpeas seasoned with paprika and cumin. PS... This soup is accidentally vegan! (393 calories, 21.7 grams fat)
3
Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
This rich and creamy soup is the perfect meal for enjoying on the couch under a warm blanket. It's made with butternut squash, veggie broth, coconut milk, and secretly has a granny smith apple mixed in! (298 calories, 15.4 grams fat)
4
Romesco Roasted Red Pepper Soup
This roasted red pepper soup draws inspiration from the delicious Spanish pepper sauce, romesco! With smoky roasted peppers, juicy Roma tomatoes, and a dollop of almond butter, this is a creamy soup that gets dinner on the table in under 15 minutes. (220 calories, 9.9 grams fat)
5
This savory strawberry gazpacho soup sneaks fruity flavors in with strawberries. It's filled with cucumber, onion, and roasted red pepper flavors that are incredibly refreshing and served cold to create the ultimate cooling summer salad! (463 calories, 43.9 grams fat)
6
Creamy Vegan White Bean Soup
If you want your house to smell delicious, make this soup. It's a creamy white bean bowl of deliciousness that comes together with little effort. It's wonderfully warming and perfect for filling bellies! (383 calories, 8.5 grams fat)
1
Portobello Mushroom Gyros
Everything is better with tzatziki! You'll feel the same way when enjoying these vegetarian portobello mushroom gyros. They're seasoned with Mediterranean spices and are sauteed to meaty perfection! With only 368 calories each, this is definitely a go-to low-cal meal.
2
Roasted Chickpea Gyros
Feed a crowd quickly and easily with roasted chickpea gyros. Load up on onion, lettuce, and tomato, and place it atop a pita flatbread with delicious tzatziki sauce for a refreshing meal any time of the day. (331 calories, 12.6 grams fat)
3
Corn and Pulled Mushroom Vegetarian Tacos
Oyster mushrooms have never tasted so delicious! These vegetarian pulled "pork" mushroom tacos are loaded with adobo-spiced pulled mushrooms for a texture exactly like pulled pork! Add a fresh corn ceviche for a sweet crunch. (250 calories, 15.5 grams fat)
4
Soyrizo Tacos with Adobo Crème
What's better than an overflowing taco filled with delicious quick-pickled red cabbage and vegan chorizo? I'd say close to nothing. Topped off with a smoky adobo créme, these soyrizo tacos are not playing around! (245 calories, 13.9 grams fat).
5
Kimchi Tempeh Tacos
Looking for an easy, Asian-inspired taco recipe sure to please your tastebuds and leave your stomach feeling nice and full? These kimchi tempeh tacos will do just that. They’re totally delicious and require only 20 minutes to make! Plus, the kimchi is great for your gut. (336 calories, 22.6 grams fat)
6
Mushroom Carnitas Tacos
Mushroom carnitas tacos are made with oyster mushrooms, pickled onions, and a delicious cilantro sauce. These gourmet tacos are packed with delicious vegetarian carnitas flavors and are a good low-cal option! (250 calories, 17.6 grams fat)
7
Mashed Potato Black Bean Burgers
Finally, the search for the perfect black bean burger is over! Thesemashed potato black bean burgers make a healthy and filling meal, or you can make them into sliders for a mouth-wateringvegetarian option perfect for the game day appetizer table. (144 calories, 2 grams fat)
1
Vegetarian Lasagna
Classic, authentic ingredients like marinara, zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, and bechamel sauce complete this vegetarian lasagna. The sauce is a traditional lasagna addition and is made of milk, butter, flour, parmesan, and pepper. YUM. (441 calories, 16.8 grams of fat)
2
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Homemade mac and cheese from scratch can be made just as quickly as your favorite boxed brand. And let me just say, this cauliflower version takes the cake for The Best Mac and Cheese award! Creamy, delicious, and perfectly ooey gooey. P.S... In addition to being low calorie, this meal is also 110% keto! (347 calories, 28.9 grams fat)
3
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
I've said it once, and I'll say it again: sweet potatoes amaze me! They're just too versatile for their own good. In this recipe, we make an autumn-inspired gnocchi dish full of fluffy, tender, melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Complete with a buttery sage and rosemary sauce. (422 calories, 11.7 grams fat)
4
Sweet Potato Fettuccine in Gorgonzola Sauce
The sweet potatoes are at it again! This potato fettuccine is tossed in a delicious gorgonzola and cranberry medley that tastes just as decadent, rich, and creamy as it should. It's gluten-free too! (461 calories, 34.5 grams fat)
5
Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Avocado Pesto
Pasta is even better when it's coated in creamy avocado pesto, and that's a fact! This savory dish is made with spiralized zucchini noodles for an extra serving of veggies that pack a huge flavor punch. Low-carb, gluten-free, and oh so tasty. (362 calories, 34.1 grams fat)
6
Asparagus Noodles with Pesto
While we're on the topic of veggie noodles, how about asparagus noodles? Though they're not as common, trust me when I say these are wonderfully flavorful. This pasta is a fun bright green color that serves as a delicious low carb dinner! (250 calories, 19.6 grams fat)
7
Pesto Spaghetti Squash Bowl
Why use a regular bowl when you can use a spaghetti squash bowl?! This quick and tasty pesto spaghetti bowl packs in the veggies without compromising on a single ounce of flavor. (478 calories, 40 grams fat)
1
Creamy Vegan Orzo with Caramelized Onions and Kale
Thisvegan orzo recipe is laced with caramelized onions and kale, all tied together in a creamy butternut squash sauce. My go-to dish that I know everyone at the table will love! It's perfect for both the main course and for a hearty side. Eat up! (447 calories, 5.6 grams fat)
2
Sticky Garlic Cauliflower
You know your favorite sticky garlic chicken that you get from your favorite Chinese takeout restaurant? Picture that, but ten times better. That's what this sticky garlic cauliflower tastes like! It's vegetarian and even better than the "real" thing! (263 calories, 4 grams fat)
3
Spanish Rice and Beans
Fill your belly with vital nutrients with Spanish rice and beans! It takes less than 30 minutes to make and is the absolute perfect main course (or side dish)! Plus, it supplies lots of good ole' protein. (359 calories, 7.2 grams fat)
4
Ultimate Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Serve up something new and different with ultimate whole roasted cauliflower. Slathered in whipped feta and drizzled with herb sauce, this is a statement-making dish. You'll surely wow your guests with this one! (377 calories, 36.5 grams fat)
5
King Oyster Mushroom Pulled Pork
By shredding king oyster mushrooms, seasoning with spices, and baking, you can create a vegan mushroom pulled pork that rivals the real stuff! The perfect pulled pork alternative for sandwiches, tacos, nachos… or whenever you need vegan pulled pork. (163 calories, 10.2 grams fat)
6
Goat Cheese Pizza with Mushrooms and White Sauce
Give regular cheddar a break and try this goat cheese pizza with mushrooms and white sauce! It gives 'za a tasty upgrade that's much needed in the world of food. Try this for your next Pizza Friday! (234 calories, 11.2 grams fat)
7
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
I've never met someone who doesn't like green bean casserole, and this vegetarian rendition proves it. Serve it up with crispy panfried onions for a mouth-watering meal that everyone will love! There's no way you'll wind up with leftovers. It's just too good! (356 calories, 29 grams fat)
8
Pan-Seared Watermelon Steak
I was skeptical at first too, but the truth is that watermelon can undergo a pretty transformational shift when you try to turn it into something else. This pan-seared recipe turns a classic refreshing slice into a chewy vegetarian steak. Top it with feta cheese and balsamic reduction for a meal sure to please. (88 calories, 4.9 grams fat)
9
3 Cheese Roasted Grape Pizza
I know there's an on-going debate regarding pineapple on pizza, but what's the latest on grapes on pizza? Grab a fruity slice of this mouth-watering 3 cheese roasted grape pizza for something new and different. Don't worry, it still includes pizza's standard cheesiness! (222 calories, 14.9 grams fat)
10
Brussels Sprout Latkes with Dijon Yogurt Sauce
Shout it from the rooftops, Brussels sprouts can taste great! Though they traditionally get a bad rep, these little sprouts are so tasty. Combine them with potatoes and form them into delicious latkes for a healthy dish made complete with creamy Dijon yogurt sauce. (236 calories, 13 grams fat)
11
Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan
Stuffed eggplant is the way to go if you're looking for something tasty and creamy. It's a dinner idea that breaks from the typical parmesan routine while sticking to the classic flavors that we all love! Stuff the fixings into the eggplant for less mess and easy serving. (349 calories, 10.8 grams fat)
12
Pepper and Gorgonzola Risotto
Risotto is a pretty under-appreciated dinner, considering the amount of flavorful creamy goodness it packs into one bowl. With two cheeses, spinach, green onions, and lemon, this pepper and gorgonzola risotto is no exception! (379 calories, 9.5 grams fat)
