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Let these four- and five-star-rated light dinner recipes for weight loss guide your dinner plans for tonight. Each of these vegetarian meals islow in calories and high in fiber, with less than 500 calories and at least 6 grams of fiber per serving, a combination that can help youlose weight and stay satisfied. Recipes like our Red Lentil Soup with Saffron and Veggie & Hummus Sandwich are so delicious that you’ll want to make them on repeat.Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, these recipes are great to have on rotation, as many of them can be made ahead of time. Also, a lighter meal can be easier on digestion, especially when life gets in the way, and you have to eat later into the evening than you would like.
Let these four- and five-star-rated light dinner recipes for weight loss guide your dinner plans for tonight. Each of these vegetarian meals islow in calories and high in fiber, with less than 500 calories and at least 6 grams of fiber per serving, a combination that can help youlose weight and stay satisfied. Recipes like our Red Lentil Soup with Saffron and Veggie & Hummus Sandwich are so delicious that you’ll want to make them on repeat.
Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, these recipes are great to have on rotation, as many of them can be made ahead of time. Also, a lighter meal can be easier on digestion, especially when life gets in the way, and you have to eat later into the evening than you would like.
01of 25Chickpea Pasta with Mushrooms & KaleView RecipeGreg DuPreeLoading up your pasta with vegetables like the kale and mushrooms here is not only delicious, it also makes the meal more satisfying.
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Chickpea Pasta with Mushrooms & Kale
View Recipe
Greg DuPree
Loading up your pasta with vegetables like the kale and mushrooms here is not only delicious, it also makes the meal more satisfying.
02of 25Butternut Squash & Black Bean EnchiladasView RecipeGreg DuPreeA crisp, citrusy slaw contrasts nicely with the enchiladas' creamy squash filling.
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Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchiladas
A crisp, citrusy slaw contrasts nicely with the enchiladas' creamy squash filling.
03of 25Red Lentil Soup with SaffronView RecipeJacob FoxThis hearty red lentil soup uses spices common in Persian cuisine: turmeric, cumin and saffron. Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice.
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Red Lentil Soup with Saffron
Jacob Fox
This hearty red lentil soup uses spices common in Persian cuisine: turmeric, cumin and saffron. Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice.
04of 25Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny SoupView RecipeJacob FoxOur meatless version of the Indian-inspired British colonial soup includes parsnip and squash to keep it hearty and satisfying.
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Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup
Our meatless version of the Indian-inspired British colonial soup includes parsnip and squash to keep it hearty and satisfying.
05of 25Veggie & Hummus SandwichView RecipeThis mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
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Veggie & Hummus Sandwich
This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
06of 25Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Grilled Cheese SandwichesView RecipeLayering apple slices into grilled cheese sandwiches adds a little crunch to a favorite soup dipper. And creamy butternut squash soup with ginger, cumin and turmeric is a nice change of pace from grilled cheese’s usual tomato soup partner. Serve the duo for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner for the family. The soup keeps well in the fridge, so save leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week.
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Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Layering apple slices into grilled cheese sandwiches adds a little crunch to a favorite soup dipper. And creamy butternut squash soup with ginger, cumin and turmeric is a nice change of pace from grilled cheese’s usual tomato soup partner. Serve the duo for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner for the family. The soup keeps well in the fridge, so save leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week.
07of 25Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry SoupView RecipeIn this healthy cauliflower soup recipe, roasting the cauliflower first adds depth and prevents the florets from turning to mush. A little tomato sauce and coconut milk give the broth a rich, silky texture. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, if desired.
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Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup
In this healthy cauliflower soup recipe, roasting the cauliflower first adds depth and prevents the florets from turning to mush. A little tomato sauce and coconut milk give the broth a rich, silky texture. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, if desired.
08of 25Vegetarian Enchilada CasseroleView RecipeThink of this vegetarian enchilada casserole as a veggie-packed Mexican-inspired lasagna with corn tortillas standing in for the noodles! If your peppers are mild and you like heat, opt for spicy pico de gallo. This easy vegetarian dinner recipe is sure to become a new family favorite.
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Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
Think of this vegetarian enchilada casserole as a veggie-packed Mexican-inspired lasagna with corn tortillas standing in for the noodles! If your peppers are mild and you like heat, opt for spicy pico de gallo. This easy vegetarian dinner recipe is sure to become a new family favorite.
09of 25Roasted Vegetable & Black Bean TacosView RecipeThese hearty vegan tacos are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. They are so tasty no one will miss the meat or dairy.
09of 25
Roasted Vegetable & Black Bean Tacos
These hearty vegan tacos are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. They are so tasty no one will miss the meat or dairy.
10of 25Easy Vegetarian ChiliView RecipeCanned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit–sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.
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Easy Vegetarian Chili
Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit–sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.
11of 25Spinach & Artichoke Dip PastaView RecipeIf 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: This healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
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Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta
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: This healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
12of 25Kale & White Bean Potpie with Chive BiscuitsView RecipeIn this vegetarian white bean potpie recipe, kale and hearty white beans are topped with easy, homemade chive biscuits. If desired, add a little shredded Gruyère or Cheddar cheese to the biscuit dough.
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Kale & White Bean Potpie with Chive Biscuits
In this vegetarian white bean potpie recipe, kale and hearty white beans are topped with easy, homemade chive biscuits. If desired, add a little shredded Gruyère or Cheddar cheese to the biscuit dough.
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Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Rice Bowl
14of 25Lemony Lentil Soup with CollardsView RecipeYou don’t need broth for this lentil soup recipe—it’s rich thanks to the browned bits in the bottom of the pan that meld into the soup, packing it with flavor. Ground coriander, from the seed of the cilantro plant, has a floral, citrusy flavor that dovetails nicely with the lemon.
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Lemony Lentil Soup with Collards
You don’t need broth for this lentil soup recipe—it’s rich thanks to the browned bits in the bottom of the pan that meld into the soup, packing it with flavor. Ground coriander, from the seed of the cilantro plant, has a floral, citrusy flavor that dovetails nicely with the lemon.
15of 25Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini DressingView RecipeDeep-fried falafel can be a total grease bomb. But these pan-seared falafel still get crispy in just a few tablespoons of oil with equally satisfying results. Be sure to use dried, instead of canned, chickpeas in this healthy recipe—canned chickpeas add too much moisture.
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Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Deep-fried falafel can be a total grease bomb. But these pan-seared falafel still get crispy in just a few tablespoons of oil with equally satisfying results. Be sure to use dried, instead of canned, chickpeas in this healthy recipe—canned chickpeas add too much moisture.
16of 25Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed PotatoesView RecipeFire-roasted tomatoes add slightly smoky flavor to red lentils. The addition of mashed potatoes gives this an upside-down shepherd’s pie feel.
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Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed Potatoes
Fire-roasted tomatoes add slightly smoky flavor to red lentils. The addition of mashed potatoes gives this an upside-down shepherd’s pie feel.
17of 25Curried Chickpea StewView RecipeWho says a meatless meal isn’t filling? Packed with fiber-rich vegetables and chickpeas, this fragrant stew satisfies.
17of 25
Curried Chickpea Stew
Who says a meatless meal isn’t filling? Packed with fiber-rich vegetables and chickpeas, this fragrant stew satisfies.
18of 25Vegetarian Slow-Cooker PozoleView RecipeThis healthy vegetarian take on the Mexican stew pozole gets tons of flavor from poblano peppers, ancho chile powder and dried herbs and spices, while cannellini beans provide protein and fiber.
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Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Pozole
This healthy vegetarian take on the Mexican stew pozole gets tons of flavor from poblano peppers, ancho chile powder and dried herbs and spices, while cannellini beans provide protein and fiber.
19of 25Sweet Potato & Black Bean ChiliView RecipeMake a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night.
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Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night.
20of 25Vegetarian Mushroom PaprikashView RecipeMeaning “with paprika” in Hungarian, paprikash is a creamy spiced stew traditionally made with meat. We’ve chosen mushrooms to give this vegetarian paprikash a hearty bite. Using a mix of varieties gives you a good spectrum of textures and flavors.
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Vegetarian Mushroom Paprikash
Meaning “with paprika” in Hungarian, paprikash is a creamy spiced stew traditionally made with meat. We’ve chosen mushrooms to give this vegetarian paprikash a hearty bite. Using a mix of varieties gives you a good spectrum of textures and flavors.
21of 25Summer Vegetable Gnocchi SaladView RecipeThis riff on pasta salad is best served warm while the gnocchi are nice and tender. Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
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Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad
This riff on pasta salad is best served warm while the gnocchi are nice and tender. Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
22of 25Grilled Eggplant & Tomato PastaView RecipeThe combination of slightly smoky grilled eggplant and sweet tomatoes is delightful. The eggplant-tomato mixture served over whole-wheat pasta with fresh basil and a bit of salty cheese makes an easy, healthy weeknight dinner.
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Grilled Eggplant & Tomato Pasta
The combination of slightly smoky grilled eggplant and sweet tomatoes is delightful. The eggplant-tomato mixture served over whole-wheat pasta with fresh basil and a bit of salty cheese makes an easy, healthy weeknight dinner.
23of 25Afghan Vegetable & Chickpea Soup (Tarkari)View RecipeTry topping this simple but satisfying vegetable soup with a spoonful of Red Chutney (see the recipe’s Associated Recipes section).
23of 25
Afghan Vegetable & Chickpea Soup (Tarkari)
Try topping this simple but satisfying vegetable soup with a spoonful of Red Chutney (see the recipe’s Associated Recipes section).
24of 25Vegan Shepherd’s PieView RecipeLentils take the place of ground meat, and vegan butter adds creaminess to the mashed potatoes in this easy vegan shepherd’s pie recipe. If you want to cut down on the cooking time, use precooked lentils and omit most of the vegetable broth, adding some in only if the mixture seems dry.
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Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Lentils take the place of ground meat, and vegan butter adds creaminess to the mashed potatoes in this easy vegan shepherd’s pie recipe. If you want to cut down on the cooking time, use precooked lentils and omit most of the vegetable broth, adding some in only if the mixture seems dry.
25of 25Vegetarian GumboView RecipeThis flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It’s chock-full of butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers and okra, to name just a few. This vegetarian gumbo is a quick dinner packed with flavor and spice that’s done in only 30 minutes. To make it a meal, serve it with cornbread drizzled with olive oil.
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Vegetarian Gumbo
This flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It’s chock-full of butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers and okra, to name just a few. This vegetarian gumbo is a quick dinner packed with flavor and spice that’s done in only 30 minutes. To make it a meal, serve it with cornbread drizzled with olive oil.
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