7 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes Under 299 Calories (2024)

These recipes are surprisingly filling, and totally delicious, too!

7 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes Under 299 Calories (1)

There are so many benefits to eating more plant-based meals. Eating more fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and legumes is not only an ideal way to boost the nutrient density of your food, but these ingredients also tend to be less expensive than meat. They usually have fewer calories, too! Make weight loss easier than ever by preparing some of these plant-based dinner recipes under 299 calories.

Eating a few meatless dinners a week is a great way to get started with a plant-based diet. Remember that, unlike vegan diets, plant-based eating doesn’t require a strict commitment. It’s a really approachable way to change your diet, one meal at a time. You can totally be a burger lover and choose to eat a meatless burger as a healthier alternative from time to time! If you’re interested in how to get your family to eat more plant-based foods, try making one of our favorite plant-based dinner recipes under 299 calories. You’ll be surprised at how delicious these meals are, all in a low-calorie, easy-to-make, affordable package!

Here’s Your Plant-Based Dinner Recipes Under 299 Calories

1. Coconut Curry Cauliflower — 88 calories

There’s so much to love about this delicious curry recipe. It’s not only delicious, but it also has a shockingly low number of calories. We created it with all plant-based ingredients, and it will be ready to eat in 30 minutes. Serve the curried cauliflower over brown rice, or boost the protein content of this dish by serving it with quinoa.

Try the recipe: Coconut Curry Cauliflower

2. Balsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower — 107 calories

Cauliflower is one of our favorite plant-based ingredients. The texture of a whole roasted cauliflower will satisfy meat eater’s appetites, and it’s available at a fraction of the cost of a steak or pork chop. Oh, and that sweet balsamic glaze? So tasty!

Try the recipe: Balsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower

3. Plant-Based Slow Cooker Chili Recipe — 216 calories

This chili recipe is perfect for a no-fuss dinner. Just soak the beans overnight, throw the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, and let it cook away while you’re at work. It’s so easy and delicious, making this one of those plant-based dinner recipes that you’ll make again and again.

Try the recipe: Plant-Based Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

4. Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe — 242 calories

You won’t even miss the meat with all the complex flavors in this veggie-friendly tortilla soup recipe. It only takes 30 minutes to pull together, but you can easily meal prep this one for the week. We think the leftovers taste even better the next day!

Try the recipe: Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe

5. Protein Packed Black Bean and Lentil Soup Recipe — 248 calories

This recipe is proof that plant-based recipes have plenty of protein to keep you feeling full for hours. The combination of lentils and black beans provides 13 grams of protein per serving. Between the beans and the chunky carrots, this soup also has a meaty texture that will satisfy the carnivores at the table.

Try the recipe: Protein Packed Black Bean and Lentil Soup Recipe

6. Easy Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Over Quinoa — 249 calories

This dinner recipe is one of our favorites for transitioning plant-based eaters. It tastes strikingly similar to the vegetarian dish that uses real cheese, but our version uses dairy-free Parmesan made from cashews. It’s comforting and familiar, but much healthier.

Try the recipe: Easy Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Over Quinoa

7. Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl — 279 calories

We saved the best for last, but you will have to make one tiny adjustment to this recipe to make it fit this list of plant-based dinner recipes under 299 calories. Instead of using yogurt for the recipe’s yogurt dressing topping, use our recipe for dairy-free sour cream. You can modify this recipe using your favorite vegetables, so have some fun with it!

Try the recipe: Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl

Enjoyed this post? Check out more:

  • 50 Slow Cooker Recipes Under 300 Calories
  • Grilled Sweet Potato Steaks with Balsamic Glaze
  • 15 Easy Meals Under 300 Calories
  • Skillet Balsamic Glazed Chicken and Potatoes | One-Pot Recipes

If you loved these recipes, take the 30-Day Plant-Based Challenge. Make sure to subscribe to our daily eNewsletter or follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for access to the newest plant-based recipes.

7 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes Under 299 Calories (2024)

FAQs

What meal can I eat for 250 calories? ›

Easy meals under 250 calories
  • Glazed cod loin with butternut squash. Delicious, flaky fish is a great option when watching your calorie intake, and this tasty glazed cod dish is totally jam-packed with flavour. ...
  • cottage cheese and ham frittata. ...
  • cod thai green curry with cauliflower rice. ...
  • hot and sour beef broth.
Jul 16, 2020

How to eat 400 calories per meal? ›

400 calorie meal recipes
  1. Meatballs with fennel & balsamic beans & courgette noodles. ...
  2. Bean & feta spread with Greek salad salsa & oatcakes. ...
  3. Mexican bean soup with guacamole. ...
  4. Poached eggs with smashed avocado & tomatoes. ...
  5. Turkey piccata. ...
  6. Egg Niçoise salad. ...
  7. Slow-cooker chicken casserole. ...
  8. Wild salmon veggie bowl.

How much weight will I lose if I cut 250 calories a day? ›

If you altered your diet and cut back by 250 calories a day (½ cup of ice cream or two sugar-sweetened sodas), you'd lose a pound in two weeks. If you ate 250 fewer calories a day and walked for 30 minutes a day, it would take just over a week to lose one pound.

How many pounds will I lose if I burn 250 calories a day? ›

Burning an additional 250 kcal per day equates to weight loss of half a pound per week while burning 500 calories per day through cycling can lead to loss of a whole pound per week, assuming Calorie intake, sleep, and stress levels remain the same.

How much weight will you lose if you eat 400 calories a day for a week? ›

In general, a person can lose about 1-2 pounds per week by eating 400 calories per day. However, it is not recommended to eat such a low number of calories on a long-term basis as it can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health problems.

What food is high in protein but low in calories? ›

The healthiest lower energy-dense choices are foods that are high in protein but low in fat and calories, such as:
  • Beans, peas and lentils, which are also good sources of fiber.
  • Fish.
  • Lean meat and poultry.
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Egg whites.

What does a 300 calorie dinner look like? ›

300 calorie meal recipes
  • Rosemary chicken with oven-roasted ratatouille. ...
  • Spicy tuna quinoa salad. ...
  • Butternut squash & spinach filo pie. ...
  • Roasted squash with pesto & mozzarella. ...
  • Grilled salmon tacos with chipotle lime yogurt. ...
  • One-pot harissa chicken. ...
  • Low-fat moussaka. ...
  • Healthy pepper, tomato & ham omelette.

How many calories a day to lose weight? ›

In general, if you cut about 500 calories a day from your usual diet, you may lose about ½ to 1 pound a week. But this can vary depending on your body, how much weight you want to lose, your gender and activity level.

Is 250 calories a lot for a meal? ›

250 calories may not sound like a lot of food, but it absolutely can be. Here's the best way to get the most bang for your buck.

What will happen if I only eat 250 calories a day? ›

Consuming only 250 calories a day can be extremely detrimental to your health, especially considering your age and weight. It's crucial to prioritize your well-being and seek support from a healthcare professional or nutritionist to develop a safe and sustainable approach to weight loss.

What does a 200 calorie meal look like? ›

You could even pair fresh berries with a ½ cup of cottage cheese for a quick 200 calorie meal. If you're looking for a light lunch you can eat on the go, try a bento-box style lunch that includes celery, baby carrots, hummus, and turkey slices.

Is 250 calories a lot for a snack? ›

A general rule of thumb is to aim for about 150-250 calories per snack. This is equivalent to an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter, or a string cheese with 6 whole grain crackers.

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