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Home » Roundups » 20 Easy Dinners Under 400 Calories

Roundups

20 Easy Dinners Under 400 Calories

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Want to cut down on your calories but still eat well? These 20 easy dinners are all under 400 calories per portion, but are packed with flavour, easy to make and family friendly too (so no more having to cook separate meals!) #under400calories #400caloriedinners #lowcalorie #lowcaloriedinners #easydinners #healthydinners #easypeasyfoodie #cookblogshare

Want to cut down on your calories but still eat well? These 20 easy dinners are all under 400 calories per portion, but are packed with flavour, easy to make and family friendly too (so no more having to cook separate meals!)

Want to cut down on your calories but still eat well? These 20 easy dinners are all under 400 calories per portion, but are packed with flavour, easy to make and family friendly too (so no more having to cook separate meals!) #under400calories #400caloriedinners #lowcalorie #lowcaloriedinners #easydinners #healthydinners #easypeasyfoodie #cookblogshare

 

One of the most popular posts on my blog is my 20 Easy Dinners Under 500 Calories post. You guys just can’t get enough of my those easy peasy, super tasty dinners, that just so happen to be under 500 calories!

But I also know that some of you need recipes that are even lower in calories, to meet your weight loss targets, so in this post I’m sharing 20 Easy Dinners Under 400 Calories!

Nandos Copycat Peri Peri Chicken Breasts

 

Now I’ll admit, reducing dinners down to under 400 calories is a bit more of a challenge. I’ve found the trick to it is usually to go one of two ways…

Either go low carb – think curries with cauliflower rice, bolognese with courgetti (AKA zoodles), bunless burgers…

Or, go vegan! Many of my vegan dishes are naturally low in calories.

However, in compiling this list I did come across a few awesome surprises… it turns out that both salmon fishcakes and lamb hotpot are surprisingly low in calories – who knew?

One Pot 5 Ingredient Easy Lamb Hotpot

 

To make your life even easier, I’ve made sure for each recipe I’ve included:

  • A link to the recipe
  • Total time
  • Number of portions the recipe makes
  • Number of calories per portion
  • Any adaptations you’ll need to make to keep it under 400 calories

Lamb, Feta and Mint burgers

 

The lovely thing about these recipes is that they are all family friendly – meaning you don’t have to cook a totally separate meal for the rest of your family! (Though you may have to make a few tweaks or adaptations for your portion – for example, bunless burgers or cauliflower rice rather than regular rice.)

 

 

20 Easy Dinners Under 400 Calories

 

1. Slow Cooked Chicken Bhuna

Slow Cooked Chicken Bhuna

Get the recipe => Slow Cooked Chicken Bhuna
Takes => 
1 hour 40 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 277kcal
Notes => Yes, you can have curry on a diet! So long as it’s a portion of healthy homemade chicken curry that is. To keep this under 400kcal, serve it with either a very small portion of basmati rice (50g cooked basmati rice = 65kcal) or a portion of my Pilau Cauliflower Rice (100kcal per portion).

Read More

 

2. Easy One Pot Chicken Ramen

Easy One Pot Chicken Ramen

Get the recipe => Easy One Pot Chicken Ramen
Takes =>
20 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 353kcal
Notes => Naturally low in calories, this easy one pot ramen dish needs no adaptations. Just follow the recipe exactly as written. 

Read More

 

3. Easy Yellow Split Pea and Spinach Dhal

Easy Yellow Split Pea and Spinach Dhal (Vegan)

Get the recipe => Easy Yellow Split Pea and Spinach Dhal (Vegan)
Takes =>
1 hour
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 285kcal
Notes => Naturally low in calories, this easy vegan curry needs no adaptations. Just follow the recipe exactly as written. Delicious served with a very small portion of rice (50g cooked rice = 65kcal) or half a portion of my easy peasy Cumin Roasted Cauliflower and Butternut Squash (72kcal per half portion).

Read More

 

4. Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

Get the recipe => Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese
Takes =>
30 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 361kcal
Notes => Want to eat spaghetti bolognese on a diet? Totally possible. Just swap the spaghetti for courgetti (AKA zoodles). The bolognese sauce in this recipe is just 361kcal and there are only 33kcal in a medium courgette (AKA zucchini). 

Read More

 

5. Lamb, Feta and Mint Burgers

Lamb, Feta and Mint burgers

Get the recipe => Lamb, Feta and Mint Burgers
Takes =>
20 minutes
Makes
 => 6 burgers
Calories per burger => 228kcal
Notes => You’ll need to go bun-less if you want to keep this under 400 calories. Serve your bunless lamb burger with a large salad and a portion of my Easy Peasy Tzatziki (25kcal).

Read More

 

6. Easy Peri Peri Chicken Breasts (Nando’s Copycat)

Nandos Copycat Peri Peri Chicken Breasts

Get the recipe => Easy Peri Peri Chicken Breasts (Nando’s Copycat)
Takes =>
20 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 342kcal
Notes => Cheeky Nando’s on a diet? You bet! One of these Easy Peri Peri Chicken Breasts is just 342kcal. Serve with a large green salad and/or a portion of plain cauliflower rice (25kcal) to keep it under 400kcal.

Read More

 

7. Easy Chicken Stroganoff 

Easy Chicken Stroganoff

Get the recipe => Easy Chicken Stroganoff
Takes =>
20 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 331kcal
Notes => An easy way to cut calories is to use chicken in place of other meats. This delicious stroganoff uses chicken instead of the more typical beef or pork. Serve with green veg and/or a very small portion of rice (50g cooked rice = 65kcal) to keep it under 400kcal.

Read More

 

8. Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Get the recipe => Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Takes =>
30 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 174kcal
Notes => A couple of different options here… You can serve 1 portion of the chicken fajita traybake in 1 large tortilla (175kcal), plus a tablespoon of sour cream (25kcal). OR you can serve 1 portion of the traybake with a large salad and a portion of homemade guacamole  (182kcal).

Read More

 

9. Easy Pressure Cooker Beef Curry

Pressure Cooker Beef Curry

Get the recipe => Easy Pressure Cooker Beef Curry
Takes => 40 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 375kcal
Notes => Serve this delicious beef curry with a portion of plain cauliflower rice (25kcal) to keep it under 400kcal.

Read More

 

10. 15 Minute Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce

15 Minute Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce & Froothie Optimum VAC 2 Blender Review

Get the recipe => 15 Minute Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce
Takes => 15 minutes
Makes
 => 8 portions
Calories per portion => 35kcal
Notes => This pasta sauce is super low in calories, but packed full of goodness, thanks to all those hidden veggies! Serve with a small portion of pasta (75g dried pasta = 300kcal) and a small sprinkle of grated cheese (10g cheddar or Parmesan = 40kcal).

Read More

 

11. Easy Prawn Korma

Easy Prawn Korma

Get the recipe => Easy Prawn Korma
Takes => 20 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 304kcal
Notes => Another low calorie curry! Serve this one with a very small portion of basmati rice (50g cooked rice = 65kcal) or a portion of my Indian Spiced Cauliflower Rice (70kcal).

Read More

 

12. Sticky Chicken Traybake

Sticky Chicken Traybake inspired by Mary Berry

Get the recipe => Sticky Chicken Traybake
Takes => 35 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 328kcal
Notes => Serve this sticky chicken traybake with green veg or a big green salad to keep it under 400kcal. (You could also add a very small portion of white rice – 50g cooked rice = 65kcal).

Read More

 

13. Spicy Moroccan Lamb Burgers

Spicy Moroccan Lamb Burgers

Get the recipe => Spicy Moroccan Lamb Burgers
Takes => 20 minutes
Makes
 => 4 burgers
Calories per burger => 188kcal
Notes => You can actually eat TWO of these burgers and still keep it under 400kcal! (So long as they are bun-less, that is…) Alternatively serve ONE of these burgers in burger bun (176kcal) with a portion of tzatziki (25kcal). OR serve ONE of these burgers (no bun) with a portion of Homemade Parmentier Potatoes (161kcal). Either way, serve a big green salad on the side! 

Read More

 

14. Chicken Shish Kebabs

Chicken Shish Kebabs

Get the recipe => Chicken Shish Kebabs
Takes => 20 minutes
Makes
 => 4 kebabs
Calories per kebab => 275kcal
Notes => Kebabs on a diet? Yep, that too! Serve one kebab, with one small flatbread (100kcal), a portion of homemade tzatziki (25kcal) and a large green salad, and you’ll just squeak in under 400kcal. 

Read More

 

15. Jerk Salmon with Mango and Avocado Salsa

Jerk Salmon with Mango and Avocado Salsa

Get the recipe => Jerk Salmon with Mango and Avocado Salsa
Takes => 25 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 402kcal
Notes => OK, OK, so this one actually comes in at 402kcal… but it’s so good, I just had to include it! Just give one piece of avocado from your portion to someone else and you’ll easily squeak under 400kcal 😉 There are no spare calories left for rice here, so just serve the salmon and salsa with a big green salad instead.

Read More

 

16. Easy Salmon Fishcakes

Easy Peasy Salmon Fishcakes

Get the recipe => Easy Salmon Fishcakes
Takes =>
30 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions (3 fishcakes per portion)
Calories per portion => 329kcal
Notes => These easy peasy fishcakes are surprisingly low cal: you can eat 3 of them for well under 400kcal. Serve with a big green salad or a big portion of green vegetables, such as broccoli or green beans.

Read More

 

17. Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup (Vegan)

Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup

Get the recipe => Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup (Vegan)
Takes =>
40 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 376kcal
Notes => Sadly not enough spare calories for bread here, but this delicious soup is surprisingly filling on it’s own. Plus it’s packed full of goodness, thanks to the sweet potato, red lentils, carrots, parsnips, peppers, ginger, garlic and chilli.

Read More

 

18. Chorizo, Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew

Get the recipe => Chorizo, Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew
Takes =>
30 minutes
Makes
 => 6 portions
Calories per portion => 346kcal
Notes => Not enough spare calories for rice, so instead serve this delicious stew with a large portion of green veg, such as broccoli, green beans and/or kale.

Read More

 

19. Roasted Aubergine and Red Lentil Dhal (Vegan)

Roasted Aubergine and Red Lentil Dhal (Vegan)

Get the recipe => Roasted Aubergine and Red Lentil Dhal (Vegan)
Takes =>
40 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 325kcal
Notes => Serve this delicious vegetarian curry with a very small portion of brown or basmati rice (50g cooked rice = 65kcal). Alternatively, serve it with a portion of my Indian Spiced Cauliflower Rice (70kcal).

Read More

 

20. Easy Lamb Hotpot

One Pot 5 Ingredient Easy Lamb Hotpot

Get the recipe => Easy Lamb Hotpot
Takes =>
1 hour 40 minutes
Makes
 => 4 portions
Calories per portion => 310kcal
Notes => I love the fact that this easy lamb hotpot is naturally so low in calories! Serve with a big portion of green veg and you’ll still be well under 400kcal!

Read More

 

 

Did you find a new favourite?

I hope you enjoyed this roundup and have found lots of new favourites 😀 If you have tried and enjoyed any of these recipes I’d love to hear about it! Either let me know in the comments below, or snap a quick photo and share it on social media. Tag me @easypeasyfoodie and I’ll like and comment on as many as I see!

 

If you enjoyed this roundup…

…then you might also enjoy these:

  • 20 Easy Dinners Under 600 Calories
  • 20 Easy Dinners Under 500 Calories
  • 31 Easy Vegan Dinners
  • 18 Easy Peasy Salad Recipes
  • 27 Easy Chicken Dinners

 

 

Pin 20 Easy Dinners Under 400 Calories for later

Want to cut down on your calories but still eat well? These 20 easy dinners are all under 400 calories per portion, but are packed with flavour, easy to make and family friendly too (so no more having to cook separate meals!) #under400calories #400caloriedinners #lowcalorie #lowcaloriedinners #easydinners #healthydinners #easypeasyfoodie #cookblogshare

 

FREE 4 Week Easy Dinners Meal Plan

Have you got your hands on a copy of my meal plan yet? If not CLICK HERE to download a copy of my FREE 4 Week Easy Dinners Meal Plan today!

 

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Linkies

I am linking this up to Cook Blog Share.

 

Disclaimer

Nutrition advice is approximate and meant as a guideline only. I have done my very best to ensure nutrition information is as accurate as I can make it, however there will obviously be some variation depending on the exact ingredients you use.

I am a food blogger NOT a nutritional health professional, so while I do try to make (mostly) healthy recipes, none of this should be read as professional advice about weight loss!

 

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10 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says

    20th October 2020 at 9:06 am

    I’ve desperately got to lose some weight! Plenty of inspiration here… Pinned x

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      20th October 2020 at 9:18 am

      Haha – definitely! Good luck with your weight loss goal 😀

      Reply
  2. Magdalena Marsden says

    20th October 2020 at 1:54 pm

    What a fab selection of very tempting dishes! I’m already counting in my head how many I can have in day. I’ll definitely have to try the lamb hot pot – thank you!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      21st October 2020 at 9:34 am

      Yay – so happy you like them! Let me know if you make any. Eb 🙂

      Reply
  3. Cat says

    20th October 2020 at 3:39 pm

    What a great selection of tasty, but lower in calorie meal options. I particularly like the look of the chicken bhuna. Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare.

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      21st October 2020 at 9:35 am

      Thanks Cat! The chicken bhuna is a very popular one 😀 Eb x

      Reply
  4. Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says

    22nd October 2020 at 11:27 am

    I badly need to shed off some pounds, Eb. Such a great collection you have here. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      23rd October 2020 at 9:47 am

      Thanks Jhuls! So happy you like them 😀

      Reply
  5. Terri Winster says

    30th January 2021 at 2:02 pm

    I have tried nearly all of these in the past few weeks, amazing and so simple. The family favourite is the sticky chicken. Great inspiration to a healthier way of cooking!!!!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      1st February 2021 at 9:36 am

      Aw, yay – thanks for this lovely feedback. I am delighted you are enjoying my recipes 😀

      Reply

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Hi and welcome to Easy Peasy Foodie! I’m Eb – a professional blogger, busy mum and passionate foodie and it is my mission in life to make cooking EASIER and MORE DELICIOUS! READ MORE

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