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

That means it would take three-and-a-half weeks to lose one pound if the number of calories you consume stays the same. 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.

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.

What's the most filling low calorie meal? ›

Legumes. Because of their high protein and fiber content, legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils can be incredibly filling. One cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils provides about 230 calories, as well as 15.6 grams of fiber and nearly 18 grams of protein ( 40 ).

Is it safe to eat 800 calories a day? ›

In addition, consuming as few as 800 calories daily may not give you the energy you need for daily living and regular physical activity, especially if you eat the same foods every day. Talk to your doctor or dietitian to make sure you get the nutrients you need while on a very low-calorie diet.

Will I lose weight if I eat 1 400 calories a day? ›

The estimated daily calorie needs suggest that, in order to maintain their weight, the average person will need to consume more than 1,500 calories per day. Consuming less than this may result in weight loss.

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.

What happens if you only eat 300 calories a day? ›

Nutritional deficiencies: Consuming only 300 calories a day is unlikely to provide your body with the necessary nutrients it needs to function properly. This can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, and fats [2].

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.

What contains 250 calories? ›

Here are some of our favorite healthy snacks, all under 250 calories (hoorah!): 4 slices turkey breast and one string cheese = 140 calories. 2 celery stalks and 2 tablespoons peanut butter = 225 calories. ½ cup strawberries and 25 almonds = 184 calories.

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

calories are required for your body to function. If you don't get enough, you'll develop serious health issues. a large calorie deficit will drastically slow down your metabolism. Your body doesn't know that you're trying to lose weight, it thinks you're starving.

Is 250 calories enough to lose weight? ›

For most people, a calorie deficit of 300–500 is sufficient to lose 0.5 kilograms (kg) (1.1 pounds) per week.

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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