Think fresh! Our favorite fresh and light dinner ideas include pastas, salads, frittatas, and more meals you’ll crave. We even have healthy recipes for favorite comfort foods. Think pasta is off the table for low-calorie eating? You’ll be surprised to see that it isn’t—and neither is family-friendly pizza (that’s easy to make, too!).
Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
Get dinner on the table fast—the entire dinner idea is ready in just 20 minutes! Then, instead of tortillas or other carb-based wraps, tuck the filling of this light dinner idea inside fresh lettuce leaves with your choice of toppings. (We’re fans of adding shredded carrots, sliced radishes, and green onion.) Eat them handheld or with a knife and fork—either way, they’re yummy!
Shrimp Salad with Lime Dressing
If you like tacos and enchiladas, you’ll love this fresh, light dinner idea. It won’t take much convincing for even your pickiest eaters to dive fork-first into this gorgeous rainbow-colored salad, since it tastes similar to all of their Mexican faves. Speed up prep by mixing up the homemade salad dressing in advance. If you’re feeling ambitious, line up your fruits and veggies in rows for the ultimate photo-ready meal!
Greek Chicken Skillet
This easy Greek recipe looks elegant and extravagant but is simple to whip up (it only takes 40 minutes). The light dinner idea includes a lemony sauce and olives, Brussels sprouts, and feta cheese.
Roasted Salmon and Farro Bowls
In the mood for fish and chips? This beautiful baked fish recipe is a brilliant dinner swap (and you have our complete permission to add a side of homemade fries). While it tastes complex, this light dinner idea can be on the table in 45 minutes.
Egg and Soba Noodle Bowl
Skip those ho-hum microwave “diet” meals. This yummy veggie and noodle bowl will become your go-to healthy dinner! White miso paste and soy sauce give this easy dinner a deep flavor. One-bowl meals are a cinch to serve, making doing dishes quick and simple.
Herbed Chicken Parm Sliders
Instead of heavy fried chicken, we’re making juicy chicken burgers and topping them with marinara sauce, cheese, and fresh basil. Serve the homemade burgers on toasted ciabatta rolls for a quick and delicious weeknight meal.
Eggplant-Parmesan Grandma Pizza
Brie Goldman
Pizza gets a fresh update when covered with eggplant and provolone cheese. It’s filled with all the flavors you love of the classic Italian dish. This easy, kid-friendly light dinner idea is perfect for a jam-packed weeknight evening.
Lemon-Pepper Air-Fryer Shrimp and Veggies
Busy night? Add shrimp, zucchini, and carrots to the air fryer for a tasty, easy, light dinner idea. Start with a green salad, and you’ll meet all your nutrition and flavor needs for a satisfying meal.
Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables
A few shortcuts help get this dinner on the table fast. Quick-cooking chicken breast tenders and bottled Italian salad dressing go a long way in making this a weeknight win. Finish this light dinner with plenty of freshly chopped tomato.
Brisket and Potatoes with Tangy Mustard Sauce
Beef brisket may not immediately come to mind as a light dinner idea, but this slow cooker recipe changes that. A bright mustard sauce adds tang to each bite. To round out your plate serve the meat and potatoes over zucchini noodles.
Greek-Inspired Quinoa Salad with Feta and Lemon Dressing
This take on Greek salad is loaded with texture and flavor. Assemble the perfect bite and you’ll have the flavors of olives, feta, quinoa, and fresh veggies in each mouthful. A few pita chips on the side add just the right amount of crunch.
Delicious Marinated Shrimp Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
Marinating the shrimp before adding it to the salad ensures each bite of this light dinner idea is packed with flavor. Round out the platter with fresh radish, avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and lettuce. Don’t skimp on the fresh dill on top.
Air-Fryer Pork Chops with Brussels Sprouts
Cooking pork chops in the air fryer ensures they come out crisp and golden on the outside and juicy on the inside. A quick maple-mustard sauce ties all the flavors together and contrasts nicely with the richness of the pork.
Chicken Pad Thai
Andy Lyons
Skip the takeout and whip up homemade chicken pad Thai for dinner tonight. As one reviewer raves, “I loved this! I doubled the sauce and substituted dried Thai chilies for the chili sauce.” Finish this light dinner idea with crushed peanuts and fresh lime juice.
