15 Filling Dinners Under 500 Calories
A 500-calorie dinner that leaves you raiding the pantry at 9pm didn't save you anything. The difference between "light" and "still hungry" is protein — so every dinner here stays under 500 calories while clearing 30g of it.
That combination is the whole list: nothing here is a broth and a wish.
The list
1. Ham and White Beans
31g protein430 cal$1.40/serving45 min
Creamy white beans simmered slow with smoky ham and onion, humble, hearty, and made for cornbread.
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2. Ground Pork and Lentil Bowls
38g protein480 cal$1.80/serving40 min
Seasoned ground pork with earthy lentils and vegetables, a hearty, protein-packed meal that's even better as leftovers.
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3. Turkey Meatloaf
40g protein380 cal$1.90/serving60 min
Classic comfort food made lean with ground turkey, bound with breadcrumbs and topped with a tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully.
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4. Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
42g protein380 cal$2.00/serving35 min
Lean ground turkey formed into juicy meatballs glazed in sticky teriyaki and served over rice, a lighter weekday comfort meal.
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5. Crispy Ranch Chicken
44g protein460 cal$2.10/serving35 min
Chicken breasts slathered in ranch and baked under a crackly parmesan crumb crust that kids and grownups fight over.
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6. Braised Chicken Thighs with Tomatoes and Basil
46g protein480 cal$2.20/serving45 min
Succulent chicken thighs in a fresh tomato sauce infused with garlic and basil, rustic and comforting, ready in under an hour.
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7. Beef Kofta Kebabs with Charred Onions
48g protein480 cal$2.30/serving35 min
Juicy ground beef koftas infused with warm spices, grilled until smoky and charred, served with caramelized onions and fresh herbs.
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8. Salty Pork Fried Rice
38g protein480 cal$1.90/serving18 min
Leftover rice stir-fried with tender pork, peas, and scrambled eggs in a savory, garlicky sauce.
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9. Tori Soboro Don Rice Bowl
34g protein420 cal$1.70/serving20 min
Seasoned ground chicken scattered over fluffy rice with a sweet egg ribbons and fresh vegetables, a light and colorful donburi that feels elegant but cooks in minutes.
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10. Ground Turkey Cabbage Skillet
32g protein280 cal$1.60/serving22 min
Lean ground turkey cooked with shredded cabbage and onion in a savory, satisfying skillet, perfect with rice or on its own.
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11. Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
48g protein420 cal$2.40/serving25 min
Marinated chicken skewers grilled until charred and juicy, served with creamy tzatziki sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon for a classical Greek dinner.
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12. Ginger Soy Chicken Stir-Fry
36g protein350 cal$1.80/serving25 min
Tender chicken and crisp vegetables tossed in a bright ginger-soy sauce over rice, a weeknight stir-fry thats faster and better than takeout.
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13. Chicken Tatsuta Fried Marinated
38g protein400 cal$1.90/serving30 min
Soy-marinated chicken fried until golden and crispy, fragrant with ginger and garlic, a Japanese fried chicken thats tender inside and shatteringly crisp outside.
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14. Turkey Meatball Marinara
36g protein420 cal$1.80/serving35 min
Tender homemade turkey meatballs simmered in tangy marinara sauce and served over pasta, a leaner take on an Italian-American favorite.
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15. Maple Glazed Turkey Legs
48g protein480 cal$2.40/serving60 min
Meaty turkey legs coated in a sweet and savory maple glaze, roasted until the skin crackles and the meat falls off the bone.
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Every recipe above comes from the Anychef library of 1,700+ recipes, each with cost per serving and full macros — browse the healthy collection and all high-protein recipes. Or skip the browsing entirely: scan your fridge with the Anychef app and get recipes built from what you already have, macros and grocery list included.