Enjoy the season’s festivities by making flavorful dishes without the added fat and calories. We rounded up our most pinned holiday recipes all under 500 calories — from appetizers to entrees, breakfasts to desserts. All are perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, company co*cktail parties and beyond.
Be sure to check out our Pinterest boards for other healthy recipes and fitness tips, too.
1. CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLE SOUP
This soup gets its creamy texture from the addition of almond milk. The soup is garnished with apple slices and pumpkin seeds for a crunchy texture. A one-cup serving contains 9 grams of fiber and has just 200 calories.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 200; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 497mg; Carbohydrate: 37g; Dietary Fiber: 9g; Sugar: 17g; Protein 3g
2. STRESS-FREE CHRISTMAS MORNING CASSEROLE
Featuring the classic bacon, egg and cheese trio, this 220-calorie breakfast casserole can be assembled Christmas Eve and popped into the oven while the family’s opening gifts.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 220; Total Fat: 13g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 124mg; Sodium: 559mg; Carbohydrate: 18g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 10g
3. DARK CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK
Skip that sugar-laden box of chocolates by making your own to gift this holiday season. This recipe requires just a couple steps: Melt dark chocolate and add your favorite nuts and dried fruit.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 202; Total Fat: 16g; Saturated Fat: 9g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 32mg; Carbohydrate: 20g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 12g; Protein: 3g
4. ONE-PAN ROASTED CHICKEN AND PEARS
This one-pan meal combines pears, hearty veggies and juicy chicken breasts for a crowd-pleaser that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Great for a potluck or family dinner at home, this dish contains less than 500 calories and boasts nearly 30 grams of protein per serving.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 465; Total Fat: 25g; Saturated Fat: 7g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 119mg; Sodium: 345mg; Carbohydrate: 35g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 18g; Protein: 27g
5. SLOW COOKER PORK ROAST
Holiday dinner has never been easier than with this cook ‘n’ serve pork roast. Enjoy alongside rice and a simple vegetable medley for a complete meal. At less than 250 calories, there’ll be room for dessert.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 227; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 92mg; Sodium: 390mg; Carbohydrate: 11g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugar: 10g; Protein 31g
6. SIMPLE SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
Lighten up traditional sweet potato casserole by replacing marshmallows with toasted oats and pecans in this easy recipe. With less than 10 grams of sugar and 5 grams of fiber, this less than 200-calorie dish satisfies your sweet tooth and provides a range of nutrients.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 192; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 39mg; Sodium: 127mg; Carbohydrate: 30g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 7g; Protein: 5g
7. BAKED PEARS WITH CINNAMON HONEY
Forego high-calorie, buttery-crusted, sugar-laden desserts for this baked pear dessert that’s as elegant as it is nutritious. Tip: Honey can be swapped for a drizzle of melted dark chocolate.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 117; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 10mg; Sodium: 1mg; Carbohydrate: 22g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 17g; Protein: 1g
8. PAN-SEARED BALSAMIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS
A light balsamic vinaigrette serves as the flavoring in this nutritious 5-ingredient recipe. Each sprout is sliced in half and seared, then topped with crunchy almonds at the end.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 141; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 197mg; Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 7g
9. EASY APPLE CINNAMON WAFFLES
Whip up the batter and cook these apple cinnamon-infused waffles all at once to feed a crowd or freeze some for busy holiday mornings down the road. The batter can be prepped ahead and refrigerated for up to three days. Pro tip: Let the batter rest to allow the starch to absorb the liquid and the gluten to relax, thus creating a more tender waffle.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 309; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 98mg; Sodium: 84mg; Carbohydrate: 56g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 15g; Protein: 14g
10.
Ready in 10 minutes, this appetizer is ideal for weekday holiday co*cktail parties and potlucks. With just 104 calories and 12 grams of protein per serving, go ahead and have two, plus dessert!
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 104; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 47mg; Sodium: 395mg; Carbohydrate: 9g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 12g
About the Author
MyFitnessPal’s Recipes Healthy, delicious and simple: That’s what we’re about at MyFitnessPal! We make ourrecipes in our own test kitchen or our registered dietitian hand-selects them personally. Look for nutrition information at the bottom of the recipe or log it directly to MyFitnessPal through the “Log-It” button. Check out our entire collection or explore: low-carb,high-protein • high-fiber • gluten-free • dairy-free • vegetarian • vegan • low sodium
