7,151 light recipes

Ridiculously easy lentil soup simmers brown lentils with sauteed onion and garlic, then finishes with fresh lemon juice. Eight ingredients, pantry-friendly, vegan.

Breaded chicken breasts baked in tomato sauce with Italian herbs and melted mozzarella. A lighter take on chicken Parmesan using whole wheat crumbs and wheat germ.

Crispy phyllo strudel stuffed with seasoned ground beef, mushrooms, carrots, celery, and Parmesan cheese. Makes two golden rolls that slice into eight hearty servings.

Low fat Mexican-style creamed corn simmers corn kernels with bell peppers, celery, and green chiles, then binds with reduced-fat cream cheese and skim milk. A lighter Tex-Mex side.

Stir-fried chicken and tender-crisp broccoli tossed with penne in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce. A lighter weeknight pasta ready in 45 minutes with no heavy cream needed.

Oven-baked banana French toast made with egg whites and whole wheat bread, topped with a warm honey-cinnamon blueberry sauce. A lighter, hands-off brunch that skips the griddle.

Italian-style pot roast is a beef chuck braised for three hours with soffritto, tomato paste, red wine, and Italian herbs. Sliced beef plus pasta sauce over spaghetti, feeds eight.

A lighter Caesar salad with cheese tortellini and steamed asparagus tossed in a lemony anchovy dressing. Ready in 30 minutes with fresh Parmesan on top.

Flourless chocolate roulade filled with vanilla whipped cream and dusted with cocoa. Eight eggs, two kinds of chocolate, and zero flour make this roll intensely rich and tender.

Skinless chicken drumsticks coated in whole wheat breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and garlic then baked until golden and crisp. A lighter, oven-fried drumstick that's low-calorie without sacrificing crunch.

Southern lemon pecan fruitcake with candied pineapple and cherries. A lighter, brighter alternative to dark rum fruitcake, loaded with nuts and citrus.

Baked walleye fillets in herbed tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese. An easy Italian-style fish dinner with just eight ingredients.

Oven-fried orange roughy coated in seasoned crumbs and baked in butter for a crispy crust without deep frying. A lighter, less messy take on breaded fish fillets.

German apple torte (apfeltorte): a butterless single-layer cake with diced apples and walnuts, golden and crunchy on top. Eight ingredients, 60 minutes, serves six.

Cherry bread pudding made with cracked wheat bread, yogurt instead of cream, dark honey, and plumped dried cherries and raisins. A lighter, wholesome version.

Sliced SPAM simmered with zucchini, potatoes, carrots, and canned tomatoes seasoned with basil, oregano, and garlic in one skillet. A budget-friendly 40-minute dinner that feeds eight.