1,593 light recipes

Tangy yogurt and bright lemon zest blend into soft oatmeal cookies with crisp edges, then get showered with powdered sugar for a lighter twist on classic cookies.

A lighter ranch dressing made creamy with nonfat cottage cheese, low-fat mayo, and buttermilk powder, brightened with fresh dill and shallot. Thick, tangy, and only 19 calories per serving.

Low-fat vegan potato pancakes (latkes) with shredded potato, onion, and oat flour. A lighter take on the Hanukkah classic, pan-fried in a single spray of oil. Ready in 15 minutes.

Dad's fried meatballs are eight ingredients of pure Italian-American comfort: ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, oregano, parsley, and grated cheese rolled into balls and pan-fried golden. Drop into tomato sauce or eat as is.

Juicy turkey cheddar burgers seasoned with sage, thyme, lemon zest, and sauteed garlic onions, with melted cheese stuffed right inside the patty. Grill or broil in 40 minutes for a lighter burger that still oozes with flavor.

Beef tenderloin wrapped in buttered phyllo with a mushroom-shallot duxelles and Madeira sauce. A lighter, flakier alternative to classic beef Wellington.

Roasted tomatillo salsa verde with charred jalapenos, eight cloves of garlic, and fresh cilantro pureed smooth. Bright, tangy, and ready in 30 minutes.

Oil-free basil pesto with pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and lemon juice instead of olive oil. A lighter, brighter pesto ready in 5 minutes.

Grami's meatloaf: Italian-leaning meatloaf with ground beef, cottage cheese, rolled oats, oregano, basil, and parmesan crust. A lighter, juicier take on the Sunday dinner staple.

Low-cholesterol breakfast sausage patties made with ground turkey, sage, paprika, and breadcrumbs. Mix, chill overnight, and pan-fry for a lighter take on a breakfast staple.

Baked Italian sausage and mozzarella pasta casserole scaled to feed 150 people. Layered with corkscrew pasta, mushrooms, and spaghetti sauce across eight 6-quart pans.

General Tao's Chicken stir-fried with dried chilies, fresh orange zest and Sichuan peppercorns. A lighter, restaurant-style recipe that skips the heavy batter for a punchier version served over white rice.

One-dish ham bake with broccoli, cream of mushroom and cheddar soups, and a Bisquick biscuit topping baked golden. A creamy, hearty casserole for eight with just 10 minutes of prep.

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.

Toasted pita chips split, cut, and bake pita bread into crisp triangles for dips, soups, and lunchboxes. Two ingredients, eight-minute bake, much better than store-bought.

Stracci pasta tossed with eight fresh herbs, extra-virgin olive oil, Romano cheese, and chopped tomatoes. An Italian herb pasta where the uncooked herb sauce is the star.