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5 600-calorie dinner ideas your family will love

Delight your family with these healthy, budget-friendly dinners

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A family enjoying dinner together
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Eating low-calorie meals on a family-friendly budget can almost feel like an unattainable goal these days. Especially when these meals need to be prepped and served within an hour, sometimes even in shorter time frames. Busy lives, kids’ after-school activities, work commitments, and long hours are just a few of the obstacles families face to sit down together and share a meal.

If your goal is to feed your hungry family without breaking the bank or sacrificing flavor or health, grab your grocery list and a pen. We’ve found five of the best 600-calorie or less dinners for families.

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Baked lemon and herb cod

Family cooking together in the kitchen
George Rudy / Shutterstock

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs (regular panko or plain breadcrumbs will work in a pinch)
  • 1/3 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 ⁄4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
  • 1 large lemon, juice and zest, divided
  • 3 ⁄4 teaspoon fine sea salt, more if needed (adjust according to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 (8-ounce) Alaskan Cod fillets

Fresh lemon, herbs, and white fish are baked to perfect tenderness with this easy-to-put-together, low-calorie dinner. The freshness of the lemon brightens and elevates the fish without overpowering it, and without adding too many flavors or spices for delicate kid’s palates.

The Greek yogurt adds a mild tang to the dish while keeping the fish moist and delicious, and the seasoned breadcrumb crust adds a savory crunch. Kids and adults can enjoy this flavorful dish. Feel free to substitute the Alaskan cod with the wish fish of your choosing. A few suggestions could be whiting, tilapia, halibut, flounder, or orange roughie.

Teriyaki chicken, rice, and veggie bowls

Barbecue chicken on a platter on a table
taufiq hidaya / Shutterstock

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
  • Salt and pepper

For the teriyaki sauce:

  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Rice of your choosing
  • Veggies of your choice

This easy-to-prep and even easier-to-pull-together rice, protein, and veggie bowl is sure to be a crowd-pleaser in your home. The sweet, salty, and sticky teriyaki sauce paired with soft rice, tender veggies, and warm chicken will fill bellies and satisfy appetites no matter the age range. Not a fan of broccoli? Easily substitute in your favorite greens such as beans, snap peas, slivered carrots, green onions, or peppers. In a hurry? Skip the long-cooked rice and prepare the instant kind. Amp up the flavor of your rice by using your favorite chicken or vegetable stock.

One-pan chicken fajita pasta

delicious chicken fajitas on a cutting board
istetiana / Shutterstock

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cleaned and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning (homemade or store-bought packet), divided in half
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium onion (yellow or red) diced
  • 2 bell peppers (any colors) seeded and diced
  • 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (10 ounces) fire-roasted tomatoes with juices (substitute a can of Ro-Tel for an added kick)
  • 8 ounes dry penne pasta
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

So, you have a lot going on this week, and need a quick and delicious 20-minute dinner recipe, using the least number of dishes as possible. And voila! We bring you a one-pan, 20-minute chicken fajita pasta recipe sure to bring smiles to all your little – and big – one’s faces. Take this meal to a new level by adding in a can of black beans, corn, or olives or perhaps, a sprinkling of your favorite corn tortilla strips for an added low-cal crunch.

Zucchini lasagna bake

Lasagna roll-ups on a white plate
Shutterstock

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup 2% cottage cheese
  • 4 medium zucchini (about 1-3/4 pounds)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • Additional shredded mozzarella cheese, optional

This lightened family favorite will fill bellies and satisfy the tallest of teens to the tiniest of toddlers. This healthy twist on an old Italian favorite lightens its calories without skimping on all those classic flavors. We promise that after a few bites of this baked noodle-free recipe, you won’t even miss the extra carbs those noodles bring to the table. For a bonus bite, substitute the part-skim mozzarella cheese with a blend of provolone, asiago, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses.

Slow cooker beef tips burgundy

meal plan using crock pot
Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock

Ingredients:

  • 1 boneless beef chuck roast (3 pounds), trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 medium onions, halved and sliced
  • 1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups beef stock
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine or additional beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup cold water
  • Hot-cooked egg noodles
  • Minced fresh parsley

This ridiculously easy and unbelievably flavorful recipe goes into your slow cooker and simmers away for 8 hours until you return home from a busy day at the office, running errands, or taking care of business. One of our staff’s favorites to prepare on especially hectic days, and it’s also a favorite of their families, will fill you up and keep you full on chilly fall evenings or busy spring weekends on or off the field.

The importance of a healthy diet

Family preparing a healthy meal
NDAB Creativity / Shutterstock

Everyone knows that a healthy diet is important, but modeling healthy eating for your kids and serving them well-balanced and tasty meals can help them develop healthy eating habits that will last as they grow older and support their growth and development.

Although every child is different, the USDA states that children around 2 years old need between 700 and 1,000 calories, while those between the ages of 2 to 8 will require between 1,000 and 2,000 calories. As your kids grow into teenagers, their daily caloric needs can vary from anywhere from 1,400 to 3,200. Feeding your kids healthy meals can ensure they are getting the calories they need as well as the nutrients needed.

From pasta to roasts and rice bowls to lasagna, our list of diverse and healthy dinner options is sure to please your family’s tastebuds and your budget. Eating healthy doesn’t have to taste bad or be expensive, especially when tweaking just a few ingredients or substituting proteins for leaner options. Flavor and savory-ness do not have to be sacrificed for health reasons, nor do they have to be for the sake of your children. Kids love these recipes just as much as adults do, making these choices great options for family dinner prep to include your children in your meal-making while making a few memories in the process.

Emily Pidgeon
Emily Pidgeon
Former Author
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