If light dinners sound like a boring backup plan, these will change your mind fast. You won’t miss the grill one bit when dinner’s this easy, quick, and straight-up great. These meals know exactly what they’re doing—less heat, less time, and still packed with the kind of flavor that actually makes sense when it’s hot out.
Cavatelli with Arugula Pesto. Photo credit: xoxoBella.
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
This broccoli pesto pasta with ricotta comes together in 30 minutes with no heavy prep. It’s a solid dinner option when you want something fresh but filling.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is bold with tomato and eggplant but still stays light. It’s a strong pick when you’re skipping meat and skipping the grill.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma
Shiro Wat (Ethiopian Chickpea Stew)
Ethiopian chickpea stew uses pantry spices and cooks in under an hour. It works when you want dinner to be light but not leave you hunting for more.
Get the Recipe: Shiro Wat (Ethiopian Chickpea Stew)
Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)
Vegan efo riro with spinach is bold, hearty, and doesn’t need much else to be dinner. It’s an easy way to keep things lighter without missing dinner entirely.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
This green bean casserole gets crispy on top and creamy underneath, all in 30 minutes. It’s perfect when you want a quick dinner that still holds up.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Lemon ricotta pasta is a quick 15-minute dinner with just a few ingredients. It’s great for nights when you want something fast that won’t weigh you down.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Vegan Fajitas
Vegan fajitas with veggies and dairy-free yogurt make an easy wrap-style meal. They’re a smart pick when you want something fast and still dinner-worthy.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Fajitas
Kung Pao Tofu
Kung Pao tofu with peppers comes together quickly and has a little kick. It’s a bold plant-based option that keeps things light without being small.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Tofu
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Stuffed spaghetti squash with mozzarella and veggies bakes into a full meal. It’s a lighter way to do comfort food without leaning on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Cavatelli with Arugula Pesto
Cavatelli with arugula pesto is a straightforward pasta dish that cooks fast and doesn’t feel heavy. A good pick for when you want a lighter take on pasta night.
Get the Recipe: Cavatelli with Arugula Pesto
Paccheri al Forno
Paccheri al Forno is a baked pasta that still feels easygoing for a weekday dinner. It’s a great choice when you want something filling but not over the top.
Get the Recipe: Paccheri al Forno
Vegetable Korma
Mixed vegetable korma with potatoes is rich without being too much. Add rice or bread and you’ve got a dinner that’s light enough but still complete.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Korma
Pasta e Piselli
Pasta e piselli with peas and cheese is quick and easy to throw together. It’s a meat-free option that works well when you don’t want anything heavy.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Piselli
Ayurvedic Indian Kitchari
Kitchari cooks in under an hour and uses rice and lentils for something simple. It’s a good call when you want comfort but don’t want to overdo it.
Get the Recipe: Ayurvedic Indian Kitchari
Chana Masala
Chana masala is a one-pot chickpea dish that brings flavor without the extra weight. It’s great for cooler nights when grilling just doesn’t make sense.
Get the Recipe: Chana Masala
Vegan Ham
Vegan ham made with wheat gluten is hearty and holds its own at the table. It’s a solid way to do dinner without going too heavy or too long.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Ham
Instant Pot Jollof
Nigerian Jollof rice is bold and tomato-packed but still feels balanced for the evening. It’s a one-pot dinner that skips the grill and still shows up strong.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Jollof
Jamaican Rasta Pasta
Vegan rasta pasta comes together in 30 minutes with spice and vegetables. It’s perfect when you want a dinner that’s flavorful but not too much.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Rasta Pasta
Aloo Gobi Masala
Roasted aloo gobi takes little prep and still comes through with great texture. It’s a fast meatless meal that keeps dinner feeling light but real.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala
Dal Tadka
Dal tadka is full of flavor and made with basic ingredients like lentils and spices. Pair it with rice or bread for a dinner that doesn’t drag you down.
Get the Recipe: Dal Tadka
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This mushroom pasta is creamy with garlic and comes together fast. It’s a solid pick when you want something cozy without it feeling like too much.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Easy Mushroom Wellington
Vegan mushroom Wellington is packed with texture and bakes up flaky. It’s great for a dinner that feels like a treat but still keeps things light.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mushroom Wellington
Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese
Broccoli cheddar mac and cheese is quick and full of flavor without going heavy. It’s a great comfort meal that still works as a light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese
Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
This burrito bowl is fast, filling, and doesn’t need any extras to make it dinner. It’s an easy way to eat well without firing up the grill.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Lightened-up tuna noodle casserole is creamy and full of vegetables. It’s a dinner that checks the box without being too much for the evening.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Creamy Halloumi Pasta
Creamy halloumi pasta is quick to make and just rich enough. It’s a great pick when you want something comforting but still light.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Halloumi Pasta
Healthy Fried Chicken
Baked crispy chicken skips the deep fry but still keeps the crunch. It’s a great way to do dinner that’s lighter without missing out on texture.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Fried Chicken
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