17 Light Dinner Ideas to Add to Your Weekly Meal Rotation These dishes will leave you feeling satisfied and satiated. Close Credit: Ryan Liebe Sometimes, you just want a light dinner that satisfies without putting you straight to bed. Our light dinners feature poultry, tofu, or fish as the main protein, rather than heavier options. Some dishes could stand alone as appetizers or snacks, but we provide ideas for turning them into complete meals that still feel light. Each recipe yields just enough for a family or a couple, with a little leftover for lunch the next day. This collection includes fresh, flavorful salads and soups, along with simple, high-protein dishes that keep you feeling full. Ahead, we share some of our favorite recipes for a perfect light dinner any night of the week. 18 Easy Dinner Recipes for When You Don't Feel Like Cooking 01 of 17 Ginger-Chicken Slaw Credit: Courtesy of Johnny Fogg Our ideal light dinner combines fresh flavors, vegetables, and protein, and this dish has it all. Julienned carrots, Savoy cabbage, roasted cashews, ginger, and lime juice come together to create a vibrant. flavorful meal. Thanks to the chicken and greens, it's a light dinner that still leaves you feeling satisfied. View Recipe 02 of 17 Yellow Tomato and Peach Gazpacho Credit: FreÌdeÌric Lagrange Our yellow tomato and peach gazpacho embraces the flavors of seasonal produce and makes for a light dinner paired with a side salad or crusty bread. The gazpacho is garnished with diced peaches, bell pepper, cucumber, and fresh herbs for an impressive and tasty garnish. View Recipe 03 of 17 No-Mayo Mediterranean Tuna Salad Credit: Johnny Miller This no-mayo tuna salad is a lighter take on the original. The lemon-caper vinaigrette lends bold flavors while staying on the lighter side compared to using mayonnaise. This dish is often served as a snack or appetizer, but for a light dinner, consider pairing it with crusty bread, crackers, crudités, or make it into a wrap. View Recipe 04 of 17 Baked Fish With Summer Squash Credit: Con Poulos White fish is flakey, light, and absorbs the delicious seasoning you choose. Baked with summer squash and tomatoes, the fish stays tender and juicy. Pair the dish with a side of quinoa or green salad for a little more heft. View Recipe 05 of 17 Corn and Zucchini Orzo Salad Credit: John Kernick This big-batch orzo salad makes six servings—enough to feed the whole family or for meal prepping a few light dinners for the week. You can add a side of chicken or fish for more protein, or pair with a side salad for additional greens. View Recipe 06 of 17 Warm Quinoa and Chicken Salad Credit: Christina Holmes A one-pan recipe that's protein-packed and guaranteed to make you feel great afterward. It comes together in less than an hour and makes enough for the whole family to enjoy. Quinoa bowls are great for light, protein-packed meals that will keep you satiated while also getting plenty of vegetables. View Recipe 07 of 17 Cashew-Chickpea Salad With Cabbage Slaw Credit: Ryan Liebe A light, nutrient-dense dinner option that boasts bold flavor. The citrus, nuts, and greens combination is delicious. The protein comes from the cashews and chickpeas in a crunchy, irresistible way. A creamy cashew butter mixed with miso, tamari, ginger, and sesame seeds creates a satisfying dish. View Recipe 08 of 17 Shrimp Cobb With Cilantro-Lime Dressing Credit: Bryan Gardner A zesty take on the classic cobb salad with shrimp instead of chicken is covered in a cilantro-lime dressing. This variation is a bit lighter than the traditional cobb salad but still boasts the same delicious flavors we all know and love. The zesty cilantro-lime dressing offers a fresh finish to each bite. View Recipe 09 of 17 Chicken Zoodle Soup Credit: Armando Rafael A lighter version of chicken noodle soup, this recipe replaces the noodles with zoodles. This light dish is great year-round and can be paired with a side salad or crusty bread to make it a more complete meal. View Recipe 10 of 17 Crumbled-Tofu-and-Shiitake Lettuce Cups Credit: Nico Schinco Lettuce wraps make any dish more fun and colorful, and these crumbled tofu and shiitake lettuce cups do the trick for a light dinner because you can decide how many you want to add to your plate. The tofu and sushi rice will keep you satiated, and the chili-garlic sauce offers a nice kick with each bite. View Recipe 11 of 17 Avocado Sushi Credit: Joanna Garcia These take a little work, but they're worth it. Avocado sushi is the epitome of a light, satisfying dinner. Since sushi is often an appetizer, adding soup or a side salad to this dish can create a more substantial light dinner. View Recipe 12 of 17 Lemony Quinoa-and-Spinach Soup Credit: Armando Rafael Our lemony quinoa and spinach soup is packed with all the good things. It's very light and refreshing and is great paired with crusty bread for dipping. For more protein, add shredded chicken or tofu to the soup. View Recipe 13 of 17 Pasta With Zucchini, Mint, and Pecorino Credit: Bryan Gardner Bold in flavor, this fresh pasta dish is a great way to end the day. Grated zucchini, anchovies, and garlic are combined for a summery, umami sauce. To top it off, Pecorino Romano cheese and fresh mint leaves are stirred in for more flavor. View Recipe 14 of 17 Flounder in Parchment With Asparagus and Shiitakes Credit: Ryan Liebe A fish dish designed for two offers deep flavor with a mess-proof cooking method. The light and flaky white fish is baked with shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, red onion, and a dry white wine, elevating its flavor. It's the perfect savory, sophisticated light dinner for two. View Recipe 15 of 17 One-Pan Pasta Credit: Maxwell Cozzi This is one of our most popular recipes, and it doubles as an ideal light dinner. The simple, cherry tomato and basil sauce makes this pasta dish easy to make in a pinch, while still providing all the flavor. View Recipe 16 of 17 Scrambled Eggs With Mixed Herbs Credit: Con Poulos When in doubt, scrambled eggs with mixed herbs are a perfect go-to light dinner. Packed with protein, scrambled eggs will always leave you feeling content. To complete the meal, add a toasted baguette slice all buttered up. View Recipe 17 of 17 Poached-Chicken Cups With Ginger-Scallion Oil Credit: Armando Rafael This easy, light dinner never fails to impress. It's a go-to dish your family will love any night of the week, and it's ideal in the summertime. The lettuce cups are filled with poached chicken, crunchy carrots, and tossed with a rice vinegar and scallion ginger dressing. View Recipe Explore more: Food & Cooking Recipes Dinner Recipes Healthy Dinner Recipes