Slow cooking is a surefire way to ensure a delicious dinner gets on the table, even on the busiest of nights. And it’s also a great way to prepare a meal everyone at the dinner table can actually feel good about. All of these recipes clock in at 300 calories or less so you won’t have to choose between convenience and sticking to your goals. Take for example, our hearty Slow-Cooker Ham and Black-Eyed Pea Soup packed with nutrient-rich ingredients, chock full of veggies and with just 260 calories per serving. And that’s not all, Salisbury steak meatballs, barbecued pulled pork and lemon-pepper chicken are just a few of the satisfying and low-calorie dishes you can make with your faithful slow cooker.
4.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 121 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 25 min
- Total time: 4 hr 45 min
- Ingredients: 12
- Servings: 6
Now you can have a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home. This Italian-inspired dinner starts with a very important step, browning your chicken. If you’re think about skipping this step to save a little time, think again! By browning the chicken before adding to the slow cooker, you’ll achieve a richly-flavored dish that any nonna would be proud to call her own. Plus, it’s loaded with veggies and has just 215 calories per serving.
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 90 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 30 min
- Total time: 5 hr 40 min
- Ingredients: 9
- Servings: 8
You might be thinking: How could lasagna be low calorie? Well, with a few tasty tricks and better-for-you swaps, the experts in the Betty Crocker Kitchens found a way! We skipped the meat and made this layered dish with tons of veggies, like zucchini, bell peppers and crushed tomatoes. We also swapped in light ricotta cheese and part-skim mozzarella cheese for the creamy filling. Want to make this recipe your own? Try adding in even more vegetables—like mushrooms, shredded carrots or squash—the possibilities for this cheesy, veggie-loaded dinner are endless!
4.1 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 85 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 40 min
- Total time: 3 hr 20 min
- Ingredients: 12
- Servings: 4
Meaty, and rightfully so, this smothered pork chop meal is the low-calorie, special-occasion dinner you’ve been searching for. Smoky bacon and caramelized onions create a luscious sauce that smothers richly seasoned chops for a hearty and completely satisfying dish that everyone can get behind.
4.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 21 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 25 min
- Total time: 7 hr 25 min
- Ingredients: 10
- Servings: 6
Thanks to the low-and-slow cooking method, a single ham hock infuses every bite of this soup with rich flavor. The black-eyed peas soak up just the right amount of this savory broth to turn out perfectly—not too hard and not too soft, just right. With all that protein in the mix, you can feel good about devouring a serving of this hearty and satisfying soup.
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 141 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 30 min
- Total time: 3 hr 40 min
- Ingredients: 16
- Servings: 8
Here’s a dish you really won’t believe comes in at less than 300 calories per serving! This homemade take on Salisbury steak meatballs starts with ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, soy sauce and an egg making for about two dozen tender meatballs that simmer low over a bed of onions and mushrooms until cooked to perfection. For a complete meal, try serving over a bed of brown rice or veggies; either way, you won’t be disappointed in these tasty scratch-made meatballs!
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 19 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 15 min
- Total time: 6 hr 15 min
- Ingredients: 11
- Servings: 8
You might be thinking, beans again? What can we say, they’re packed with protein and make for a super tasty soup! This hearty yet surprisingly refreshing soup is made with just 10 ingredients, though the flavor outcome argues there’s more. A squeeze of fresh lime juice provides the perfect tangy balance, and you can go ahead and gild the lily with toppings like fresh pico de gallo, sour cream or and slices of avocado.
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 47 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 30 min
- Total time: 4 hr 0 min
- Ingredients: 10
- Servings: 8
Bursting with fresh flavor, this light and bright chicken dish is one you’ll quickly add to your weekly dinner rotation. Chicken thighs cook on low in a lemon-pepper butter sauce that’s so silky-smooth, you’ll second guess this dish’s calorie count. But we can assure you, this lemony recipe is just 240 calories per serving!
4.2 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 19 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 45 min
- Total time: 4 hr 15 min
- Ingredients: 14
- Servings: 6
There’s nothing better than a good roast chicken, and we’re here to prove that you can achieve a succulent, herb-infused bird right in your slow cooker—no oven-roasting required! Garlic and fresh thyme meld with the rest of the ingredients, like onions, carrots and mushrooms, so you can bet every bite it just as delicious as the next. A fresh garden salad or a side of rice would be perfect way to round out this dish.
4.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 96 reviews.- Prep time: 15 min
- Total time: 4 hr 45 min
- Ingredients: 14
- Servings: 8
It’s hard to not love chicken tortilla soup, and this five-star version doesn’t disappoint. With just an easy 15-minute prep time, a bowl of this hearty, low-calorie soup could be simmering away in your slow cooker. So all you have to worry about are the toppings! (We recommend crushed tortilla chips, sour cream and fresh cilantro.)
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 161 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 15 min
- Total time: 10 hr 45 min
- Ingredients: 12
- Servings: 18
With 18 servings, this saucy, tender pulled-pork recipe is just about as potluck-friendly as it gets. We combined two of our favorite party foods, spicy fajitas and tangy pulled pork sandwiches, and created something we think both teams will like. And since it’s under 300 calories, you can party away without worrying about your diet!
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 66 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 20 min
- Total time: 3 hr 20 min
- Ingredients: 11
- Servings: 6
This just might be the very best meatloaf you’ll ever make. Cooking in the slow cooker keeps the meatloaf super moist and tender (no dry spots here). And even better, you can go about your merry business outside of the kitchen.
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 171 reviews.Kitchen Tested- Prep time: 15 min
- Total time: 8 hr 20 min
- Ingredients: 9
- Servings: 6
This slow-cooker chili recipe has received high praise from over 150 home cooks and for good reason! With just 15 minutes of prep time and seven ingredients, you’ve got a hearty family dinner cooking. So it’s just an added bonus that each serving of this family-friendly chili comes to less than 300 calories per serving.
