23 Low-Carb Dinners Under 500 Calories That Actually Look Good AF

Proving that low-carb can actually be very tasty.

Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed

Carbs are delicious. But if you're trying to limit them, you may want to do it at dinner.

Comedy Central / Via huluperfectgif.tumblr.com

Carbs are meant to fuel your body, registered dietitian Erica Giovinazzo tells BuzzFeed Health. But because most people sit around after dinner, there usually isn't much to fuel for, which means those unused carbs will be stored as fat.

So if your goal is to cut down on body fat, it would help to focus on eating more protein and fat at dinner, which take longer to digest than carbs and will keep you fuller longer, Giovinazzo explains.

Here are some easy dinner options all under 500 calories, with less than 25 grams of carbs per serving.

Plus, they look delicious. Dig in!

1. Pesto Zoodles With Chicken

boundbyfood.com

Swap pasta for zucchini noodles for a lighter, greener dinner. Get the recipe here.

2. Mushroom and Spinach Cauliflower Pilau

aninas-recipes.com

This vegetarian medley is as nutritious as it looks. Get the recipe here.

3. Green Chile Chicken Enchilada–Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

reciperunner.com

No tortillas, no problem. Mix your chicken enchilada fillings with the spaghetti squash strands and then bake with extra cheese. You won't even notice you're eating vegetables. Get the recipe here.

4. Ginger Peanut Lettuce Wraps

foxandbriar.com

These lettuce wraps are light, refreshing, and taste amazing dipped in the ginger peanut sauce. Get the recipe here.

5. Beef Burgers With Jerk Onions & Cucumber Avocado Salad

eatdrinkpaleo.com.au

Looks complicated, but only takes about 30 minutes. Get the recipe here.

6. Zucchini Pizza Casserole

kendrastreats.com

All the pizza taste without all the carbs, and it packs 26 grams of protein per serving. Get the recipe here.

7. Spiralized Zucchini Casserole With Red Peppers, Spinach, and Artichokes

foodfaithfitness.com

Good for dinner, but also great for breakfast. Get the recipe.

8. Sriracha Almond-Crusted Pork Chops With Spicy Honey Mustard Sauce

reciperunner.com

Sriracha. Almond. Crusted. Pork chops. PEOPLE. Get the recipe here.

9. Hamburger Soup

aforkstale.com

After a long day, a warm bowl of this hearty, protein-packed soup will hit the spot. Get the recipe here.

10. Sesame Beef Strips and Stir-Fry Vegetables

dinner-mom.com

It's a flavorful, easy stir-fry that's perfect for busy weeknights. Get the recipe here.

11. Corona Steamed Mussels with Corn and Chorizo

thesuburbansoapbox.com

Mussels sounds fancy and like a whole ordeal to make, but you can actually whip up a batch of these in just 10 minutes. Get the recipe here.

12. Cauliflower Fried Rice

mayihavethatrecipe.com

OK it's not actually rice, but this garlicky goodness will satisfy your sweet and salty fix. Get the recipe here.

13. Sesame Salmon and Cucumber Salad

Natalie And Cody Gantz / Via thegantzery.com

This easy recipe is made up entirely of whole foods and takes less than 15 minutes to make. Get the recipe here.

14. Spicy Shrimp and Cabbage Stir-Fry

kendrastreats.com

Instead of ordering takeout, toss together some shrimp, cabbage, soy sauce, Sriracha, seasame oil, and a few additional fixings to get this delicious stir-fry. Get the recipe here.

15. Mexican Chipotle Beef–Stuffed Peppers

fromcatstocooking.com

You won't even miss the tortillas. Get the recipe here.

16. One-Pot Turkey Taco Skillet

bijouxandbits.com

A great alternative for ~Taco Tuesdays~. Get the recipe here.

17. Crab-Stuffed Whitefish

bamskitchen.com

If you're looking to switch it up, try serving this buttery stuffed-fish recipe with a side of steamed broccoli. Get the recipe here.

18. Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Boats With Chicken & Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

thefoodieandthefix.com

Delicious sautéed chicken mixed with a roasted red pepper cream sauce and then baked in a spaghetti squash bowl and covered in melted cheese. What more could you want? Get the recipe here.

19. One-Pot Steamed Garlic and Herb Scallops With Veggies

cottercrunch.com

OK, so this is a splurge meal, but it will be damn delicious. Get the recipe here.

20. Skillet Sausage and Shrimp

healthyrecipesblogs.com

All hail one-skillet meals. Get the recipe here.

21. Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce

cafedelites.com

No noodles, no problem. Get the recipe here.

22. Mexican Tuna Salad With Avocado

avocadopesto.com

Take a break from your usual avo toasts by making this tuna salad combo. Get the recipe here.

23. Chicken and Brussels Sprouts With Mustard Sauce

selfproclaimedfoodie.com

You will feel fancy AF when you pull off this surprisingly easy dinner. Get the recipe here.

All nutritional information was calculated using caloriecount.com.