29 Low-Carb Dinner Ideas (+ Easy Recipes)

From meatballs to lasagna to baked ziti, these low-carb dinner ideas are so scrumptious!

One of the main culprits of failed diet attempts is food deprivation.

If you don’t allow your body to eat delicious meals, you’ll never be able to stick to a diet.

The thing is, there really is no reason to deny yourself all of your favorites on a low-carb diet.

A healthy lifestyle isn’t synonymous with boring and bland meals!

The key is to prepare dishes that are both scrumptious and nutritious – and believe me, there are plenty of these out there.

These easy keto-friendly recipes are proof.

Be a few steps closer to your fitness goals! These low-carb dinner ideas are here to help.

1. Stuffed Zucchini Boats 

Think of these zucchini boats as lasagna, minus the carbs.

Zucchini strips are topped with sweet and savory meat sauce, sprinkled with lots of cheese, and baked to bubbly perfection.

Zucchini has never tasted this good, and lasagna has never been healthier. Let the mouth watering commence!

2. Bang Bang Cauliflower 

Start your meal with a bang – literally. Bang bang cauliflower is a low-carb version of Bonefish Grill’s bang bang shrimp. 

This appetizer features fried cauliflower florets dipped in sweet and spicy chili sauce, and it’s 100% amazing.

Even non-dieters will fall in love with this dish.

3. Butternut Squash Noodles 

Just because you’re on a keto diet doesn’t mean you have to give up pasta.

With this low-carb alternative, you can have as much pasta as you want!

Just like any regular pasta, butternut squash noodles are super versatile.

You can toss them in marinara, turn them into a noodle salad, or pair them with protein. 

4. Zucchini Lasagna 

Here’s another recipe for zucchini lasagna for ya! Because there’s no such thing as too much lasagna.

Layers of zucchini strips, meat sauce, grated parmesan and mozzarella, and basil leaves make up this incredible dish. 

It’s not only keto-friendly but gluten-free as well. 

5. Cauliflower Rice 

If you’re having trouble giving up rice, here’s the perfect solution for you.

Cauliflower rice tastes just like regular white rice but contains lower carbs and calories. 

It has more substantial nutritional value, to boot – a fantastic alternative for weight watchers.

The best part is it’s super easy to prepare. In fact, all you’ll need is cauliflower!

6. Chicken Lettuce Wraps

A low-carb diet means goodbye tortilla bread. But that doesn’t mean you need to give up tacos.

Instead of a tortilla, use lettuce! The added crunch is awesome, and that green hue makes it extra appetizing, too.

Fill the lettuce with taco-seasoned chicken, tomato, avocado, and drizzle with cilantro lime sauce.

It’s so good, you won’t even notice you’re on a diet.

7. Keto Pizza 

Thanks to a super-simple keto crust, you can enjoy a delicious pizza any day without the guilt.

If you’ve never heard of fathead dough, you’re in for a treat.

This pizza crust replacement is made of almond flour, egg, mozzarella, cream cheese, and baking powder.

It’s low in carbs but definitely high in flavor!

8. Keto Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Cauliflower isn’t just an excellent substitute for rice, but potatoes, too!

Cauliflower mash is just as rich, creamy, and buttery as regular mashed potatoes, but a lot more wholesome.

The best part? It only requires 5 simple ingredients.

9. Taco Stuffed Tomatoes 

Here’s another taco-riffic low-carb treat!

Hollowed-out tomatoes are filled with taco-seasoned ground beef, browned onions, and just a little bit of rice. 

It’s hearty, nutritious, and insanely delicious. Those vibrant colors make it Insta-worthy, to boot. You couldn’t ask for more.

10. Low Carb Chicken Pot Pie

Just like keto pizza, this chicken pot pie uses fathead dough for its crust. I’m telling you, if you haven’t tried it yet, do it today! You won’t regret it.

Apart from the sensational crust, the filling is also pretty amazing.

There’s chicken, heavy cream, cheese, peas, and a bunch of aromatic herbs and flavorful seasonings. This is home-cooking at its best!

11. Zucchini Noodle Caprese with Pesto  

Zucchini, basil, and tomatoes: these are pretty much all you need to make this sensational noodle caprese.

Those, and an easy-peasy pesto made of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and nuts. 

It may be simple, but it’s mind-blowingly delicious. 

12. Garlic Butter Parmesan Meatballs

Who doesn’t love meatballs, am I right? Add a cheesy butter sauce to the mix and they become even more to die for! 

This rich sauce goes well with cauliflower rice or veggie noodles. What a fantastic meal!

The best part? It’s low-carb and keto-friendly. It’s everything you can ask for in a dish!

13. Cauliflower Baked Ziti 

Will you look at that ooey-gooey, cheesy goodness! Cauliflower baked ziti is loaded with three cheeses – parmesan, ricotta, and mozzarella.

How can anyone resist?

Aside from the cheese, the cauliflower florets are also flavored with Italian sausage and marinara, giving you the perfect balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and savory. 

14. Chicken Zucchini Enchiladas 

Craving for Mexican? Turn zucchini into tortillas and make enchiladas!

Inside these zucchini rolls are shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and loads of cheese.

The rolls are topped with even more enchilada and cheese and baked until melted. It’s absolutely amazing. 

15. Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Chicken and mozzarella is always a good combination. Case in point: this grilled bruschetta!

The flavors and textures go so well together that you don’t need a lot more to complete the dish. Just simple fresh tomato and basil will do!

16. Big Mac Cheeseburger Salad

Bet you didn’t expect a Big Mac to be on this list, eh? But it is, and it is glorious.

Gone are the days when you needed to stick to bland fish and vegetables to lose weight.

With this masterpiece of a dish, you can enjoy the deliciousness of a classic Big Mac, but in salad form. And yes, it’s good for you!

17. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus 

Bacon has the magical ability to make anything irresistible. It works wonders even on the humble asparagus!

Wrap asparagus spears in bacon, pop them in the oven, and serve.

If you’re serving these at a party, I suggest you double the batch. This appetizer disappears quickly!

18. Garlic Butter Salmon and Asparagus

Salmon is already rich and fatty, but you can still take that flavor up a notch by adding butter and garlic. Hello, umami goodness!

To balance out the sheer richness, throw in some asparagus stalks into the mix.

The vegetable absorbs the garlic butter sauce, giving it so much flavor.

Plus, its crunchiness is a perfect contrast to the tender and flaky salmon.

19. Greek Salad Sushi 

This next dish is an interesting fusion of two amazing cuisines. Let me introduce you to this Greek salad sushi!

It’s a delicious alternative to traditional sushi, and it’s divine.

With this Mediterranean twist on the Japanese classic, there’s no need to worry about all the carbs from the rice. 

20. Baked Bacon Cheese Butternut Squash

Chunks of butternut squash are topped with bacon and cheese and baked to golden perfection.

It’s sweet, nutty, and oozing with cheesy goodness! The bacon adds such a lovely smoky flavor, to boot.

21. Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry 

This stir fry features chicken breast and asparagus flavored with lemon, garlic, and ginger. 

I love how simple ingredients create the most fantastic dishes.

The combination of tangy, spicy, and distinctive garlic flavor makes this stir-fry extra spectacular. dish!

22. Egg Roll in a Bowl 

For an Asian-inspired dish, how about some egg rolls in a bowl? We’re skipping out on the egg wrappers, but all the flavors you love are still there.

Pro-tip: make sure to add the sesame oil. It’s the secret ingredient that gives the dish its unique flavor.

23. Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Not a fan of Brussels Sprouts? This casserole will change your mind.

Topped with bacon, garlic cheese sauce, parmesan, and mozzarella, to say that this dish is rich is an understatement.

24. Salmon Salad Wraps 

Tender and flaky salmon is mixed with mayo, sour cream, dill, parsley, and lemon zest.

The umami-ness is intense, which is why it makes perfect sense to wrap it in lettuce!

Together, they create the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

25. Cauliflower Tots 

These cauliflower tots are tried and tested. Even though they aren’t quite as good as the real deal, they’re still pretty amazing!

26. Low-Carb “Baked Potato” Cauliflower Soup

This potato soup contains zero potatoes, but it’s still mouthwatering. The not-so-secret ingredient? You’ve guessed it – cauliflower.

This low-carb alternative is insanely rich and full of flavor.

Topped with crumbled veggie bacon, dairy-free cheese, and chives, this soup has everything you’ll want in a baked potato, but without all the calories.

27. Chicken Salad 

It’s rich and creamy, and healthy and low-carb, to boot. Chicken salad gives the word “salad” a whole new meaning.

Whether you eat it as is, top it on low-carb crackers, or use it as a lettuce wrap filling, you can’t go wrong.

28. Broccoli Rice 

Cauliflower rice may be more popular, but broccoli rice deserves some attention, too!

What I love about this green bowl of faux rice is that it puts the often-discarded broccoli stalks into good use. 

And the result? Just as fantastic as regular white rice, only a hundred times more nutritious.

29. Low Carb “French Fries” 

Last but certainly not least is this low-carb alternative to French fries. I’m sure you’re wondering – is this even possible? 

Why yes! And it’s all thanks to rutabaga. 

This turnip-like root crop yields crispy and flavorful fries with significantly lesser carbs than potatoes. It’s a win-win!