One of the few benefits of not living on campus is always coming home to hearty meals made everyday with love and fresh ingredients. In my family, there’s an unspoken rule that we all must eat dinner together to enjoy each other’s company and savor the food even more. But just because I don’t have a group of friends from school that I consider family (yet, hopefully), doesn’t mean that you don’t! So, the next time you all get together and attempt to make a delicious homemade dinner to avoid the dining hall, try one of these healthy(ish) low-calorie(ish) recipes to impress your friends and make mom proud when you send her the pinterest-worthy photos:
1. Hatch Green Chile and Tomato Egg Casserole
Yes, I’m one of those people who genuinely enjoys eating and (kind of) making casseroles. They’re so incredibly filling and there are endless possibilities to what you can put in them! This one is especially interesting, because it only ranges between 220-250 calories per serving.
2. Stir-Fry Sesame Chicken
Put down that takeout menu and try making this protein-packed dish instead!
Tip: if you don’t like cilantro, as many people don’t, you can easily take it out or substitute it with scallions.
3. Eggplant Parmesan
It’s going to smell like an Italian restaurant in your kitchen by the time you’re finished with this recipe. Plus, if you hate making a 2 page grocery list just to make one dish, then you’re in luck, since this recipe only requires 6 ingredients!
4. Low Carb Baked Eggs in Peppers
Okay, I know this sounds super simple, but if you’re anything like me, you can royally mess up the easiest recipes. Try this dish the next time you don’t have an early morning class. Or if you really have things together, you can try it on a day where you do have an early morning class. I commend you if you can manage to do that, since I can barely match my socks on days I have class at 9:30 A.M.
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sandwich
As a girl who goes to George Mason University, loves Chick-Fil-A, and is trying to watch her calorie intake, things haven’t been working out too well. I frequent the Chick-Fil-A at Mason far too often and I always over-indulge. If you struggle with your love for the delicious combination of beautifully fried chicken and pickles, or if you only crave Chick-Fil-A on Sundays, this one is for you.
