2,691 light recipes

Light plum or apricot tea cake made with egg whites, orange juice, and fructose instead of butter and sugar. A lower-fat fruit loaf that stays moist for days.

Foolproof chocolate mousse made with just two ingredients: instant chocolate pudding folded into whipped cream. A 5-minute no-bake dessert that's light, fluffy, and impossible to mess up.

Fantastic fruit muffins: low-fat whole wheat muffins with oats, pear, cranberry, and golden raisin. Prune puree replaces butter for natural moisture; egg whites keep them light and healthy.

Sesame rice noodles toss soaked vermicelli with sesame oil, chile oil, bean sprouts, scallions, and cilantro. Light, fragrant Chinese-style noodles ready in 20 minutes, served hot or chilled.

Broiled salmon steaks with citrus vinaigrette: orange and lime juice, garlic, and fresh cilantro doubling as marinade and finishing sauce. Bright, light, and broiler-quick on a busy weeknight.

Low-calorie gumbo-style vegetable soup with okra, tomatoes, corn, celery, and rice. A thin, snackable broth for when you want something hot and filling but light on calories.

Diabetic-friendly no-cheese cheesecake built on yogurt, gelatin, whipped milk powder, and lemon over a graham crust. Light, fluffy, sugar-free if you want it, no oven required.

Cold sesame noodles with a creamy peanut butter and sesame oil sauce, lightly spiced with hot sauce and soy. Quick lunch or potluck pasta salad ready in 15 minutes.

Pasta salad primavera: warm or cold pasta tossed with broccoli, red pepper, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. A light, vegetable-forward Italian spring salad that works any temperature.

Diabetic-friendly cherry pie with sugar-free custard filling and a lightly browned meringue top. A sugar-replacement twist on the classic Washington's cherry pie that keeps the indulgence.

Sugar-free peach shortcake with juicy fresh peaches under a tender almond-cinnamon cake, then flipped to show off a glossy fruit top. Light dessert sweetened without refined sugar.

Wild green salad tossing bittersweet escarole, lemony sorrel, and fresh mint with toasted sunflower seeds in a light herb vinegar dressing. A bright, garden-fresh bowl ready in minutes.

Shrimp scampi broiled in a bright white wine, lemon, and herb sauce with shallots, basil, and oregano. A light, fast seafood dinner that is ready in about 20 minutes.

Tortilla torte: tortillas layered with mashed pinto beans, picante green chile sauce, Monterey Jack and olives, baked and cut in wedges. A light vegetarian Mexican stack served over greens.

Pecan crunch apple pie with chopped apples, brown sugar, and toasted pecans baked into a single-crust pie. The separated egg trick gives the filling a light, almost cake-like lift.

Flaky pastry tart crust made with grapefruit soda instead of water. A 4-ingredient shortening crust that blind bakes golden in 20 minutes. The carbonation keeps the dough light and tender.