Under 500 calorie Recipes

Browse under 500 calorie recipes with ingredients, cooking times, original sources, and step-by-step instructions on Julienne.

• Spaghetti with Sweet Corn Pesto

  When I started writing this book, I knew there was one recipe that had to make the cut. This spaghetti was one of the first recipes I ever published on my website, and to this day it's by far the recipe I hear about the most from friends, family, and readers online. With fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, and basil, this pasta is a celebration of all things summer, but it's the corn 'pesto' — a sauce made with sautéed corn, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil — that really makes it special. It's sweet, creamy, and savory with a flavor truly all its own. This recipe epitomizes the kind of food I like to make — it's colorful, fun to eat, and a little bit unexpected. And while it may use more pans and equipment than my average recipe, when you want to make a serious summer crowd-pleaser, it's worth every minute.

• Honey Cornbread Waffles

  These Honey Cornbread Waffles offer a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for any meal of the day.

• Plum & Apple Crumble Cake

  A show-stopping French-inspired crumble cake featuring a tender, buttery base, layered with aromatic caramelized apples and juicy plums, topped with a crisp golden crumble. Perfectly balanced in texture and sweetness, this dessert is best enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Apple Butter Swim Biscuits

  A modern fusion take on the classic Southern butterswim biscuit, layered with tender sautéed apples, aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg, and finished with a crisp turbinado sugar crust. These biscuits are soaked in melted butter as they bake, resulting in a plush, almost pudding-like crumb that’s both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious. Perfect for a plate-worthy fall breakfast or dessert.

• Pumpkin Donuts with Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Filling

  Dazzling, pillowy pumpkin donuts shaped like pumpkins—lightly fried, rolled in pumpkin spice sugar, and filled with a tangy, silky pumpkin-cream cheese crema. A hint of ancho in the sugar adds warmth and depth, while a cinnamon stick stem and sophisticated presentation make these the star of any autumn table.

• S’mores Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

  These restaurant-worthy s’mores cookies combine the nutty depth of brown butter, gooey marshmallow centers, crisp graham cracker bases, and pools of dark chocolate. Balanced with espresso powder and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, they have gooey centers and crisped edges for the ultimate fusion treat inspired by the nostalgic campfire s’mores.

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Rings

  Crispy, golden chicken rings flavored with garlic and parmesan, finished with a shower of fresh parsley and melted garlic butter. These crave-worthy rings are packed with savory umami, aromatic herbs, and a perfect crunch—ideal for an appetizer, snack, or party platter.

• Caramelized Apple Cheesecake Muffins

  Soft, bakery-style muffins filled with warmly spiced caramelized apples and a creamy cheesecake center, finished with a buttery cinnamon crumble. Each bite balances silky cheesecake, tender apple, and a tender crumb — the ultimate fall treat, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself at home.

• Chorizo Biscuit Breakfast Bake

  A high-protein, plate-worthy breakfast bake featuring layers of fluffy buttermilk biscuits, smoky turkey chorizo, and a creamy, cheesy egg custard. Finished with a golden parmesan crust and fresh green onions for restaurant-style appeal. Perfect for meal prep or serving a crowd, this dish balances savory spices and rich cheese in every bite.

• Dreamy Peaches and Cream Posset in Peach Cups

  A refined, restaurant-worthy French posset served inside delicately hollowed peaches, crowned with lush whipped cream and a warm brown butter-peach compote. This vibrant summer dessert balances creamy tang, caramelized fruit, and a touch of lemon for a showstopping finale.

• Sheet Pan Garlic & Gruyere Chicken with Roasted Veggies

  A restaurant-worthy yet approachable Italian-inspired sheet pan dinner featuring juicy, garlicky butter-brushed chicken and crispy caramelized brussels sprouts, broccoli or asparagus, all finished with a generous layer of bubbly, golden gruyere cheese. Minimal prep, maximum comfort, and plate-worthy appeal.

• Spooky S’mores Cookies

  These plate-worthy, gooey s’mores cookies evoke autumn nostalgia and Halloween fun, blending browned butter caramel notes, plush cookie dough, and the iconic s’mores trio—marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker. Each is topped with a hand-drawn ghost marshmallow for maximum spook-factor and restaurant-level charm.

• Toasted Banana Oats with Honey Butter & Chocolate

  A restaurant-worthy morning treat featuring golden toasted oats, caramelized bananas, and melted chocolate, finished with a swirl of honey butter. Enjoy with creamy yogurt, fresh fruit, or nuts for extra flair and nutrition.

• Cheesy Egg & Maple Chicken Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches

  These elevated breakfast sandwiches combine fluffy baked eggs with cottage cheese and mozzarella, sweet-and-savory maple chicken sausage, and a fresh hit of tomato and spinach—all stacked on toasted English muffins. Perfect for meal prep and busy mornings, they're packed with protein, texture, and chef-level flavor.

• Broccoli-Cheddar Soup

  This soup aims to replicate the familiar taste of the broccoli-Cheddar soup you might enjoy at your favorite lunch spot, like the one at Panera Bread. Rich and creamy, it's a comforting favorite.

• Smoked Paprika Tortilla Soup

  This simplified Mexican soup is served with crispy tortilla strips. It's traditionally made with corn tortillas, but you could use flour tortillas if that's what you have on hand. Baked tortilla chips save on cleanup and provide a crunchy garnish.

• Peach & Kefir Custard Pie

  A nod to my Georgia roots: an old-fashioned peaches and cream pie with a spin to make it grain-free and plant-based. Almond flour creates a sweet, crunchy crust, and kefir thickened with tapioca and arrowroot flour envelop fresh and delicious peaches to create this summertime pie.

• Air Fryer S’mores Dip with Cookie Dough

  An enhanced version of the classic s’mores dip with the addition of gooey cookie dough, made in the air fryer for a quick and delightful treat.

• Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls

  A vibrant, restaurant-worthy bowl inspired by Mexican street corn. Tender, spice-rubbed chicken served over herby cilantro lime rice, paired with a creamy, smoky yogurt dressing and a fresh, colorful street corn salad. Finished with cotija cheese and fresh toppings for texture and color, this bowl offers the perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and creamy flavors.

• S’mores Banana Bread

  A decadent and nostalgic twist on banana bread, featuring gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate, and the rustic crunch of graham crackers. Professional browning and layering techniques elevate this homey loaf into a bakery-worthy treat reminiscent of both campfire s’mores and classic French quick breads. Perfect for dessert or a showstopping brunch centerpiece.

• Banana-Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pops with Dark Chocolate Shell

  A playful, restaurant-worthy take on the classic frozen banana treat: ripe bananas and creamy peanut butter are sandwiched, frozen, and dipped in silky dark chocolate with roasted peanuts. This French-inspired version adds a touch of heavy cream to the chocolate coating for extra richness and a glossy finish, ensuring the pops are delightfully creamy on the inside with a crisp, crackling shell.

• French-Style Viral Apple Yogurt Cake with Almond-Cinnamon Crunch

  A sophisticated take on the beloved viral apple cake, this French-inspired version balances tart apples with a luxuriously tender crumb, enriched by yogurt and olive oil. Finished with a shimmering cinnamon-sugar almond crust, it’s an elegant yet approachable dessert perfect for entertaining.

• Modern Caramel Apple Bark with Coconut & Peanut Butter Caramel

  A modern fusion twist on the viral caramel apple bark, this creation features tart apples, buttery pretzels, ultra-silky dark chocolate, and a luscious coconut peanut butter caramel. Layered textures and a balanced sweet-salty profile make it a plate-worthy fall treat, perfect for entertaining or a cozy dessert.

• Upside Down Pear Cake with Vanilla Bean Custard

  A show-stopping autumnal dessert featuring spiraled pears glazed in a silky maple caramel, topped with a ricotta-enriched, delicately spiced cake. Finished with warm vanilla bean custard, this cake balances moist texture, gentle spice, and a visually stunning presentation—perfect for your next dinner party.