From desserts to casseroles to breakfast bakes, the 8x8 pan is a right-sized kitchen workhorse. These diabetic-friendly recipes bake up without loads of leftovers.
24 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes That Put Your 8×8 Pan to Work
Updated on Sep. 10, 2024
Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes
Take the chill off any blustery day and make something special to accompany meaty entrees. This is the best scalloped potatoes recipe ever, and my family loves when I serve it. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
1/24
2/24
Oatmeal Date Bars
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In no time at all, these oatmeal date bars will be ready for your family. They'll be surprised at how light and tasty these treats are. —Helen Cluts, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 182 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit.
3/24
Turkey Mushroom Tetrazzini
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Your family will flip over this turkey and mushroom casserole. In fact, the creamy Parmesan-topped tetrazzini is so satisfying, no one will suspect it's lower in fat! —Irene Banegas, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 331 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 544mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat-free milk.
4/24
Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
Easy and cheesy, my go-to casserole for action-packed mornings has made many appearances at holiday breakfasts, potlucks and even my daughter's college apartment to feed her hungry roommates. —Patty Bernhard, Greenville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 324 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 239mg cholesterol, 822mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
5/24
Yogurt Cornbread
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband doesn't like traditional Texas cornbread, so I came up with this recipe. This is the only kind he'll eat. Yogurt makes this variation different from most. —Amanda Andrews of Mansfield, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 157 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 349mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
6/24
Mexican Manicotti
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Serve this hearty entree with Spanish rice, homemade salsa and tortilla chips. I've also made it without ground beef, and our friends who are vegetarians requested the recipe. —Lucy Shifton, Wichita, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 431 calories, 20g fat (12g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 554mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.
7/24
Italian Hot Dish
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 394 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
8/24
No-Guilt Brownies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
Yes, you can watch your diet and enjoy treats, too! These healthy brownies are the perfect cure for a serious chocolate craving. —Rita Ross, Delta, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 brownie: 117 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 107mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
9/24
Vegetable & Beef Stuffed Red Peppers
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love making this stuffed pepper recipe. It's one of the few ways I can get my husband to eat veggies. Make it meatless by replacing the beef with eggplant and adding more vegetables like mushrooms or squash. You can also replace the rice with barley, couscous or even orzo. —Jennifer Zimmerman, Avondale, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper: 287 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 555mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
10/24
Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve tried “light” cheesecake recipes before with mixed results. Making a few changes, I created a rich, creamy cheesecake filling that truly tastes like the real deal. —Katie Farrell, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 193 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.
11/24
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A package of frozen potatoes makes this hash brown egg casserole simple to prepare. Featuring bacon and cheddar cheese, this easy egg bake is tasty breakfast or brunch fare. You can even make it the night before, keep in the fridge and bake the next morning—so convenient! —Cheryl Johnson, Plymouth, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 354 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 227mg cholesterol, 649mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
12/24
Crab-Stuffed Manicotti
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love pasta and my husband loves seafood. I combined them to create this dish, and he raved that it's the best meal ever. —Sonya Polfliet, Anza, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 shells: 359 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 793mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 fat-free milk.
13/24
Pumpkin Snack Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The crunchy, sweet topping makes this simple pumpkin snack cake taste extra special. If you prefer a sweeter cake, omit the topping and spread with your favorite frosting instead. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 151 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.
14/24
Sugar-Free Chocolate Fudge
Total Time
10 min
Servings
64 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm borderline diabetic, but this sugar-free fudge made with sugar substitute appeases my sweet tooth. —Kaye Hartley, Jacksonville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 38 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 22mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat.
15/24
Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing says the holidays to me more than the warming spices of chai. This bread pudding incorporates those flavors to make a dessert that everyone raves about. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 180 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
16/24
Spoon Bread
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a traditional Kentucky recipe. It’s a popular side dish served all year long. If you’ve never tried spoon bread before, I think you’ll find it’s tasty and comforting. —Caroline Brown, Lexington, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 192 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 433mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
17/24
Pastry-Topped Turkey Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My friends tell me this is the best potpie they've ever had. Hearty and full-flavored, my comforting classic never lets on that it’s also low in fat and a good source of fiber. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 280 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 696mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
18/24
Makeover Cream Cheese Streusel Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With an oh-so-chocolaty crust, a crispy, crunchy topping and soft cream cheese filling, these delectable bars are over-the-top indulgent. —Janet Coops, Duarte, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 216 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
19/24
Peppered Cornbread
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pretty flecks of jalapeno and red peppers peek out from this golden cornbread. It has a mild flavor that appeals to most palates. —Ila Bray, Pelham, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 217 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 368mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
20/24
Greek Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a great dish for a Sunday brunch, or you can cut it into six pieces and freeze it to have as a quick and easy breakfast any day of the week. I also like to make it with broccoli, carrots, green onions, Canadian bacon and sharp cheddar cheese; the variations are nearly endless! —Lauri Knox, Pine, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 179 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 229mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 1 vegetable.
21/24
Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Every time I buy a loaf of bread, I use the heels to make bread crumbs. Just pop them in the toasters and crush them into a labeled baggie. That way I always have them on hand for quick recipes like this. —Kellie Foglio, Salem, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed chicken breast half with 1/2 cup sauce: 281 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 432mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
22/24
Parmesan Baked Cod
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a goof-proof way to keep oven-baked cod moist and flavorful. My mom shared this recipe with me years ago and I've loved it ever since. —Mary Jo Hoppe, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 247 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 fat.
23/24
Tiramisu
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tiramisu is Italian for pick-me-up, and this one is definitely true to its name! My version of the classic Tuscan trifle has both coffee and espresso for layers of java flavor. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 280 calories, 21g fat (11g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
24/24
Caramel Apple-Pear Crisp
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This crisp is packed with a combination of healthy pears and apples, and just the right amount of tasty walnuts in the topping. You'll love it! —Amanda Pettit, Logan, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 181 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.
