From main dishes to sides, these are our favorite healthy meals to make in an 8x8 pan!
20 Healthy Recipes to Make In Your 8×8 Pan
Updated on Feb. 29, 2024
Italian Hot Dish
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
1/20
2/20
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.
3/20
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.
4/20
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.
5/20
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.
6/20
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.
7/20
Thai Red Curry Chicken
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I recreated a favorite red curry chicken dish from a restaurant, and now I cook it almost weekly for my family. On a busy night, frozen stir-fry veggies really speed things up. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois
8/20
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.
9/20
Green Curry Salmon with Green Beans
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Like a lot of people here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, my boyfriend, Michael, loves to fish. When we have an abundance of fresh salmon on hand, this is one way we cook it. —Amy Paul Maynard, Albany, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 366 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat.
10/20
Zucchini Roll-Ups
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love lasagna, but these zucchini roll-ups are a little healthier and a lot quicker! Using zucchini “pasta” also makes the dish gluten- and grain-free. To make zucchini strips, use a box grater or mandoline to get even slices. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
4 roll-ups: 175 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 643mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat.
11/20
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.
12/20
Quinoa & Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're thinking about a meatless meal, give these no-fuss peppers a try. They come together with just a few ingredients and put a tasty spin on a low-fat dinner! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, PA
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper: 393 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 774mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 10g fiber), 18g protein.
13/20
Cranberry and Pear Crisp
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert is perfect for that first autumn day you can feel a nip in the air. It’s full of sweet, crunchy fall flavors. —Lori Choquette, Holyoke, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 241 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 101mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 5g fiber), 2g protein.
14/20
Sweet Corn and Potato Gratin
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tasty potato gratin side dish combines great garlic and onion flavor, and kids love the nice crispy topping, too! —Jennifer Olson, Pleasanton, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 213 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 452mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
15/20
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.
16/20
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.
17/20
Baked Apple Surprise
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet-savory recipe is a favorite. Use Brie instead of blue cheese if you like things creamier. My tip? Bake the apples in a muffin tin so they won’t roll around. —Jessica Levinson, Nyack, New York
Nutrition Facts:
2 filled apple halves: 181 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 5g fiber), 3g protein.
18/20
Bruschetta-Topped Chicken & Spaghetti
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm always on the lookout for healthy recipes for my family. If you find yourself craving Italian food, this delicious 30-minute meal hits the spot. —Susan Wholley, Fairfield, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half with 1 cup cooked spaghetti : 431 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 40g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 3 starch, 1/2 fat.
19/20
Spicy Shepherd's Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Taco seasoning adds zip to this hearty main dish. It’s easy to top with instant mashed potatoes, which I stir up while browning the beef. —Mary Malchow, Neenah, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 516 calories, 25g fat (13g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 1337mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein.
20/20
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.
