Keto Dieters' Dream Dinners: Delicious, Nutritious, And Filling!

The ketogenic diet is a popular way to lose weight and improve health. For those new to the keto diet, it can be challenging to plan tasty meals that adhere to the low-carb, high-protein, and high-healthy-fat requirements. However, with some creativity and simple swaps, it is possible to enjoy a variety of delicious keto dinners, from comfort foods to international cuisine. So, what are the best keto dinner options?

Keto chicken recipes

Chicken is a great source of lean protein and cooks quickly, making it a popular choice for keto dinners. Here are some delicious keto chicken recipes to try:

Keto Chicken Parmesan

Coat chicken breasts with almond flour and lightly pan-fry. Then, layer with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. This dish is keto-friendly and irresistibly tasty.

Keto Fried Chicken

A crispy, crunchy, moist, and juicy option for keto dieters. This recipe uses almond flour and pork rinds to create a delicious, low-carb breading.

Keto Chicken Soup

A comforting and easy one-pot recipe. Simmer juicy chicken breasts and tender vegetables in an aromatic broth, adding a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavour.

Keto Crack Chicken

A creamy and addictive combination of chicken, bacon, two kinds of cheese, and ranch seasoning. It's a comforting dish that's accidentally keto and can be made in under 20 minutes!

Cheesy Jalapeño Keto Chicken

A perfect easy dinner with just 5 net carbs. This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights and can be prepared in advance. It's loaded with flavour and goes well with cauliflower rice to keep it keto-friendly.

Creamy Skillet Chicken

A quick and easy recipe that takes just 12 minutes to prepare and cook. Season chicken breast fillets with salt and pepper, then add them to a skillet with butter, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, baby spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Keto Italian recipes

Italian food is often associated with pasta, pizza, and other high-carb dishes. However, with a few simple substitutions and tweaks, it is possible to enjoy keto-friendly Italian meals that are just as delicious and satisfying. Here are some keto Italian recipes to try:

Appetizers and Salads:

• Marinated Mozzarella Balls: This tasty appetizer is perfect for summer and has only 0.3 carbs per serving.
• Italian Stuffed Mushrooms: These mushrooms are loaded with prosciutto, cheese, herbs, and spices, making them a perfect keto-friendly option with about 5 net carbs per serving.
• Keto Antipasto Salad: A versatile and filling salad that can be made with whatever meats and vegetables you have on hand.
• Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil: A traditional Italian appetizer with fresh, light, and tasty toppings.
• Grilled Caprese Zucchini Roll-ups: A fun twist on the classic Caprese salad, wrapped in zucchini strips for an extra texture.

Main Dishes:

• Keto Spaghetti Squash Bolognese: A healthy alternative to traditional pasta, this dish uses spaghetti squash as a base for a flavorful bolognese sauce.
• 3-Ingredient Creamy Keto Salmon "Pasta": A dairy-free dish with a rich and creamy sauce, using zucchini noodles to keep it keto-friendly.
• Pan-Fried Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Tomatoes and Fresh Basil: A quick and flavorful dish that uses zucchini noodles to keep it low-carb.
• Delicious Lemon-Garlic Keto Pasta Using Yellow Squash: A traditional Italian flavor combination of lemon and garlic, paired with squash instead of pasta for a keto-friendly option.
• Osso Bucco: Slow-cooked beef shanks that are full of flavor and fall off the bone, served with cauliflower mash for a low-carb option.
• Keto Shrimp Scampi: A gluten-free, keto, and paleo-friendly dish that is perfect for entertaining.
• Paleo Stuffed Chicken Breast: Sun-dried tomatoes and basil leaves pair wonderfully in this dish, served with a simple side salad or grilled veggies.
• Keto Italian Casserole Pizza: A gluten-free pizza casserole with a crust made from eggs, cheese, and cream.
• Chicken Alfredo Casserole: A cheesy, low-carb dish that can be made with cauliflower florets or rice, paired with chicken and cheese.
• Keto Gnocchi: A pillowy and chewy texture that is often missed on a low-carb diet, now made possible with this keto gnocchi recipe.
• Keto Italian Chicken in Creamy Sauce: Chicken thighs in a creamy tomato sauce, topped with sun-dried tomatoes and bacon, making a delicious and quick keto dinner.
• Zucchini Keto Lasagna: A classic comfort food made keto-friendly by substituting zucchini for traditional lasagna noodles, layered with cheese and ground beef.
• Panna Cotta: A rich and creamy Italian dessert that can be made keto-friendly and served with fruit puree, fresh berries, or a low-carb chocolate sauce.

Desserts:

• Sugar-Free Chocolate Biscotti: A sugar-free and paleo-friendly treat, perfect to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
• Keto Tiramisu: A keto-friendly version of the traditional Italian dessert, with all the creamy texture and flavor but without the carbs.
• Low Carb Lemon & Ricotta Cake: A keto-friendly lemon cake with a hint of sweetness and a crunchy almond flake topping.
• Low Carb Almond Flour Biscotti: A crunchy, sugar-free, and paleo-friendly treat to enjoy with your coffee, storing up to a week in an airtight container.
• Italian Sugar-Free Walnut Cookies: A quick and easy snack that is ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for unexpected guests or to enjoy with a hot chocolate.

Keto comfort foods and casseroles

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This creamy, cheesy dish is a family favourite and for a good reason! It's easy to make, needing just seven common ingredients, and it's low carb. You can also add some broccoli to the mix for an extra veggie boost.

Broccoli Casserole

This is the ultimate comfort food! Broccoli and cheese are a match made in heaven, and this recipe is a big hit. The decadent cheese sauce is rich and creamy, making it a perfect indulgent dinner. You can also add some cooked chicken breast if you're after a meatier option.

Loaded Cauliflower Broccoli Casserole with Bacon

This easy keto/low-carb recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and tastes incredible. Loaded with cauliflower, broccoli, and bacon, it's a hearty and satisfying meal.

Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

This casserole is a fast and easy weeknight meal, ready in about 30 minutes. It's a one-pan dinner, making cleanup a breeze. With only two net carbs per serving, it's a great keto-friendly option.

Keto Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower

This classic comfort food has been given a keto-friendly twist, with a cauliflower mashed topping. It's a rich and flavourful dish that will leave you feeling satisfied.

Low-Carb Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

A creamy and delicious take on the classic Chicken Cordon Bleu, this casserole is simple to prepare and can be made ahead of time and frozen. It's a perfect low-carb dinner option.

Keto Pizza Casserole

Pizza is usually off the menu when you're on a keto diet, but this cauliflower-based pizza casserole hits the spot. It's easy to make and can be customised with your favourite toppings.

Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

This is another quick and easy option, taking just 15 minutes to prepare. With only six simple ingredients, it's a great go-to dish when you're short on time.

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

This Mexican-inspired keto ground beef casserole is a crowd-pleaser. It's packed with flavour and can be piled high with your favourite toppings.

Keto Green Bean Casserole

This classic side dish is perfect for the holidays or any time you're craving some comfort food. The cheese makes it rich and indulgent, while the green beans add a nutritious boost.

Keto seafood ideas

Seafood is a great option for a keto dinner, as fish and shellfish are naturally low in carbohydrates. The most common fish variety used in a ketogenic diet is salmon, as it is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Here are some delicious keto seafood ideas:

Keto Salmon Ideas

Salmon is a very versatile fish and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Here are some keto-friendly salmon recipes:

• Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce: A classic combination that is hard to beat.
• Salmon with Bacon and Tomato Cream Sauce: Salmon and bacon is a match made in heaven, and the tomato cream sauce adds a touch of freshness.
• Avocado and Basil Salmon: This recipe combines healthy fats from avocado and basil, making it a nutritious and tasty option.
• Keto Salmon Cakes: Salmon cakes are a fun way to enjoy salmon and can be made with a variety of ingredients.
• Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packs: This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy keto dinner, as you can just wrap the salmon and asparagus in foil and bake it in the oven.
• Keto Salmon with Tzatziki Sauce: Tzatziki sauce is a great keto-friendly sauce, as it is made with Greek yoghurt, cucumber, and garlic, providing a refreshing twist to your salmon.
• Salmon Stuffed Avocado: This recipe takes advantage of the healthy fats in avocado and pairs it with salmon for a nutritious and tasty keto dish.
• Roasted Salmon with Parmesan Dill Crust: The parmesan dill crust adds a crispy and flavourful twist to your roasted salmon.
• Keto Salmon Tartare: Salmon tartare is a refreshing and elegant keto option, perfect for a light dinner.
• Walnut Crusted Salmon: The walnut crust adds a crunchy and nutty flavour to your salmon, making it a unique and tasty keto dish.
• Sweet Chilli Salmon: This recipe combines the sweetness of chilli sauce with the richness of salmon, creating a flavourful and satisfying keto meal.

Other Keto Seafood Ideas

While salmon is a popular choice for keto, there are plenty of other seafood options to explore:

• Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles: Zucchini noodles are a great keto-friendly alternative to pasta, and when paired with shrimp scampi, it makes for a delicious and satisfying meal.
• Keto Crab Rangoon: Crab Rangoon is a tasty keto appetiser or main course, made with a keto dough and filled with a creamy crab mixture.
• Keto Mahi Mahi with Chili Lime Butter: Mahi Mahi is a delicious fish, and when paired with a compound butter made from coconut oil, chilli powder, and lime zest, it becomes a flavourful and unique keto dish.
• Keto Fish Sticks: Fish sticks are a classic comfort food, and when made with pork rind crumbs and coconut flour, they become a crunchy and keto-friendly treat.
• Grilled Lobster Tail: Grilled lobster tail is a luxurious and keto-friendly option, perfect for a special occasion or a weekend treat.
• Low-Carb Almond-Crusted Cod: This recipe takes a classic breaded fish and makes it keto-friendly by using almond crumbs, adding a unique flavour and texture.
• Keto Seafood Chowder: A comforting and creamy chowder loaded with seafood is a perfect keto meal for a cold winter day.
• Keto Garlic Butter Salmon: Salmon and garlic butter is a match made in heaven, and this recipe adds a handful of other ingredients like spinach and parmesan cheese to create a heavenly, rustic sauce.
• Keto Sushi: Sushi is typically made with rice, but by substituting it with cauliflower rice, you can enjoy this Japanese delicacy while staying keto-compliant.
• Keto Fish and Chips: By using almond meal instead of breadcrumbs and avocado instead of potatoes, you can enjoy this classic comfort food without compromising your keto diet.

Keto vegetarian recipes

Being vegetarian doesn't mean you can't enjoy the benefits of a keto diet. Here are some tasty and creative recipes to get you started:

Main Meals

• Vegetarian Keto Burritos: Make your own keto-friendly tortillas and fill them with peppers, onions, zucchini, kale, cheese, and spices.
• Keto Broccoli Salad: A crunchy, veggie-filled side dish that only needs a low-carb sweetener instead of sugar to make it keto-friendly.
• Keto Skillet Tomato Cheese Pasta: A light and creamy pasta dish with a spicy, herby kick.
• Keto Vegan Mushroom and Spinach Spaghetti: Swap regular pasta for zucchini noodles and top with pine nuts for added crunch.
• Zucchini Noodles with Pesto: A creamy, faux-pasta dish with fewer than ten ingredients that takes just 25 minutes to make.
• Keto Vegetarian Bolognese: A hearty meat-free bolognese made with zucchini noodles and packed with veggies like onions, cauliflower, eggplant, and tomatoes.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: A keto-friendly version of a classic comfort food, smothered in a buttery cheddar cheese sauce.
• Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Peppers: Baked peppers stuffed with gooey spinach and artichoke mixture—a delicious appetizer or main course.
• Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus: Asparagus baked with garlic, salt, pepper, and mozzarella, with an optional sprinkle of parmesan.
• Zucchini Grilled Cheese: Zucchini fritters with onions and herbs, a tasty alternative to traditional grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Vegetarian Mini Bell Pepper Nachos: A colourful and tasty dish using bell peppers as a base, topped with black beans, pico de gallo, cheese, and jalapenos.
• Chipotle Lime Vegan Keto Tacos: These tacos are packed with flavour from a homemade seasoning mix and are quick to make, taking only 25 minutes.
• Low-Carb Mexican Cauliflower Rice: A tasty and healthy alternative to regular rice, packed with veggies and spices.
• Keto Vegetarian Casserole: A simple, hearty, and meat-free dish that's perfect for a cosy night in.
• Keto Low-Carb Vegetable Soup: A warm and comforting soup that's perfect for colder days. This recipe swaps the traditional tomato soup base for chicken broth to reduce carbs.
• Keto Quesadillas: Crispy and cheesy, made with cauliflower thins, shredded cheese, and hot sauce, topped with sour cream and green onions.
• Low-Carb Vegetarian Greek Briam: A Greek dish of roasted veggies, including onions, eggplant, cauliflower, broccoli, and zucchini, topped with tangy feta cheese.
• Low-Carb Vegan Dinner Bowl: An Asian-inspired bowl with veggies, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, peanut butter, and sriracha for a spicy kick.

Sides and Snacks

• Roasted Pumpkin and Halloumi Salad: A tasty and savoury salad combining the unique flavours of pumpkin and halloumi.
• Greek Cauliflower Salad: A salad with a Greek twist, pairing cauliflower with olives and traditional Greek flavours.
• Vegetarian Loaded Potato Skins: Zucchini skins loaded with roasted mushrooms and spicy paprika, a flavourful side or snack with just over 100 calories per serving.
• Vegetarian Keto "Crab" Cakes: These faux "crab" cakes are made with hearts of palm, a unique and tasty protein source for vegetarians.
• Crustless Broccoli Cheddar Quiche: A triple threat dish that can be served at any meal, this quiche skips the crust to keep the carbs down.
• Baba Ganouj: A tasty eggplant hummus that can be made in the oven—no grill needed!
• Cheese Crisps: Slice block cheese (like gouda or cheddar) and fry in a pan. Enjoy with your favourite dip.
• Avocado with Salt and Spices: A quick and easy snack—cut an avocado in half, remove the stone, sprinkle with salt and spices, and eat with a spoon.

Breakfast Options

• Keto Breakfast Casserole: A tasty and filling breakfast option made with onions, garlic, spinach, eggs, cream, feta, salt, pepper, and butter.
• Sautéed Breakfast Salad: A unique breakfast option with sunny side up eggs served over sautéed vegetables and microgreens.
• Five-Ingredient Grain-Free Granola: A bowl of cereal made with a grain-free granola and topped with fresh fruit.

With so many delicious options, you can enjoy the benefits of a keto diet while sticking to your vegetarian preferences!

Frequently asked questions