So, you’re pants fit a little tight. Of course they do.

But you wouldn’t have wanted to pass up those treats the carolers presented to you at your door, nor the cinnamon rolls that make Christmas morning feel like Christmas morning, nor the European cookies they passed around at the New Year’s Eve Party.

Still, it’s time to swear off all the indulgence.

That doesn’t mean dinner has to be sad. Here are seven favorite main dishes, all under 350 calories per serving.  We’ve featured all but one here on Read Fast, Eat Slow in past years, and I love them all enough to lick the serving spoon clean and fight over the leftovers.

Quick and Easy Cassoulet

I felt so-so about this one, thinking that the thyme I had in my cupboard (rubbed, not leaf) probably ruined it. Then my kids told me that one of their babysitters loved this one. Well, then. Rubbed thyme or not, it’s just fine. In fact, pretty tasty!

It’ll cost you 300 calories and about 40 minutes to make. The recipe comes from Managing Your Meals by Winifred Jardine, which may require you to hunt through used bookstores in Utah. But it’ll be a great find:

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 TB vegetable oil
  • 2 cans (1 lb. each_ pork and beans, undrained
  • 1/2 lb. cooked smoked sausage, cut in 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 tsp. rubbed thyme
  • Salt to taste (probably 1/4 – 1/2 tsp.)
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Saute chicken, onion, and garlic in oil in heavy saucepan until onion is tender and chicken lightly browned. Stir in remaining ingredients, cover and simmer 15 minutes or longer.

Serves 8.

Chunky Veggie Chowder

This is a soup that tastes better and spoons up thicker on the second day, on the third, you get the idea. A right tolerable way to eat vegetables.

Serves 8 at 175 calories a bowl. Takes about 30 minutes.

Soft Chicken Tacos

If you know me at all, you know I could eat flour tortillas for every meal. I think these tacos were my first taste of black beans, making me brave enough to try them in other dishes.

Serves 6 at 270 calories. Ready in 20-25 minutes.

Cider Beef Stew

With this one, it’s the heavenly smell! Don’t worry if it’s not apple cider season. Apple juice will do just fine.

Serves 8 at 315 calories.  Forty minutes of hands-on time, plus “stewing” time.

Lemon Chicken and Rice

This is one of the most flavorful light dishes in my arsenal. I love it! It uses Minute Rice, so supper is ready in no time.

Serves 6 at 235 calories. A half hour of prep.

Jiffy Jambalaya

Good thing you bought Minute Rice for the Lemon Chicken with Rice, because you’ll have it on hand for this quick jambalaya. And I’m always up for a forkful of smoked sausage. You too?

Serves 6 at 280 calories at 280 calories. Takes me 30 minutes.

Vegetarian Linguine

This dish is what cheese was born for. I even feel kinder towards mushrooms because of this recipe. Why didn’t someone tell me sooner about the magic of butter and olive oil together?

Serves 6 at 215 calories. Ready in a half hour.