A whole quarter of this casserole is yours for under 400 calories ! And it is so very flavorful. I used to do a version of this with a can of cream soup as well, but let me tell you, you don’t even miss it and without the extra calories, there’s a big old portion with my name on it

Trim the serving size by ½ and you have a great side dish or appetizer for just 195 calories.

Spinach, Ham and Rice Casserole

4 servings
390 calories per serving

2 10 oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 c cooked brown or white rice
2/3 c skim milk
½ c Egg Beaters
1 c grated low fat cheddar cheese (or parmesan, or gruyere, or swiss – whatever low fat cheese you like)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 T oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ c fat free chicken broth
½ pound lean ham, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix spinach, rice, milk, eggs, ¾ c cheese, salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet and cook onion with salt and pepper until onion begins to brown, about 8-10 minutes. During the last 2 minutes, add the garlic, then add broth and cook 4-5 minutes or so then add ham and cook until warm. Combine the 2 mixes and place in a baking dish and top with the remaining cheese and bake uncovered ½ hour.

A taste of Louisiana without all the work of a typical jambalaya. This is a really good version that is so easy to make ! It is homey and filling and flavorful and all the things a good jambalaya should be (even MUSHY is a good characteristic in a jambalaya and my daughter days this one is mushy). Serve with some extra tabasco on the side for people like me

Chicken Jambalaya

6 servings
370 calories per serving

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces
1 c chicken broth
2 c vegetable broth
¾ c water
1 ½ c raw brown rice
4 oz. low fat turkey sausage cut into slices
½ c celery, thinly sliced
Leaves from the top of the celery ribs
½ c onion, chopped
½ c green bell pepper, chopped
2 t Cajun seasoning
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ t hot pepper sauce
1 bay leaf
Salt to taste
14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes
Pam

Spray a skillet with Pam and on medium high heat, cook chicken and sausage until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Place in crock along with all the other ingredients. Cover and cook on high 5 hours. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Very orangey – very authentic – very, very good !

Orange Pork and Broccoli

4 servings
314 calories per serving

3/4 lb. pork loin cut into thin strips
2 T red wine or beef broth
1 T soy sauce
1 T cornstarch
3/4 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
1 T dark sesame oil
2 c broccoli florets
1 orange bell pepper, cut into strips
1 1/2 t grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 c orange juice
1/4 c hoisin sauce (available in the Asian section at your food market)
2 T honey
2 c hot cooked brown rice

Mix pork, wine, soy, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Set aside. Heat the oil in a skillet on high heat. Add broccoli and pepper and stir fry for 3-4 minutes. Add the pork and stir until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the finer and cook 1 minute longer. Add the juice, hoisin sauce and honey and cook until pork is done and sauce is thickened some, about 3 minutes. Serve with the hot cooked rice on the side.

Can you say YUMMY?!?!?! This is such a great QUICK and EASY recipe, yet the results taste like you’ve been in the kitchen for hours. This is an ample serving. You could easily just have half a serving for a side and still have room in your calories for some fish or chicken on the side.

Rice and Beans

4 servings
400 calories per serving

1 ½ c chopped green peppers
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T oil
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies
15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 ¼ c water
2 c Minute brown rice
¼ c cilantro chopped
1 c low far shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby or Monterey Jack)

In a large skillet on high heat, heat the oil and cook the peppers and garlic 2 minutes then add tomatoes, beans and water. Bring to a boil and stir in rice and reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer 5 minutes then remove from heat and stir in cilantro and top with cheese. Let stand 5 minutes, covered.

This is so creamy and full of nutty flavor from the wild rice. It’s a great dish and a perfect way to use up left over turkey.

Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

5 servings
370 calories per serving

4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
1 lb. cooked turkey breast cut into bite sized pieces
1 c carrots, julienned
1/2 c onion, chopped finely
1/2 c celery, sliced
1 c raw wild rice
1 can low fat cream of chicken soup
2 1/2 c water
2 T soy sauce
1/2 t marjoram flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a skillet with Pam and cook bacon until almost crisp then add turkey, carrots, onion and celery and cook 3 minutes or until turkey is heated. Cook rice according to package instructions. Mix rice and turkey then add soup, water, soy and spices and place in a baking dish sprayed with Pam. Cover and bake half hour.

A quick, quick side that makes a meal special. Serve next to blackened fish or chicken for a great southern inspired meal.

Louisiana Gumbo Side

3 servings
135 calories per serving

1 can Campbell’s Light Chicken Gumbo Soup
1 c water
1/8 t garlic powder
1/8 t onion powder
1 1/4 cups instant white rice
5 drops tabasco sauce

Mix soup, water and spices and bring to a boil. Add the rice and remove pan from heat and cover it. Let stand 5 minutes. Add tabasco and mix well. Serve immediately.

Velvety. Smooth. Rich. Creamy Rice !

Creamy Rice

8 servings
170 calories per serving

1 small onion, chopped
1/4 c fat free Zesty Italian Dressing
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
14.5 oz. vegetable broth
1 c frozen peas
2 c instant white rice, uncooked
4 oz. low fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 t grated lemon zest
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 c parmesan cheese

Heat a skillet and add dressing – heat 30 seconds. Then add onions and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Then add mushrooms and cook another 4 minutes or until tender. Add broth and peas and bring to a boil then stir in rice and cream cheese and cover. Remove from heat and let stand for 8 minutes then stir in zest, salt and pepper and parmesan.

Quick and easy yet tasty and healthy !

Spanish Chicken

2 servings
207 calories per serving

2/3 c finely chopped onions
¼ c sliced mushrooms
1 ¼ c cubed cooked chicken breast (Perdue Shortcuts work great here)
½ 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
½ c cooked rice
½ c tomato juice
½ c chicken broth
1/3 c frozen peas
1/4 t tarragon flakes
1/4 t rosemary
Pinch of pepper
Pam
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Saute onion and mushrooms in a pan sprayed with Pam. Cook 4-5 minutes then place in a 1 quart baking dish and mix in the rest of the ingredients. Cover and bake 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

So rich, so creamy, so flavorful – this risotto is perfect next to anything.

Risi e Bisi (Rice and Peas)

6 servings
231 calories per serving

5 cups chicken stock
1 sprig of thyme
1 bay leaf
2 springs of parsley
2 T oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 celery stalk, chopped
2 strips bacon, chopped
1 c raw arborio rice
2 c frozen peas
1 T butter
2 T chopped parsley
3/4 c grated parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste

Place stock and fresh herbs in a soup pot and bring to a boil then reduce heat and keep at a simmer. Saute onion, celery and bacon 5 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat then cook 1 minute. Remove herbs from stock and add 1/2 c of stock to rice mix and stir constantly so stock is absorbed. Add another 1/2 c and cook until stock is absorbed. Then add peas. Continue to add stock 1/2 c at a time and cook until absorbed until rice is tender and the mix is a little thinner than risotto. When done, stir in parsley, butter and parmesan and serve immediately.

This turns out a creamy, delicious side dish that goes great with beef, chicken, pork or fish. The ranch dressing gives it a nice tang and an unexpected flavor.

Broccoli and Rice

8 servings
113 calories per serving

1 c Minute brown rice, uncooked
1 c fat free chicken broth
1 ½ c frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained (or you can use fresh)
2/3 c shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 c light ranch dressing
½ c egg beaters
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fix rice according to package instructions but use broth instead of water. Cool rice a bit and add in the rest of the ingredients. Spoon the mix into a casserole dish sprayed with Pam and bake 25 minutes or until browned.