23 light recipes

Light pancakes from scratch with a tall, fluffy crumb and tender bite. A fast pantry breakfast built on flour, milk, and a generous double-sift for height.

These waffles were super light just like the name. I made my own self-rising flour with whole wheat flour, and the waffles still came out light and fluffy. We had them with a homemade raspberry sauce and maple candied almonds. An excellent choice of breakfast.

Light chocolate brownies made with cocoa powder, egg substitute and a corn oil spread instead of butter, so they bake up fudgy and cholesterol-free. A one-saucepan brownie, dusted with powdered sugar.

Unlike traditional alfredo sauce, this light version has much less fat and calories but still tastes creamy and delicious. Broccoli not only adds some bright color to the dish, but also provides lots of nutrients. For an even healthier version, use whole wheat pasta.

Light pumpkin pie sweetened with brown sugar, honey, and low-calorie sweetener, blended with non-fat milk for a creamy custard that skips the heavy cream without losing the warm ginger-cinnamon-nutmeg punch.

Dave's light pumpkin pie uses artificial sweetener, skim milk, and nonfat evaporated milk for a holiday-classic flavor with significantly less fat and sugar. Thanksgiving dessert you can serve guilt-free.

Making your own fresh pasta is quite easy with the right tools, a mixer with a dough hook and a pasta roller. This recipe makes 12 ounces of fresh light whole wheat pasta.

Light apple cake made with whole wheat flour, apple juice concentrate, egg whites, and cinnamon-coated apple layers. Low-fat and naturally sweetened in a ring mold.

Light Swiss enchiladas with ground chicken, green chilies, and tomato puree in corn tortillas topped with a skim milk sauce and melted Swiss cheese.

Low fat version lasagna, it is full of flavor, enjoying this delicious dish without guit!

Light spaghetti sauce with tomato sauce, garlic, green bell pepper, red wine, basil, and oregano ready in 20 minutes. A quick, low-fat meatless marinara for weeknight pasta.

Light turkey jambalaya: a Louisiana-style one-pot rice dish built with lean turkey breast and turkey sausage instead of pork and andouille. All the Creole flavor, half the fat.

Zucchini bread with a bright citrus twist from lemon zest and orange extract, spiced with cinnamon and ginger. Moist, tender, and loaded with grated zucchini.

Light fettuccine Alfredo made with skim evaporated milk instead of cream. Parmesan, green onions, and parsley create a thick, creamy sauce without the heavy calories.

Fat-free cinnamon-raisin biscotti made with egg whites. Twice-baked Italian cookies that crunch hard, dunk well, and skip butter and yolks entirely.

Light fudge brownie sundae with a self-saucing chocolate cake baked over a built-in fudge layer, topped with frozen yogurt. A reduced-fat dessert that uses applesauce in place of butter.