10 Low-Carb and Low-Cost Dinners for the Winter

Cooking low-carb can be a challenge especially when the weather gets colder, and you crave all those carb-rich comfort food staples. Pasta dishes are cheap, easy, and filling but not good if you are trying to stay off the carbs. Instead of pasta, rice, and noodles, think cabbage, cauliflower, and squash! Here are some of our favorite low-carb dinners made with these healthy veggies to get you through those cold winter months.

Cabbage Dinners

Cabbage is low in carbohydrates, full of nutrients, and super cheap. It also doesn't need too much prep, and no special gadgets like a spiralizer are required.

1. Unstuffed Cabbage Roll

If you loved stuffed cabbage rolls, you'll really enjoy this recipe. Unlike regular cabbage roll recipes, there's no finicky wrapping, and instead of rice this recipe calls for extra cabbage. It's a low-carb winner for winter.

2. Addictive Asian Beef Slaw (Crack Slaw)

Craving an Asian-style noodle bowl? Instead of rice noodles, this recipe uses cabbage and bell peppers to give it extra bulk. You can make it a little cheaper by using ground turkey instead of ground beef.

3. Dijon Pork with Apples and Cabbage

Many sheet pan dinners call for roasted potatoes, but this one uses roasted cabbage which makes it taste sweet and filling.

Cauliflower Dinners

Cauliflower rice is a great replacement for regular rice. You can easily make your own which is cheaper than buying ready-made cauliflower rice. Once you've made a large batch of cauliflower rice, you can freeze it in zip lock bags, and take it out when you need it. Here are some satisfying dinners to make with all that yummy cauliflower rice.

4. Herby Cauliflower Rice with Pecans and Candied Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

This easy sheet pan meal is delicious and ready in just over an hour.

5. Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice

Fried "rice" with chicken minus the carbs. This hearty meal is ready in less than 45 minutes.

6. Keto Instant Pot® Soup (Low Carb)

Here's one for the low-carb crowd -- or anyone who loves a hearty soup! Cauliflower, turkey bacon, and Cheddar cheese are the starring ingredients here! "This is an alternative to fast food on busy hectic nights," says Carla. "I prechopped my veggies during nap time, so all I had to do was add them to the Instant Pot®!" See how it's done:

Squash Dinners

Zucchini can look and taste just as good as regular pasta. Save money by making your own zoodles rather than buying them in bags at the grocery store. You don't even need a spiralizer -- Here's how to do it. Spaghetti squash is another squash that's low in carbs. It's plentiful in the fall and winter and therefore a little cheaper. Here are some recipes that use both types of squash.

7. Simple Meatballs with Zoodles

A meaty, tasty, and simple meal you can make on busy weeknights.

8. Zoodle Lasagna

This creamy casserole is a guilt-free alternative to a classic pasta lasagna.

9. Baked Spaghetti Squash with Beef and Veggies

This recipe calls for regular ingredients you probably already have on hand in your fridge or pantry, and make's for a delicious casserole on a cold winter's evening.

10. Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

This spicy Pad Thai has all the flavors you expect, but low-carb thanks to some delicious spaghetti squash.

Explore our collections of Low-Carb Recipes and Budget-Friendly Recipes.