Updated March 08, 2014.

Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.

Looking for Easy Low-Cholesterol recipes? Below, nutrition experts offer tips and recipe ideas for quick and easy low-cholesterol meals.

Keep it Simple

Nutrition experts agree that a low-cholesterol diet doesn't need to be challenging to prepare. The key is to select easy-to-make foods that are also cholesterol-friendly. Breakfast is often the easiest meal of the day to prepare.

"Most homes have oatmeal on a shelf in their kitchen; cooking plain oatmeal in the morning and adding some raisins and cinnamon is a really easy way to start the day right with a warm, healthy meal, and to also inexpensively and effectively lower cholesterol," suggests Annie Thorp MS, RD, of Rebecca Bitzer & Associates of Greenbelt, Maryland.

Another tip from Thorp: "For the weekends, when you may have a little more time for food preparation, this family favorite is a great way to enjoy a cholesterol-lowering whole grain breakfast food in a totally new way."

Baked Oatmeal*
2 cups oats (quick or old-fashioned)
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 cup canola oil
1 egg (or 1/4 cup egg whites/Egg Beaters)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup skim or 1% milk

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Once mixed, spread into a greased 9×9 baking pan. Sprinkle cinnamon over the top. Bake in pre-heated oven at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. (Makes approximately 9-12 servings.)

Tip: Top with 1/4 cup walnuts and 1/2 cup fat-free flavored yogurt to get a dose of protein, omega 3 fatty-acids, and calcium!

Tip: Serve with an 8 oz. glass of skim or 1% milk and 1/2 cup of your favorite fresh fruit

_{*Oatmeal Recipe Courtesy of Annie Thorp, Rebecca Bitzer & Associates}

Use Smart Substitutes

"When a recipe calls for ground meat, substitute half (or all) of that amount for a can or two of drained and rinsed beans (whatever you like -- black, kidney, or pinto beans are a few of the many options)," recommends Kristen Lichtenberg, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian at Suburban Hospital, Maryland.

"Beans provide all of the protein without the cholesterol-raising saturated fat. Plus, they are an excellent source of fiber, which can also improve cholesterol levels."

Lichtenberg also offers tips for making baked goods cholesterol-friendly "For baking, substitute unsweetened applesauce, pumpkin puree, or fat-free Greek yogurt (equal amounts) for oil in recipes -- it's incredible!"

Chose Lean Proteins

Mary Lynn Farivari, RD, Author of Healthy Palate, Delicious and Simple Recipes to Enhance Meals with Fruits and Vegetables (Parsley Publishing, 2010), recommends focusing on lean proteins. "Skinless, boneless chicken breasts are a great lean protein choice," she says. "Why not bake extra chicken breast on Sunday evenings or when you have a little extra time? In a large baking dish spread out the chicken breast and use different seasonings on the chicken such as a salt-free lemon pepper on some of the chicken breast and on the others a spicy marinade."

Also remember to use leftover chicken in different ways. Cut chicken in strips and use on top of salads or stuffed in tacos or add to a vegetable stir-fry. These tips will help you save time and add variety to your chicken meals.

Seafood is quick--and perfect for weeknight meals. See this great-tasting trout recipe to help inspire you to make a healthy and easy dinner.

Trout with Vegetables

Farivari recommends trying this recipe with different types of vegetables in the summer months, like squash, bell peppers and eggplant seasoned with basil. To make this meal even simpler to prepare, she suggests adding whole wheat couscous as a side, and finishing your meal with dried apricots for dessert.

1 cup baby carrots
1½ cups broccoli florets
1½ cups cauliflower florets
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
? teaspoon crushed red pepper
½ pound rainbow trout fillet
1 tablespoon lemon juice
? teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions: Preheat oven to 425°. Line a 15x10x1 inch baking pan with foil; mist foil with cooking spray. Cut baby carrots in half lengthwise and chop broccoli and cauliflower into bite size florets. In a medium bowl toss broccoli, carrots and cauliflower with olive oil and crushed red pepper. Arrange vegetables on baking pan. Bake in oven for 10 minutes.

Remove pan from oven. Rake vegetables to one end; place fillet in the pan and sprinkle with lemon juice and pepper. Return pan to the oven and bake for another 8 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork and vegetables are tender.

Servings: 2; (easily doubles)

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 285 calories, 30g protein, 16g carbs, 12g fat, 75mg chol, 2g sat fat, 0g trans fat, 6g fiber, 147mg sodium

Add a Sweet Flavor

Sweet foods don't have to be unhealthy. "Try adding a tablespoon of ground flax to a low-fat smoothie/milkshake or to cereal, or dark chocolate almonds added to a trail mix, or oatmeal and walnut cookies," recommends Melissa Castelluzzo, RD, CD-N, Clinical Dietitian at Masonicare Health Center, Connecticut.

Bottom Line

Your low-cholesterol diet can be as simple or complex as you'd like it to be. Choosing simple, easy-to-prepare foods may help you adhere to a heart-healthy plan.