38 Comfort Food Recipes That Pack A Healthy Punch

Name: 38 Comfort Food Recipes That Pack A Healthy Punch
Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 30 Minutes
Yield: 2-4 People
Ingredients: Pasta; broccoli; carrots; cheese; noodles; chicken

Justina Huddleston

Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.

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Meredith Holser

Creative Assistant, Meredith Holser, is B+C's resident food writer, photographer, and TikTok taker. Meredith writes about a range of topics for B+C, but she's adopted food writing in all its many facets for the last year. You can see her work published in Do214, Advocate Magazine, WFAA, and North Texas Daily. Meredith's passion for photography began after sneaking her mom's iPhone to take pictures of flowers on vacation, eventually evolving from a passion to a professional career. Outside of work, you can catch Meredith hiking, trying new recipes, and dreaming about having a yummy little treat.

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Feb 28, 2024

beef stew is just one of our many comfort food recipes

When it's cold outside and all you want to do is curl up in front of the fire pit, nothing hits the spot like comfort food. Sometimes though, cozy meals can be quite heavy. Luckily, comfort food doesn't *have* to weigh you down.

If you're in the mood to make a recipe that will make you feel more at ease, these are the meals for you. These 38 comfort food recipes have all the flavors you crave, but include healthier ingredients so you can have the best of both worlds!

Lighter Chicken, Bacon, and Broccoli Alfredo

This Alfredo has all of the flavors you love, but relies on some healthier substitutes. Low-fat milk and chicken broth take the place of heavy cream, pork bacon is swapped for turkey, and nutrient-rich broccoli is thrown in the mix for an added healthy boost. (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

Chili Mac n' Cheese

When two of the best comfort foods come together, they form this tasty Chili Mac n' Cheese. It's a breeze to whip up on a weekday – add some more veggies in the mix if you want to make it healthier. (via Brit + Co.)

Baked Turkey Meatballs with Quinoa

Meatballs and pasta are delicious, but are best saved for special occasions. These baked turkey meatballs with quinoa, full of lean protein and whole grains, are a lighter version that you can enjoy on a more regular basis. (viaJust a Taste)

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac n' Cheese

A classic comfort food recipe (like broccoli cheddar soup) offers yet another layer of cheesy goodness when you swap the soupy part for a creamy mac and cheese. Try sneaking some shredded carrots into the dish for some extra veggies. (via Cozy Cravings)

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This instant pot recipe makes for a super easy, flavorful, and delicious fall dish. Add all your favorite veggies for some extra nutrients, and to make it taste like a taco in a bowl! (via Cilantro Parsley)

Gluten-Free Tuna Noodle Casserole

Crispy root veggie chips save the day in this gluten-free tuna noodle casserole. They add just the right amount of crunch on top, without having to rely on bread crumbs. (via Abbey’s Kitchen)

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Every ingredient gets so nice and tender in this instant pot beef stew. With plenty of veggies and a good balance between broth, this recipe is a must-make for warming up this fall and winter. (via Brit + Co.)

Pastina

Pastina is the ultimate comfort food recipe because it's chockfull of broth, butter, and cheese. It'll soothe your head cold, or your upset stomach. If you aren't sick, pastina is still a great dish to maximize coziness! (via Brit + Co.)

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

This classic childhood chicken noodle soup is upgraded when you make it in your slow cooker. This recipe in particular is great for busy days, because you can have it cook during the day then enjoy the rich flavors after you get off work. (via Brit + Co.)

Sweet Potato Chicken Cottage Pie

Chicken takes the place of red meat, and sweet potato takes the place of white, for a hearty, healthy meal. (via The Petite Cook)

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This Whole 30-approved loaded baked potato soup recipe is delicious and is a healthy comfort food that you won't be able to turn down. Add all your favorite baked potato garnishes right on top and you're in store for a delicious meal that goes with rainy days *and* chilly evenings. (via Brit + Co.)

Mushroom Risotto

This easy mushroom risotto recipe will take your kitchen by storm. Once you've made it, you'll already be planning your next risotto dinner. (via Brit + Co.)

Meatloaf

Meatloaf immediately takes us back to our mom's kitchen, eating hot meatloaf at dinner and a cold meatloafsandwich for lunch the next day. It's already hiding some carrots, but feel free to mix in any other veggies you'd like to. (via Brit + Co.)

Chicken with Garlic Mushroom Sauce

Comfort foods like this chicken with garlic mushroom sauce recipe are a definite way to create cozyvibes at mealtime. (via Vikalinka/Brit + Co)

Cauliflower Risotto

Risotto is delicious, but it can be a pain to make. This cauliflower version isn’t just healthier — it’s easier to cook, too. (via Cook’s Hideout)

Whipped Feta and Cauliflower Mash

Skip the mashed potatoes in favor of mashed cauliflower. It’s a creamy, rich-tasting side dish that’s lower in carbs, flavored with feta and herbs so you’re left feeling satisfied. (via Whole Food Bellies)

Sweet Potato and Kale Brown Rice Casserole

Many of us grew up on cheesy rice casseroles, and this recipe offers up a healthier take. It’s made with nutritional powerhouses like sweet potato, kale, and brown rice. (via Cook Nourish Bliss)

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

The slow cooker beef strroganoff makes this comfort food recipe worlds easier. Not to mention, this dish is *so* full of flavor. Add even more vegetables to get in that healthy kick you're seeking. (via Brit + Co.)

Crockpot Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Craving a spicy kick to your chicken tortilla soup? Add jalapenos, cumin and red enchilada sauce for a flavor you won't forget. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Cauliflower Gnocchi

Cauliflower gnocchi isn’t just a lighter version of the classic comfort food recipe – it’s a praise-worthy dish on its own, especially when it's topped with colorful kale pesto. (via Kirbie’s Cravings)

$Whole30 Shepherd\u2019s Pie$

Whole30 Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie gets a lil' bit of a lighter makeover in this comfort food recipe. It’s a dairy-free take on the classic that opts for grass-fed meat instead of the usual. (via Vodka and Biscuits)

Spaghetti Squash Boats with Chicken

Spaghetti squash replaces pasta while chicken and bacon add some big flavors to the mealtime mix for a cozy dish that’s healthy, but truly satisfying. (via Well Plated)

Skillet Chicken Parmesan

Lighten things up by baking the chicken instead of frying it, and serving it on a bed of greens instead of pasta for a healthy comfort meal. (via Wry Toast)

Sweet Potato Spaghetti with Lentil Sauce

Spiralized noodles are all the rage when it comes to healthy food, and they come in real handy in this dish. Topped with a chunky lentil-based Bolognese, this a cozy meal full of essential nutrients. (via Emilie Eats)

Vegetarian Italian Wedding Soup

A cozy bowl of soup is the perfect meal on chilly days. This Italian wedding soup is comforting, but not heavy — it uses vegetarian meatballs instead of red meat. (via Killing Thyme)

Healthy Sloppy Joes

These sloppy Joes don’t come from a can – they’re made from scratch, without any added sugars. (via Healthy Seasonal Recipes)

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Sometimes you just need a hands-off meal, but don’t want to rely on getting takeout. This slow cooker turkey chili is just the thing — loaded with veggies, beans, and lean ground turkey to keep you full and satisfied. (via Baker by Nature)

High Protein Mac n' Cheese

Sometimes our favorite comfort foods just need a little nutritional boost. This mac n' cheese uses protein-enriched pasta, then makes a cheesy sauce from light shredded cheese and fat-free cottage cheese, so you get a ton of protein and flavor, with less fat and calories. (via The Sassy Life)

Lightened Up Chicken Pot Pie

It’s easier than you might think to remake this classic comfort food recipe. It’s made with a whole wheat crust and non-dairy milk, plus the same veggies and lean protein that make the original so tasty. (via Ambitious Kitchen)

Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

Aside from the fact that this ginger butternut squash soup is colorful and only has 110 calories, it also only requires five ingredients and 30 minutes. Talk about a win-win. (via Brit + Co.)

Fried Quinoa with Chicken

Lighten up the go-to takeout meal with quinoa and extra veggies. If you want some extra flavor with less salt, add a drizzle of low-sodium soy sauce on top. (via Reclaiming Yesterday)

Gluten-Free Smothered Pork Chops

Served with herb whipped parsnips and kale, you’ll rave over these smothered pork chops. In addition to healthy vegetable sides, they’re made with a dairy-free caramelized onion sauce, which makes it a healthier take on the comfort food classic. (via Nyssa’s Kitchen)

Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

You may not associate salmon as a comfort meal but after you try this recipe, you'll rely on it time and time again. (via Averie Cooks)

Pumpkin French Toast

Comfort food doesn't have to begin and end with dinner. You can easily recreate this pumpkin French toast recipe so you can have a comforting option for breakfast. (via Kathryn's Kitchen Blog)

Skillet Peach Cobbler

We're willing to argue that this skillet peach cobbler recipe is one of the delicious comfort foods you can make. Sure, it's more of a dessert than an actual meal but you can keep the cozy vibes going with a warm, peach slice of this recipe. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Lead image via Brit + Co

This post has been updated.

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