Craving comfort food, but also want to stick to your health goals? Try these healthy comfort food recipes for a lighter spin on all your favorite classics.
Ahhh it’s that time of the year isn’t it? If you’re anything like me, you go into hibernation mode and crave warm, cozy food… comfort food all winter long.
Making Comfort Food Healthy
What is comfort food? And what makes it unhealthy/healthy?
Comfort food is really anything that brings you comfort! It might be a meal from your childhood or it might be a cultural meal that reminds you of “home.” Typically, comfort food dishes are heavier meals made with meat, cream, cheese, etc.
To lighten them up, you can make swaps and switch out a variety of ingredients. The key for all of my upgraded comfort food recipes? They have to taste similar (or better) than the original meal! If they taste too “healthy” they simply won’t satisfy a craving for the classic dish.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
When tweaking recipes to make them a bit healthier, I have an arsenal of go-to swaps. Here are a few that I use often:
Cauliflower and/or Cauliflower Rice – Have a dish that uses rice or potatoes? Cauliflower is a great, low-carb, low-calorie swap! You can use it so many different ways — fried “rice,” as a pizza crust or even mashed “potatoes!” There’s a reason this ingredient has a cult following.
Pumpkin puree – Did you know you can substitute pumpkin puree in place of flour, oil and eggs in boxed baked goods? Yep! It seems kind of like magic, but the end result is a super moist, delicious baked good. I even use it in my healthy apple muffins.
Spaghetti squash and zoodles – Instead of traditional pasta, use spaghetti squash noodles or zucchini noodles! These veggie noodles add fiber and flavor without the empty calories that come with traditional pasta. Learn the best way to cook spaghetti squash here.
Leaner meat – Use leaner meat like chicken or turkey in place of beef in traditional recipes. Bet you won’t even notice the difference!
Beans – Beans can easily be swapped for meat in most recipes to make them vegetarian. Beans add a good amount of protein and fiber to a dish and they’re low in cholesterol. Another fun way to incorporate beans is to buy legume-based pasta which has more fiber and protein than traditional pasta.
Tofu – I love using firm tofu in place of meat or cheese for savory dishes, but silken tofu works great as a sub for dairy in pies too. I use it in my vegan pumpkin pie!
Healthy Comfort Food Swaps
For this post, I thought of as many traditional comfort foods as I could and then linked my swap for the healthy version. Did I miss one of your faves? I would love to recreate it! Leave me a comment and I’ll get recipe testing. 🙂
Healthy Comfort Food Recipes
Craving beef stroganoff? Instead of feeling super heavy and full after a bowl of traditional stroganoff, try my mushroom stroganoff! Instead of egg noodles, a heavy cream sauce and beef, I created a recipe with high protein noodles, a creamy coconut sauce and mushrooms!
Craving spaghetti and meatballs? Try my popeye turkey meatballs served over zucchini noodles. Prep the meatballs in advance and you have the easiest.dinner.ever.
These simple clean eating Popeye turkey meatballs are moist and flavorful, loaded with veggies and require no binders! Meal prep a batch early in the week so you can add them to pasta, sandwiches, salads and more throughout the week!
Craving macaroni & cheese? Macaroni and cheese is one of the first things I think of when it comes to comfort food! I have two options for you… one that is vegan with a cashew sauce and one that is higher in protein!
The best vegan mac and cheese made with cashews, potatoes and nutritional yeast! It’s easy to make, creamy, cheesy and so delicious. This comfort food classic turned plant-based is guaranteed to be a new family favorite.
A healthy mac and cheese recipe that is packed with protein, broccoli and spinach. Perfect as a full meal and a sneaky way to get your kids to eat more veggies.
Craving meatloaf? Did anyone not grow up eating meatloaf? Didn’t think so. This lentil loaf is one of my most popular recipes on EBF and for good reason! It’s packed with flavor and topped with a maple glaze. Mmm!
Craving baked ziti? All forms of pasta are considered comfort food in my book. Instead of making traditional baked ziti, try this turkey cauliflower baked ziti! It’s just as good as the traditional version but low-carb, gluten-free and packed with vegetables!
This turkey cauliflower baked ziti uses cooked cauliflower instead of pasta noodles so it’s low-carb and gluten-free while still being cheesy and delicious.
Craving aburger and fries? You’re going to have to trust me on this one: tempeh burgers paired with sweet potato fries, zucchini fries, butternut squash fries, turnip fries or jicama fries. So many fry options! The vegan burger holds together super well and is delicious straight off the grill, but if you’re not up for temeph burgers I have options with turkey, chicken and black beans too!
A delicious veggie burger that’s made with tempeh and holds together so well you can cook it on the grill! Added bonus, it’s packed with plant-based protein.
These spinach and feta turkey burgers are quick and easy to prepare and taste delicious grilled and served on a bun with your favorite burger toppings.
These baked zucchini fries are breaded with almond flour and parmesan to create a crispy and delicious side dish! Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Fries made from turnips? Yup! If you’ve never tried a turnip, now is the time. These flavorful baked turnip fries are the perfect way to get more vegetables on your table.
Low-carb, gut-friendly baked jicama fries with turmeric and black pepper. Serve with guacamole for a delicious summer side. Paleo, vegan and keto-friendly.
A healthy spin on a comfort food classic, these spaghetti squash tuna noodle casserole boats are filled with loads of creamy goodness and ample protein. Gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb and paleo!
Craving pizza? Try this eggplant pizza uses sliced eggplant instead of a carb-heavy breaded crust. Tons of flavor and super simple to assemble, this recipe is gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
A low carb eggplant pizza recipe that uses sliced eggplant as the crust instead of a carb-heavy breaded crust. Tons of flavor and super simple to assemble, this recipe is vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
Craving lasagna? Try my low carb, healthy lasagna made with zucchini noodles and tofu or make turkey eggplant casserole that layers slices of eggplant along with ground turkey.
Comfort food made healthy, this cheesy eggplant casserole layers eggplant with protein-rich turkey and mozzarella. The best part? It bakes up in 30 minutes!
Craving broccoli cheese casserole? This version of cheesy broccoli casserole has protein-packed quinoa instead of instant rice, freshly grated cheddar cheese and a homemade sauce instead of canned soup.
Cheesy broccoli quinoa casserole made healthy! This version has protein-packed quinoa, fresh broccoli florets and a homemade sauce instead of canned soup.
Swap potatoes for cauliflower with this healthy mashed cauliflower recipe! It's the perfect side dish and comes together quickly with only 6 ingredients. It's just as creamy and delicious as mashed potatoes, but has half the calories and one-third of the carbs.
Craving tacos? Try this fun take on tacos… taco zucchini boats! Instead of being served on tortillas, they’re served in zucchini boats. There’s no dairy but shhh no one will notice with all of the flavor packed into this meal! Another option when you’re craving tacos? My turkey taco salad or tempeh taco salad. Both options are so yummy!
This healthy taco salad is made with ground turkey taco meat instead of beef and is packed with veggies. It comes together quickly making it perfect for a weeknight meal.
These tempeh taco salad meal prep bowls are an easy on-the-go option for lunch or quick dinner. The combo of protein-packed tempeh taco meat, black beans and veggies makes for a delicious and satisfying plant-based meal. Vegan and gluten-free.
Craving enchiladas? My healthy chicken enchiladas are one of the most popular recipes on EBF and if you’re vegetarian, I highly recommend my sweet potato enchilada bake. If I’m bringing a meal to someone I usually pick one of these recipes. New baby, surgery, you name it! You’re getting enchiladas or the enchilada bake! They’re easy and a total crowd pleaser!
Craving fried rice? If fried rice isn’t on your comfort food list, who are you?! Just kidding… but I love fried rice! Try this upgraded cauliflower fried rice or my signature quinoa fried rice the next time you’re craving an Asian meal.
This vegetarian cauliflower fried rice has the texture and flavor you crave from traditional fried rice, but it’s loaded with veggies, high in fiber and low in carbs. Serve with your favorite protein for a nourishing, paleo-friendly meal.
This quinoa fried rice is a healthy take on traditional fried rice made with protein-packed quinoa. It's packed with veggies and takes less and 30 minutes to whip up. It's the perfect weeknight meal.
Craving shrimp and grits? Pair cauliflower grits with blackened shrimp to make a lightened up, low-carb version of the classic Southern recipe. The result = delicious flavor and extra veggies!
Pair cauliflower grits with blackened shrimp to make a lightened up, low-carb version of the classic Southern recipe. The result = delicious flavor and extra veggies!
Craving baked goods? Baked goods will forever be one of my go-to comfort foods! I love these peanut butter oatmeal cookies and these flourless black bean brownies. Both are fan favorites… no one will know they’re healthy!
Peanut butter oatmeal cookies made with just 10 ingredients and one bowl. These cookies are healthier than most — gluten-free, made without butter or oil and only about 100 calories per cookie!
Craving Ice Cream? Raise your hand if you love a nightly bowl of ice cream! {We all raise our hands.} Well lucky for you, I’ve got some upgraded options for you – mint chocolate chip made from avocados, banana ice cream and chocolate ice cream made from bananas. Hey, don’t knock it ’til ya try it!
1 ½cupsreduced fat shredded cheddar cheese (more, if needed)*, about 6 ounces
1handfulchopped baby spinach
sea salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add chickpea rotini pasta, return to a boil and cook for a total of 8 minutes, adding in the broccoli florets at the four minute mark. Drain pasta and broccoli.
In the same large pot over low/medium heat add butter, milk, salt and pepper. Once butter has melted add in drained pasta and broccoli, spreadable cheese wedge and shredded cheese. Let cheese melt a little, about 30 seconds. Use a spoon to stir everything together until pasta is well coated with cheese, adding more cheese if needed. Add in chopped baby spinach and toss until wilted.
Serve immediately with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Notes
Pasta: As I mentioned above, I love using legume pasta to amp up the nutrition count. That said, you can totally use whatever pasta you prefer.
Veggies: Not a fan of spinach and broccoli? Feel free to use other veggies!
Cheese:I used organic Irish cheddar cheese and shredded it myself. In case you were wondering, let me just confirm that real cheese is 100x better than powdered cheese or even pre-shredded cheese. Fresh is always better and shredding the cheese takes no time at all. However, you can use whatever you prefer including reduced fat cheddar cheese.
Vegan + Dairy Free:If you want to make this recipe vegan or dairy-free you can use vegan butter, vegan shredded cheddar cheese and 1 Tablespoon of vegan cream cheese instead of the spreadable cheese wedge.
Hey, Your peanut butter oatmeal cookies were the best!I tried them yesterday and it were supper delicious. I’ll like to recommend you a website for dietitian recipes and easy dinner ideas. Go check this website it will really help you- https://www.dinnerin321.com/recipes .
Thank you for the article! Your recipes are the bomb! I love to eat delicious food, but it is very rare that delicious food is combined with the fact that it is healthy food. CBD gummies But your recipes are truly that unique combination of healthy and wholesome foods that are deliciously delicious. Thanks again, now there will be a very tasty addition to my recipe book.
Hey Kanan – Here are a few Indian inspired dishes on my blog: Mattar Tofu, Tikka Tempeh Masala and Channa Masala. There are also some additional Indian recipes linked in those blog posts. Hopefully that’s helpful!
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Hey, Your peanut butter oatmeal cookies were the best!I tried them yesterday and it were supper delicious. I’ll like to recommend you a website for dietitian recipes and easy dinner ideas. Go check this website it will really help you-
https://www.dinnerin321.com/recipes .
So glad you enjoyed these cookies, Kelly! Thanks for making them and for the review. I so appreciate it.
Thank you for the article! Your recipes are the bomb! I love to eat delicious food, but it is very rare that delicious food is combined with the fact that it is healthy food. CBD gummies But your recipes are truly that unique combination of healthy and wholesome foods that are deliciously delicious. Thanks again, now there will be a very tasty addition to my recipe book.
Love the use of the chickpea pasta; making this ASAP. Well done!
Thanks, Jim! Let me know how it turns out for you 🙂
Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing blog with us. Such an amazing health tips keep sharing.
Thanks, Liman!
Love your post. Can you make healthy food list for indian audience. like indian food list.
Hey Kanan – Here are a few Indian inspired dishes on my blog: Mattar Tofu, Tikka Tempeh Masala and Channa Masala. There are also some additional Indian recipes linked in those blog posts. Hopefully that’s helpful!