Healthy Comfort Food Favorites

Mac & Cheese: Use whole grain or legume pasta, low-fat milk, and sharp cheddar for max flavor with less cheese. Classic baked mac and cheese and Stovetop mac and cheese

Meatloaf: Use lean ground turkey or beef, oats instead of breadcrumbs, and sneak in finely grated veggies. Classic turkey meatloaf

Chicken Pot Pie: Use a light phyllo or biscuit topping, a creamy filling made with milk + broth + a little cornstarch instead of heavy cream. Healthy chicken pot pie

Baked Ziti/Lasagna: Choose whole grain pasta, part-skim ricotta/mozzarella, and add veggie layers for bulk. Healthier chicken and pasta bake and Healthy one pot lasagna

Chili: Go heavy on beans and veggies, use lean ground meat, or skip meat altogether for a hearty vegetarian version. Healthy southwest turkey chili and healthy white turkey chili

Pot Roast: Use a lean cut like chuck trimmed of fat, lots of root veggies and skip pre-searing in butter - olive oil works! Slow cooker pot roast

Beef Stew: Use a lean cut, add in plenty of vegetables and make with a broth-based sauce thickened with blended veggies or a touch of arrowroot. Beef stew

Chicken & Dumplings: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts/thighs and try drop biscuit dumplings made with Greek yogurt or whole wheat flour. Easy chicken and dumplings

Fried Chicken: Make oven-baked or air-fried chicken with a cornflake or whole wheat panko crust. Marinate in buttermilk for flavor. Crunchy baked chicken

Mashed Potatoes: Mix with Greek yogurt or pureed cauliflower for creaminess with fewer calories. Healthy mashed potatoes and easy chicken and gravy

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup: Use sprouted or whole grain bread, less cheese, and roast tomatoes for soup instead of using cream. Creamy tomato soup

Spaghetti & Meatballs: Swap in whole wheat spaghetti or zucchini noodles and opt for lean ground turkey or beef. Try a homemade marinara for bonus points. Spaghetti dinner and Instant Pot spaghetti

Sloppy Joes: Use ground turkey or lentils, tomato paste for flavor without sugar, and serve on whole wheat buns or over baked potatoes. Turkey sloppy Joe's and veggie sloppy Joe's

Chicken Alfredo: Make sauce with cauliflower purée or Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese instead of heavy cream. Healthy chicken alfredo with broccoli

Shepherd's Pie: Use sweet potato or cauliflower mash for the topping; add lentils or mushrooms to stretch meat and choose lean ground turkey or beef. Turkey shepherd's pie

Tuna Noodle Casserole: Use Greek yogurt and broth for the base, whole wheat noodles and peas for fiber. Healthy tuna noodle casserole

Stuffed Peppers: Opt for ground turkey or lentils and brown rice or quinoa for the filling. Top with light or less cheese. Slow cooker stuffed peppers

Goulash: Choose whole wheat pasta, lean beef or turkey, and a tomato-heavy sauce with lots of veggies. One pot goulash

Biscuits & Gravy: Use turkey sausage, skim milk, and whole wheat flour for the gravy. Lighten up biscuits with Greek yogurt. Best homemade biscuits

Breakfast Casserole: Switch to turkey sausage and add veggies like spinach and peppers. Turkey sausage and veggie breakfast casserole

Green Bean Casserole: Use sautéed mushrooms and a homemade cream sauce with Greek yogurt instead of canned soup. Try crispy baked onions instead of fried. Healthy green bean casserole

Cornbread & Chili: Lighten cornbread with skim milk, use a lean ground turkey or beef and pack chili with veggies and beans. Chili cornbread casserole

Enchiladas: Choose corn tortillas, lean protein like chicken breasts, a Greek yogurt-based sauce or light cheese, and add sautéed veggies. Chicken enchiladas and sweet potato and black bean enchiladas

Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Use lean pork loin, limit sugar in the sauce, and serve on whole grain buns or lettuce wraps. Slow cooker pulled pork

French Bread Pizza: Use a whole grain baguette or English muffins or pita or naan for the pizza base, go easy on cheese, and pile on the veggies. Hummus and veggie pita pizzas

BBQ Chicken or Ribs: Use chicken breasts or trim ribs, and make the BBQ sauce with less sugar or try a tomato-vinegar base. Slow cooker BBQ chicken

Meatball Subs: Swap in lean meatballs, marinara with no added sugar, and whole wheat sub rolls. Baked turkey meatballs

Chicken Tenders or Nuggets: Bake breaded chicken breast pieces with Panko breadcrumbs in the oven instead of frying. Crunchy baked chicken tenders and Air Fryer chicken tenders

Creamy Soups: Use pureed white beans, cauliflower, fat-free half and half or Greek yogurt instead of cream. Add lots of vegetables. Healthy creamy chicken and wild rice soup

Pancakes or Waffles: Try whole wheat or oat flour, mashed banana or applesauce instead of butter/oil, and top with yogurt and fruit. Breakfast for dinner for the win! Whole wheat pancakes and whole wheat waffles