As the temperature continues to drop and the pandemic keeps us inside, I’ve found myself craving comfort food more and more. In the wintertime, I tend to gravitate towards recipes that feel like a warm hug. However, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is anything but easy when all I want to eat is non-nutritious and calorie-dense foods. Problem solved! Here are some healthy-ish recipes for comfort food that won’t ruin your new year’s resolution.
Baked Feta Pasta
This recipe has been going insanely viral over the past few weeks and offers an easy yet delicious meal that can serve a whole family. Pro tip! Adding spinach or broccoli to this pasta dish is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into this dish
Turkey and Bean Chili
This dish really hits the spot whenever I’m craving something hearty. Packed with flavor and lean protein, this chili can warm you right up after spending some time in the snow. I love to eat my chili with tortilla chips and avocado slices on top.
Spicy Ramen Noodles
Perfect for college students and anyone on the go, these noodles will provide a whole lot of nutrients with a short cooking time. What’s perfect about ramen is that you can customize it however you want. My favorite toppings are corn, seaweed, an egg and mushrooms.
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie feels like home and packs a whole lot of vegetables in a nutritious yet filling dish. This dish screams nostalgia and will leave you feeling full and satisfied. While the recipe doesn’t use butter or heavy cream, it’s still incredibly rich and flavorful with a surprisingly low amount of calories.
Mushroom Cauliflower Risotto
For all my keto fans out there, you’ll love this low-carb and creamy recipe. The flavor in this recipe matches restaurant-quality risotto, but with a lot fewer calories. In addition, cauliflower has a bunch of antioxidants and vitamins with significantly fewer calories than traditional rice. Toss in some truffle oil to make this meal feel extra boujee.
Lemon Pepper Chicken
For a quick yet zesty dinner, try this lemon pepper chicken recipe. This dish is great with roasted brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes. If you want to make crispy chicken wings, prepare this dish the same way but throw it in the air fryer for some added crunch. Take that, Buffalo Wild Wings!
Sausage Gravy
If you’re not feeling vegetables, this sausage gravy is a creamy and protein-rich nod to traditional southern comfort food. This is perfect for hangover brunches and pairs perfectly with toast or an english muffin.
Fried Ravioli
This is one of my favorite appetizers to serve while hosting, and using an air fryer makes it a lot less fattening without sacrificing any of the tastiness. While it makes for a good party dish, it might take a lot of self-control not finishing all of them yourself. These are perfect when you dip them in marinara.
