12 Amazing Comfort Food Recipes that are Actually Good for You (2024)

Healthy foods that make you feel warm and cozy!

12 Amazing Comfort Food Recipes that are Actually Good for You (1)

There are so many reasons people love comfort food. Maybe it’s the colder weather, or perhaps you just aren’t feeling your best. No matter the reason, one thing is for certain – comfort food can make it all feel a little better! Now, we have another reason that you will appreciate this type of food. If you make smart choices, it can actually be a healthy option! Check out this list of comfort food that tastes great and is actually good for you. Who says healthy eating doesn’t have its perks?

1. Skinny Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Let’s kick off this list of comfort food that tastes great and is actually good for you with one of the most delicious meals you’ll ever try! This skinny version allows you to indulge in the same bold flavors you love, but with fewer calories. You’ll appreciate this simpler version that has all the original flavor while keeping the ingredients list healthier.

2. Spinach and Lentil Sweet Potato Stew

Who doesn’t love a good stew from time to time? This has to be one of the ultimate comfort food recipes out there. This particular dish is packed full of flavor and valuable nutrients that help your body thrive. The combination of spinach, lentil, and sweet potato is definitely something you will love!

3. Skinny Mississippi Pot Roast

Pot roast is a must-have comfort food! This skinny version keeps things simple but doesn’t sacrifice any of the incredible flavors. You’ll walk away from the table satisfied after you eat this meal! It’s always a good idea to search out a skinny version of your favorite comfort food. It’s all about making small adjustments that don’t sacrifice flavor.

4. French Onion Soup Casserole

This mouthwatering recipe is everything you could ask for but without too many calories! It’s so simple to make, but the result is absolutely amazing. This healthy twist on a timeless classic is just what you need to add to your weekly menu.

5. Instant Pot Turkey Lasagna Soup

Love lasagna but hate what it does to your waistline? Then you will appreciate this healthier version! Not to mention, you can cook it up quickly in an Instant Pot. Add this to your list of must-try comfort food that tastes great and is actually good for you!

6. Easy Chicken Pasta Primavera

We all need a little pasta in our life from time to time. This easy version of a classic dish offers a healthier solution that you’ve been looking for. You will absolutely love the incredible flavors and easy-to-follow recipe. It just doesn’t get any better than this!

7. Instant Pot Creamy Salsa Verde

This creamy salsa verde recipe is the epitome of comfort food! You’ll be happy to learn it’s a healthy option that you can whip up easily in an Instant Pot. Tasty, easy to make, and good for you; what more could you ask for?

8. Skinny Turkey Meatloaf

Meatloaf is nostalgic comfort food for many of us. Keep things lean by relying on turkey instead of beef. You’ll still have the same great flavor, but this healthier version helps you maintain your weight loss or health goals.

9. 5-Ingredient Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is a dish that so many of us remember from our childhoods. However, just because you grew up doesn’t mean you have to leave this dish behind! This simple, straightforward recipe is a healthier version of the meal you know and love.

10. Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup

This Fiesta Chicken Soup recipe is definitely a healthy comfort food worth trying! It’s brimming with bold flavors. Simply toss all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and allow it to cook throughout the day. The result is a healthy meal that you will absolutely enjoy until the very last spoonful.

11. Instant Pot Skinny Spaghetti

Spaghetti may not be known for being healthy, but with a few small adjustments, it can actually be good for you. Just check out this recipe! Not only is it a skinny version of your favorite meal, but it’s also easily cooked in an Instant Pot. Talk about a double win!

12. Low-Carb Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded cauliflower casserole is a little piece of heaven on Earth! It is filled with ooey, gooey cheese, and it will absolutely hit the spot. This recipe also happens to be low-carb!

There you have it: a complete list of comfort food that tastes great and is actually good for you! Each of these recipes is sure to satisfy your craving without sacrificing your healthy journey.

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12 Amazing Comfort Food Recipes that are Actually Good for You (2024)

FAQs

What is the most comforting food in the world? ›

10 Comfort Foods from Around the World
  • India: Butter Chicken. ...
  • France: Cassoulet. ...
  • Morocco: Harira Soup. ...
  • South Korea: Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae) ...
  • Mexico: Pozole. ...
  • Greece: Moussaka. ...
  • Thailand: Tom Yum Soup. ...
  • Brazil: Feijoada.

Can comfort foods be healthy? ›

Many comfort foods also contain lots of beneficial nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Childhood favourites such as chicken soup, curry, baked macaroni and cheese, or congee are examples of comfort foods that provides pleasure, enjoyment and nutritional value.

What is soul food comfort food? ›

11 Soul-Satisfying Comfort Food Recipes
  • 01 of 11. Braised Veal Shanks. ...
  • 02 of 11. Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese. ...
  • 03 of 11. Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket. ...
  • 04 of 11. Chicken Marbella. ...
  • 05 of 11. Nashville Hot Chicken. ...
  • 06 of 11. Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo. ...
  • 07 of 11. Classic Old-Fashioned Beef Stew. ...
  • 08 of 11. Easy Irish Lamb Stew.
Jan 20, 2023

What is the number 1 most loved food? ›

As of Q3 2022, hamburgers, mashed potatoes, and cheeseburgers were the most popular American dishes in the United States. About 84 percent of respondents had a positive opinion of each of the three dishes.

What food is loved by everyone? ›

Potatoes

Nearly as versatile a food as rice, potatoes are loved by everyone no matter where they live. They can take many forms: from French fries to mashed potatoes to gnocchi, potato lovers can rest easy knowing their favorite delicacy is incredibly easy to find and eat.

What are the top five comfort foods? ›

Some popular American comfort foods include:
  • Macaroni and cheese.
  • Fried chicken.
  • Mashed potatoes and gravy.
  • Meatloaf.
  • Pot roast.
  • Chicken and dumplings.
  • Chili.
  • Grilled cheese sandwich.
Mar 8, 2011

What is Japanese comfort food? ›

Chanko Nabe is a traditional hot pot dish of stock, vegetables, and meat or seafood cooked together in a single pot. It can, in fact, be just about any form of nabe (one-pot) cooking, but traditionally it is chicken-based. The dish is a classic Japanese comfort food, and is a traditional staple.

Does comfort food help anxiety? ›

Not just psychologically, but also biologically — people who do a lot of comfort eating tend to show a reduced level of stress hormones and stress.

What are comfort stress foods? ›

Examples of comfort foods include items like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, chili, pizza, and ice cream. “In early human development, life-threatening stressors were frequent, and food was scarce,” explained Dorsey. “The uptake in energy storage while under stress may have had adaptive features at this time.

Is popcorn a comfort food? ›

When we bite into a perfectly popped kernel, the crunch sends signals to our brain, triggering a release of dopamine, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter. This pleasurable response can create positive associations with popcorn, making it an enjoyable and comforting snack.

What are six popular Southern dishes? ›

10 iconic dishes to try in the Southern states
  • Shrimp po'boy, Louisiana.
  • Banana pudding, Tennessee.
  • Burgoo stew, Kentucky.
  • Fried green tomatoes, Alabama.
  • Fried catfish, Arkansas.
  • Biscuits, Tennessee.
  • Beignets, Louisiana.
Jul 18, 2023

What is the most Southern meal? ›

A traditional Southern meal may include pan-fried chicken, field peas (such as black-eyed peas), greens (such as collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, or poke sallet), mashed potatoes, cornbread or corn pone, sweet tea, and dessert—typically a pie (sweet potato, chess, shoofly, pecan, and peach are the most ...

What are good soothing foods? ›

Foods that reduce anxiety and depression
  • Nuts. "Cashews are a great source of zinc, a mineral that plays a major role in managing the body and brain's response to stress," registered dietitian Keri Glassman tells TODAY.com. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Dark chocolate. ...
  • Turkey. ...
  • Citrus fruit. ...
  • Leafy greens. ...
  • Complex carbs. ...
  • Fatty fish.
Apr 11, 2023

Is pizza a comfort food? ›

One thing that all comfort foods have in common is that they fill you up. Have you ever heard of a comfort food that leaves you feeling slightly unsatisfied and a little hungry? Of course not! Pizza is a fantastic comfort food because it's hot and delicious, but it also fills you up completely.

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