31 Healthy Comfort Food Recipes For The New Year (2024)

There’s nothing like Fall and winter - the changing leaves, the pumpkins, the turkey, and the time spent with family over the holidays. When the warm summer days fade away, there’s still so much to look forward to in the latter half of the year.

Namely, the comfort food that is rich with flavor and packed with carbs - mac and cheese, lasagna, pie, and casseroles. It makes your mouth water just thinking about them.

Plus, the cold weather means you just have to wrap up in scarves, and sweaters, and coats for ‘insulation,’ and these conveniently conceal any evidence of comfort food indulging.

But then the new year rolls around, and so do the resolutions. So many of which tend to revolve around food, and getting into better eating habits.

You may be haunted by the ghosts of Fall Past and wonder, why did I eat so much mac and cheese?

You resolve to eat healthier in the new year, and while you may think that means blander, lighter options that don’t fill you up, we’re glad to tell you’re mistaken.

Who says comfort food can’t be as nutritious and healthy as it is satisfying?

As we become more mindful about our consumption of gluten, and sugar, and dairy, people have become more creative, transforming nostalgic comfort food favorites into hearty, nutritious meals.

If you’re looking for a way to kick off the new year right with some healthy alternatives to your comforting favorites, we’ve got recipes below to see you through everyday of the week.

Because, let’s face it, how are we going to make it through January otherwise?

1. Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Harissa and Chickpeas (Real Simple)

This soup is as healthy as it is soothing, with a spicy harissa kick. Combine that with shallots, chickpeas, garlic, cumin, cardamom, and fresh sugar pumpkin and you’ve got one delicious soup.

If you can’t get your hands on sugar pumpkins, don’t worry. Just substitute it for some kombucha squash (a sweet, Japanese variety of winter squash) instead!

2. Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Pizza (Good Housekeeping)

This pizza wouldn’t look out of place at a restaurant, and is packed with flavor thanks to the rich and creamy fontina cheese.

3. One Pot Baked Greek Chicken Orzo (RecipeTin Eats)

Made all in one pot, this is a perfect midweek meal full of yummy Greek flavours!

4. Vegetarian Black Bean Enchiladas (Cookie and Kate)

This hearty, laidback dish will be a hit at any dinner party.

5. Potato-Topped Ground Beef Skillet (Taste of Home)

This ground beef skillet has an impressive depth of flavour, and for a meatier texture, opt for chili ground beef if you can.

6. Zucchini Noodles with Mini Chicken Feta and Spinach Balls (How Sweet Eats)

These mini meatballs are filled with chopped-up spinach, garlic, and decorated with feta crumbled, then baked.

7. Lighter Tuna Casserole (Gimme Some Oven)

Dishes that evoke nostalgia make comfort food even more, um, comforting and this is a healthy alternative to a childhood favourite, but just as satisfying!

8. Creamy Lamb Curry (Olive Magazine)

A great midweek meal, this curry packs big flavours but requires little effort.

9. Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala (Ambitious Kitchen)

This classic Indian comfort dish is lightened up with coconut milk, and bursting with bold spices like garam masala, ginger, cumin, cayenne, and curry powder.

10. Turkey Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats (Skinny Taste)

Filled with tasty turkey taco meat, cheese, and topped with pico de gallo, these squash boats are low-carb and gluten free, as well as fun to eat!

11. Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Bake (The Clever Carrot)

With chicken, artichokes, white beans, and fresh herbs, this pasta bake is full of Mediterranen flavours that are nutritious and satisfying.

12. Easy Vegetarian Paella (Taste.com)

This vegetarian paella is tasty, easy to make and - most importantly - healthy!

13. Light Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash (Heather Christo)

The classic Shepherd’s Pie gets a makeover with a creamy, tasty cauliflower mash topping. Super lean grass-fed ground beef and a medley of fresh vegetables also help to make this pie hearty and nutritious.

14. Slow Cooker Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Stew (CenterCutCook)

The chicken pot pie is also getting a makeover with this creamy, delicious, and super simple stew.

15. Veggie Primavera (Deliciously Plated)

The beauty of this dish is its versatility. You can fill it with your favorite vegetables, customize the seasoning, and for a gluten-free tweak, substitute cream and a roux for cream cheese.

16. Slow Cooker Turkey Quinoa Chili with Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans (Well Plated)

This chili recipe is low effort but packed with flavor. All you need to do is brown the turkey, and add it to the slow cooker along with chopped sweet potatoes.

17. Healthy Weeknight Spaghetti Bolognese (Apple of My Eye)

A steamy-hot bowl of pasta is probably what most of us think of when we hear the phrase ‘comfort food.’

This pasta dish has a tomato sauce that is rich in flavor and light in calories, and garnished with a lovely sprinkling of parmesan.

18. Roasted Eggplant, Spinach, Quinoa, and Feta Salad (Julia’s Album)

With eggplant, quinoa, and Feta cheese, this dish is all about Mediterranean flavors. It’s also vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, low carb, low calorie, and low cholesterol. What’s not to love?

19. Spaghetti Squash Hash Browns (Food With Feeling)

If you love spaghetti squash but always find you have a lot left over, this may be the dish for you.

20. Healthier Chicken and Dumplings (Good Housekeeping)

This chicken and dumplings recipe is rich in flavor, while only including 2 grams of saturated fat and 385 calories. Made of skim-milk, the dumplings simmer in stock and are as fluffy and delicious as their buttery predecessors.

21. French Onion Meatloaf (Ari’s Menu)

Meatloaf is an iconic comfort dish, and this dish stuffed with 2 sweet, caramelized onions and topped with bubbly Gruyere cheese is low in calories, but still bursting with protein.

22. Spinach Enchiladas (Shape.com)

Low in calories but packed with vitamins and nutrients, spinach is a great diet-friendly filling for corn tortillas. The tasty tomatillo sauce also helps deliver classic, Enchilada flavors.

23. Healthy Chicken Divan (Healthy Seasonal Recipes)

Gone is the mayo and canned soup for this classic dish. This recipe for chicken and broccoli casserole is just as delicious but way healthier.

24. Thai Curry Soup (Lexi’s Clean Kitchen)

This filling, tasty soup of summer squash, bok choy, snap peas, basil and cilantro is sure to be a hit at your table.

25. Cauliflower Crust Grilled Cheese (The Iron You)

A healthy twist on a comforting favorite, would it be too bold to say you may come to love this recipe as much as a classic grilled cheese?

26. Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers (Spache The Spatula)

This extremely low-cal recipe (under 200 calories per pepper half - we’re not kidding!) is super tasty, and surprisingly filling.

27. 30-Minute Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Chowder (Simply Quinoa)

Not only is this cauliflower chowder quick and easy to make, but it's roasted garlic flavors make it super satisfying. Plus, it’s high in protein.

28. Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken (The Healthy Maven)

We all love some comforting takeout food every now and then. But it’s not always the healthiest - or the cheapest - option. This slow cooker sweet and sour chicken may be the perfect compromise. This tart and sweet dish is easy to make, and sure to become a new favorite!

29. Creamy Low-Calorie Mashed Potatoes (Simple Nourished Living)

Tweak these creamy, low-calorie mashed potatoes however you like. You can use reduced-fat milk, buttermilk, or a combination of milk and non-fat Greek yogurt in this dish, whatever you prefer! Enjoy them plain, with horseradish, or with some herbs on top.

30. Eggplant Cannelloni (Self.com)

After a hard day, who would turn down some pasta tubes stuffed with cheese? This eggplant cannelloni is a healthy, and comforting alternative.

31. Creamy Coconut Vegetarian Korma (The Endless Meal)

If you’re looking to cut down on meat, then this creamy coconut vegetarian korma may be a great introduction to a meat-free diet. It’s naturally paleo and gluten-free, and can be tweaked to become vegan-friendly. Serve it with quinoa, cauliflower rice, or basmati rice.