Healthy Recipe Makeovers

We gave our favorite comfort food recipes a healthy makeover. Finally, cozy without the calories!

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Healthy comfort food

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They don’t call it comfort food for nothing. Whether it’s savory meatloaf, a sweet pudding, or warm apple pie, this type of food triggers feelings of cozy goodness that can’t be matched by more sophisticated dishes.

But there’s one teensy problem. Typically loaded with fat and calories, comfort food can become a once-in-a-while treat rather than a staple.

But we can help. We took a look at some of our favorite dishes, from waffles to whoopie pies, and gave them a healthy makeover. Finally, cozy without the extra calories!

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Spaghetti Squash With Meatballs

Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Try this recipe: Spaghetti Squash With Meatballs

It doesn't get much more classic than spaghetti and meatballs, and now you can swap out all those carbs for low-calorie—yet tasty—squash.

Ingredients: Spaghetti squash, grapeseed oil, yellow onion, crushed red pepper, minced garlic, fresh oregano, strained tomatoes, kosher salt, black pepper, red wine vinegar, olive oil cooking spray, old-fashioned oats, grass-fed ground beef, egg, Parmesan cheese

Calories: 410

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Wedge Salad With Shitake "Bacon"

Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Try this recipe: Wedge Salad With Shitake "Bacon"

Bacon is all kinds of delicious, but high in saturated fats and calories. To slim down the traditional wedge salad dish, try substituting it for baked shiitakes in this satisfying, easy-to-make recipe.

Ingredients: Avocado oil, whole buttermilk, sour cream, fresh flat-leaf parsley, fresh chives, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, olive oil, romaine lettuce, plum tomatoes, blue cheese

Calories: 315

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Crab Cakes

Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Try this recipe: Crab Cakes

With bell peppers, celery and mixed greens, this protein-rich classic doesn't skimp on the veggies.

Ingredients: Fresh jumbo crabmeat, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, avocado oil mayonnaise (or olive oil mayonnaise), scallion, celery, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, arrowroot, egg whites, grapeseed oil, spinach-arugula blend, fresh lemon juice

Calories: 394

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Slow-Cooker Turkey-Vegetable Soup

Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Try this recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey-Vegetable Soup

Packed with veggies and lean protein, this hearty slow-cooker dish is perfect for eating in on the weekend.

Ingredients: Yellow onion, celery, garlic, thyme, sage, grapeseed oil, turkey, chicken broth, carrots, parsnips, kale, barley, salt, black pepper, zucchini, lemon juice.

Calories: 244

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Vegetable Potpie

Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Try this recipe: Vegetable Potpie

What's better on a cold day than breaking open the crust of a piping hot potpie? This healthier version is chock full of vegetables, like carrots, mushrooms, peas and cauliflower.

Ingredients: Spelt flour, all-purpose flour, thyme, salt, baking powder, black pepper, unsalted butter, grapeseed oil, carrots, yellow onion, celery, cremini mushrooms, garlic, turnips, cauliflower, vegetable broth, green peas.

Calories: 259

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Turkey Meatloaf

Meatloaf is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food, and this is one of the best we’ve ever tasted. Swapping ground turkey for beef slashes saturated fat in half, while still keeping it moist and meaty. Each slice is a skinny 208 calories, and the leftovers make great sandwiches.

Try this recipe: Turkey Meatloaf

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Power Waffle

We love waffles, but not the kiddie version that goes right to your hips. Our grownup version is multigrain, topped with fruit and almond butter instead of super-sugary syrup to keep you energized all day.

Try this recipe: Power Waffle

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Whole-Wheat Blueberry Pancakes

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These incredibly hearty and healthy pancakes are in a class by themselves. They’re loaded with whole grains, moistened with protein-rich soy milk, and topped with antioxidant-rich blueberries, one of our favorite Superfruits.

Try this recipe: Whole-Wheat Blueberry Pancakes

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Easy French Toast Casserole

This festive, low-fat brunch dish tastes just as good without Grand Marnier, but testers say the heart-healthy pecans are a must.

Try this recipe: Easy French Toast Casserole

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Coconut French Toast with Raspberry Syrup

Save this dish for a weekend morning when you are not in a rush. You may use fresh or thawed frozen unsweetened berries, or any of your favorite Superfruits.

Try this recipe: Coconut French Toast with Raspberry Syrup

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CarbLovers Club Sandwich

When you crave a classic club sandwich, do your heart and waistline a favor and make this instead. Lean turkey bacon takes the place of the greasy pork variety, and an ingenious roasted garlic and white bean spread subs for mayonnaise, amping up the protein and slashing the fat. So satisfying you’ll never miss the original!

Try this recipe: CarbLovers Club Sandwich

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Pesto Pizza With Sliced Tomatoes

Getty Images

When you crave a slice of cheesy pizza, this healthy version, made with store bought pizza dough, really satisfies. Our pesto contains walnuts, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, so you get a small dose of the heart-healthy fat in every bite. This recipe calls for lycopene-rich tomatoes as a topping, but it’s also delicious with bell peppers and onions.

Try this recipe: Pesto Pizza With Sliced Tomatoes

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Autumn Cranberry Beef Stew

Getty Images

Nothing says cool-weather comfort food like a steaming bowl of fork-tender beef and mushroom stew. This light, potent version has nearly half the sodium of the original and includes the bold undertones of Guinness beer and the tangy zing of antioxidant-rich cranberries. Serve this slow-cooked dish over whole-wheat noodles for more fiber.

Try this recipe: Autumn Cranberry Beef Stew

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Wagon Wheel Beef Stew

Oxmoor House

This simple, beefy recipe combines the flavors of your favorite chili and pasta dishes for a skimpy 223 calories per serving. Everyone will love this dish, especially kids and company; it’s the ultimate comfort food!

Try this recipe: Wagon Wheel Beef Stew

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Two-Potato Tart Gratin

John Kernick

Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes give this simple casserole a health boost and an incredibly sweet, creamy texture. The sweet potatoes add a healthy twist with their beta-carotene—a great source of vitamin A!

Try this recipe: Two-Potato Tart Gratin

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Basil and Tomato Pizza

recipe for basil tomato pizza

So much healthier than take-out pizza, and even more delicious than what you get at your local Italian restaurant. Using premade whole-wheat dough adds fiber and cuts prep time in half. Plus tomatoes are low-cal and rich in cancer-fighting lycopene.

Try this recipe: Basil and Tomato Pizza

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Beef Stroganoff

Bet you can’t remember the last time you had this creamy beef stew! We knocked half the sodium and two grams of fat off this classic Russian dish. If you’re in a hurry, use frozen chopped onions and pre-sliced mushrooms to speed preparation. In order to keep the creamy consistency of the sauce, be careful not to bring it to a boil once you stir in the sour cream mixture.

Try this recipe: Beef Stroganoff

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Penne Rigate Arrabiata

If you’ve been avoiding pasta because it’s too starchy, try this recipe. Hearty whole-wheat pasta, tomato, and crushed red pepper give this dish a hefty dose of fiber and flavor with little saturated fat. Tomatoes are great for your skin and may help prevent several types of cancer.

Try this recipe: Penne Rigate Arrabiata

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Tangy BBQ Sandwich

Health.com

Swapping lean turkey breast for pork gives this classic sandwich an updated profile and slashes the saturated fat in half. Make it even healthier by using a whole grain bun for extra fiber.

Try this recipe: Tangy BBQ Sandwich

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Caramelized Onion-Pear Pizza

Perfect for fall, this pizza uses sweet, seasonal pears to add fresh, low-cal flavors. The onions take on a sweet taste when caramelized and taste fantastic with the tangy Gorgonzola cheese for a pizza under 400 calories.

Try this recipe: Caramelized Onion-Pear Pizza

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Mediterranean Pizza

Yellow peppers add a sweet flavor and vitamin C, while spinach leaves add iron and folate. Plus the tangy goat-cheese topping will satisfy your cheese craving.

Try this recipe: Mediterranean Pizza

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Steak Tacos With Simple Guacamole

Leigh Beisch

Lean meat, cooked to perfection, means you can enjoy tender, flavorful steak tacos again. Oregano and pepper add the right amount of low-cal spice to your steak. And because of the richness of the heart-smart guacamole, you won’t need any cheese or sour cream.

Try this recipe: Steak Tacos With Simple Guacamole

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Arugula and Goat Cheese Pizza

Instead of using pizza sauce, this recipe uses a combination of veggies, nuts, and cheese to create a well-seasoned pizza. You’ll get 3 grams of fiber and more than 20% of your daily calcium in each serving.

Try this recipe: Arugula and Goat Cheese Pizza

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Turkey, Pine Nut, and Currant Meatballs

The best meatballs we’ve ever tasted! A great source of lean protein, this dish is packed with nutrients. Currants add a dose of potassium and fiber.

Try this recipe: Turkey, Pine Nut, and Currant Meatballs

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Chicken-Fried Steak

Corbis

Yes, you read that right! Lean steak, whole-wheat flour and reduced sodium beef broth yield a tender, crispy fried steak that weighs in at only 223 calories per serving (with gravy!).

Try this recipe: Chicken-Fried Steak

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Flank Steak With Mashed Potatoes

Yes, you can enjoy steak and potatoes again. Our deliciously lean version has all the fixings, plenty of flavor (thanks to herbs and pickled onions), but only 3 grams of saturated fat per serving.

Try this recipe: Flank Steak With Mashed Potatoes

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Oven-Fried Chicken

Oven-Fried Chicken recipe

You won’t miss the skin (or saturated fat) on this fried chicken. Browning the chicken pieces on the stove top ensures a crispy coating that locks in moisture, and the blend of spices adds a peppery kick that is sure to be “finger-lickin’ good.”

Try this recipe: Oven-Fried Chicken

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Italian Meatball Sandwich

Meatball subs are notorious for being high in fat. There are healthy alternatives you can make to enjoy this dish. Whole-wheat subs are rich in fiber, which aids digestion. Choose lean ground turkey for a meat that has less saturated fat. Top with fat-free shredded cheese and still get the flavor and the calcium.

Try this recipe: Italian Meatball Sandwich

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BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Add some color to this sandwich with romaine lettuce and tomatoes. Not only will they add a crunch to your bite, you will get some vitamin C and fiber too.

Try this recipe: BBQ Pork Sandwiches

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Deep-Dish Taco Pizza

Combine the best flavors of Italian and Mexican cuisines with this dish. Top with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes to add some vegetables to your pizza.

Try this recipe: Deep-Dish Taco Pizza

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Baked Two-Cheese Penne with Roasted Pepper Sauce

You’ll love this twist on the traditional macaroni and cheese, and so will your kids. Real cheese brings fat-burning conjugated linoleic acid to the table.

Try this recipe: Baked Two-Cheese Penne with Roasted Pepper Sauce

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Three-Pepper Pizza

This vitamin C–packed pizza is colorful and full of antioxidants. Instead of using tomato sauce, which is often full of added sodium, this recipe uses thicker tomato paste and adds Italian seasoning for flavor.

Try this recipe: Three-Pepper Pizza

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BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Quentin Bacon

Enjoy barbecue flavor without the added fat and calories. Using low-fat sour cream keeps this meal feeling light!

Try this recipe: BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

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Garlic Mashed Potatoes

To reduce the fat and make this dish even healthier, use fat-free milk and SmartBalance buttery spread. This will cut back on saturated fat, but not on flavor.

Try this recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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57 Healthy Recipe Makeovers

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Healthy comfort food

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Spaghetti Squash With Meatballs

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Wedge Salad With Shitake "Bacon"

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Crab Cakes

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Slow-Cooker Turkey-Vegetable Soup

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Vegetable Potpie

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Turkey Meatloaf

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Power Waffle

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Whole-Wheat Blueberry Pancakes

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Easy French Toast Casserole

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Coconut French Toast with Raspberry Syrup

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CarbLovers Club Sandwich

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Pesto Pizza With Sliced Tomatoes

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Autumn Cranberry Beef Stew

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Wagon Wheel Beef Stew

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Two-Potato Tart Gratin

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Basil and Tomato Pizza

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Beef Stroganoff

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Penne Rigate Arrabiata

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Tangy BBQ Sandwich

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Caramelized Onion-Pear Pizza

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Mediterranean Pizza

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Steak Tacos With Simple Guacamole

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Arugula and Goat Cheese Pizza

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Turkey, Pine Nut, and Currant Meatballs

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Chicken-Fried Steak