October 4, 2024

Cafecharlotte Southbeach

The View On Cooking

32 Low-Calorie Comfort Food Recipes That Never Disappoint

You know those nights when you’re craving mac and cheese, but you really, really don’t want to sabotage a whole day of eating healthy? We’ve got you covered. Here are 32 low-calorie comfort food recipes that taste just like the real thing—despite all of them containing less than 500 calories per serving.

RELATED: 15 Healthy Dinner Ideas for Two That Aren’t Boring

1. Mini Cauliflower Pizzas (99 calories each)

No diet could ever keep us away from pepperoni.

Get the recipe

Taco Tuesday just got even better.

Get the recipe

3. Restorative Miso Noodle Soup (213 calories)

Helloooo, probiotics. This take on miso soup is just as soothing as the original, with the addition of hearty soba noodles, umami-rich mushrooms and spinach.

Get the recipe

The only thing better than this recipe (which uses tons of pantry staples)? The nugs only take 35 minutes to make.

Get the recipe

Just as comforting as the original, minus the carbs.

Get the recipe

Meatless Mondays will never be the same.

Get the recipe

Serve these with an extra squeeze of lemon, if you’re keeping things light. Or go all in on tzatziki (because it’s too good to pass up).

Get the recipe

Go ahead, have a pot of melted “cheese” and crudités for dinner.

Get the recipe

Your favorite Chinese takeout spot will miss you.

Get the recipe

This calls for a fiesta.

Get the recipe

Beef, marinara sauce and *three* types of cheese? Even your kids won’t mind that it’s served in a vegetable.

Get the recipe

If the steak-cut fries aren’t enough to convince you to try it, maybe the fact that it all comes together in one pan will.

Get the recipe

They only stay crisp for a little while, so be sure to devour as soon as they’re ready. (We’re sure that won’t be a problem.)

Get the recipe

14. Charred Sweet Potatoes with Pistachio-Chili Pesto (302 calories)

Sure, it’s technically a side dish. But the fancy, citrusy pesto on top puts these spuds in entrée territory in our book.

Get the recipe

That number doesn’t include a massive scoop of vanilla ice cream…but we’ll be helping ourselves anyway.

Get the recipe

Proof that veggie burgers can be way, way more than plant-based hockey pucks.

Get the recipe

Load up this fried rice with your favorite stir-fry veggies, like bell peppers and onions.

Get the recipe

RELATED: 8 Healthy Alternatives to Rice (And How to Make Them Taste Better)

Top the gluten-free masterpiece as you please.

Get the recipe

Complete with thick-cut bacon, grated cheddar and a dollop of sour cream.

Get the recipe

Guys. It exists.

Get the recipe

RELATED: 10 Ways to Make Mac and Cheese Healthier

Bring it to work and you’ll be the envy of the break room.

Get the recipe

Between the gooey provolone and tender chunks of top sirloin, you won’t even miss the bread.

Get the recipe

All the ground pork, cabbage and ginger of traditional filling, minus the greasy egg roll wrapper.

Get the recipe

Shred your own boneless, skinless chicken breasts or save time with a store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Get the recipe

All the taste of takeout with none of the guilt.

Get the recipe

Two types of breadcrumbs and a stint in the oven make the chicken just as crispy as the O.G.—no messy frying required.

Get the recipe

Make the broth a day ahead to deepen its flavor, then assemble your bowl when you’re ready to eat.

Get the recipe

Mmm, creamy peanut sauce.

Get the recipe

29. Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs (454 calories)

Because no one has time to brown meatballs for days on the stove.

Get the recipe

It’s the football Sunday and Thanksgiving meal mashup we never knew we needed.

Get the recipe

We love zoodles just as much as the next girl. But sometimes when you have a hankering for pasta, nothing but the real thing will do.

Get the recipe

Kofta is a Middle Eastern meat dish that’s typically skewered and grilled, but this one-hour rendition bakes it instead. Oh, and you’ll want to make a double batch of the lemon-garlic aioli.

Get the recipe

RELATED: 30 Healthy, Kid-Friendly Recipes the Whole Table Will Enjoy