30 Low-Calorie Comfort Foods to Keep You Cozy
Updated: Feb. 10, 2022
Your favorite comfort foods don't have to weigh you down. We've got low-calorie comfort foods that'll make you feel warm and fuzzy without the extras.
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Makeover Cheddar Biscuits
Here's our crack at the never-ending biscuits from Red Lobster. Made from scratch with lighter ingredients, they're just as cheesy and buttery as the original. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Makeover Traditional Cheesecake
Though softer than a full-fat cheesecake, this lightened-up dessert has all of the original's delectable flavor. It's sure to make any special event more festive. —Anne Addesso, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
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Makeover Traditional Lasagna
I’ve never been quick to pass along my special recipes, but this one is so good that it’s become our family’s Christmas Eve tradition! —Michelle Behan, Littleton, Colorado
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Turkey Soup
My daughter got this recipe from her husband's mother. As in many households, our turkey gets picked over for a few days after the holidays. This soup is especially good on cold winter nights when it's snowing...which happens a lot where I live! —Carol Brethauer, Denver, Colorado
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Makeover Deviled Eggs
This updated version of a classic appetizer uses only half the egg yolks of the original recipe and calls for soft bread crumbs to help firm up the filling. We replaced the mayo with fat-free mayonnaise and reduced-fat sour cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Cauliflower Mash
This quick and easy mashed cauliflower is a wonderful alternative to same-old mashed spuds, and it's healthier, too! —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
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No-Guilt Brownies
Yes, you can watch your diet and enjoy treats, too! These healthy brownies are the perfect cure for a serious chocolate craving. —Rita Ross, Delta, Ohio
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English Pub Split Pea Soup
This family favorite is the same recipe my grandmother used. Now with the magic of the slow cooker, I can spend 15 minutes putting it together, walk away for five hours, and come back to "soup's on." Finish it with more milk if you like your soup a bit thinner. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
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Vegetarian Pad Thai
This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
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Onion French Bread Loaves
Since I love variety in my cooking, I tried adding dried minced onion to my usual recipe in attempts to copy a bread I had tasted, creating these two tasty loaves. Using the bread machine on the dough setting is a great timesaver. —Ruth Fueller, Barmstedt, Germany
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Whole Wheat Veggie Pizza
A wonderful crust layered with herbed tomato sauce and toppings encourages my family of six to dig right in to this low-fat main course. —Denise Warner, Red Lodge, Montana
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Jam-Topped Mini Cheesecakes
We turned cheesecake into irresistible bite-sized snacks. Feel free to swap in any favorite flavor of jam. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
When my mom made this spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so good that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors have really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
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Flavorful Matzo Ball Soup
A variety of winter vegetables gives the broth for this classic Jewish soup a deep flavor. You can use a few green onions instead of the leek. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Frosted Pumpkin Cranberry Bars
With tangy dried cranberries tucked inside and a creamy brown butter frosting, these mildly spiced pumpkin bars are doubly delightful. It's a good thing the recipe makes lots, because once you taste one, you won't be able to resist going back for more! -Barbara Nowakowski, Mesa, Arizona
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Satisfying Tomato Soup
After craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn't puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontario
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Old-Fashioned Tapioca
My family loves traditional tapioca, but I don’t always have time to make it. So I came up with this simple recipe that lets us enjoy one of our favorites without all the hands-on time. —Ruth Peters, Bel Air, Maryland
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Makeover Lemon Pound Cake
For this lovely golden cake, I use fat-free yogurt to trim the calories. It's a comforting dessert for days when it's warm enough to dine outside. —Lauren Gilmore, Pennington, New Jersey
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Gingersnaps
Friends and neighbors look for these old-time cookies on the goody trays I make for them every holiday. They're irresistible for dunking into milk, and they bring back a nostalgic spicy flavor of Christmases past. —Elizabeth Flatt, Kelso, Washington
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Moroccan Stuffed Mushrooms
Coriander and cumin are zesty updates to the familiar stuffed mushrooms. The addition of couscous makes them very filling and delicious. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
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Beef Noodle Soup
This delicious soup only takes minutes—but tastes like it simmers all day! —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington
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Makeover Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Both of my boys loved this makeover version of a family favorite, and even my husband, who is a bit picky, wants a piece in his lunch tomorrow! —Mary Lou Moeller, Wooster, Ohio
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Shrimp Ramen
A package of store-bought noodles will speed up assembly of this colorful shrimp ramen that's flavored with carrots and small shrimp. My mother passed the recipe on to me. It’s delicious and so quick to make on busy nights. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio
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Black Bean Brownies
You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
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Stuffed Chicken with Marinated Tomatoes
I invented this roast chicken to prove goat cheese really is delish. I served it to my skeptical family without telling them, and they gobbled it up. But any soft cheese will do. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, DE
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Baked Apple Surprise
This sweet-savory recipe is a favorite. Use Brie instead of blue cheese if you like things creamier. My tip? Bake the apples in a muffin tin so they won’t roll around. —Jessica Levinson, Nyack, New York
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Turkey a la King with Rice
I like to make this dish with our leftover turkey. It's a nice change from casseroles and so simple. Serve over rice, noodles, biscuits or toast. —Pat Lemke, Brandon, Wisconsin
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California Burger Wraps
I love the way these fresh flavors blend. It's a snap to throw these wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa
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Egg Drop Soup
We often start our stir-fry meals with this fast egg drop soup recipe— it cooks in just minutes flat. There are many versions of the recipe, but we like the easy addition of cornstarch to thicken the soup and give it a rich, golden color. I got the recipe from my grandma’s old cookbook. —Amy Beth Corlew-Sherlock, Lapeer, Michigan
Originally Published: September 24, 2019
