Take a second to think about what your ideal "comfort food" is. Is it a big plate of mac and cheese? A slice of oven-baked pizza? Or maybe you can't choose just one.
Whatever your favorite comfort food is, we're betting that you don't enjoy it as often as you'd like. Whether you haven't found the time to make it, or you're trying to stick to a healthy diet, there are several reasons why our favorite foods don't make it to the list when we're planning out the week's menu. To help you boost your creativity in the kitchen and keep you cooking recipes that you enjoy, we've created a list of healthy comfort food recipes. Not only do these recipes taste delicious, but they're also much better for you than the traditional versions!
Eager to know what's on the list? Keep scrolling to discover six of our favorite healthy versions of comfort food!
Easy Gluten Free Black Bean Burgers
What's a better way to roll into warmer weather than with a nutritious version of your favorite backyard burger? If you're looking for the perfect comfort food, then you've found it. Burgers are delicious, so it makes sense that they would top the list of our favorite comfort food recipes. Flavorful and easily customizable burgers allow you to get creative. Treat these burgers like a buffet by laying out different toppings for everyone to choose from. By setting out a few different toppings, you can give everyone in the family a chance to enjoy a personalized version of this delicious meal.
So what makes this burger recipe different from the rest? It's completely meat-free! This Easy Gluten Free Black Bean Burger Recipe blends superfoods like black beans, gluten free oats and quinoa to create a perfectly textured burger that is vegetarian and vegan friendly. Whether you're partaking in meatless Mondays or following a vegan/vegetarian diet, this burger recipe is sure to hit the spot. Now, if you don't have quinoa in your pantry, don't worry! This recipe can be made entirely with oats and still taste just as great! Top it with traditional burger toppings like lettuce, tomato and cheese or add unique toppings like grilled pineapple and coleslaw. No matter what you choose to top your burger with, we're sure it will quickly become one of your family's favorite healthy versions of comfort food.
Instant Pot Chili
Have a craving for chili? Then this recipe is right up your alley. Chili is a delicious comfort food dish. It can be easily customized to include all of your favorite ingredients, and when made with grains like rice and quinoa, it can be quite filling. Depending on your chili's ingredients, it can be served as the main dish or as a side dish alongside another tasty recipe. One of our favorite things about chili is that it's full of flavor! Spices and herbs are often added to chili to amp up its taste and produce a flavor nearly everyone will love.
When searching for the perfect chili recipe, we recommend trying out this flavorful Instant Pot Chili. A quick and easy recipe, it's the ideal dish to make for a family or as meal prep. When making this dish for multiple family members, we recommend doubling up on the recipe and freezing any leftovers. When you're ready to eat, simply remove the leftovers from the freezer, reheat to the desired temperature and enjoy. After the base of Adzuki Beans have been soaked, the entire recipe can be cooked in just 20 minutes. Plus, if you'd really like to take this recipe to the next level, try topping it with fresh avocado, cilantro and homemade cornbread. Yum!
Classic Vegetable Soup
Vegetable soup is a classic comfort food that has been passed down for generations. Delicious and healthy, vegetable soup is easy on the stomach and serves as the perfect light dinner before bedtime. When preparing vegetable soup, you must use quality ingredients. Fresh, in-season veggies will create a delicious soup that is great for you. Follow a step by step recipe like this Classic Vegetable Soup, or get creative and add in a blend of your favorite veggies. By starting with a good base/broth, you can add just about any vegetable and end up with a tasty soup recipe.
Created with our Vegi Soup Mix, this vegetable soup is made from a hearty combination of green split peas, yellow split peas, barley, lentils and pasta. Because this mix is unseasoned, it allows you to add in your favorite spices and herbs. In this recipe, we recommend adding chopped onions, carrots, celery and zucchini to your veggies soup for a truly delicious taste!
Soft Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket are the perfect party treat! While parties may be on hold today, making these delicious goodies can add a festive air to your table. Easy and fun to make, this tasty recipe is a great way to get the kids involved in cooking healthy comfort food. Serve them up as a fun dinner alongside some delicious coleslaw, or eat them as a pre-meal snack. No matter when you decide to enjoy this treat, making this dish as a family is sure to bring everyone together.
These Soft Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket are the perfect snack for your next virtual party! In this recipe, savory sausage is wrapped in a fluffy, tender dough of millet flour and brown rice flour. Serve with your favorite dip or the classic combo of ketchup and mustard.
Granola Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Tahini Butter
If you're not a fan of sweet potatoes, then you will be after this recipe! These delicious yams are making a comeback in the health food industry and for a good reason—they're packed with nutritional benefits. From sweet potato fries to stuffed dishes like this Granola Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Tahini Butter, these sweet, orange veggies are here to stay! While sweet potatoes are commonly thought of as a Thanksgiving treat, this recipe proves that sweet potatoes can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Chock-full of health-promoting nutrients, they contain essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, folate and vitamin C!
Sweet potatoes aren't the only nutrient-packed ingredient in this dish! Made with superfoods like Regular Rolled Oats, Organic Pumpkin Seeds and ground ginger, this recipe is overflowing with health-boosting foods. The perfect blend of sweet and savory, this dish features tender sweet potatoes and crispy homemade granola, soaked in a delicious maple tahini butter. Enjoy this recipe as a gratifying meal, or as a post-dinner treat. No matter what time of day you indulge in this dish, it's the perfect guilt-free comfort food.
Gluten Free Vegetable Pot Pie
Wholesome veggies like carrots and Brussels sprouts are no doubt great for your health. But even the most health-committed foodies crave a comfort food classic every now and then. So whether you want to warm up on a chilly night or simply change up this week's menu, this Gluten Free Vegetable Pot Pie is sure to satisfy. While there are many different kinds of comfort foods, this vegetable pot pie recipe tops our list of delicious, soul-filling meals. Not only is this pie loaded with flavor, but its flaky crust and creamy filling is nearly irresistible!
In this pie, Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pie Crust is used to create a delicious crust. Gluten free, kosher and vegan, it's the ideal mix to use if you're baking for someone who is avoiding gluten. So, the next time you're craving a warm home cooked meal, try making this flavorful vegetable pot pie. Free from gluten, dairy and soy, this pie is the ultimate comfort food dish.
Remember, you don't have to wait for a special occasion to cook your favorite healthy comfort foods! Whether your number-one comfort food is something you indulged in as a child or a dish you look forward to every holiday season, these foods can be made any time of the year and will taste just as delicious. From Gluten Free Black Bean Burgers to Instant Pot Chili, the entire family is bound to love the comfort food recipes featured on this list.
Have a favorite healthy comfort food of your own? We'd love to hear about it!
