23 Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Comfort Foods

Three-Cheese Baked Mac

Not one, not two, but three kinds of cheese (Swiss, sharp cheddar, and Gouda) update the flavor of this classic comfort food you know and love. Once it's finished baking, turn up the heat to broil for a few minutes to get a browned and bubbly topper.

Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Casserole

This bubbly bake is easy on the lips and the hips. With only 253 calories per serving, our better-for-you casserole recipe features shredded chicken breast for lean protein, along with reduced-fat shredded Mexican-style cheese for gooeyness without the guilt.

Test Kitchen Tip: This recipe needs time to chill, so plan on prepping your casserole dish and sticking it in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance of baking.

All-American Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joes are known for being quick, easy, and kid-friendly, and our recipe is no different. Simply prep the meat and add it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients, then walk away. You'll come back to a healthy dinner at the end of the day. Serve it on whole-grain buns for added fiber.

Fajita-Style Quesadillas

If you grew up loving cheesy quesadillas, this might become your new favorite way to enjoy them. With a generous helping of fajita-style veggies and cheese, this lighter Mexican recipe lets you enjoy two quesadillas for less than 300 calories. Add grilled chicken or another protein to make a heartier meal.

Easy Cheeseburger Soup

If cheeseburgers and creamy, warming soups rank high on your list of comfort food favorites, you'll want to try this healthy soup recipe. The cheesy, low-calorie soup is packed with protein and delicious veggies like mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers.

Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa and Spinach

Craving all the hearty goodness of classic stuffed peppers but want it healthier? You've got it! We filled our peppers with fiber- and protein-packed quinoa, savory mushrooms, and nutrient-rich spinach before topping them off with melty Monterey Jack cheese.

Best Meat Loaf

Our readers love this tried-and-true classic recipe. For the best meat loaf recipe ever, you just need a hearty mix of beef, finely shredded veggies, and big flavor from ingredients like mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.

Test Kitchen Tip: A gentle hand is key to getting tender, moist meat loaf. Use your fingers to add air and lighten the mixture, and resist packing it down as you mix.

Chicken-Noodle Soup

Tender chicken, egg noodles, and veggies simmered in a comforting broth. It's the perfect one-pot dinner for a cozy night in. If you have any leftover chicken (or Thanksgiving turkey), put it to good use in this heartwarming soup.

Orange-Simmered Pork Chops

Dinner is on the table in 30 minutes with this flavorful one-pan pork chop recipe. The chops simmer in a mix of orange juice, honey, and chili powder for a sweet-and-spicy flavor, which is enhanced by fruity relish. Bonus: This tasty pork recipe is low in sodium and high in potassium for those looking for a heart-healthy dinner.

General Tso's Air-Fryer Chicken

Get your Chinese takeout fix at home with this easy air-fryer recipe. This lightened-up version uses heat instead of oil for crispness, and we used reduced-sodium versions of soy sauce and broth to keep the sodium count down. Serve this dish with a side of veggies and/or brown rice for a serving of whole grains.

Buy It: Instant Vortex Plus 6-qt. Stainless Steel Air Fryer, $140, Crate & Barrel

Four-Cheese White Pizza

When you're craving pizza, try this homemade recipe. We added spinach for color and essential nutrients but didn't skimp on cheese: You'll taste mozzarella, provolone, Asiago, and ricotta in every gooey bite. Make your own pizza dough for a special touch, or use store-bought dough to save time. It's delicious either way!

Avocado Ranch Tuna Melts

Full-fat tuna melts, eat your heart out. These open-face sandwiches sport two layers of goodness: a creamy-crunchy base of broccoli slaw, mashed avocado, and fat-free ranch dressing topped with a lemony, low-fat tuna mixture. Ultra-thin slices of cheddar add a lot of melt but very few calories.

Beef Bourguignon Pot Pie

Beef bourguignon, a traditional French recipe, is usually made as a stew, but it's equally delicious as a healthy casserole. We didn't stray far from traditional ingredients, and we couldn't resist adding a flaky topper of cubed croissants over the beef-and-veggie mixture.

Beef and Black Bean Chili

Cocoa powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika infuse our warm and cozy chili with a bit of sweet heat. This low-calorie comfort food needs just 25 minutes of hands-on time before settling in for a long simmer in the slow cooker. It's a no-maintenance dinner that's ready when you get home from work!

Gorgeous George Burger

You won't miss the meat in this vegetarian recipe because, honestly, it's all about the toppings! Grilled pineapple slices, red onion, and Swiss cheese give this burger standout flavor, and going meatless makes this recipe low in fat and cholesterol.

Roasted Vegetable-Chicken Sausage Pizza

Forget the takeout menu! You can still satisfy your pizza cravings with less guilt by making your own at home. We've used leaner chicken sausage instead of the usual pork to save you some calories. Plus, this sheet pan dinner is an easy way to serve the entire family with less mess.

Buy It: Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet, $13, Target

Oven-Fried Chicken

Believe it or not, crispy "fried" chicken can be healthy. Our secret? By cooking it in the oven instead of frying it in oil, you shave off calories and fat. We keep the crispy coating simple yet flavorful with crushed cornflakes, thyme, paprika (for a bit of kick), salt, and pepper.

Zucchini Noodle Lasagna

If you're trying to cut carbs but craving lasagna, this is the recipe for you. Instead of noodles, this lightened-up version of the Italian classic features layers of zucchini and still all that melty cheese and herbed tomato flavor you love.

Poblano-Chorizo Strata

Get your breakfast casserole fix (for dinner!) with this low-cal recipe. The mouthwatering south-of-the-border flavors come from poblano peppers, chorizo sausage, and salty queso fresco.

Breaded Chicken Strips and Sweet Potato Fries

This kid-friendly supper swaps wedges of vitamin A-packed sweet potatoes for potatoes that are baked alongside chicken tenders covered in a crunchy coating of cornflakes and a few key seasonings. And the secret to the chicken's amazing juiciness? A nice, long soak in low-fat buttermilk.

Fast or Slow White Chicken Chili

One bowl of this creamy (mildly) spiced chili, and you'll add this to your regular comfort food rotation. Whether you've got all day or need dinner fast, we have the instructions ready for you to make this white chili in your Instant Pot or slow cooker.

Buy It: Instant Pot DUO 6-qt. 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, $75, Walmart

Tortellini Vegetable Bake

This healthy pasta casserole boasts standout flavor and color with a mix of fresh sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and carrots in a cream cheese sauce.

Veggie Shepherd's Pie with Stout

It doesn't have to be St. Patrick's Day to enjoy a generous helping of shepherd's pie. Instead of meat, our take on the traditional Irish recipe has iron- and protein-rich lentils along with fresh veggies including carrots, parsnips, and mushrooms. Then it's finished with a delicious stout-infused gravy.