Lightened-up Comfort Foods
With the fall season going into full swing in just a few short weeks, we all start to crave that cozy comfort food that makes our souls feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Well, we’ve got some great news for you. Those classic dishes that you love so much can be nutrient-dense, yet light, all while tasting like the flavors you’ve come to know and love.
Check out a few of these comfort food meals that can fit a variety of dietary needs and preferences. These recipes are great for meal prep, making for a family, or freezing a few servings for another time this season. If there’s something you don’t like or can’t have on the ingredient list, check the notes for a swap!
Lightened Up Fettuccine Alfredo: gluten-free, vegan, Paleo, dairy-free, and keto. This sauce is great to make for families or for meal prep. With only 75 calories a serving for the Alfredo, you’ll fall in love with this Italian classic! To make keto and/or Paleo, simply toss this sauce onto thick zucchini noodles.
Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole: gluten-free, dairy-free. Casseroles are always great dishes to make for a crowd! For Monique’s specific recommendation on how to make this casserole gluten-free and/or dairy free, see her notes in the recipe card.
Grilled Caesar Salad with Herbed White Beans: Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free (option for Paleo and Keto). Who doesn’t love a Caesar salad?! This classic salad dish comes together in under 30 minutes! Need it to be Paleo and/or keto? Omit the beans (and swap in your favorite protein), and nix the maple syrup. That’s it!
Gluten-Free Flatbread Pizza: Gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free option, vegan option, Paleo option. If anything screams comfort, it’s pizza. This easy gluten-free flatbread pizza is packed with veggies all while giving you that classic Italian comfort food. To make it dairy-free and vegan, simply swap in vegan cheese or omit all together! Lindsay also provides a recipe for a Paleo naan bread that she uses to swap in for a completely Paleo pizza as well!
Thai Coconut Curry: Gluten-free, Pescatarian, dairy-free, Paleo option, Keto option. This curry dish will warm you right up this chilly fall season! Easy to make and coming together in under 20 minutes, this coconut curry will be on repeat all season long! To make it Paleo and/or Keto, swap in cauliflower rice in lieu of regular white rice.
Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free. This completely dairy-free mac and cheese use a classic orange starchy vegetable as its creamy base for the vegan mac and cheese sauce! Get the look and feel of your favorite pasta dish, all while keeping it light and healthy!
Low Carb Caprese Chicken Skillet: Keto, gluten-free. This dish is perfect for low-carb lovers! You’ll feel indulgent with the fresh mozzarella and roasted tomatoes, but one serving is packed with 43 grams of protein, 20 grams of fat, and 12 net carbs!
Healthy Orange Sesame Chicken: Gluten-free, dairy-free. Who doesn’t love Chinese takeout?! This lightened-up version of orange sesame chicken is completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and baked not fried!
Zucchini Lasagna: Gluten-free, keto. This low-carb lasagna is perfect for those on Keto! You won’t even miss the traditional noodles that go with lasagna! Easy to make and perfect to store in the freezer for additional meals!
BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo option. One of the easiest dinners around, this BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potato dish is perfect for scaling up or down in servings, depending on how many mouths you need to fill or meals you need to be prepped! London offers a few suggestions for gluten-free and Paleo BBQ sauces in the recipe card notes, so be sure to check there!