Let’s round out the year with the best cozy comfort foods. Shall we? Well, you came to the right place. One of my favorite types of recipes to make is taking a nostalgic recipe that I used to grow up on and put my own twist on it.
Usually that means lightening it up or adding few more nutrient dense ingredients, and sometimes that just means adding flavors that I love in my adult life. Typically things from childhood that were oh-so delicious but filled with things I couldn’t (and still can’t) quite pronounce.
Delicious comfort foods with an AK twist
While I’m all about eating the foods that bring back those nostalgic memories, I love the challenge of re-creating them using real food and real ingredients. And that’s exactly what you’ll find here! These comfort food makeovers add extra veggies and protein and may cut down a bit on things like heavy, cream-filled sauces without sacrificing flavor. You know how I do.
You’ll find everything from pastas tossed in a veggie-based sauce, meatloaf made with vitamin A-packed sweet potato, dairy free chicken pot pie and even a homemade, lightened up pasta carbonara. There are plenty of vegetarian comfort food recipes here as well as gluten free dinners that the whole family will love!
Pick out a new one to meal prep or share with a loved one this week and enjoy! If you make any of these recipes post a photo on Instagram and tag #ambitiouskitchen — I can’t wait to see.
GF = Gluten Free (for pastas, simply use gluten-free pasta shapes!)
Veg = Vegetarian
V = Vegan
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches
One Pan Lightened Up Hamburger Helper
Blow Ya Mind Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pot Pie
A Simple, But Fabulous Stove-Top Mac and Cheese (with optional herby golden bread crumbs!) Veg.
Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew GF
Groovy Skillet Chicken with Thyme Parmesan Mushroom Gravy GF
Lightened Up Cheddar Cauliflower Broccoli Soup GF, Veg.
Spicy Jalapeño Cheddar Tuna Melt GF
One Pot Cheesy Mushroom Spinach Beef Pasta GF
Homemade Crispy Baked Fish Sticks (kid & toddler-friendly!) GF
Amazing Easy Turkey Tacos (with a slow cooker option!) GF
Incredible Caramelized Onion Spinach Chicken Pasta Bake
Buffalo Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Veg.
Dreamy Refried Bean Chicken Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce GF
Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
The Best Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets GF
Juicy Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Basil Sauce with Burrata GF
The Best Healthy Turkey Lasagna You’ll Ever Eat
30 minute Healthier Pasta Carbonara
Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Couscous
Better-For-You Homemade Spaghetti-Os Veg.
Mom’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew GF
Cheddar-Stuffed Sweet Potato BBQ Turkey Meatloaf GF
30 Minute Healthier Turkey Sloppy Joes with Homemade Sauce GF
I hope you love these healthy comfort food recipes! If you make any of them be sure to head to the recipe, leave a comment and rate it – I really appreciate it. xo!
