16 Healthy Cold Weather Comfort Recipes
As the nights grow colder and snow days more frequent, you might find yourself gravitating toward warm, nostalgic meals to keep the winter chill at bay. Comfort foods have a reputation for being guilty pleasures, but there are plenty of tasty meals you can create that will make your heart happy and keep your body healthy. In this article, we’ll look at 16 recipes for cold weather comfort foods that are as nutritious as they are delicious.
1. Soup
Soups are one of the easiest comfort foods in the wintertime. Stews, chilis, and other one-pot meals are perfect for those cold nights when you’d rather spend your evening curled up on the couch instead of cleaning pots and pans. There are hundreds of healthy recipes you can use to create delicious soups with servings of proteins and veggies. Taste of Home has a wide range of suggestions including a classic Chicken Noodle soup and a unique Pumpkin Coconut Chili.
2. Curry
This Indian staple is a great way to spice up your winter menu. While most dishes feature some variation of rice, protein, and sauce, there are dozens of low-cal recipes that feature a variety of powerful flavors. This Olive Magazine list features more than a dozen favorites, including Tikka Masala and a high-protein Egg and Lentil dish.
3. Pasta
A plate of pasta hits the spot when you’re in the mood for comfort food. Bon Appetit’s Healthyish has some suggestions for recipes that provide a balance of delicious taste and nutritious ingredients. Their low-calorie options include a Cauliflower Bolognese and Sweet Potato Pasta.
4. Quesadillas
These cheesy staples of Mexican cuisine are simple to make and easy to customize. If you’re needing a meal that will please the kids and make good leftovers, quesadillas could be the perfect addition to your weekly routine. Slender Kitchen offers a classic Chicken Quesadilla recipe that is high in protein, while NoraCooks provides an alternative option in the form of Vegan Quesadillas.
5. Chili
Branching out from our earlier focus on soups, a bowl of chili is a great option for a hearty one-pot lunch or dinner. Using a variety of mix-ins and toppings like sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chips, you can customize any chili recipe to suit your tastes. You may already have a go-to recipe for a classic red chili, but consider switching things up with a roasted Cinnamon Beef or White Avocado chili from Cooking Light.
6. Stir Fry
Stir fry is a quick and simple solution for wintertime blues. To create this crowd-pleasing dish, all you need is rice or noodles, protein and veggies, and some sweet or savory sauce. This WellPlated recipe list includes flavors from China, Japan, and South Korea. If you’re in the mood for stir fry, consider trying their Korean Beef Bowl or Low Carb Chicken Teriyaki.
7. Bread or toast
Some of the best comfort foods are classic breakfast dishes. A slice of crispy toast or a flavored loaf can put you in a good mood for the rest of the day. SkinnyTaste’s recipe for Avocado Toast and Eggs provides a tasty breakfast that’s high in protein. And if you have a sweet tooth, you might prefer this Chocolate Coconut Banana Bread recipe from My Whole Food Life.
8. Potatoes
Our final suggestion is one of the most filling comfort foods you can incorporate into your winter menu. These starchy vegetables are delicious as an entree or as a side dish. This cold season, consider taking a leaf out of Eat This, Not That’s book and whip up a batch of Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Baked French Fries.