Simply put—food is comfort. There are specific recipes that bring you back to a particular moment or help you connect with a certain feeling. When my food can invoke this sense of nostalgia and bring me into a state of calm, I know I’ve found a comfort food to add to my list. While I love indulging in comfort foods that lean on the heavier and less nutritious side, over the years, I’ve gathered a good repertoire of healthy comfort food recipes that still satisfy that cozy feeling.
This list proves that “healthy” and “comfort food” aren’t opposites. They work well in tandem to bring you your favorite foods in a lighter and more nourishing manner without leaving you uncomfortable. This selection of pasta, soups, and other dishes will warm up just about everyone’s heart and soul.
24 Healthy Comfort Food Recipes to Cozy Up With
These recipes are the epitome of cozy. With abundant comforting ingredients like warm spices, hearty ingredients, and plenty of nutrients, they’ll have you on your way to feeling better in the body and the soul. In this list, you’ll find a variety of cozy soups, pastas, and homemade pizzas—there’s a little something for everyone to indulge in while still staying healthy.
Zuppa Toscana Soup
A little lighter than the original and every bit as delish, this soup is perfect for keeping things light while still cozy. With hearty Italian sausage and veggies, it’s a balanced blend of bright flavors.
Vegan Mushroom Bolognese
The top reason to love this recipe? It’s so easy! Meatless spaghetti bolognese is the ultimate hack for enjoying one of everyone’s favorite comfort foods without feeling heavy and full.
Sausage Burrata Pizza
Who doesn’t love pizza as one of the ultimate comfort foods? While you can do plenty of crafty things with homemade pizza dough, this ‘za with creamy burrata and Italian sausage keeps things close to traditional with a little twist.
Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi
Talk about the ultimate comfort dish—this savory pumpkin gnocchi brings just the right amount of creamy without being overwhelmingly heavy. Plus, pumpkin puree is full of nutrients, making it easy to indulge and nourish.
Curry Butternut Squash Soup
This is one of my all-time favorite healthy comfort food recipes. Butternut squash is a hero ingredient in any dish, bringing plenty of vitamins and nutrients like potassium and vitamin A. This soup is the perfect blend of spiced and sweet with a smooth and thick texture.
Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
If this is your go-to Panera order, this healthy version of the beloved broccoli cheddar soup is perfect for cooler days or when you’re feeling under the weather.
Creamy Vegan Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil
This vegan pasta dish brings bright flavors to pair with a creamy base made from walnut, cashews, or any nut of choice. It’s a little bit zesty with an extra pop of flavor with crushed red pepper and lemon zest.
Vegetarian Lentil Chili
While I love chili passionately, sometimes, the traditional dish with a hefty amount of red meat can be difficult to digest. Luckily, this vegetarian version with lentils keeps things meat-free with all the same flavors you know and love.
Vegetarian Coq Au Vin
If you’re cooking for two, this vegetarian coq au vin is the ultimate healthy comfort food. It’s a one-pot meal with plenty of protein and bold flavor.
Gluten-Free Protein Pumpkin Pancakes
When I think of comfort food for breakfast, pancakes immediately come to mind. Luckily, Camille’s pumpkin pancake recipe is packed with protein and is 100% grain-free, making it just as healthy as it is delicious.
Pear, Proscuitto, and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese
The grilled cheese and tomato soup combo is my go-to comfort meal, yet it’s not always the healthiest option. However, this new and improved version is filling and healthy, using crunchy arugula and fiber-filled pears.
Vegan Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Everyone loves a bowl of mac and cheese, but not always the way you feel after that much dairy. Fortunately, this recipe uses unsweetened almond milk, cauliflower florets, and cashews, leaving you feeling satisfied and not stuffed.
Whole Roasted Butternut Squash
When cozy season rolls around, I lean into recipes that are heavy on all the seasonal ingredients. Typically, that means an abundance of squashes that can be crafted into a delicious dish in several ways. This roasted butternut squash is a quick and easy way to utilize your whole root veggie while adding fun toppings for additional flavor.
Oven-Baked Chicken & Cornmeal Waffles With Cheddar Cheese
I don’t know about you, but when I crave a comfort meal for breakfast, chicken and waffles are one of my first thoughts. This version, with savory cornmeal waffles and homemade chicken, takes this healthy comfort food to the next level.
Tortellini Soup
A pasta/soup combo? What more could I ask for in a healthy comfort food? This recipe packs a lot into one bowl with healthy additions like carrots, celery, and cannellini beans for plenty of vitamins and protein.
Slow Cooker Tikka Masala
In my eyes, just about any slow cooker recipe could qualify as comfort food. However, it takes a specifically curated recipe to qualify as a healthy comfort food recipe, and this tikka masala checks every box. It’s just as good as takeout, minus the excess sodium and after-dinner bloat.
One Pot Parmesean Orzo
This orzo is just as delicious as it is stunning. While it’s excellent with spring veggies, anything you have on hand works well to bring together this cheesy, pasta-like, cozy dinner.
Cheesy Pesto Gnocchi
As you can probably tell, I’m a bit biased toward gnocchi when it comes to healthy comfort food recipes. But the hype is worth it, especially with recipes like this simple skillet pesto gnocchi with a cheese topping.
Vegetable Lasagna
Lasagna is one of those comfort foods that my heart adores but my stomach doesn’t always agree with. Luckily, this veggie-based lasagna with homemade pasta always satisfies my craving without being hard to digest.
Kitchari
With plenty of healthy ingredients and pantry staples, our food editor Suruchi describes this kitchari recipe as “a bowl that feels like a blanket.” Need I say more?
Falafel Veggie Burger
While I love homemade burgers when I’m craving comfort food, these veggie burgers are a healthier option that allows everyone to pick and choose their favorite toppings.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
It’s hard to fight the urge to make this healthy comfort food recipe every week. Alas, I often fold under pressure due to the ease and incredible flavor of this chicken tortilla soup. It’s a must-try during the cooler months.
Saag Paneer
I recently tried saag paneer for the first time here in Austin the night before a big exam, and dare I say—I was changed for life. As a result, I turned to this recipe to experience the same flavors in a healthier way, and my expectations were met with flying colors.
Sweet Potato and Chickpea Bowl with Feta Yogurt
Last but certainly not least, if you’re on the root veggie kick and are looking for a filling yet healthy and comforting dinner to enjoy—look no further than this sweet and savory creation with spiced chickpeas and protein-packed Greek yogurt.
