31 Skinny Comfort Foods for Winter

Read Time: 14 mins

31 Skinny Comfort Foods for Winter2/31 Quinoa Turkey Chili 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quinoa Turkey Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 9 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This heart-healthy turkey quinoa chili is not only tasty, it’s a vitamin and protein powerhouse! —Sharon Giljum, San Diego, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 264 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 9g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat. 3/31 Healthy Apple Crisp 8 Reviews Test

It’s as quick as a boxed cake mix but it’s a healthier dessert choice

Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This easy dish is a tradition in my family. It’s as quick as a boxed cake mix but it’s a healthier dessert choice. It’s ideal in fall when it seems that everyone has a bag or two of fresh apples to give away! —Terri Wetzel, Roseburg, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 252 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. 4/31 Black Bean ‘n’ Corn Quesadillas 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Black Bean ‘n’

Corn Quesadillas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Black beans partner up with spinach and corn in these easy and satisfying quesadillas from Susan Franklin of Littleton, Colorado. —Susan Franklin, Littleton, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 4 wedges: 358 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 900mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein. 5/31 Light & Lemony Scampi 17 Reviews Light & Lemony Scampi Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

For those who want to indulge, pass around the Parmesan

A touch more lemon helped me trim the calories in our favorite shrimp scampi recipe. For those who want to indulge, pass around the Parmesan. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without cheese): 378 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 146mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 very lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat. 6/31 Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I couldn’t shake my mashed potato

habit—until I tried mashed cauliflower with a similar consistency

habit—until I tried mashed cauliflower with a similar consistency. I started making my own, and my family loves it. —Meredith Howard, Franklin, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 154 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. 7/31 Chicken Florentine Meatballs 30 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Florentine Meatballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 0.500 fat

Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 272 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 635mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 0.500 fat. 8/31 Mixed Berry French Toast Bake 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mixed Berry French Toast Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I just love this recipe! It’s perfect for fuss-free holiday breakfasts or laid-back company. It’s scrumptious and so easy to put together the night before. —Amy Berry,

Poland, Maine Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 310 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 517mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 13g protein. 9/31 Healthy Lasagna 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Makeover Traditional Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 55 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve never been quick to pass along my special recipes, but this one is so good that it’s become our family’s Christmas Eve tradition! —Michelle Behan, Littleton, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 349 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 571mg

sodium, 23g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein

sodium, 23g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein. 10/31 Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies 17 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m a chocolate lover, and this treat has satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can’t be beat. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming Nutrition Facts: 1 brownie: 198 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0

fiber), 4g protein

fiber), 4g protein. 11/31 Turkey Sausage Cabbage Rolls Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Turkey Sausage Cabbage Rolls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 50 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I practically grew up in my Polish grandmother’s kitchen, watching Babci cook and listening to her stories. I made her cabbage roll recipe healthier with whole grains and turkey, but kept the same rich flavors I remember. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cabbage roll with 3 tablespoons sauce: 202 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 681mg

sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein

sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch. 12/31 Feta Chicken Burgers 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My friends always request these tasty chicken burgers. I sometimes add olives to punch up the flavor! The burgers are exceptional with the mayonnaise-cucumber topping. —Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 burger with 1 tablespoon sauce: 356 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 703mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat,

2 starch, 1/2 fat

2 starch, 1/2 fat. 13/31 Fiery Stuffed Poblanos 11 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love Southwest-inspired cuisine, but the dishes are often unhealthy. As a dietitian, I try to come up with nutritious twists on recipes, which is how my stuffed peppers dish was born. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed pepper: 223 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 579mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch,

1 lean meat, 1 fat

1 lean meat, 1 fat. 14/31 Makeover Creamy Macaroni and Cheese 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Makeover Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With its creamy consistency and two different cheeses, this entree captures the essence of comfort food. But here’s the kicker: it’s been slimmed down for you so you can enjoy it without over indulging. —Darcie Zerniak, Ontario, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 394 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 842mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g

fiber), 23g protein

fiber), 23g protein. 15/31 De-Lightful Tuna Casserole 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved De-Lightful Tuna Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This mild, homemade tuna casserole will truly satisfy your family’s craving for comfort food without all the fat! —Colleen Willey, Hamburg, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 329 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 684mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat. 16/31 Coconut Cream Cake 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JACKIE ALPERS FOR

Try Deborah Protzman’s moist and mouthwatering cake

TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Have the urge to splurge? Try Deborah Protzman’s moist and mouthwatering cake. “No one who’s ever eaten a piece can believe it’s lower in fat”—Deborah Protzman, Bloomington, Illinois. Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 231 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 266mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 17/31 Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the

The meatless slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekends

Recipe Creator: This recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekends. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 245 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 385mg cholesterol, 338mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 18/31 Turkey Thyme Risotto 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This satisfying risotto is a wonderful way to reinvent leftover

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community