50 Classic Comfort Food Dinners You Won’t Believe Are Healthy

Read Time: 25 mins

50 Classic Comfort Food Dinners You Won’t Believe Are Healthy1/50 Cornmeal Fried Chicken 33 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cornmeal Oven-Fried Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cornmeal fried chicken dish perks up the dinner table. Its flavorful cornmeal/bread-crumb coating is a good variation from the usual. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked chicken: 249 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 331mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.

My neighbor and I discovered these delicious low-fat burritos a few years ago

2/50 Black Bean Burrito 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Black Bean Burrito Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My neighbor and I discovered these delicious low-fat burritos a few years ago. On nights my husband or I have a meeting, we can have a satisfying supper on the table in minutes. —Angela Studebaker, Goshen, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 burrito: 395 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 610mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1

vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat

vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat. 3/50 Skillet Meat Loaf 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skillet Meat Loaf Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who says meat loaf has to bake in the oven for hours? For this convenient recipe, all you need is your stovetop and 30 minutes. It’s a quick, simple dish to make for one or two people. —Emily Sund, Geneseo, Illinois. Nutrition Facts: 1 meat loaf: 292 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 548mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate

(2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein

(2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch. 4/50 Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup 37 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I have leftover ham in the fridge, I always like to make this soup. Just throw the ingredients in the slow-cooker, turn it on, and dinner is done. —Pamela Chambers, West Columbia, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 266 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol,

728mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 15g fiber), 23g protein

728mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 15g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat. 5/50 Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Butternut Squash Shepherd’s Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone eats for comfort during the holidays, but comfort foods aren’t necessarily healthy. To make a classic comfort food dish healthier, I came up with this lovely take: butternut squash shepherd’s pie with ground turkey. It’s perfect for putting out on your holiday buffet table. —Ann Sheehy,

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch

Lawrence, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 314 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 654mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch. 6/50 Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband often ordered pineapple fried rice at Thai restaurants, so I surprised him by tweaking some similar recipes to come up with a version that’s both simple and delicious. —Bonnie Brien, Pacific Grove,

My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me about 25 years ago

California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 491 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 513mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein. 7/50 Slow-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew 14 Reviews Contest Winner Beef Bourguignon (Boeuf Bourguignon) Recipe photo by Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me about 25 years ago. Ever since then, it’s been a go-to whenever I need good food without a lot of fussing. —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups:

419 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 949mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 37g protein. 8/50 Whole Wheat Veggie Pizza Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 2 pizzas (6 slices each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A wonderful crust layered with herbed tomato sauce and toppings encourages my family of six to dig right in to this low-fat main course. —Denise Warner, Red Lodge, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 190 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic

Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 1/2 fat

Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 9/50 The Ultimate Fish Tacos 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The Ultimate Fish Tacos Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is my favorite meal to prepare. Adding my own personal touch to the marinade makes my fish tacos pop with flavor. I warm corn tortillas on the grill and add salsa, cilantro, purple cabbage and fresh squeezed lime. —Yvonne Molina, Moreno Valley, California Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 284 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat),

Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

124mg cholesterol, 278mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 35g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 10/50 Turkey Sloppy Joes 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick & Easy Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When we were first married and poor college students, I found this sloppy joe recipe and tweaked it. The fresh bell peppers give it a wonderful flavor. —Kallee Twiner, Maryville, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 251 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol,

629mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein

629mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable. 11/50 Pineapple-Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pineapple-Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I found the original recipe for this dish on a can of pineapple slices in the 1980s. After making it for a number of years, I lightened the ingredients and adapted it to a quick skillet meal. My family gave it a big thumbs-up, and we’ve enjoyed it this

way ever since!

way ever since! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup chicken mixture: 316 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 487mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 fruit. 12/50 Turkey Gyros 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Greek seasoning, feta cheese and dill-cucumber sauce give this gyro an authentic taste. It was my family’s introduction to how really good pita bread can be. Instead of feta cheese, we’ll

sprinkle on cheddar or Monterey Jack if we have it

sprinkle on cheddar or Monterey Jack if we have it. —Donna Garvin, Glens Falls, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 307 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 13/50 Chicken Chalupa 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Chalupa Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I wanted an easy alternative to deep-fried chalupas, so I bake them with filling on top. —Magdalena

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat

Flores, Abilene, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 chalupa: 206 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 400mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 14/50 Root Stew 1 Review Root Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 30 min Servings 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While inventing a new form of comfort food, I made a stew of carrots, turnips, parsnips and rutabaga. When I’m in the mood to change things up, I add potatoes or chicken. —Maria Davis,

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch

Flower Mound, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 227 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 676mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 15/50 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: 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

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