It's January and if you're anything like me, you're thinking it's time to get back on track! But at the same time, it's January. And in many parts of the world (mine included) that means it's also cold... real cold! Naturally, all I really want when it's cold outside is to be eating comfort food inside. So if you're feeling the same, that's where these lighter and healthier versions of comfort food come in! You can eat healthy and light and have your comfort food too! And these healthy comfort food recipes have something for everyone, including air fryer and slow cooker recipes.
![collage of 6 photos of healthy comfort food with text in the middle](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Healthier-and-Lighter-Comfort-foods-1-1024x1024.jpg)
This collection of comfort food made healthy has Main Dishes, Snacks, Sides, and Desserts (without artificial sweeteners) to satisfy any comfort craving, including all your favorite comfort foods! You'll find recipes for lighter and Weight Watchers friendly versions of Shepherd's Pie, Pizza, Butter Chicken, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Eggs Benedict, Chocolate Belgian Waffles, Chocolate Mug Cake, Cheesecake, and more, all in one place - right here! So snuggle down and dig in - guilt-free!
Main Dishes
If you're in search of healthy dinner ideas that are also comfort foods, you'll find them here!
![ground turkey shepherd's pie on a white plate with a fork and blue oven mitt in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ground-Turkey-Shepherds-Pie-360x360.jpg)
![weight watchers pizza with one slice being removed](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Weight-Watchers-2-ingredient-pizza-dough-recipe-1-360x360.jpg)
![lasagna soup in slow cooker with ladle](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Easy-Lasagna-Soup-Recipe-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![light beef stroganoff being ladled out of slow cooker](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Light-Beef-Stroganoff-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![a white tray of avocado tacos with salsa and sour cream in the middle and lime wedges on the side](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Taco-Stuffed-Avocados-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole being held up on a spoon over glass casserole dish](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Million-Dollar-Spaghetti-360x360.jpg)
![air fryer falafel pita on a black plate with a bowl of falafel balls in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Air-Fryer-Falafels-from-mix-360x360.jpg)
![weight watchers leftover chicken quesadillas on a wooden cutting board](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/weight-watchers-leftover-chicken-quesadillas-360x360.jpg)
![butter chicken in a patterned bowl with fork on the side and pot of healthy butter chicken in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Recipe-for-Healthy-Butter-Chicken-360x360.jpg)
![Big Mac salad (from top) in white bowl)](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WW-Big-Mac-Salad-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![photo of weight watchers turkey sloppy joes on a black plate with carrots and cucumbers](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Healthy-Turkey-Sloppy-Joes-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![beef on a bun on a grey plate with coleslaw and beans](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Stampede-Beef-on-a-Bun-360x360.jpg)
![Open faced tuna melts on parchment paper covered baking sheet](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Open-faced-Tuna-Melt-360x360.jpg)
![egg roll in a blue flowered bowl with chopsticks and a small white dish of plum sauce in the background and wok with more egg roll in a bowl in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Weight-Watchers-Egg-Roll-in-a-Bowl-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Greek chicken souvlaki wrapped in pita with tomatoes, red onion, tzatziki and parsley, wrapped in paper on black plate](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Greek-Chicken-Souvlaki-Wrap-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![meatloaf, sliced on a black tray with a colorful flower tea towel in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dairy-free-and-gluten-free-Meatloaf-360x360.jpg)
![slow cooker beef stew in a blue bowl with slow cooker in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Crockpot-Whisky-Beef-Stew-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Banh Mi turkey hot dog on black plate with lime wedges](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Recipe-for-Banh-Mi-Turkey-Hot-Dog-360x360.jpg)
![creamy lemon chicken pasta in a beige bowl with lemons on side, on blue surface](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Weight-Watchers-Lemon-Chicken-360x360.jpg)
![chili in a bowl on a wooden surface](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Pork-and-Beef-Stovetop-Chili-360x360.jpg)
![leftover turkey enchilada on a blue plate with dishes of sour cream, salsa and whole pan of enchiladas in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Weight-Watchers-Turkey-Enchiladas-360x360.jpg)
![Easy Italian wedding soup with frozen meatballs on a bluish wooden background with a yellow napkin and spoon](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Easy-Italian-Wedding-Soup-with-frozen-meatballs-360x360.jpg)
![Spaghetti and meat sauce](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Recipe-for-Secret-Ingredient-Spaghetti-sauce-360x360.jpg)
![mason jar taco salad with more jars and lunchbag in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Weight-Watchers-taco-salad-360x360.jpg)
![healthy fish taco on a white plate with a wedge of lemon](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/healthy-fish-tacos-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![broccoli cheese soup in a blue bowl with a spoon, with broccoli scattered around](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Broccoli-Cheese-Soup-360x360.jpg)
![open chicken banh mi vietnamese sub on a greenish grey plate with lime garnish and small white dish of sriracha mayonnaise](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Banh-Mi-Chicken-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Healthy Corn Chowder in a black bowl, with a spoon on the side and red over mitts in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Healthy-Corn-Chowder-360x360.jpg)
![Mediterranean past in a bowl with spoon and white napkin on the side](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Greek-Pasta-Toss-360x360.jpg)
![Loaded Pierogi soup with a plate of loaded pierogies in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Perogy-Soup-360x360.jpg)
![crockpot chicken stew in a blue bowl with biscuits on the side and a slow cooker in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Crockpot-Chicken-Stew-360x360.jpg)
![slow cooker zuppa toscana ina black bowl with a spoon](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Zuppa-Toscana-Slow-Cooker-360x360.jpg)
![whole big mac pizza with piece being lifted out](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Healthy-Big-Mac-Pizza-360x360.jpg)
Breakfast
![healthy eggs benedict on a white plate with a fork and a bowl of fruit](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Baked-Eggs-Benedict-360x360.jpg)
![stack of heart-shaped red velvet pancakes on a black plate with a heart cookie cutter in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Healthy-Red-Velvet-Pancake-Recipe--360x360.jpg)
![chocolate waffles with strawberries and whipped cream on a white plate white with a stack of waffles in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Chocolate-Waffles-360x360.jpg)
![2 egg white bites on a black plate, with salsa in a small dish and a fork on the plate](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Roasted-Red-Pepper-Egg-White-Bites-360x360.jpg)
![Bananas Foster Overnight Oats in a jar with jars in overnight oats behind](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/weight-watchers-overnight-oats-360x360.jpg)
![stacked pancakes with apple topping and whipped cream](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Harvest-Nut-and-Grain-Pancakes-360x360.jpg)
![breakfast burrito on a black plate,. cut in half](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Mediterranean-egg-breakfast-burrito-360x360.jpg)
![Sheet pan pancakes](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sheet-Pan-Pancakes-360x360.jpg)
Appetizers & Snacks
![healthy spinach artichoke dip in a ceramic bowl on a platter with vegetables and mini pita breads](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Healthy-Spinach-and-Artichoke-Dip-360x360.jpg)
![buffalo chicken zucchini pizza recipe on an off-white baking tray](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Zucchini-Pizza-Bites-with-Buffalo-Chicken-360x360.jpg)
![buffalo chicken dip in black container with veggies and crackers in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Buffalo-Chicken-Dip-with-canned-chicken-breast-360x360.jpg)
![air fryer potato skin being held up over a tray of more air fryer potato skins](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Potato-Skins-Air-Fryer-360x360.jpg)
![carrot muffin on blue wood-like surface, pulled into 2 pieces , with wrapper, more muffins and carrots in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Carrot-muffins-WW-friendly-360x360.jpg)
![a healthy pizza pocket on a white plate with baby carrots and a dish of olives and spinach in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Healthy-Pizza-Pocket-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![beet cookies on a piece of parchment paper](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Beet-Cookies-360x360.jpg)
![3 pieces of blueberry cornbread stacked on a counter with a pan of blueberry cornbread in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Healthy-cornbread-360x360.jpg)
![strawberry yogurt popsicles on a black counter surface with ice and fresh strawberries](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Strawberry-Popsicles-with-yogurt-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![chocolate cereal clusters on wooden tree trunk platter](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chocolate-Cereal-Clusters-360x360.jpg)
Sides & Sauces
![6 pieces of everything bagel cloud bread stacked on top of each other](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Cloud-Bread-360x360.jpg)
![lazy slow cooker cabbage rolls in bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Slow-Cooker-Unstuffed-Cabbage-Rolls-360x360.jpg)
![bowl of skinny coleslaw with limes in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Weight-Watchers-Asian-Coleslaw-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Parsnip fries on brown paper with one fry being dipped into white bowl of ketchup](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Parsnip-Chips-in-the-air-fryer-360x360.jpg)
![brown sugar glazed carrots in a black bowl, with a spoon, on grey linen](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oven-Roasted-Brown-Sugar-Glazed-Carrots-360x360.jpg)
![Mexican Street Corn Recipe](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mexican-Street-Corn-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![tartar sauce in a small white dish with a spoon sticking out of it, sitting on a black tray with sliced lemon in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Healthy-Homemade-Tartar-Sauce-Recipe-1-360x360.jpg)
![triangle of pita bread being dipped into tzatziki sauce in black bowl on black tray with pita bread in background and lemon wedges](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Easy-Tzatziki-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Healthy Hollandaise sauce in a large white creamer, with a bowl of green grapes in background and grey linen](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-fat-Hollandaise-Sauce-recipe-360x360.jpg)
Desserts
![whole carrot cake decorated with pineapple and carrots on a aqua cake stand](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Light-Carrot-Cake-360x360.jpg)
![apple crisp in a blue container with a pan of apple crisp in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Weight-Watchers-Apple-Crisp-with-oatmeal-360x360.jpg)
![weight watchers pineapple pina colada cake on white plate](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Weight-Watchers-Pineapple-Cake-360x360.jpg)
![4 brownies with spinach stacked on a piece of parchment paper with applesauce and a red and white tea towel in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Brownies-with-spinach-360x360.jpg)
![crustless pumpkin pie on a white plate with fork and whole pie in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Crustless-Pumpkin-Pie-Recipe--360x360.jpg)
![ww cheesecake in a white flower petal bowl, with spoon and glass container of more in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ww-cheesecake-1-360x360.jpg)
![chocolate mug cake being held up on a spoon over cake in a mug](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Healthy-Chocolate-Mug-Cake-360x360.jpg)
![banana nice cream in a waffle cone bowl with a spoon, garnished with coconut and lime zest , with whole limes in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Banana-Nice-Cream-Recipe-2-360x360.jpg)
![dark chocolate hummus in a white petal bowl (on a white platter with fruit and crackers), with a strawberry being dipped into it](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dark-Chocolate-Dessert-Hummus-360x360.jpg)
![frozen yogurt bark broken into pieces](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Raspberry-Frozen-Yogurt-360x360.jpg)
![a piece of skinny pumpkin cheesecake being lifted off a plate](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Light-Pumpkin-cheesecake-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![a piece of healthy banana cream pie on a white plate with a whole pie in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Healthy-No-Bake-Banana-Cream-Pie-360x360.jpg)
![](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Crustless-Pumpkin-Pie-in-a-Mug-360x360.jpg)
🦺Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
So if you're looking for comfort food recipes that are healthy, you'll love these healthier options!
Joss
It looks like healthy comforts foods are the way to go this year! I also crave comfort food in the winter, but want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so this list is very helpful.
Bernice
This a great recipe collection Terri. I'm not ready to give up my comfort food in January and I've always thought it's a stupid time to try out new health kicks. I'd rather make an effort year round, or at least when I'm not trapped inside. Anyway I see some of my favourites in your round up so I'll be trying them out soon. Can't hurt, right?
nancy
i love all your round up and guides!
Julia
What a fantastic round up of delicious comfort dinners. Saving this to help get us through dinner ideas on those chilly days.
Sean
LOADS of great comfort food ideas here - but I have to say (and this is probably that January weather talking), the soups and the chili are really calling my name. I mean, perogy soup?! Where have you been all my life?