Your favorite comfort foods don't have to weigh you down. We've got low-calorie comfort foods that'll make you feel warm and fuzzy without the extras.
28 Low-Calorie Comfort Foods to Keep You Cozy
Updated on May 15, 2024
1/28
Makeover Cheddar Biscuits
Total Time
30 min
Servings
15 biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's our crack at the never-ending biscuits from Red Lobster. Made from scratch with lighter ingredients, they're just as cheesy and buttery as the original. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 biscuit: 106 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 233mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
2/28
Makeover Traditional Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Though softer than a full-fat cheesecake, this lightened-up dessert has all of the original's delectable flavor. It's sure to make any special event more festive. —Anne Addesso, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 311 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 369mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 0 fiber), 11g protein.
3/28
Healthy Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
12 servings
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.
4/28
Turkey Soup
Total Time
4 hours 30 min
Servings
12 servings (5 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter got this recipe from her husband's mother. As in many households, our turkey gets picked over for a few days after the holidays. This soup is especially good on cold winter nights when it's snowing...which happens a lot where I live! —Carol Brethauer, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 147 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 412mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat.
5/28
Cauliflower Mash
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick and easy mashed cauliflower is a wonderful alternative to same-old mashed spuds, and it's healthier, too! —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 26 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 308mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable.
6/28
No-Guilt Brownies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
Yes, you can watch your diet and enjoy treats, too! These healthy brownies are the perfect cure for a serious chocolate craving. —Rita Ross, Delta, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 brownie: 117 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 107mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
7/28
English Pub Split Pea Soup
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This family favorite is the same recipe my grandmother used. Now with the magic of the slow cooker, I can spend 15 minutes putting it together, walk away for five hours, and come back to "soup's on." Finish it with more milk if you like your soup a bit thinner. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 141 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat.
8/28
Vegetarian Pad Thai
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 339 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 701mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein.
9/28
Onion French Bread Loaves
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 loaves (3/4 pound and 16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Since I love variety in my cooking, I tried adding dried minced onion to my usual recipe in attempts to copy a bread I had tasted, creating these two tasty loaves. Using the bread machine on the dough setting is a great timesaver. —Ruth Fueller, Barmstedt, Germany
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 46 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 148mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
10/28
Whole Wheat Veggie Pizza
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 pizzas (6 slices each)
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.
11/28
Mini Cheesecake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Presto! We turned cheesecake into irresistible bite-sized snacks with these cute little treats. Feel free to use your favorite flavor of jam. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini cheesecake: 198 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
12/28
Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my mom made this spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so good that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors have really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup spaghetti with 3/4 cup sauce (calculated without cheese): 327 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 607mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 10g protein.
13/28
Flavorful Matzo Ball Soup
Total Time
2 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A variety of winter vegetables gives the broth for this classic Jewish soup a deep flavor. You can use a few green onions instead of the leek. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 100 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 322mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.
14/28
Frosted Pumpkin Cranberry Bars
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With tangy dried cranberries tucked inside and a creamy brown butter frosting, these mildly spiced pumpkin bars are doubly delightful. It's a good thing the recipe makes lots, because once you taste one, you won't be able to resist going back for more!
-Barbara Nowakowski, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 130 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
15/28
Tomato Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy, rich and bursting with brightness, this soup is the ultimate sidekick to a grilled cheese sandwich. — Josh Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 104 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 572mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
16/28
Tapioca Pudding
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
18 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves traditional tapioca, but I don’t always have time to make it. So I came up with this simple recipe that lets us enjoy one of our favorites without all the hands-on time. —Ruth Peters, Bel Air, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 149 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
17/28
Lemon Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I'm always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This lemon pound cake is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 500 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 333mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
18/28
Gingersnap Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A classic New England cookie, gingersnaps are now universal. My grandma kept two cookie jars in her pantry. One always had these crisp and chewy gingersnaps in it. They’re still my favorite cookie. My daughter, Becky, won a blue ribbon for this recipe at a 4-H fair. —Deb Handy, Pomona, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 92 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 106mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
19/28
Moroccan Stuffed Mushrooms
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Coriander and cumin are zesty updates to the familiar stuffed mushrooms. The addition of couscous makes them very filling and delicious. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed mushroom: 25 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
20/28
Beef Noodle Soup
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious soup only takes minutes—but tastes as if it simmers all day! —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 144 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 804mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
21/28
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A classic recipe like this never goes out of style! It’s delicious with the traditional pineapple, but try it with peaches or a combination of cranberries and orange. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 361 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
22/28
Shrimp Ramen
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A package of store-bought ramen noodles speeds up assembly of this colorful broth with shrimp and carrots. My mother passed the recipe on to me. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 148 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 857mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat.
23/28
Black Bean Brownies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
Nutrition Facts:
1 brownie: 167 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
24/28
Stuffed Chicken with Marinated Tomatoes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I invented this roast chicken to prove that goat cheese really is delish. I served it to my skeptical family without telling them, and they gobbled it up. But any soft cheese will do. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, DE
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 334 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 797mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 38g protein.
25/28
Baked Apple Surprise
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet-savory recipe is a favorite. Use Brie instead of blue cheese if you like things creamier. My tip? Bake the apples in a muffin tin so they won’t roll around. —Jessica Levinson, Nyack, New York
Nutrition Facts:
2 filled apple halves: 181 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 5g fiber), 3g protein.
26/28
Turkey a la King with Rice
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to make this dish with our leftover turkey. It's a nice change from casseroles and so simple. Serve over rice, noodles, biscuits or toast. —Pat Lemke, Brandon, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups turkey mixture with 1/2 cup rice: 350 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 594mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
27/28
Lettuce-Wrap Burgers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These fresh flavors blend like a dream. It's a snap to throw the wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 wraps: 252 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 518mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat.
28/28
Egg Drop Soup
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We often start our stir-fry meals with this fast egg drop soup — it cooks in just minutes flat. There are many versions of the recipe, but we like the easy addition of cornstarch to thicken the soup and give it a rich, golden color. I got the recipe from my grandma’s old cookbook. —Amy Beth Corlew-Sherlock, Lapeer, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 39 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 714mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
