29 Healthy Comfort Food Recipes
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on February 19, 2026
After a welcome reprieve, cold weather has returned to Kansas City. So, I’m sharing some veggie-packed comfort food recipes to help carry us through the winter. We’ll make it to spring together!
In my experience, the most enjoyable way to eat well during the winter is to load up on vegetables, rather than deny myself the cheesy, carb-heavy meals that I’m craving. To that end, here are 29 delicious dinners lightened up with fresh, nutritious ingredients. They all happen to be vegetarian.
You can always start with a salad for an extra boost of nutrients and flavor (plus, it helps balance your blood sugar). Try my go-to arugula salad, which comes together in one minute flat, or a crisp slaw or kale salad, which are made of hardy ingredients that keep well for several days. Off we go!
Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas
These amazing black bean and sweet potato enchiladas are smothered in salsa verde. This recipe makes a delicious, hearty vegetarian entrée in a family-sized portion.
Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Beans)
Pasta e fagioli means “pasta and beans” in Italian—this recipe is much more than that! This hearty and comforting vegetarian stew is full of irresistible fresh flavor. It’s vegan, too, as long as you don’t top it with cheese. Recipe yields 6 bowls or 8 cups of soup, and freezes well for later.
Extra Vegetable Fried Rice
Learn how to make vegetable fried rice—it’s a simple and satisfying dinner! This vegetarian recipe features extra vegetables and brown rice. Recipe yields 2 large or 3 moderate servings (I think you could double it if you have a large enough skillet, but you might not get as much caramelization on the edges of the veggies and rice).
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
These vegetarian stuffed peppers are inspired by my favorite Mexican dishes! This recipe features roasted bell peppers filled with a flavorful combination of pinto beans, brown rice and fresh veggies, topped with melted cheese (optional). This recipe yields 8 stuffed peppers, enough for 4 main dish servings or 8 sides.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
This butternut squash mac and cheese is a delight! It’s just right—cheesy and creamy but not too rich, with subtle roasted butternut squash flavor. To help this recipe come together quickly for a weeknight dinner, roast the squash in advance. If you choose a large squash, you’ll have about twice as much as you need—freeze it for future use. Recipe yields 8 servings (quite a lot!) and leftovers are great.
Thai Red Curry with Vegetables
This Thai red curry recipe is so easy to make at home! The coconut milk makes it rich, while the spice level and colorful vegetables liven it up. This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free for all to enjoy. Recipe yields 4 servings.
Better Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli casserole made better with roasted fresh broccoli, cheddar cheese, creamy quinoa and irresistible, garlicky whole grain bread crumbs. This healthy casserole is easy to make and tastes amazing! Recipe yields 6 to 8 servings.
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
This cozy butternut squash risotto recipe tastes incredible! Roasted butternut squash and crispy fried sage take it over the top. This risotto is also healthier than most, since it calls for brown rice instead of white, and requires practically no stirring. You can just bake it all in the oven! Recipe yields 4 servings.
Epic Vegetarian Tacos
Truly amazing vegetarian tacos featuring easy-to-make refried beans, quick-pickled onions, and creamy avocado sauce! Your whole family will love these meatless tacos. Recipe yields 8 hearty tacos (about 4 servings). You’ll want to make this recipe all year long.
Spicy Black Bean Soup
This healthy black bean soup recipe is easy to make with canned beans. Thanks to some basic aromatics and Cuban spices, it’s incredibly flavorful and delicious. Blending a portion of the beans yields a wonderfully creamy soup that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. The recipe yields quite a bit of soup (6 to 8 servings)—it is easily halved, or you can freeze the leftovers.
Classic Tomato Soup (Lightened Up!)
You’re going to love this classic tomato soup recipe! It’s super creamy, yet light and magically cream-less. Make this easy recipe tonight! It’s perfect with the grilled cheese recipe you’ll find below. Recipe yields 4 modest bowls; if you are serving a crowd or want leftovers, simply double the recipe.
Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This gourmet grilled cheese sandwich recipe is so easy to make at home! Make it when the craving strikes, and it will become your new favorite. Recipe yields 1 sandwich; multiply as necessary. You can make two at once in large skillet, if you’re careful when you flip them.
Vegetable Paella
This vegetable paella is loaded with vegetables, chickpeas, and savory, smoky rice. This Spanish dish is hearty, fresh and lively all at once. Recipe yields 6 hearty servings.
Italian Eggplant Parmesan
This Italian-style eggplant Parmesan recipe is lighter than most—it’s made with roasted eggplant slices (not fried) and no breading at all. It’s gluten free, too! Recipe yields one 9-inch square eggplant Parm, or about 8 servings.
Mujadara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions)
Mujadara is a classic Arabic recipe featuring cooked lentils and rice, caramelized onions, herbs and yogurt. It’s a delicious vegetarian main dish that is sure to satisfy! This version calls for brown rice instead of white (if you want to use white, see recipe notes). Recipe yields 4 generous servings.
Homemade Vegetarian Chili
The smoky, complex flavor of this simple vegetarian chili comes from basic pantry ingredients, vegetables and spices! It makes great leftovers, too. It’ll warm you right up. Recipe yields 4 large or 6 moderate servings of chili.
Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole
This roasted veggie enchilada casserole recipe is a hearty, vegetable-packed dinner loaded with fresh Mexican flavors! I crave it when the weather cools down. Recipe yields 6 to 8 servings.
Best Stuffed Shells
This stuffed shells recipe features cheesy, saucy shells stuffed with a delicious spinach and ricotta filling. Make these stuffed shells for dinner tonight! Recipe yields about 28 shells, about 8 servings.
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
This Thai-style pineapple fried rice is sweet, spicy and satisfying. It’s made with red bell pepper, cashews and cilantro. This dish comes together very quickly, so be sure to have your ingredients (including chilled leftover rice) prepped in advance. Recipe yields 2 large, restaurant-sized portions or 4 more modest portions.
Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
You’re going to love this vegetarian lentil tacos recipe. Roasted cauliflower, seasoned lentils and creamy chipotle sauce combine to make a delicious and hearty taco! Recipe yields 8 modestly portioned tacos.
Spinach Artichoke Enchiladas
Hearty spinach artichoke enchiladas with a simple homemade red sauce! These lightened-up vegetarian enchiladas include black beans, a modest amount of sour cream and some golden cheese on top. Recipe yields 6 large enchiladas. You might as well make a double batch of the sauce and freeze it for later!
Spaghetti Squash “Pizza” Bowls
Make these easy spaghetti squash pizza bowls tonight! This recipe features marinara, sautéed spinach and cheesy goodness in a spaghetti squash “bowl.” Recipe yields 4 bowls.
Fresh Huevos Rancheros
This classic huevos rancheros recipe features fresh pico de gallo on top. Huevos rancheros is a vegetarian Mexican breakfast with eggs, tortillas and salsa. I love to make it for dinner because it is so hearty and satisfying.
Best Vegetable Lasagna
Truly the best veggie lasagna—check out the reviews on this one! This lasagna recipe is packed with bell pepper, zucchini and carrots, sautéed until golden and tender on the edges. Recipe yields one 9-inch lasagna, enough for 8 slices.
Amazing Vegan Mac and Cheese
This vegan mac and cheese recipe is incredibly creamy and remarkably cheese-like! You won’t believe how delicious dairy-free mac and cheese can be. Recipe yields 2 large or 4 modest servings.
Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables
This amazing baked ziti recipe is lightened up with roasted vegetables. Golden mozzarella, sizzling red sauce and tender pasta make this vegetarian ziti super delicious! Recipe yields 8 servings.
Best Lentil Soup
This simple vegan lentil soup recipe comes together quickly with mostly pantry ingredients. With over 3,000 five-star reviews, it’s undeniably delicious! Be sure to have your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking! Recipe yields four large bowls of soup, or six more modest servings.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Crispy Tofu with Honey-Sesame Glaze
This recipe features tender, caramelized Brussels sprouts with extra crispy tofu and brown rice, topped with an irresistible sweet-and-spicy glaze. This meal requires some prep work, but once you’re ready, you can cook the rice, sprouts and tofu in about 30 minutes, while making the glaze in the meantime.
Hearty Spaghetti with Lentils & Marinara Sauce
This wholesome dinner features hearty lentils, marinara sauce and spaghetti. This vegetarian dinner is easy to make, affordable and delicious! Recipe yields 4 servings.
More resources you might appreciate: 23 healthy make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners.
Great list, Kate! And beautiful photographs, as always
Thanks, Sara!
So many great ideas for shaking up my regular dinner rotation. I’m eyeing that fried rice…yum.
Thanks, Miriam! Hope you’ll try that one soon!
These all sound so good!
I love a good comfort food – especially when the weather is rainy and dark!
Izzy -http://pinchofdelight.wordpress.com
Thank you, Izzy!
Thanks, Kate! I have to say that you must really like that roasted butternut squash soup. It seems to turn up in a number of your collections. Guess I better try it! Dhyan in Boulder
Yes, that’s one of my favorites! It’s also one of the most popular recipes on the blog. Hope you’ll get a chance to make some soon!
I have made 4 of these meals in the last few weeks and they were all delicious!
Yay, that’s so great to hear! Thanks, Rachel.
Your recipes are great. Please keep sending out your delish foods. I have yet to have one of your recipes faile, they always turn out great and I’m not a great cook either. Thanks for all your hard work!
Makes you wonder where the stereotype that vegetarians don’t eat amazing and tasty food comes from :)
Haha, right? I blame the low-fat trend for that stereotype. Steamed veggies aren’t nearly as awesome!
I love your recipe round-ups. I always discover something that ends up becoming a mainstay in our house. Those artichoke enchiladas and the enchilada casserole look fab!!
Perfect! That’s what I hope for with these posts :) Let me know if you try them!
Your chilli and risotto are now two of my favourite dishes. I make sure to always have a couple of portions both in the freezer at all times, it makes me happy knowing they’re in there to pull out and defrost when I’m having a bad day! You’re spot on with the veggie loading thing too. I tend to crave melted cheese like there’s no tomorrow at this time of year but I figure that adding lots of green veg makes it slightly more acceptable to have quesadillas a few times a week….
I totally agree! Melty cheese is just too good to pass up in the winter time.
Lovely compilation of recipes, who says you cant be a veggie and enjoy good food.
Exactly.
I will be definately trying this mouthwatering yet healthy recipes for my kids at home for sure! Thanks for sharing them.
You’re welcome, Susana! I hope everyone likes them.
This soup is in my regular rotation – family just loves it! Thank you!!
Awesome! Thanks, Kathy.
I am pinning the entire blog post, too many recipes I will be trying!! Thank you for this post!
Love it!
You’re a natural creative cook. Thanks for sharing your recipes with such beautiful photos and clear instructions.
I don’t see an icon to print out the recipes.
Thank you.
Thank you! The print options should be within each specific recipe post. Hope this helps! Let me know if you still have issues.
Hi Cookie. (or is it Kate??)
I need a lot of slamon recipes
Sorry, Marvin! I cook vegetarian or vegan. Can’t be of much help there. :)
Hi Kate, I found a great recipe on your site about six months ago or so and I have lost it now and have scoured your site and can’t find it. It had pasta and either brocolli or spinach in it was seasoned only with with lemon and butter . I remember how you raved about the wonderful flavoring to this simple dish and your right. If you remember this one can you point me to it?
Thank you
Is it this recipe by chance? https://capital-balance.pro/2015/spinach-pasta-recipe/%3C/a%3E I find it helpful to use the search bar and type the primary ingredient you are looking for if you can’t remember the name. :)
No that’s not it. Thank you for trying and suggesting the search bar.
I really needed this post today. After cooking most of the recipes in your cookbook (some multiple times!) I was running low on ideas! Now I’m already mentally planning to try at least 6 of these recipes out. Thank you!! <3
I’m glad the timing worked out well. I have a lot of great recipes coming down the line so stay tuned. :)
Kate,
I’m calling this the “Mother Lode”.
All 25 recipes look and sound delicious.
Thank you for them!
Don
I like it! And will take that for sure. Let me know what you think as you try recipes, Donald.
You are a lifesaver – I’ve recently started seeing someone with a sulphur allergy, so I’ve had to cut out or moderate: meat, eggs, processed foods/sauces, dairy, bread, brassica veggies, garlic, onions, vinegars, and preserved, fermented, or pickled foods. I’ve been able to adapt some of your recipes – ie, I just made your butternut squash soup, and I only had to switch the maple syrup for honey. I shared some with him, and he loved it. I’m sad I’ve had to drop a lot of your salads, but it’s been an interesting challenge. Thanks for making the transition a little more feasible, Kate!
That’s sweet, Sara! :) I do try to make my recipes friendly for allergies. Not all are perfect, but glad you found some that worked for you.
Oh the Thai red curry and vegan mac n’ cheese look AMAZING! Now I’m craving them BOTH!
My work here is done then! Ha. :)
I love winter cooking. Nice warm, tasty food. Perfect for when you get in from a long winters walk. I think all of the meal above look amazing. Could be a family Sunday lunch or just a cosy midweek meal with the partner. Great article that I will be sharing!
Thank you Kate!! This roundup is perfect! I am usually craving a healthy comfort vegetarian meal for dinner and these recipes are definitely what I gravitate toward. My favorites in rotation are the paella, risotto and the best vegetable lasagna — seriously, that lasagna blew my mind.
We make the kale pesto pizza EVERY week! It is one of our favorites. Thank you so much for all your wonderful ideas :)
Number 2, 7, 9,12,15,18,21 and 22 are in my list-to-do now xD
Great job, Kate!
Nice collection of recipes.. good one
Thank you!
I Love this Post , What a great content u are providing to people keep it up
Thank you!
This is the very rare and unique info for all peoples because its benefits is its find on google so easy and i have share this info with friends because its really so educational info and its help me in my education thanks and keep writing.
Thanks, Julia! Glad you found it helpful.
Thanks for your helpful recipe post. I really love that!!! keep posting that kind of easy recipe.
Thanks!
The recipes all look tasty, comforting, and simple to make. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you, Troy!
Hii…. KATE
i have read most of your recepies , and they were simply amazing … i have tried it at home …. and they were delicious … please share many more recepies….
thankyou keep it up……
I’m happy to hear you are enjoying them, Neeraj!
OMG… nice recipe. My hubby is too foody and i also love to make interesting or delicious food. These recipes help me a lot to make different food for my babies and hubby. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Deniel!
OMG! Looking so delicious!! I can’t handle greed to start my favorite Lagansa special out of 25 items. I will start today. Thanks for excellent sharing.
You’re welcome, Rita!
I like your food ideas, but there is no food with meat. do you have any idea for the people who want to eat meat as well?
Hi Mogi, I’m a vegetarian so I wouldn’t be much help. Sorry!
Absolutely love your recipes..just went through your yummy 30 dishes. Was wondering if u can adapt any of those for instant pot..esp the lentil and bean recipes?
Hi Pam! Thank you so much. I’m still experimenting with my Instant Pot and it’s producing really inconsistent results, to be honest. I’m hesitant to suggest it for many recipes. Take my lentil soup, for example. It’s a multi-stage soup that is not complicated and comes together within an hour as written—trying to make it an Instant Pot truly doesn’t save time and just complicates matters. All that said, if I come up with something that really works well, I’ll be sure to add it to the recipes!
These all look so good! I totally need to add some of these into our dinner rotation soon!
This list is so helpful. Everything looks like something I want to cook. Thank you.
For the sweet potato and black bean enchiladas do you have a suggestion for the sauce that isn’t tomatillo/tomato based? I have an enchilada sauce that is more spices and veg broth but I wouldn’t normally use that much and I tend to mix it enchilada rice.
This is a red sauce with tomato paste and other spices. The flour helps thicken it up.
Nice work! This is a great group of recipes for any day.
I was once again struck by how much I rely upon your recipes when I scrolled through this list today! It was one “yep” after another, as we’ve made and enjoyed so many of these repeatedly. You’re the best Kate (and Cookie). Thank you!!!
So happy to hear it, Patricia! Thank you for your kind words. :)
I’m so excited to start trying these. They look filling and warm and comforting! I so badly want to eat less meat and lose weight, yet still be satisfied. I didn’t know if it was possible, but your beautiful recipes and pictures give me hope. :)
Very inclusive list; the mujadara was a hit! Well done friend.
Thanks so much for assembling this comfort food list of recipes. They all sound yummy and tempting! Have bookmarked the recipes that I want to make in future. Happy new year!
I love your recipes. I print them and organize them. Can someone update your site so the print button refers to my printer? It’s cumbersome to type in my email every time.
We R committed to Meatless Monday Meals so these recipes Will work, Thanks!
Your recipes are wonderful. I’m no great cook but I haven’t made any of your recipes that are anything less than delicious. Thank you for your hard work!
The food sure looks amazing. I cant wait to get a kitchen again and be able to cook tasty healthy comfort food again.
Mhhhmmm :)
Wow! Facing a winter storm and I was looking for a warm, comforting recipe for dinner. Every single one of your “29 Healthy Comfort Food Recipes” sounds amazing and exactly what I was hoping to find. I never cooked any of your recipes that I didn’t think was exceptionally great ( and I’ve cooked a lot of them over the years). Thank you for keeping our tummies warm and happy!