Comfort Foods With a Healthy Twist
The colder weather has arrived which means many of us will be looking for our favorite comfort foods. Here are some healthier versions that saves you some calories but still has all the great taste!

The colder weather has arrived which means many of us will be looking for our favorite comfort foods. Here are some healthier versions that saves you some calories but still has all the great taste!
A family favorite, meatloaf is a great way to get some nutritional goodness in our little ones.
Ingredients
1 cup dried mushrooms, such as shiitake, porcini or chanterelle
1 cup bulgur
1 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup nonfat evaporated milk
1/2 cup ketchup
1 large egg
2 large egg whites
1 1/2 pounds 90%-lean ground beef
1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
Click here for the easy to follow instructions
Creamy, Light Macaroni and Cheese
What kid doesn't love macaroni and cheese? Here's a great recipe that makes a serious dent in the calorie and fat content of good old macaroni and cheese.
Ingredients
3 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 [1-pound] squash)
1 1/4 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons plain fat-free Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) grated pecorino Romano cheese
1/4 cup (1 ounce) finely grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
1 pound uncooked cavatappi
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Here's a healthy but oh so delicious Louisiana Style Sheperd's Pie
Ingredients
2½ lb. sweet potatoes
½ c. water
½ c. low-fat (1-percent) milk
salt
pepper
1 tbsp. canola oil
1 tsp. canola oil
1 large onion
1 bunch collard greens
2 clove garlic
1 lb. 93-percent lean ground turkey
2 tsp. salt-free Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1 tbsp. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
This one is my personal favorite. If you've ever eaten Fettucine Alfredo, you will have a pretty good idea why it is sometimes known as a "Heart attack on a plate." I was thrilled to find a recipe that makes the yummy meal healthy!
Ingredients
1 lb. uncooked fettuccine noodles
3 small heads cauliflower
6 cups vegetable broth
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon salt
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup heavy cream
1 cup starchy boiling water from pasta pot