Cheesy Comfort Foods You Can Enjoy Guilt-Free
Treat yourself to cheese. We’re not talking a small cup of cottage cheese. You deserve to partake in pizza night and not feel guilty about it. While comforting eats like a slice of pepperoni or a bowl of mac and cheese get bad reps for being unhealthy, as they often are, cheese is not necessarily to blame. Here are some of our favorite healthy recipes to help satisfy your cheesy cravings.
Transforming pizza into a healthy dinner option starts with the dough. Try using white whole-wheat flour, which will provide great texture and even better nutrition. And for a slightly nutty flavor, add whole grains like bulgur and quinoa. Either way, these healthier crusts taste delicious with traditional toppings — like mozzarella and salami (pictured above) — and unconventional toppings — such as feta and zucchini — alike.
Pureed squash is Ellie Krieger’s secret weapon to lighten up macaroni and cheese. And while there’s a healthy dose of vegetables (almost a half cup in each serving), she doesn’t skimp on the cheese. This recipe includes four different types: cheddar, Monterey Jack, ricotta and Parmesan.
Make a better-for-you, better-tasting version of a store-bought favorite: cheese crackers. (It’s more fun than trying to find a kid-friendly healthy snack in the grocery store.) These crispy crackers made with full-fat cheddar and Parmesan are nutritionist-approved and gluten-free.
Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Embrace the undeniable fact that cheese makes broccoli taste better, and make a casserole. Add rotisserie chicken and rice (using the frozen kind makes things easier) to make it a meal that’s creamy, decadent and nutritious to boot.
The next time you’re craving a burger, consider using ground turkey instead of beef. According to Bobby Flay, “poultry is the perfect canvas for many big flavors.” He tops his turkey patties with a generous amount of tart and creamy goat cheese. It’s so good that it might make you reconsider your go-to burger cheese.
The next time you need cream cheese, get Neufchâtel instead. It’s similar in taste and texture but has slightly less fat. While it’s a great baking substitution, it can also come in handy come dinnertime. Just a couple of tablespoons makes Food Network Magazine’s Alfredo sauce extra rich and smooth, without a bunch of calories.
Ham, Apple and Cheese Quesadilla
Give a fun spin to your run-of-the-mill ham and Swiss by using the traditional sandwich ingredients to make a quick quesadilla dinner. Apple butter adds a sweet contrast to the spiciness from the mustard and red onions.
Figs with Ricotta, Pistachio and Honey
Ricotta is great for so much more than pizza and pasta. For your next party, skip the cheese board and make these ricotta bites. Or just make them when you need a quick salty-sweet snack. Either way, you’ll want to keep the four simple ingredients — dried figs, pistachios, ricotta and honey — in your kitchen from now on.
More from Food Network:
Classic Comforts, Lightened Up
No-Bake Peanut Butter-Chocolate Bars and More Surprisingly Healthy Desserts
By: Lauren Miyashiro
