While comfort food is always in style, with spring on the horizon, we find ourselves wanting to lighten things up a bit. Here are 23 recipes that are equal parts nourishing, comforting, and feel-good.
This vegetarian dinner is still a total crowd-pleader. You can also make them ahead of time and freeze them for later — just add the cheese right when you're ready to pop them in the oven. Get the recipe here.
This vegetarian dinner is still a total crowd-pleader. You can also make them ahead of time and freeze them for later — just add the cheese right when you're ready to pop them in the oven. Get the recipe here.
There's no cheese or milk in this pasta, but the homemade kale pesto gives it a deliciously creamy texture. Get the recipe here.
There's no cheese or milk in this pasta, but the homemade kale pesto gives it a deliciously creamy texture. Get the recipe here.
If you're trying to cut back on carbs, you could always serve this steak and veggies over riced cauliflower with your favorite Mexican toppings. Get the recipe here.
If you're trying to cut back on carbs, you could always serve this steak and veggies over riced cauliflower with your favorite Mexican toppings. Get the recipe here.
If you're not a huge fan of salmon, you can always swap in your favorite protein from ahi tuna to shrimp, or even marinated tofu. Get the recipe here.
If you're not a huge fan of salmon, you can always swap in your favorite protein from ahi tuna to shrimp, or even marinated tofu. Get the recipe here.
5. Zucchini Noodles With Cauliflower Bolognese
This vegetarian take on bolognese is packed with vegetables and spices. You can always replace the zucchini noodles with spaghetti squash or your favorite type of pasta. Get the recipe here.
Skip the takeout tonight and make this classic Chinese comfort food from scratch in just 20 minutes. Get the recipe here.
Skip the takeout tonight and make this classic Chinese comfort food from scratch in just 20 minutes. Get the recipe here.
7. Korean Sticky Cauliflower
Sautéed in red chili sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil, then baked in the oven, this cauliflower is crispy on the outside but super tender on the inside. Get the recipe here.
Loaded with marinated cauliflower, mushrooms, and whatever other spring veggies you have on hand, this meatless meal will leave you feeling totally satisfied. Get the recipe here.
Loaded with marinated cauliflower, mushrooms, and whatever other spring veggies you have on hand, this meatless meal will leave you feeling totally satisfied. Get the recipe here.
9. Roasted Salmon Burrito Bowls
You won't miss the tortilla when you try this roasted salmon burrito bowl, loaded with pickled onions, corn salsa, pico de gallo, avocado, and cheese. Pro tip: To save time while cooking, you can buy most of the salad components pre-made. Get the recipe here.
10. Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp Noodle Soup
Made with red curry paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, coconut milk, lemongrass, and lime juice, this soup is bursting with flavor. Get the recipe here.
Rather than order in dinner, try this lightened-up take on Kung Pao chicken. If you plan ahead and toss your ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, dinner will cook itself. Get the recipe here.
Rather than order in dinner, try this lightened-up take on Kung Pao chicken. If you plan ahead and toss your ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, dinner will cook itself. Get the recipe here.
You can get creative and stuff portobello mushroom caps with whatever you have in your fridge. We love this simple mixture of tomato, onions, parsley, and mozzarella cheese. Get the recipe here.
You can get creative and stuff portobello mushroom caps with whatever you have in your fridge. We love this simple mixture of tomato, onions, parsley, and mozzarella cheese. Get the recipe here.
13. Zucchini Rollatini
Keep this cheesy dish vegetarian or add ground meat to make it even more filling. Get the recipe here.
Bring the flavors of PF Chang's to your very own kitchen with these umami lettuce wraps. The filling is made of shiitake mushrooms, ground chicken, and lots of veggies tossed with sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Get the recipe here.
Bring the flavors of PF Chang's to your very own kitchen with these umami lettuce wraps. The filling is made of shiitake mushrooms, ground chicken, and lots of veggies tossed with sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Get the recipe here.
This family-friendly keto recipe is a good one to bookmark for weeknight dinners. Get the recipe here.
This family-friendly keto recipe is a good one to bookmark for weeknight dinners. Get the recipe here.
16. Skinny Baked Chicken Parmesan
Coated in bread crumbs, parmesan, and garlic powder then baked to crispy perfection, this good-for-you recipe still feels totally indulgent. Get the recipe here.
Serve this Middle Eastern-inspired chicken on a bed of rice, on top of salad, or in pitas with veggies and a drizzle of hummus or plain yogurt. Get the recipe here.
Serve this Middle Eastern-inspired chicken on a bed of rice, on top of salad, or in pitas with veggies and a drizzle of hummus or plain yogurt. Get the recipe here.
18. Thai Peanut Chicken Zoodles
Swap the rice noodles for spiralized zucchini and you've got a low-carb pad Thai that you'll constantly crave. Get the recipe here.
While delicious on its own, we like to add coconut milk or nutritional yeast to this roasted tomato soup for that extra creamy factor. Get the recipe here.
While delicious on its own, we like to add coconut milk or nutritional yeast to this roasted tomato soup for that extra creamy factor. Get the recipe here.
20. Seared Fish Tacos
Start with any flaky white fish like cod or halibut, pan-fry it in olive oil, then top it with creamy slaw and a bit of chipotle mayo. Get the recipe here.
Whether you're coming down with a cold or you just had a rough day, there's nothing a piping hot bowl of chicken soup can't cure. Get the recipe here.
Whether you're coming down with a cold or you just had a rough day, there's nothing a piping hot bowl of chicken soup can't cure. Get the recipe here.
These sweet potatoes are cooked in shallots, curry paste, fish sauce, coconut milk, peanuts, and cilantro. The result is sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy in every bite. Get the recipe here.
These sweet potatoes are cooked in shallots, curry paste, fish sauce, coconut milk, peanuts, and cilantro. The result is sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy in every bite. Get the recipe here.
Don't skimp on the creamy aioli drizzle, which is made with mayo, sesame oil, lemon juice, garlic, and cayenne. Get the recipe here.
Don't skimp on the creamy aioli drizzle, which is made with mayo, sesame oil, lemon juice, garlic, and cayenne. Get the recipe here.
For more spring recipe inspiration, check out these posts:
15 Fresh Spring Dinners You Can Make In A Slow Cooker