From rich and creamy dishes to casseroles, soups and stews – we are giving you all the cozy comfort food recipes in this roundup! Get ready to warm up your belly with some new comforting recipes.
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Why we Love Comforting Food
Food is our love language, so creating cozy and satisfying recipes for families to share is a joyful process for us. Some of our favorite things about comfort food are:
- It brings the family together
- A favorite comfort food dish can transport you to another time and place
- It’s a celebration of food and the joy of cooking
- These recipes just “feel good” to make
Looking for more? Check out all of our healthy comfort food recipes!
Healthy Comfort Food Recipes
When we first changed our diets to remove a lot of processed foods, we started to miss some of our comfort food favorites.
So we decided that we could make a lot of the things we wanted with a healthier twist. Our goal was to make some indulgent tasting recipes with real food ingredients. Dishes that you can feel good about eating and feeding your family.
The Best Comfort Foods
So here are some of our absolute favorites! From a soupy pot roast to a low-carb take on mashed potatoes that’s better than the original, these are some staples you must try.
1
Easy Homemade (30-Minute!) Salisbury Steak
4.82 from 49 ratings
Filled with old fashioned flavor, this easy homemade salisbury steak is such a rich and savory comfort food recipe ready in about 30-minutes! With a rich mushroom and onion gravy, you can serve it up with some mashed potatoes or a cauliflower mash and you will be in healthy comfort food heaven. No one will ever guess that it's healthy and gluten-free so it's Keto, Whole30 and Paleo friendly.
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2
Loaded Mashed Cauliflower (Keto, Low Carb)
4.86 from 14 ratings
This Keto + low carb loaded mashed cauliflower goes with all the proteins and with all the other veggies. Perfect for picky eaters and get togethers!
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3
Instant Pot Pot Roast (Paleo + Whole30)
4.39 from 97 ratings
This Paleo + Whole30 Instant Pot pot roast is a favorite of ours, especially once the weather turns chilly! It’s a hearty, cozy and healthy dinner!
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4
Paleo “Cornbread” (Gluten-Free, Grain-Free + Dairy-Free Options)
4.53 from 36 ratings
Soup and chili season just begs for cornbread, right?! This Paleo "cornbread" brings a little comfort food to your winter this year and it's easy to make!
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5
Keto + Paleo Meatloaf (With Ground Beef & Pork)
4.56 from 43 ratings
This Keto + Paleo meatloaf recipe is a healthier take on classic meatloaf. No breadcrumbs are used, making it an easy low-carb dinner. It’s the ultimate in clean eating comfort food, our specialty!
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Casserole Recipes
We love casseroles for meal prep recipes and also for feeding a crowd. There is just something about popping a big casserole in the oven and smelling it cook that defines comfort food for me.
6
Chicken Pot Pie (Dairy Free)
4.34 from 6 ratings
This dairy free chicken pot pie has a creamy, dairy-free filling with all the chicken pot pie goodies, and a crust that will have you swooning!
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7
Creamy Garlic Spaghetti Squash Casserole (Paleo, Whole30, GF + Dairy-Free)
4.39 from 536 ratings
This creamy garlic spaghetti squash casserole is so saucy and delicious! It has a creamy, Paleo, Whole30 + Dairy-Free sauce packed with garlicky goodness.
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8
Easy Taco Casserole (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
4.78 from 22 ratings
This Paleo, Whole30 + Keto easy taco casserole is a great meal prep recipe, and the healthy casserole leftovers are perfect for re-heating for lunches!
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9
Breakfast Hashbrown Casserole (Paleo + Whole30)
4.92 from 24 ratings
A delicious creamy breakfast hashbrown casserole that's dairy-free, egg-free and filled with onions and sausage, what's not to love with this one?
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Soup Recipes
When the weather starts to turn cooler, nothing sounds better than a warm and cozy bowl of soup. With options here for your Instant Pot, slow cooker or the stovetop, you’re sure to find a recipe that will work for your preferred cooking method.
10
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
4.68 from 95 ratings
This Paleo, Whole30 + Keto Instant Pot white chicken chili is an easy recipe that’s a perfect weeknight dinner. Only 10 minutes of prep for a healthy meal!
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11
Healthy Zuppa Toscana (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
4.66 from 35 ratings
There’s something extra cozy about a big bowl of soup on a fall day. This Whole30 Healthy Zuppa Toscana is a great way to enjoy a creamy, dairy-free soup!
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12
Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
3.99 from 302 ratings
Since the weather turned chilly, this crockpot chicken enchilada soup is one that we’ve had on repeat! It’s so tasty and warming.
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13
Pork Ramen Noodles (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
4.27 from 30 ratings
I’m a big fan of healthy soups and also a big fan of comfort food. This Paleo + Whole30 pork ramen makes me feel all warm and cozy!
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14
Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Paleo, Whole30 + Dairy-free)
4.83 from 39 ratings
This chicken pot pie soup is Paleo, Whole30 and dairy-free and uses all real food ingredients to bring you a classic comfort food dish in a bowl.
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Takeout Remakes
These “healthier” versions of classic takeout dishes are some of the most popular recipes on our website. The next time you are craving a comforting dish from your favorite restaurant, consider making a homemade version instead.
15
Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai (Paleo + Whole30)
4.62 from 189 ratings
This healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai has Thai flavors but with healthy sweet potato noodles, creamy cashew butter and coconut aminos instead of peanut and soy. You will love how tasty and comforting this dish is.
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16
Tender, Juicy Beef Barbacoa (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)
4.38 from 306 ratings
Simmered in citrus juices and the perfect blend of spices, this smoky and tender shredded beef barbacoa is the ultimate barbacoa recipe! Make it in your slow cooker or Instant pot.
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17
Healthy Orange Chicken
4.62 from 18 ratings
Get that sweet, sticky sauce you crave with this healthy orange chicken. Without all the processed ingredients and MSG, this easy recipe is Paleo + Whole30!
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18
Homemade Gluten Free Flatbread Pizza
5 from 2 ratings
Date night in with a homemade flatbread pizza! Gluten free and dairy free, but you can definitely add cheese. The best homemade pizza night!
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Stew Recipes
Much like soups, a filling stew is something that you must make when the fall and winter arrive. Full of hearty ingredients, these stew recipes will keep your belly warm and full.
19
Keto Beef Stew (Stovetop or Instant Pot)
4.73 from 22 ratings
This low-carb beef stew recipe requires just 15 minutes of preparation! It's super easy to make, whether in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop. It’s loaded with low carb veggies including radishes, celery and mushrooms and tender beef chuck roast. Seasoned simply with Italian seasoning for added depth of flavor.
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20
Quick, Comforting Spanish Chicken Stew
4.88 from 8 ratings
Looking for a hearty, Spanish-style chicken stew, but don't have all day? Easily make it on the stove top or in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
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21
Instant Pot Beef Stew (Paleo + Whole30)
3.94 from 29 ratings
Add this Paleo and Whole30 Instant Pot Beef Stew to your agenda, it’s an easy and tasty one you can enjoy all year long. It’s packed with vegetables and you can top it with healthy fats and chopped green onion.
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Rich and Creamy Recipes
When we make these rich and creamy dishes, they are always a hit with family and friends. The next time you are hosting friends or cooking for your family, whip up one of these recipes and be prepared to be showered with compliments to the chef.
22
25-Minute Creamy Tuscan Chicken (Dairy Free)
4.61 from 506 ratings
Spinach, fresh herbs and sun-dried tomatoes combine in one pan to create this dairy-free creamy tuscan chicken in only 25 minutes! It's also Gluten-free, Paleo & Whole30, and you can make it with either chicken thighs or breasts.
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23
30-Minute Skillet Creamy Pork Chops (Dairy-Free)
4.14 from 15 ratings
Perfectly seared pork chops smothered in a creamy dairy-free sauce mixed with onions and mushrooms. These creamy pork chops are the ultimate healthy comfort food and are also gluten-free, Paleo and Whole30.
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24
Creamy Chicken Alfredo (Paleo, Whole30 + Dairy-free)
5 from 5 ratings
Creamy, dairy-free and healthy comfort food, this Paleo + Whole30 creamy chicken alfredo is an easy, weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
25
Skillet Chicken Thighs with Mustard Cream Sauce (No Dairy)
4.64 from 154 ratings
This skillet mustard chicken recipe is coated in a creamy, comforting, dairy-free mustard sauce. Made with chicken thighs and savory bacon bits.
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4.82 from 11 ratings
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20+ Warm and Cozy Comfort Food Recipes: Chicken Marsala
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 30 minutes mins
Total: 40 minutes mins
Servings: 4
This easy chicken marsala is a healthy take on cozy comfort food. Plus, we are giving you all the cozy comfort food recipes in this roundup from rich and creamy dishes to casseroles, soups and stews.
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 3 tbsp avocado oil, divided, (can use ghee or butter if you're ok with dairy)
- 1 shallot, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced, (cremini or button)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped herbs, (parsley, thyme or oregano)
For serving:
- 3 zucchini, spiralized
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Prep shallot, garlic and mushrooms as noted. Chop herbs. You can also spiralize zucchini now or you will have time to do it later when the chicken is cooking and simmering (steps 4 & 7).
Place arrowroot starch on a plate or shallow bowl and add salt and pepper. Mix with a whisk.
Dredge the chicken thighs in the starch mixture so they are lightly coated on all sides. Set aside on a plate.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add about 2 tbsp avocado oil. Once hot, add the thighs to the pan to cook (you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet).
Cook the chicken without disturbing, for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown but not burnt. Remove and place on a plate. If you are cooking in batches, you may need to add more avocado oil in between batches.
Keep the skillet at medium heat and add 1 tbsp avocado oil. Add the shallot, garlic, and mushrooms. Saute until mushrooms start to soften, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, vinegar, and lemon juice. Stir and reduce heat to low to simmer.
Nestle the chicken back into the sauce and let simmer for 6-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the chicken is completely cooked through. If your sauce is too thick, add more chicken broth (a small amount at a time) to thin it out to desired consistency.
While the chicken is simmering, spiralize zucchini into noodles.
Place one tbsp avocado oil in a separate large pan over medium heat.
Once the pan is hot, add the zoodles and sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, tossing the zoodles frequently, for 3-4 minutes until the zoodles are warmed through but not mushy.
Serve the chicken marsala over zoodles and garnish with fresh herbs.
Last Step:
Please leave a star rating and comment to let us know how you liked this recipe! Your ratings and reviews help our business grow, so we can continue to provide free healthy and delicious recipes for you.
Course: Main Course
Author: Erica Winn
Cuisine: Italian
Did you make this recipe?Tag @realsimplegood with hashtag #realsimplegood on Instagram. We love to see what you make!
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Entrées Freezer Friendly Healthy Comfort Food Meal Prep Roundups Soups
posted by Erica Winn on September 9, 2021 (last updated Apr 27, 2022)
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4 comments on “Warm and Cozy Comfort Food Recipes”
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Lyl McKinley — Reply
This new year will surely be a meaningful event for me with these new food recipes that you have presented here. I am very interested in trying these recipes.
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Justin Winn — Reply
Enjoy!
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jim — Reply
Love love the chicken chili! Great round up my friends. Keep crushing it!
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Justin Winn — Reply
Thanks, glad you like that one 🙂
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