Good Comfort Food doesn’t have to be all about gravy, biscuits, potatoes, fat, and calories. Cutting down, cutting out, or replacing one or two high carb-fatty ingredients makes calorie-laden recipes healthier, lighter, and full of savory guiltless enjoyment! Read on friends for healthier, delicious, and easy lower calorie, lower carb comfort food inspiration!
Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, and Deviled Eggs are serious comfort foods in my house. Below are a few of our favorites… a little lighter but full of delicious, warm, savory flavors…Delicious and Easy Lower Carb Comfort Food Recipes👇👇
TIPS TO MAKE COMFORT RECIPES LOWER CALORIE-LOW CARB
use more veggies and lean protein than what the recipe calls for
instead of sauteing veggies in oil…use spray oil, spray the bottom of the pan and your ingredients, and add a little water or broth
when using flour to thicken soup, sprinkle 1/2 the amount of flour over the sauteing veggies…stir in until all veggies are coated, add seasonings to mix and then add broth
if your recipe is potato-based, try replacing half the potatoes with cauliflower
beans are easy to thicken, just mash up half the ones in the pot and leave the other beans whole
ThisChicken Tortilla Soup recipe is simply the best all-time favorite family comfort soup. Store-bought chicken broth, canned tomato soup, rotisserie chicken, a perfect blend of seasonings and cheese make it an easy and fast, happy meal. This one-pot soup can be easily adjusted to any consistency, any carb level, and milder or hotter spice level. 3 Weight Watcher points per bowl, 2 points for 6 tortilla chips! Enjoy!!!
This easy, creamy but light Curry Vegetable Soup makes getting your daily dose of veggies super easy since it’s made in the crockpot.
Curry Vegetable Soup is not only packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber it is naturally low carb, gluten-free and low calories. If you’re following a Weight Watchers diet it is approximately 3 points per serving with the cream cheese included. To make it 0 points just eliminate the cream cheese. Make it harder…add your favorite meat! Better the next day:) Enjoy!!
This super easy 30 minute Wonton Soup with Shrimp tastes a lot like P.F. Chang’s” wonton soup recipe but there is one difference… it is by far better! Add a few baked shrimp eggrolls and some make-ahead baked rice and you’ve just saved yourself money and calories. Win, Win, Win!!
The flavors in this Wonton Soup are deliciously simple and delightfully light. Four wontons have only 1 Weight Watcher point…low on calories but high on the flavor meter! The best part…it’s done in 30 minutes or less!! Enjoy!!
This simple naturally low carb Mexican Chicken Soup and Soft Taco Fillingis packed with light, savory, spicy flavors for a perfect all-season soup. Put this one-pot meal together fast and easy in your crock pot for a delicious no fuss, low carb bowl full of yum! This makes the best soft taco filling too!!!
Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is a one-pot, old-fashioned, comfort food classic and will instantly be a family favorite. Mouthwatering savory, light, herby broth, perfect, delicious dumplings, and lots of fresh veggies and rotisserie chicken…You will want this one on your weekly meal must-haves!
This easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe is much better than traditional heavy, thick, gravy recipes that use milk or cream and lots of flour in the broth. It’s “lighter” with fresh herb seasonings, 4 oz of herbed whipped cream cheese, lots of broth, and just 2 tablespoons of flour. It’s good…real good! Each dumpling has approximately 3 Weight Watcher points and the whole pot of broth has around 8 Weight Watcher points. Enjoy this dish!!!
What’s more soul-warming than a savory, chunky, homemade Chicken Pot Piewith a rich, creamy filling loaded with chicken and tons of nutritious vegetables? This one skillet meal is topped off with a fast and easy crescent roll crust, is Weight Watcher friendly, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Lazy comfort food at it’s best!
This recipe is one of my favorites to feed my hamburger, Queso, Gumbo loving family. I love it when I can sneak something healthy into our diet without them even knowing it. Thanks to the 98% fat free Cream of Mushroom Soup and the Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls this recipe cuts the traditional Chicken Pot Pie calorie and fat count by more than half. Enjoy!!
Deviled eggs with curry and fresh dill are about the easiest anytime appetizer dish there is! They are often gobbled up at barbecues, funerals, holidays (especially Easter), potlucks…anytime! And being naturally low carb they are perfect for most dieters! And two halves only have 1 Weight Watcher Points!!!! Enjoy!!
Make these wonderful comfort recipes for your whole family and then hide enough for a delicious leftover lunch for the cook! Two meals down and maybe your waistline too!
Savory and simple Mashed Potato Cauliflower Casserole is loaded with all the savory comfort flavors of “real” mashed potatoes like real butter, cream cheese, and cream but a little less carby. Try it with Crockpot Drip Beef for a bun less bowl full of comfort and joy!
These simple Italian Dill Snack Crackers are delicious, spicy, crunchy, anytime little nibbles ideal for power snackers. Anytime goldfish, oyster crackers, fresh dill, and Italian flavors are mixed together you get a delicious flavor explosion. Everyone needs a little savory, crunchy, golden comfort goodness, especially around the holidays.
SNACKING OPTIONS
Options are endless with these snack bites. Enjoy these Italian Dill Snack Crackers as a salad topper instead of croutons, top them with your favorite soup, or substitute for super calorie-laden nuts and popcorn.
Include them in your holiday gift baskets, game-time snacks, lunch box goodies, party nibbles. Make this beautiful, comforting, savory, easy-do snack for any occasion, any time of the year!
MORE SNACK GOODIES
I don’t know about you but my family members are big snackers, especially around the holidays. I try to have a few different, budget-friendly, savory snacks on hand when everyone’s home. Below are easy-do ahead recipes my people love.
There are so many flavor options for these semi-homemade snacks. You can use Everything but the Bagel seasoning instead of packaged Italian Dressing. These Simple Spicy Everything Mini Saltine Crackers are so yummy!!
Instead of using Oyster Crackers and Goldfish try pretzels!! I used salt-free pretzels in this recipe, Simple Zesty Mini Pretzels. Gluten-free pretzels would be a great option as well…personally…I can’t tell a difference between gluten-free and regular.
fresh dill or dried (Note: if using dried dill, use about 1/2 the amount and sprinkle on after cooking)
olive oil (you can also use vegetable or canola oil)
QUICK HOW TO STEPS
STEP ONE – mix seasonings, fresh dill, and olive oil together, make sure all the seasonings are mixed and not clumpy
STEP TWO – place oyster crackers and goldfish in a big bowl, mix up. Pour oil-seasoning mix over crackers, gently stir thoroughly (about 10 minutes) until crackers are evenly covered.
STEP THREE – place oil-cracker mix in a gallon size zip lock bag or large container with a lid that seals
STEP FOUR – let “marinate” for a couple of hours, flipping the sack every 20-30 mins or so
STEP FIVE – preheat oven to 215 degrees
STEP SIX – place mixture on a large cookie sheet, roasting pan, or a deep cast iron skillet
STEP SEVEN – cook for about an hour stirring every 15 minutes.
STEP EIGHT – let them cool and then serve or store them in plastic bags or covered container. Enjoy!!!
CRACKER SUBSTITUTES
If you’re not into mini crackers you could also use:
pretzels
regular size saltine crackers, 4 sleeves fit perfectly in the gallon ziplock bag
Instead of baking and stirring for an hour…let them set in the ziplock bag overnight. You will need to turn the bag over about every hour or so to ensure the least amount of oil sediment. You could also do smaller portions in the Air Fryer…they’re really great this way!
You can easily skip mixing these mini crackers in a bowl and go directly to the plastic ziplock gallon bag step.
Store these Italian Dill Snack Crackers in an airtight container for weeks. In my opinion, the longer they set the better they taste. But remember to gently shake the storage container before serving. (Note: Snip a little more dill on after cooking)
MORE DELICIOUS APPETIZERS
The appetizers listed below are easy and fast to put together and super yummy, budget-friendly, hardier goodies perfect for smaller gatherings!!
These simple Italian Garlic Dill Snack Crackers are delicious, spicy, crunchy, anytime little nibbles ideal for power snackers. Toasty golden and full of savory flavor…easy and fast to throw together.
1/3cupfresh snipped dill or dried (2 tbsp) (Note: if using dried dill, use about 2 tbsp and sprinkle on after cooking)
1/2cupolive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil
Instructions
STEP ONE – mix seasonings, fresh dill, and olive oil together, make sure all the seasonings are mixed and not clumpy
STEP TWO – place oyster crackers and goldfish in a big bowl, mix up. Pour oil-seasoning mix over crackers, gently stir thoroughly (about 10 minutes) until crackers are evenly covered.
STEP THREE – place oil-cracker mix in a gallon size zip lock bag or large container with a lid that seals
STEP FOUR – let "marinade" for a couple of hours, flipping the sack every 20-30 mins or so
STEP FIVE – preheat oven to 215 degrees
STEP SIX – place mixture on a large cookie sheet, roasting pan, or a deep cast iron skillet
STEP SEVEN – cook for about an hour stirring every 15 minutes.
STEP EIGHT – let them cool and then serve or store them in plastic bags or covered container. Enjoy!!!
Notes
Instead of baking and stirring for an hour…let them set in the ziplock bag overnight. You will need to turn the bag over about every hour or so to ensure the least amount of oil sediment. You could also do smaller portions in the Air Fryer…they’re really great this way! You can easily skip mixing these mini crackers in a bowl and go directly to the plastic ziplock gallon bag step. Store these goodies in an airtight container for weeks. In my opinion, the longer they set the better they taste. But remember to gently shake the storage container before serving.
This Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe is simply the best all-time family comfort soup. Store-bought chicken broth, canned tomato soup, rotisserie chicken, a perfect blend of seasonings and cheese make it an easy and fast, happy meal. One of the all time great weeknight healthy dinner ideas!
Keeping it simple is the key to making delicious and healthy soup. This one- pot soup can be easily adjusted to any consistency and spice level you prefer.
Want it thin and light? Just omit the 4 oz. of Queso Velveeta cheese.
Like it thicker but gluten-free? Keep the cheese and crush up a handful of corn tortilla chips and stir into the broth. Doesn’t get any easier!
INGREDIENTS
With the right amount of spice and good quality ingredients making great soup is easy and stress free.
shredded rotisserie chicken
1 large onion chopped
4 cloves garlic chopped, minced
1 large jalapeno chopped, deseeded
1 tbsp chili powder, heaping
2 tsp cumin
1 tbsp lemon pepper
Better than Boullion Roasted Garlic
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
32 oz chicken broth
1 can tomato soup
1 can diced tomatoes & peppers
1 can mexicorn
4 oz Processed Queso Cheese
cilantro
tortilla chips or corn tortillas
HOW TO COOK CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
STEP ONE – Chop up the onion, jalapeno, and garlic.
STEP TWO – Saute the cut up veggies in 1 tsp of oil until soft.
STEP THREE – Add chili powder, cumin, and lemon pepper to veggies and stir to coat the veggies. Stir in roasted garlic bouillon. Note: if you can’t find roasted garlic bouillon then substitute with chicken bouillon.
STEP FOUR – Pour chicken broth, tomato soup, and drained canned diced tomatoes and chilis, like Rotel. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes.
STEP FIVE – Add shredded rotisserie chicken, Queso cheese, and canned corn. Note: use regular Velveeta if you can’t find the queso type or substitute any easy melting cheese for Velveeta
STEP SIX – let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring often. Note: make sure cheese does not settle on the bottom of the pan while cooking.
STEP SEVEN – Ladle into bowls. Serve with chopped up fresh cilantro, sliced avocados, grated cheese, cotija cheese, a squeeze of lime, extra hot sauce or hot salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips, or pan-fried corn tortillas.
COOKING NOTES AND TIPS
If you want to use whole raw chicken breast simply saute it along with the veggies. Follow the rest of the instructions and before you add the cheese take the whole chicken breast out and shred it. Then add it back to the pot and add the cheese. Let simmer until everything is incorporated.
Ground turkey or even ground beef would be really good in place of rotisserie chicken. Add a can of black beans would along with the corn for more goodness.
3 points for a bowl without additional cheese and chips
2 points for 6 tortilla chips
4 points for 1/4 cup grated cheese
1 points for 2 tbls avocado
Crockpot or Instant Pot Methods
Instead of making this soup on top of your stove, make it in a crockpot like this one…just add everything except the corn and the cheese. Cook on low for two to three hours then add in the corn and cheese and cook for another hour on low.
Cooking it in an Instant Pot (mine has a slow cooker setting…2 appliances in 1) is a super fast way to cook this yummy soup. Use the saute setting for the veggies, follow the remaining recipe instructions keeping the Instant Pot setting on saute but turning it down to low. Soooo Easy!!
SERVING OPTIONS
Serve with avocados, tortilla chips, corn tortillas (pan fried), sour cream, salsa, extra cheese, cotija cheese, black beans, jalapenos, or mexican rice.
A fresh green salad would round out this meal in no time at all. These easy, crispy, crunchy Air Fryer Beef Burritos would make this meal a weekly request… Mini Mexirolls would be perfect for little hands and would super easy in this Instant Air Fryer as well!
STEP ONE – Chop up the onion, jalapeno, and garlic.
STEP TWO – Saute the cut up veggies in 1 tsp of oil until soft.
STEP THREE – Add chili powder, cumin, and lemon pepper to veggies and stir to coat the veggies. Stir in roasted garlic bouillon. Note: if you can't find garlic bouillon then substitute with chicken bouillon.
STEP FOUR – Pour chicken broth, tomato soup, and drained canned diced tomatoes and chilis. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes.
STEP FIVE – Add shredded rotisserie chicken, Queso cheese, and canned corn. Note: use regular Velveeta if you can't find the queso type or substitute any easy melting cheese for Velveeta
STEP SIX – let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring often. Note: make sure cheese does not settle on the bottom of the pan while cooking.
STEP SEVEN – Ladle into bowls and serve with sliced avocados, grated cheese, cotija cheese, a squeeze of lime, extra hot sauce or hot salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips, or pan-fried corn tortillas.
Notes
Optional Cooking MethodsInstead of making this soup on top of your stove, make it in a crockpot like this one…just add everything except the corn and the cheese. Cook on low for two to three hours then add in the corn and cheese and cook for another hour on low.Cooking it in an Instant Pot (mine has a slow cooker setting…2 appliances in 1) is a super fast way to cook this yummy soup. Use the saute setting for the veggies, follow the remaining recipe instructions keeping the Instant Pot setting on saute but turning it down to low. Soooo Easy!!Naturally low carb and Weight Watcher Friendly3 points for a bowl without additional cheese and chips2 pts. for 6 tortilla chips4 pts. for 1/4 cup grated cheese1 pt. for 2 tbls avocado
Simple Zesty Italian Mini Pretzels are seriously delicious. These addictive, crunchy little nibbles are full of subtle, zesty Italian flavor with a little hint of spicy zing.
Make a big batch of these yummy Italian Pretzels and serve them like popcorn. Make them the spicy part of your gift baskets at holiday time, or hide them in the pantry and have them all to yourself.
PRETZEL SNACK SERVING OPTIONS
This seasoned pretzel recipe is a fast, easy do-ahead snack that can take the place of croutons for soups and salads. Try mixing with other easy, do-ahead snacks like these Simple Everything Snack Crackers or Spicy Feisty Cheddar Snacks.
Always have these on hand around holiday time for last-minute snacking joy or include them in friend’s holiday gifts.
EASY BUDGET FRIENDLY INGREDIENTS
12 oz unsalted mini pretzels
Italian Salad Dressing Mix, 2 packages
red chili pepper flakes
garlic powder
dried oregano
canola, vegetable, or olive oil
QUICK HOW TO STEPS
STEP ONE – mix seasonings and oil together, make sure all the seasonings are mixed and not clumpy
STEP TWO – place pretzels in a mixing bowl and pour mixed seasonings over pretzels, gently stir
STEP THREE – transfer pretzels to a gallon-sized plastic bag and gently turn/flip every hour or so
STEP FOUR – “marinate” the Italian pretzels overnight
STEP SIX – after “marinate” time is over, place on a sheet pan with a cut-up brown paper bag liner
STEP SEVEN – “airdry” mini pretzels for at least an hour, if paper is oil saturated then replace with other half of the bag
STEP EIGHT – Cook for 30 minutes at 275° gently stirring crackers after 10 minutes and then again at 20 minutes – ENJOY!!
MINI PRETZEL VARIATIONS
There are so many delicious spice variations that would be fun to try. Below are a few on my list:
Instead of baking, try air frying for a couple of minutes. All Air Fryers are different but I found 250-275 degrees for about 4 minutes was the perfect setting for an individual serving.
You can easily skip mixing these pretzels in a bowl and go directly to the plastic zip-lock gallon bag step.
Store these savory goodies in an airtight container. Before serving, gently shake the storage container before serving.
MORE DELICIOUS APPETIZERS
The appetizers listed below are easy and fast to put together and super yummy, budget-friendly, and perfect for smaller gatherings!!
Simple Zesty Italian Spiced Pretzels are seriously delicious. These addictive, crunchy little nibbles are full of subtle, zesty Italian flavor with a little hint of spicy zing. Great for holiday gift bags and endless snacking!
STEP ONE – mix seasonings and oil together, make sure all the seasonings are mixed and not clumpy
STEP TWO – place pretzels in a bowl and pour oil-seasoning over pretzels, gently stir until pretzels are evenly covered
STEP THREE – place pretzel/oil mixture in a gallon size zip lock bag, gently shake and flip every hour or so
STEP FIVE – "marinate" pretzels for at least 6 hours or overnight
STEP SIX – place on a sheet pan with brown paper bag sheet, let "airdry" for about 30 minutes
STEP SEVEN – replace brown paper liner if it becomes to oil saturated, cook for 30 minutes at 275° gently stirring crackers after 10 minutes and then again at 20 minutes.
STEP EIGHT – cool for about 10 minutes, serve them up and ENJOY!
Notes
Instead of baking them in the oven try using your Air Fryer for a single-serve portion!!! Fill the bottom of the basket with the feisty crackers and “air fry” for 3-4 minutes at 275-300 degrees. So Good!!
