47 Lightened-Up Recipes That Are Comforting and Delicious

When you’re craving comfort food but want something a little bit healthier, sometime the smallest tweaks can make all the difference. Baking instead of frying, substituting ingredients or amping up a classic with extra protein and fiber—it’s easy to make your favorite dishes low-calorie, low-fat or even low-carb without cutting back on flavor. These recipes will show you exactly how, starting with a decadently creamy macaroni and cheese that cuts calories and fat by relying on a sauce that’s enhanced with pureed cauliflower.

Our test kitchen trimmed traditional chicken parm down to just 435 calories, with less fat and more flavor from fresh tomato sauce and crisp breading.

Want to cut 291 calories and 21 grams of fat off the average slice of cheesecake? That's exactly what this recipe does—without sacrificing any of the richness or flavor.