7 healthy comfort dishes to help kick off the new year

With the new year ahead, healthier eating habits become a part of new year resolutions. Since 2020 was a year of mastering the kitchen, your cooking skills can take on the challenge to turn comfort dishes into healthier ones.

Healthy eating doesn't necessarily mean eating only salads. Here are seven healthy comfort foods to fill up your belly and add nutrients to your diet.

Mac 'n' goat cheese

Everybody loves a bowl of mac and cheese, especially as a comfort dish. But in reality, how much better can you actually make it? Try switching up the beloved recipe by adding goat cheese, cherry tomatoes and spinach for a healthier version. This recipe is easy to make and will only take 15 minutes, so try it out for lunch as a healthier alternative on mac and cheese.

You can find the recipe for the mac 'n' goat Cheese here.

Chicken noodle soup

There is nothing more comforting than a bowl of chicken noodle soup during a winter evening. If you're feeling stuck with a classic chicken noodle recipe, try switching it up with this one for a low-calorie alternative. This version includes ginger and rice or wheat noodles to make things a bit healthier, but just as tasty. This recipe will take 30 minutes to make and is guaranteed to keep you warm or even help nourish you if you're not feeling too good.

You can find the recipe for chicken noodle soup here.

Black bean sweet potato enchiladas

This healthy Mexican-inspired dish might be just what you need for dinner this week. Protein-packed and completely vegetarian, black bean sweet potato enchiladas are filled with mouthwatering flavors that will have you obsessed. This easy recipe will take an hour to make, so you can feed the whole house with a healthy alternative on enchiladas.

You can find the recipe for black bean sweet potato enchiladas here.

Cauliflower risotto

Traditional creamy risotto is one of those special dishes that you can't make every week since it's time consuming, but this version of the recipe, filled with cauliflower instead of rice, promises a healthier and easier risotto to make. The same delicious flavors of risotto are incorporated in this recipe, but switches up the rice with cauliflower to add a lighter taste to the end result. This recipe will take 40 minutes to make and will satisfy any vegetarians looking for an easy, healthy dish.

You can find the recipe for cauliflower risotto here.

Turkey chili

With the cooler weather in Austin, there is no alternative to eating a bowl of chili on the couch and binge watching your favorite shows. Unless that recipe is a healthier version of it and is still considered a comfort dish. This slow cooker turkey chili recipe is simple, easy to make, affordable and jam packed with nutrients, vegetables and protein. With a 30 minute prep time, you can start the slow cooker in the morning and have your dinner ready eight hours later without having to do any work.

You can find the recipe for the slow cooker turkey chili here.

Spaghetti squash boats with chicken

Looking for an easy to make healthy evening meal for those colder nights? These spaghetti squash boats with chicken need to be your next meal. The perfect comfort dish, this recipe is simple and takes a little over an hour to make. Spaghetti squash is an easy ingredient to switch up your traditional meal, and is healthy enough to eat everyday. Add some bacon on top for a flavorful experience not even your kids can turn down.

You can find the recipe for spaghetti squash boats with chicken here.

Kale pesto pizza

Is there anyone who doesn't like pizza? Healthy alternatives to pizza have been made for years, but nothing beats a kale pesto pizza. Kale is a perfect ingredient for anyone looking to make their meals healthier, as it is packed with vitamins and proteins. This pizza is a delicious healthier take on everyone's favorite meal, and is easy enough to make at home. As long as you have 30 minutes to spare, this could be your next healthy dinner.

You can find the recipe for kale pesto pizza here.

Want to see one of these recipe's made?

Head to @austonianews on Instagram at 6 p.m. Wednesday where Austonia's Isabella Lopes will recreate one of these mouth-watering recipes on IG stories.