The post-holiday winter season is upon us… which means cold, dark nights, a fireplace going at all times, sweater and leather weather, the last weekends of football Sunday’s, and of course, all the comfort food! 

But yummy, satisfying comfort foods doesn’t have to take you off your healthy eating track! By focusing on high protein meals with at least one serving of vegetables and a healthy carbohydrate, you will be amazed at what you can create! 

Try out these healthy winter recipes that are perfect for the whole family & friends for hearty and delicious dinner meals! 

5 Must-Try Recipes The Whole Family Will Love! 

Sausage, Potato & Spinach Soup

Total time: 30 minutes

Serves 6

If you’re looking for a filling meal that will please your whole family, you have to make this delicious soup! This healthy winter recipe is an easy-to-make, comforting, and flavorful one pot meal loaded with protein & fiber! This soup is also a great way to sneak in some greens for your kiddos, too. 

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casing removed (use turkey sausage for a healthier alternative)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, diced

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

5 cups chicken broth

1 bay leaf

1 pound red potatoes, diced

3 cups baby spinach

¼ cup heavy cream

Recipe: 

1. Heat olive oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the sausage as it cooks; drain excess fat.

2. Stir in onion, garlic, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

3. Stir in chicken broth and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.

4. Stir in spinach until it begins to wilt, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream until heated through, about 1 minute; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

5. Serve & enjoy! 

Recipe from: https://damndelicious.net/2014/10/29/sausage-potato-spinach-soup/ 

Parmesan Fish Sticks with Glazed Carrots 

Total time: 50 minutes

Serves 4-6

Enjoy this modern take on classic fish sticks – perfect for family dinners! Served with warm glazed & herbed carrots on the side – can guarantee this deliciousness will become a staple in your house!  

Ingredients for Fish Sticks:

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ cup almond flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 ½ cups breadcrumbs

½ cup fresh parsley, chopped

3 tablespoons butter, melted

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

3 large eggs

2 pounds cod or haddock filets

Ingredients for Glazed Carrots: 

1 ½ pounds carrots, cut in half crosswise

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped

Recipe: 

1. For the fish: Preheat the oven to 450˚. Brush a large rimmed baking sheet with the olive oil. Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Combine the breadcrumbs, parsley and melted butter in a separate shallow bowl and mix with a fork, then stir in the parmesan. Whisk the eggs in a third bowl. 

2. Cut the fish into 1-inch-wide strips. Bread the fish by giving the strips a good coating of the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in the beaten eggs until coated, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat. Place the fish strips in a single layer on the baking sheet. 

3. Bake the fish for 10 minutes, then flip and continue baking until the breading is golden and the fish is cooked through, another 5 to 8 minutes. 

4. Meanwhile, for the carrots: Combine the carrots, butter, brown sugar, salt and 1/2 cup water in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over medium heat until the carrots start softening, 4 to 6 minutes. 

5. Uncover and cook until the water evaporates and the carrots are tender and glazed, 5 to 7 minutes more, adding the vinegar during the last minute of cooking. Remove from the heat, add the dill and toss. Serve with the fish sticks. 

Recipe from: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a36041349/parmesan-fish-sticks-with-glazed-carrots-recipe/ 

Turkey Meatballs & Gravy with Cauliflower Mash

Total time: 30 minutes

Serves 4

This low-carb meal is a perfect comfort meal on cold, winter nights! If you follow a paleo or keto diet, this is an amazing dish that is still so full of flavor! If you are dairy free, substitute the greek yogurt for a non-dairy option. 

Ingredients:

8 cups cauliflower, stems removed and broken into florets

2 tablespoons ghee or butter

1 ¼ pound turkey

2 eggs

½ cup almond meal

¼ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon onion powder

3 tablespoons chives, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (to thicken gravy)

4 tablespoons plain greek yogurt

Salt & pepper to taste

Recipe: 

1. For cauliflower – wash it, cut off the stem, and break into florets. Steam until soft. When the cauliflower is soft, place half the cooked cauliflower into a food processor with 1 tablespoon of ghee or butter and a couple pinches of salt and black pepper. Blend until smooth. Repeat with the second half. 

2. While cauliflower is steaming, make meatballs. 

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place ground turkey, egg, and almond meal in a bowl, work with hands until well blended. Add spices, 2 tablespoons of chives, and two generous pinches of salt and black pepper. Work with hands until mixed well.

4. Using your hands, form into balls.

5. In a large pan over medium heat, warm two tablespoons of oil until hot. Add the meatballs and cook, turning once, until browned but not cooked through. Turn off heat and transfer to a safe baking dish and place in the oven for about 5 minutes or until cooked through. 

6. Place 2 tablespoons of warm water in a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

7. Return the pan used for the meatballs to high heat, whisk in the chicken stock, bring broth to a boil and turn off heat. Add the arrowroot mixture, whisking vigorously. Gradually add the yogurt. Season with salt and pepper. 

8. When meatballs are cooked through, add to the gravy pan.

9. Place pureed cauliflower on plates, top with meatballs and gravy, garnish with remaining chives. 

10. Enjoy! 

Recipe adapted from: https://www.theorganickitchen.org/turkey-meatballs-with-gravy-and-cauliflower-puree-whole30-paleo-keto/ 

Lemon-Thyme Chicken & Potatoes 

Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Serves 4-6

Enjoy this classic & simple dish to comfort you and your family on a crisp winter night! Easy to make and definitely a meal everyone will love! 

Ingredients:

⅓ cup olive oil

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 ½ teaspoons roughly chopped fresh thyme

1 ¼ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

4 cloves garlic, chopped

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, plus 1 lemon cut into wedges

6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (4 to 4 ½ pounds)

2 pounds red potatoes (6 medium), cut into 1 inch pieces

1 red onion, sliced

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley 

Recipe: 

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Whisk the olive oil, salt, thyme, pepper, garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice together in a large bowl.

3. Add the chicken, potatoes, red onion and lemon wedges to a sheet pan.

4. Pour the olive oil mixture over the sheet pan and toss so that everything is evenly coated. Turn the chicken skin-side up and space the pieces evenly apart.

5. Roast on the middle oven rack, rotating the pan halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer (avoiding bone), 45 to 50 minutes.

6. Remove to a platter and sprinkle with parsley. Drizzle with any juices from the sheet pan and squeeze the roasted lemon wedges over the chicken.

7. Enjoy!

Recipe from: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/lemon-thyme-sheet-pan-chicken-and-potatoes-12252918 

Air Fried Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Total time: 30 minutes

Serves 4

If your household is vegan, vegetarian or you want to eat meat-free once a week, this cauliflower dish is a wonderful take on classic Buffalo wings! With the perfect amount of spice and a fresh crunch, this dinner will warm you right up during the winter time!

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets (4-5 cups)

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce

½ cup almond flour, or all purpose flour

3 tablespoons dried parsley

½ tablespoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon Lawry’s seasoning salt

Recipe: 

1. Place cauliflower florets in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

2. Melt butter, stir in olive oil and hot sauce until thoroughly combined.

3. Pour the hot sauce mixture over the cauliflower; mix around until all cauliflower florets are coated.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together almond flour, dried parsley, garlic powder, and seasoning salt. 

5. Sprinkle about a handful at a time of almond flour mixture over the cauliflower; gently mix until everything is coated.

6. Transfer half of the prepared cauliflower to the air fryer.

7. Air fry at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, shaking a couple of times during the cooking process. Cauliflower is done when the florets are a bit browned, but not mushy.

8. Remove cauliflower from the Air fryer; set aside and keep covered.

9. Repeat the same process with the remaining cauliflower florets.

10. Serve with celery sticks and dressing of your choice! 

Recipe from: https://diethood.com/air-fryer-buffalo-cauliflower-bites/ 

Give these healthy winter recipes a try this season for all the satisfaction, yumminess & warmth! Make sure to comment which of these 5 recipes you’ll be making for your family!