The best comfort food fills your belly and does your body good. These warm, cozy meals will do just that.
Photo: Jim Norton
The gang’s all here: Freekeh (a rice-like grain), chicken thighs, lettuce and tomatoes are drizzled in a tasty tahini dressing. Get extra by adding fresh hummus and pomegranate seeds. Get the recipe: Baked Chicken Freekeh Bowl
Canned lentils give classic meatloaf a blast of plant power. Plus, an individual mini loaf is fun to eat and perfect for tucking away in a bento box. Get the recipe: Lentil and Beef Mini Meat Loaves
Photo: Roberto CarusoRoasted eggplant takes this classic lamb-filled shepherd’s pie from good to whoa. That’s what it means to meet moussaka. Get the recipe: Moussaka Meets Shepherd’s Pie
Photo: Ryan SzulcEating your veg ain’t no thang when they’re slow-roasted and in a perfectly seasoned tomato sauce. Netflix and Chili this Friday, anyone? Get the recipe: Hearty Vegetarian Chili
Photo: Maya VisnyeiFulfill all of your comfort food needs with this classic. Shredded chicken (use leftovers or buy a rotisserie chicken) and soft veg are coated in gravy then tucked away under a flaky crust. Weeknight dinners don’t have to be basic. Get the recipe: Chicken Pot Pie
Photo: Jim NortonPronounced “fuh,” this hearty soup has fragrant vegetable broth and rice noodles as its base. Set out bowls of fresh herbs, crunchy bean sprouts, tofu cubes and sauces (hoisin for them, sriracha for you) so everyone can customize their bowls. Get the recipe here: Vegetarian Pho
Photo: Andrew GrintonA sheet of premade frozen puff pastry makes this tart quick and easy to assemble, while ton of finely chopped kale melts into the filling. Get the recipe: Quick Kale and Bacon Tart
Photo: Andrew GrintonThis belly-filling dish is full of familiar, kid-friendly flavours—boneless chicken thighs braised in a simple tomato sauce and ladled over noodles. Who wants extra olives? (Probably not your kid.) Get the recipe: Chicken Cacciatore
Photo: Andrew GrintonCabbage rolls get lean in this turkey version. All in, it takes less than an hour to make, but you could also cook up the filling and blanch the cabbage leaves ahead of time, then assemble when it’s time to eat. Get the recipe: Turkey-Bulgur Cabbage Rolls
Photo: Erik PutzThese little pies bring all the goods: Hearty meat filling mixed with veggies and a creamy cauliflower mash topping. Dig in! Get the recipe: Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash
Photo: Erik PutzYes, you can pull off a pan of cheesy burritos on a weeknight. Toss a simple green salad while they bake in the oven and you’re done. Get the recipe: Turkey and Bean Burritos
These rich, cheesy noodles have a delicious secret: The cream sauce is actually cauliflower purée. Get the recipe: Cauliflower Fettuccine Alfredo
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Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail.