Our Top Diet Recipes for Fall

August 27, 2019
When the weather turns cool, heat up the kitchen with our top diet recipes for fall. These healthy recipes, including lasagna recipes, creamy chicken recipes, easy soup recipes and more diet recipes, are lightened-up comfort foods for fall. Try our Mini Shepherd’s Pies for a simple and satisfying dinner or our No-Bake Macaroni & Cheese for a lighter makeover of this comfort food classic.Watch Video
Start Slideshow

1 of 24

Parmesan Spinach Cakes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you like spinach-cheese pie, try these simple but elegant-looking little spinach cakes.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 24

Mini Shepherd's Pies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In EatingWell's take on Shepherd's Pie, we replace the potato topping with convenient, delicious frozen squash puree. And they're baked in individual ramekins to guarantee perfectly sized servings and help you get it on the table fast.

3 of 24

No-Bake Macaroni & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Not only is this ultra-creamy version of mac-and-cheese nearly as fast as the boxed variety, but your family will be able to pronounce every ingredient. If they aren't broccoli fans, substitute a frozen vegetable of your choice.

Advertisement

4 of 24

Sweet & Savory Beef Stew

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This beef stew for two replicates the flavors in tzimmes, a sweet stew traditionally served at Rosh Hashanah to start the New Year. This version gets natural sweetness from cherries and butternut squash.

5 of 24

Roasted Pumpkin-Apple Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Apples add just a hint of sweetness to this velvety pumpkin soup. Try it as a delightful first course for a special meal.

6 of 24

Zesty Wheat Berry-Black Bean Chili

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This rib-sticking chili offers a hearty mix of wheat berries, beans, peppers and onion. Feel free to add an additional chipotle pepper to crank up the heat in this one-pot meal. Cooked wheat berries will keep for up to 1 month in your freezer and there's no need to thaw them; just stir them directly into the chili.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 24

Inside-Out Lasagna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here we take basic lasagna ingredients--ricotta cheese, pasta and tomatoes--and skip the layering and long baking time to make a super-quick and satisfying meal for the whole family. To cut down on prep time, look for presliced mushrooms. For meat lovers, brown some crumbled turkey sausage along with the onions and garlic. Serve with: Steamed broccoli and whole-grain baguette.

8 of 24

Chicken Breasts with Mushroom Cream Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The secret to a good cream sauce is always the same: not too much cream or it can be overpowering, masking the more delicate flavors. Here it contains a bountiful amount of mushrooms and is served over chicken breasts.

9 of 24

Apple-&-Fennel Roasted Pork Tenderloin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasted apples, fennel and red onion are the perfect foil to roasted pork tenderloin. Make it a meal: Stir sauteed broccoli rabe into quick-cooking barley to serve alongside.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 24

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Chard & White Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Acorn squash's natural shape makes it just right for stuffing. This filling has Mediterranean flair: olives, tomato paste, white beans and Parmesan cheese. Serve with: Mixed green salad with radicchio and red onion and crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio.

11 of 24

Chicken Potpie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This chicken potpie is studded with peas, mushrooms, carrots and onions and topped with tender whole-wheat biscuits. The savory sauce gets a rich taste from reduced-fat sour cream, but with less fat and calories. And it ends up just as delicious and comforting as you expect.

12 of 24

Skillet Tuna Noodle Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Known as Tuna-Pea Wiggle to some, this family-friendly tuna noodle casserole tends to be made with canned soup and whole milk, which means high fat and sodium. We remedy this by making our own creamy mushroom sauce with nonfat milk thickened with a bit of flour. Look for whole-wheat egg noodles--they have more fiber than regular egg noodles (but this dish will work well and taste great with either).

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 24

Apple Confit

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sturdy apples are flavored with cinnamon and vanilla in this slow-cooker apple compote. Top with low-fat vanilla ice cream and a sprinkling of toasted walnuts for dessert.

14 of 24

Hamburger Buddy

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Very finely chopping onion, mushrooms and carrots in the food processor is not only fast--it makes the vegetables hard to detect for picky eaters. They also form the base for the sauce of this ground beef skillet supper. Make it a meal: Serve with a green salad.

15 of 24

Chicken Piccata with Pasta & Mushrooms

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Our chicken piccata, served over whole-wheat pasta, has a rich lemon-caper sauce that's made with extra-virgin olive oil and just a touch of butter for flavor. If you like, you can use a mild fish like tilapia or even shrimp instead of chicken breast.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 24

Smoky Black Bean Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This will probably be the most hauntingly delicious black bean soup you've ever tasted. The coffee adds a slightly toasty, woodsy background note. The optional ham hock adds smoky, salty ham flavor. Serve with a mixed green salad or a grilled cheese sandwich with pickled jalapeños. Recipe by Joyce Hendley for EatingWell.

17 of 24

Orange-Tomato Couscous with Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cinnamon- and cumin-spiked couscous with chicken takes its inspiration from Morocco. It's made mostly with pantry staples--all you have to pick up is some chicken thighs, a bunch of cilantro and an orange. The orange slices become tender after cooking--you can eat them skin and all. For a variation, substitute diced, boneless leg of lamb for the chicken. Serve with steamed green beans or a spinach salad.

18 of 24

Glazed Chocolate-Pumpkin Bundt Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You don't have to have pumpkin pie to still enjoy pumpkin and spice in a Thanksgiving dessert. Pumpkin helps keep this cake tender and moist while, delicate spices add the classic Thanksgiving flavors.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 24

Caramelized Onion Lasagna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This unusual lasagna with portobello mushrooms, sweet onions, spinach and Gorgonzola cheese has a rich, complex flavor. It's also great with goat cheese instead of Gorgonzola, if you prefer.

20 of 24

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this one-skillet supper, we toss dark leafy greens, diced tomatoes and white beans with gnocchi and top it all with gooey mozzarella. Serve with a mixed green salad with vinaigrette.

21 of 24

Quick Roast Chicken & Root Vegetables

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasted chicken in 45 minutes? No problem. This technique of starting bone-in chicken breasts on the stovetop and finishing them in a hot oven with vegetables gets a hearty dinner on the table in a hurry. While everything roasts, you still have time to make a quick pan sauce with shallot and Dijon mustard. Serve with a spinach salad.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 24

Lemon & Dill Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh lemon and dill create a quick Greek-inspired pan sauce for simple sautéed chicken breasts. Make it a meal: Serve with roasted broccoli and whole-wheat orzo.

23 of 24

Fusilli with Yellow Squash & Grape Tomatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For this healthy and quick pasta recipe, corkscrew-shaped pasta, fusilli, is tossed with silky sautéed summer squash, ripe red tomatoes and fresh thyme. Serve with a green salad with vinaigrette and crusty whole-grain bread.

24 of 24

Artichoke & Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For this healthy stuffed mushroom recipe, marinated artichokes and Parmesan cheese are mixed with thyme and panko breadcrumbs for a delicious filling. If serving at a party, you might consider doubling the recipe. These stuffed mushrooms will be devoured quickly!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next