Comfort food -- satisfying favorites such as pizza, chili, chicken, tacos, quesadillas, and more -- don't have to be high in fat and calories to be delicious. Dig into these slimmed-down, nutritionally amped-up versions of some stick-to-your-ribs classics on the following slides.

As with many Mexican recipes, this dish has more vegetables than meat, which provides a lot of flavor with less bulk. It also includes chiles, which are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

Serve these piandinas -- little pizzalike flatbreads -- hot off the grill.

This definitive comfort food gets a bit of virtue by using lean ground turkey instead of ground beef. Carrots and peas add vitamins, minerals, and fiber, while the yogurt stirred into the mashed potato and parsnip topping brings calcium.

When vegetables and legumes -- as found in this vegetarian chili -- funnel through your system, your cholesterol levels are more likely to stay balanced.

This version of traditional spaghetti and meatballs has less fat because the meatballs are made of turkey rather than beef, and fewer carbs because spaghetti squash takes the place of the noodles.

The most delicious topping combinations can be the simplest, and contain just two or three topping, plus cheese, as shown here, with this mix of broccoli, olives, and red onion.

The traditional Mexican street food gets an earthy update with thinly sliced chanterelle or other wild mushrooms.

Elevate plain, old roast chicken with the addition of thyme, pomegranate seeds, and a pomegranate-juice glaze.

Casseroles can be heavy and full of fat. This version uses whole-wheat pasta and breadcrumbs for more fiber than the typical variety, while fat-free milk, part-skim ricotta, and bit of sharp Parmesan lighten the casserole without sacrificing taste or texture.

Pizza can deliver lots of nutrition, as with this whole-wheat crust studded with lean turkey sausage, and antioxidant-rich orange peppers and arugula.

Barley adds more protein to the chicken breasts in this take on a cool-weather staple. The grain brings fiber, too, as does the whole-wheat phyllo dough.

Omitting the usual mozzarella-and-parmesan-cheese topping, and using part-skim ricotta in the stuffing, helps lower calories when compared to the traditional versions of this pasta classic.

Instead of the usual beef or turkey burger, try this vegetarian take: grilled portobello mushrooms, made even more nutritious (and delicious) with the accompaniment of pureed cannellini beans.

Parsley has a fresh, bright flavor and a tendency to bring out the best in other foods, such as this hearty chicken dumpling soup.

Ingredients you use on salads and pastas are good matches on pizza; balance earthy (like oregano), salty (anchovies), and sweet (red onions) flavors.

Get the heat of hot wings, without the skin or fat, in this take on the protein-packed game-day classic.

Try this easy, Asian-inflected tuna burger with a Caesar salad made of bitter treviso, a relative of radicchio.

The salsa does more than bring a spicy kick; along with the spinach and whole-wheat tortilla, it contributes fiber. The beans do, too -- and they also lend a protein boost.

Vitamin C- and beta-carotene-packed arugula perks up this whole-wheat pizza.

This one-pot dish is warm and hearty comfort food, with plenty of vitamin C and omega-3s from the kidney beans, and less fat than chili made with the standard beef chuck.

Protein-packed halibut gets a flavor boost from cabbage, radishes, cilantro, and scallions in these tacos full of taste and texture.

Farmed and wild domestic shrimp are the best eco-choices in this lively dish that includes the surprising addition of caramelized turnips. Serve over whole-wheat pasta.

These pita pizzas made with the freshest ingredients are incredibly easy to put together. To streamline things even more, use low-fat marinara sauce as a base instead of making your own.

For centuries, people in the Mediterranean have been warding of the signs of aging by incorporating certain foods -- such as the tomatoes and healthy greens in this stew -- into their diet.

Instead of deep-frying breaded oysters, as is traditional in the Louisiana standard, this version calls for tossing the bivalves in whipped egg whites, dredging them in toasted cornmeal, and then "oven-frying" on a baking sheet, with just a few spritzes of vegetable oil.

Artichokes also provide a good source of magnesium, potassium, and folate, nutrients that help improve muscle function and heart health.

Sure, you can slice tofu and saute it, but you can also form it into a great vegetarian burger. Serve this one, made with brown rice and sweet potato, with your favorite condiments and coleslaw.

Green cabbage, radishes, scallions, and cilantro team up in a crunchy antioxidant-rich garnish to accompany smoky grilled smoked snapper.

Taco salad has a reputation as being high in fat and calories, but this rethink improves the score on both counts. Ground turkey takes the place of beef, while nonfat yogurt mixed with lime juice, jalapeno, and cilantro makes a creamy dressing. Toast your own corn tortilla wedges to use instead of oily chips.

Think of pizza as a blank canvas for what's in season, including fruit. Try with figs (as shown here), pears, or stone fruits, depending on the time of year.

Use ground turkey or lean, grass-fed beef to make these patties formed with chopped basil leaves and chili pepper mixed into the meat. In summer, assemble the burgers with grilled zucchini and heirloom tomatoes to sample the best of farmers' market produce.

Sometimes good nutrition comes easy: This recipe, which uses canned tomatoes, will help you add lycopene to your diet. Garlic and red pepper add a warming kick.

Leftover roast chicken and vegetables plus tortillas and fresh greens equals easy, nutritious tacos -- dinner in a pinch on a busy night.

When it comes to healthy pizza toppings, think lean protein; eggs, as shown here, are a surprisingly delicious option.

This one-pot dinner makes for a hearty, protein-packed dish on a cold evening. Pair with a slice of thick-cut whole-grain bread or a serving of healthy brown rice.

Most of the protein in this dish comes from chicken thighs, while the addition of one single link of andouille sausage brings flavor without too much fat.

Though you need to bake these shrimp burgers immediately before serving, you can assemble the accompanying slaw several hours ahead of time. Just hold off on chopping and adding the avocado, which can brown, until just before you eat.

A hardy green that's a good source of calcium, vitamin A, iron, and phosphorus, escarole lends a robust flavor -- peppery, refreshing, and slightly bitter -- to this satisfying pizza.

Coconut and rice milk are cool complements to the warm spices in curried coconut-pumpkin stew.

Grilled skinless chicken and low-fat Monterey Jack cheese create a nutritious take on a Mexican favorite.

This full-meal soup contains plenty of broccoli rabe, a green whose high concentration of vitamins A and C makes it an excellent heart helper.

The classic margherita pizza takes on a golden hue with this yellow-tomato version.

The thick Greek yogurt sauce on this quinoa veggie burger adds creaminess and tang for the perfect patty.

Most firm, mild-flavored white fish work well in this dish; black beans add more protein, while chili powder brings spice.

Save on carbs -- and up your veggie quotient -- by swapping out dough crust for portobello mushrooms.