Let's face it, no one wants to eat plain old celery sticks while everyone else is enjoying more helpings of the mashed potatoes. With these 15 recipes, you can feel festive and not like you're missing out on anything. These recipes are lightened up holiday recipes that taste great. You can enjoy the holiday spread and feel good about it.

1) Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

All the comforting herb flavors of a pesto pasta night, without the food coma! These zoodles come together while the rest of dinner roasts.

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Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

Spiralized zucchini with fresh basil pesto and cherry tomatoes.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 23 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 zucchini spiralized
• 0.33 cup basil pesto
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the zucchini noodles and saute for 2 to 3 minutes, just until barely tender.
3. Stir in the pesto and cherry tomatoes and toss to coat, cooking 1 minute more.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Top with Parmesan and serve right away before the zoodles release too much water.

Notes

Don't overcook. Two minutes is plenty or the noodles turn soggy.

2) Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Buttery, creamy, and surprisingly accurate to the original. This is my secret weapon for a lighter holiday plate.

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Mashed cauliflower is made creamy with some garlic and a bit of butter.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
• 3 cloves garlic peeled
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp Greek yogurt
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh chives chopped

Method

 

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the cauliflower and whole garlic cloves.
2. Simmer 12 to 15 minutes, until the cauliflower is very tender.
3. Drain thoroughly, then transfer to a food processor.
4. Add butter, Greek yogurt, salt, and pepper and blend until smooth and fluffy.
5. Spoon into a bowl and top with chives before serving.

Notes

Drain the cauliflower really well or the mash turns watery.

3) Quinoa Salad with Cranberries

This colorful salad is perfect for any buffet setting and everyone will be surprised by how much they enjoy it!

Quinoa Salad with Cranberries

Fluffy quinoa mixed with dried cranberries, pecans, and a citrus dressing.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup quinoa rinsed
• 2 cups water
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.33 cup pecans toasted and chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Method

 

1. Combine the quinoa and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 15 minutes until the water absorbs.
2. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool slightly.
3. Whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, and salt.
4. Fold the cranberries, pecans, and parsley into the quinoa.
5. Pour the dressing over and toss. Serve warm or chilled.

Notes

This one tastes even better the next day, so it's great to make ahead.

4) Grilled Turkey Breast

No need for whole bird drama! Just a simple rub and hot grill and you get that holiday turkey feel with our juicy turkey.

Grilled Turkey Breast

Herb rubbed golden grilled turkey breast.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 lb boneless turkey breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 375 degrees F.
2. Rub the turkey breast with olive oil, then coat all over with garlic powder, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill the turkey, turning occasionally, for 25 to 30 minutes until it reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest part.
4. Rest the turkey on a board for 10 minutes.
5. Slice against the grain and serve.

Notes

Resting is non-negotiable. It keeps every slice juicy.

5) Baked Sweet Potato Fries

These disappear off the counter and won’t even make it to the table. They have a naturally sweet flavor, and are baked, not fried! With a crisping edge and a sweet center, it’s hard to resist these sweet treats!

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Paprika and cinnamon are used in these oven-baked sweet potato fries.

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Prep Time 12 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 37 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 sweet potatoes cut into thin fries
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.25 tsp cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread them in a single layer with space between each fry.
4. Bake 12 minutes, flip, then bake 10 to 13 minutes more until crisp at the edges.
5. Serve hot, straight from the pan.

Notes

Crowding the pan steams the fries. Give them room to crisp.

6) Pumpkin Soup

This will really warm you up on a cold evening, and give you that cozy feeling. With great spices and a velvety sauce, you will feel a warm embrace. You don't need a ton to make this great.

Pumpkin Soup

Creamy pumpkin soup with onions, garlic, and spices.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 cup light coconut milk

Method

 

1. Heat the olive oil in a pot and saute the onion until soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, nutmeg, and cinnamon and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vegetable broth, then bring to a simmer.
4. Simmer gently for 15 minutes to let the flavors come together.
5. Blend until smooth, stir in the coconut milk, and season with salt.
6. Ladle into bowls and serve warm.

Notes

A swirl of extra coconut milk on top makes each bowl look extra cozy.

7) Skinny Eggnog

Get ready for some creamy, nutmeg holiday cheer in a glass. No need to worry about a sugar crash with this drink. You can cozy up to the tree with this one.

Skinny Eggnog

An eggnog made with low-fat milk and spices.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups low-fat milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
• 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon

Method

 

1. Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
2. Whisk the egg yolks and maple syrup in a bowl, then slowly stream in a ladle of the hot milk to temper.
3. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
5. Chill at least 1 hour, then serve in glasses with a dusting of nutmeg.

Notes

Keep stirring while it thickens so the eggs stay silky, never scrambled. Chill well before serving.

8) Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa

Beautiful and filling enough to be a meal, these stunning peppers do a lot of the work on a lighter spread.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa

Sweet bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of quinoa, black beans, and tomatoes, then oven-baked to perfection.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 bell peppers tops cut, seeded
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 0.5 cup corn
• 1 tsp cumin
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Stir together the cooked quinoa, black beans, tomatoes, corn, cumin, and salt.
3. Stand the peppers upright in a baking dish and spoon the filling into each one.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
5. Uncover, top with mozzarella, and bake 5 more minutes until the cheese melts.
6. Serve warm.

Notes

Sit the peppers snugly in the dish so they don't tip while baking.

9) Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Sprouts that have been caramelized and have a crispy leaf texture with a sticky balsamic glaze. Even those who are unsure will return for additional servings!

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts that are roasted until crispy and coated with a sweet balsamic glaze.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lb Brussels sprouts halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Toss the halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread them cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until deeply browned.
4. Whisk the balsamic vinegar and honey together.
5. Drizzle the glaze over the hot sprouts and toss, then roast 3 to 5 minutes more.
6. Serve immediately while crisp.

Notes

Cut-side down is the trick to those crispy, caramelized edges.

10) Low-Calorie Apple Crisp

With a scoop of yogurt, warm cinnamon apples with a crunchy oat topping are lightened up so you don't have to feel guilty about dessert!

Low-Calorie Apple Crisp

Crisp oat-and-cinnamon crumble top the tender baked apples.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 5 apples peeled and sliced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 0.25 cup whole wheat flour
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp butter melted
• 0.25 tsp salt

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Toss the apple slices with lemon juice and half the cinnamon, then spread into a baking dish.
3. In a bowl, mix the oats, flour, remaining cinnamon, maple syrup, melted butter, and salt into a crumble.
4. Scatter the crumble evenly over the apples.
5. Bake 30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling and tender.
6. Cool a few minutes and serve warm with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Notes

A spoonful of Greek yogurt on top stands in beautifully for ice cream.

11) Spinach and Artichoke Dip

This creamy crowd pleasing dip uses Greek yogurt to lighten it up. Everyone at the party will still love it!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Greek yogurt adds a creaminess and warmth to this dip which lightens the original recipe for a spinach and artichoke dip.

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Prep Time 12 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 10 oz frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 cup artichoke hearts chopped
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 0.5 cup light cream cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 0.25 tsp salt

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Stir together the spinach, artichokes, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, half the Parmesan, garlic, and salt.
3. Spread the mixture into a small baking dish and top with the remaining Parmesan.
4. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbling at the edges.
5. Serve warm with veggies or whole grain crackers.

Notes

Squeeze the spinach as dry as you can or the dip turns watery.

12) Cranberry & Orange Whole Wheat Scones

These scones have a very light sweetness and are tender and moist with an abundance of cranberries and zest of orange. Great to enjoy with a nice cup of coffee on a relaxed Christmas morning.

Cranberry & Orange Whole Wheat Scones

Whole wheat scones with dried cranberries and fresh zest from oranges.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 scones

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp cold butter cubed
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 0.75 cup low-fat milk

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
3. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in the cranberries and orange zest, then add the milk and mix just until a dough forms.
5. Pat the dough into a circle, cut into 8 wedges, and place on the sheet.
6. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until golden. Cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Cold butter and a gentle hand keep these scones light, not dense.

13) Greek Yogurt Parfait

These luscious, fruity, and perfectly sweet layers of deliciousness create an eye-catching dessert that's perfect for celebrating or a radiant morning meal.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Greek yogurt, berries, and granola mixed together.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 2 parfaits

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp honey
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup mixed berries
• 0.5 cup granola
• 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds

Method

 

1. Stir the honey and vanilla into the Greek yogurt.
2. Spoon a layer of yogurt into the bottom of each glass.
3. Add a layer of mixed berries, then a layer of granola.
4. Repeat the layers until the glasses are full.
5. Top with pomegranate seeds and serve right away so the granola stays crunchy.

Notes

Assemble these just before serving so the granola keeps its crunch.

14) Roasted Garlic Green Beans

Green beans with roasted garlic flavor. Simple and always the first side to empty.

Roasted Garlic Green Beans

Green beans are roasted and mixed with garlic until soft and blistered.

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Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 26 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb green beans trimmed
• 4 cloves garlic sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Toss the green beans and sliced garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the pan once, until blistered and crisp-tender.
5. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve.

Notes

Watch the garlic near the end so it toasts rather than burns.

15) Herb-Roasted Chicken Legs

Juicy, golden chicken legs with crispy herb skin. Fun and festive but won't weigh you down.

Herb-Roasted Chicken Legs

Chicken legs that have been roasted with garlic and fresh herbs until they are crispy and juicy.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 chicken legs skin on
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Pat the chicken legs dry and rub all over with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange them on a rack set over a baking sheet.
4. Roast 35 to 40 minutes, until the skin is crisp and the juices run clear at 175 degrees F.
5. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the skin dry first is the key to that crispy finish.