12 really bad-for-you meals we all love made light and healthy

The best tasting dishes are often the most unhealthy ones. It’s disappointing, but that’s the way of the world. When you think about the things you love to eat most when you’re with your friends on the weekend, something along the lines of pizza, burritos, and chicken wings probably comes to mind. Nothing is wrong with indulging in these every now and again, but it’s usually not great for your arteries if you’re munching them down on a regular basis. These kinds of fatty, greasy foods can cloud your judgment, negatively affect your mood, and even mess with your sleep patterns.

As long as food blogs exist, though, we’ll have endless options that show us how to eat our favorite foods in a healthier way. Because, believe it or not, there is a better way to eat enchiladas and pasta. You just may not have found it yet. Plus, when you experiment with these recipes, you find new and exciting ways to spend time in the kitchen, which makes cooking all the more enjoyable. You may even come up with your own ideas along the way, making you a bonafide expert in DIY healthy Asian takeout.

Here are 12 bad-for-you meals we all love made light and healthy.

1. Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas

Enchiladas are tasty as can be, but they’re not the best thing to scarf down if you want to feel energetic and clear-headed the following morning. Love and Lemons shows you that enchiladas don’t always have to be unhealthy, though. These bad boys are packed with yummy, hearty veggies as well as a homemade smoky tomato chipotle sauce (nothing out of a can here!). Plus, there’s a vegan option if dairy just isn’t your cup of tea.

2. Creamy Vegan Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo

This pasta recipe from Hot For Food Blog is a light version of Fettuccine Alfredo. Without all the heavy cream and cheese, you can make yourself a creamy pasta dish with brown-rice noodles, mushrooms, and cashews, which offers the velvety texture.

3. Gingerbread Pancakes

Pancakes are one of the most comforting meals to ever exist, but the heaviness of them can sometimes leave us feeling icky. Jessica In the Kitchen has solved that problem. You can make yourself a stack of vegan, gluten free pancakes that pack a big punch of flavor but don’t expand to an uncomfortable level in your tummy.

4. Beef With Broccoli

When you’ve got a hankering for Chinese takeout, Foodie Crush has got you covered with this gluten-free alternative that isn’t made with the preservatives and additives that often give you a food hangover. This beef with broccoli dinner is made only with the freshest ingredients, and paired with nutty brown rice.

5. Easy Ramen Bowl

We’ll be the first to admit that microwavable ramen packets are a thing of heaven, but they’re definitely not a healthy choice when you’re craving an Asian dinner. Hot For Food Blog will teach you how to make your very own ramen, and it’s heathy, fresh, and, just like the name suggests, easy.

6. Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese With Spinach

Who do you call on when you need a helping hand? Mac and cheese, of course. This particular mac and cheese from Naturally Ella uses sweet potato to add an extra smoothness to the dish, and all that spinach will make sure you’re getting your daily dose of veggies.

7. Vegan Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

Pasta dinners like stuffed shells are super tasty but they can put you in a serious food coma. This vegan number from Love and Lemons uses cashew cream instead of the traditional dairy, however, and includes hearty vegetables like butternut squash, so it will have the same decadence as the classic dish, only it’ll be a lot healthier.

8. Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Wings

Jessica In the Kitchen offers you a brilliant substitute to the greasy, mind-numbing chicken wings you usually get when you order takeout. Make these gluten-free cauliflower wings instead, which are made with roasted vegetables and a healthy homemade sauce that’s bound to make your eyes roll into the back of your head with joy.

9. Creamy Vegan Corn Chowder

Traditionally, corn chowder is a thick soup made with starchy veggies and a whole lot of heavy dairy. But Love and Lemons introduces a lighter version that’s super easy to make and gentle on the digestive tract. You’ll get all the classic flavors, such as paprika and red pepper, but the creaminess comes from the natural coconut milk.

10. Egg and Vegetable Breakfast Sandwich

We know the struggle. All those fast food commercials that feature on-the-go breakfast sandwiches just look so tasty, and they’re such a simple solution for when you’re busy. But Foodie Crush declares there’s a healthier way to take care of your breakfasts. Make this egg and veggie breakfast sandwich instead, which contains no nasty preservatives or unknown ingredients. It’ll be a roaring start to your morning.

11. Vegan Sausage Rolls

You won’t find your typical grease and chemical additives in these sausage rolls from Hot For Food Blog. Instead, these are made with mushrooms, kale, beans, and all kinds of tasty herbs that will have you forgetting completely that it’s a meatless dish. Perfect to serve at a dinner party.

12. Oven Baked Chili Dogs

It’s tempting to eat about 10 of these in one sitting when you’re at a sporting event, but there’s a healthier way to eat these at home, according to Wholefully. Start by choosing 100 percent beef, organic hot dogs, and then make the other ingredients yourself. By baking it all in your oven, the flavors will come together and give you a cheesy explosion that won’t destroy your insides.