Fall in Arkansas is one of our favorite seasons. A crisp chill fills the air, leaves on the trees turn to beautiful reds and oranges, and all over the state, you can hear people pull out their slow-cookers and Dutch ovens to make their favorite fall recipes. It may be tempting to grab every can of Cream of Chicken condensed soup and live on that for the next few months; we’ll help you resist the urge with these fresh fall recipes with a healthier approach.
Chili is one of fall’s most irresistible treats. It’s also one of the most simple to make and, with the right touch, a very healthy treat too. Lighten up the traditional recipe made with fatty red meat and try this white chili made with turkey or chicken instead! It’s only 355 calories per serving but still boasts an incredible 41 grams of protein, perfect for making you feel full longer.
2. Pork Chops with Apples & Thyme
Pork is a great lean meat to serve up for dinner, and adding baked apples gives it a decidedly fall feel. If you like the taste of a little sweetness, saltiness, and heartiness then this one is for you! It’s high in protein at 23g but comes in low in calories at only 214 per serving.
3. Spicy Pumpkin & Shrimp Soup
Pumpkin is full of a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, vitamin A and C and potassium! This powerhouse vegetable pairs well with shrimp in this spicy soup for a cold night. The whole recipe is under 1,000 calories, meaning a family of four can eat for 222 calories a piece.
4. Herbed Chicken with Beets and Brussels
This recipe is healthy and hands-off! The veggies cook along with the chicken and soak up the flavor, so you’ll have tender, fall-off-the-bone meat and savory sides ready for you when you come home.
Skip the take-out and make it at home! This vegetarian meal only takes 30 minutes from start to finish and is full of Indian flavors that will warm up the whole house. Add the dish to a cup of basmati rice and the whole meal is still under 500 calories.
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Capers and Carrots
This veggie-rich dish just looks like autumn with its scrumptious greens and oranges. It can be eaten alone or as a lovely compliment to your meal. Or put it out at a party or around the house for a healthy treat at any time. It’s low in just about everything: carbs, cholesterol, fat, and calories.
7. Sweet Potato and Peanut Bisque
Sweet potatoes are the darling alternative to all other potatoes that are high in betacarotene, vitamin E and C. This vegetarian soup gives the sweet potato a more subtle flavor that blends with the peanut for an African-inspired taste.
8. Roasted Butternut Salad with Barley and Candied Bacon
This salad mixes salty, sweet, and smoky for a colorful, delicious salad using the best of fall ingredients. With the added bonus of the pasta-like, superfood grain, barley, the meal is filled with nutrients and tastiness. Oh, and did we mention there is pomegranate involved? Yum!
9. Healthy Crock Pot Taco Soup
Did you hear that? That’s the sound of your dutch oven clanking against the stove top. Once the temperatures drop, Taco Soup is a favorite to cook, eat, and freeze for later. You can substitute ground turkey for the meatless crumbles and still keep the recipe low-calorie and delicious.