10 family recipes made healthier
We've taken 10 classic family recipes and tweaked them to make them more nutritious and healthy. These easy, everyday recipes are bound to become new favourites with the kids.
If you fancy shaking up your mealtime repertoire, our healthier versions of family favourites are sure to go down a storm. With a few tweaks and additions, these comforting classics are given a nutritious makeover. For more wholesome, child-friendly meals, see our healthy family recipe collection.
10 healthier versions of classic family meals
1. Chicken, sweet potato & pea curry
This mild, moreish curry contains a whopping four of your 5-a-day. Serve it with filling brown rice and play around with spices to get the desired heat, remembering that some korma pastes are spicier than others. For more inspiration, see our top 5 healthy family curry recipes.
Chicken, sweet potato & pea curry recipe
2. Chicken & bean enchiladas
These baked Mexican-inspired tortilla wraps are packed with healthy red peppers and black beans. Play around with the quantity of chipotle depending on your family's preference for heat, adding only after you've tasted the sauce at the end of step 2 of the method.
Chicken & bean enchiladas recipe
3. Sausage & white bean casserole
Casseroles are a great opportunity for packing in extra goodness, and this sausage bake is no exception. It contains four of your 5-a-day in the form of peas, peppers, tomatoes and carrots, plus nutritious white beans. Find more inspiration in our family casserole recipe collection.
Sausage & white bean casserole recipe
4. Crispy chicken strips
A crunchy carrot salad adds health credentials to this crowd-pleasing recipe. For added crunch, use Japanese panko breadcrumbs – they're larger and crispier than ordinary breadcrumbs and are readily available from supermarkets. Our family chicken recipes provide more ideas for using this versatile ingredient.
5. Macaroni cheese with veg
Pack some veg into this popular pasta bake with frozen spinach and cherry tomatoes. Make this dish vegetarian by checking the cheddar and using a veggie-friendly hard cheese to replace grana padano. For more inspiration, see our easy family pasta recipes.
Macaroni cheese with veg recipe
6. Fish pie with pea & dill mash
This healthier take on fish pie has a light filling made with leeks, cherry tomatoes, cod and prawns – the creamy element comes from half-fat crème fraîche. On top sits a pillowy layer of mashed potato that's spiked with lemon, mixed with peas and flavoured with fresh herbs. Make this easy dish ahead of time then pop it in the fridge, or freezer, to save for a busy weeknight. Check out our healthy pie recipes for more ideas.
Fish pie with pea & dill mash recipe
7. Lighter chicken tacos
We've kept all the same elements of this popular Mexican dish, but reduced to half the fat of standard tacos. Kids will love piling on the chicken, salsa and guacamole to build their own delicious dinner. And trying to get the crunchy taco shell into your mouth without it collapsing is half the fun. If you're worried about spice, leave out the chilli flakes. Want more recipes like this? See our healthy Mexican recipes.
8. Healthy chicken pasta bake
Everyone needs a good chicken pasta bake recipe up their sleeve – make this healthier version yours. Still just as comforting, but now with wholemeal penne, chicken breast and hidden vegetables, all in a rich tomato sauce. Dollops of creamy ricotta and grated mature cheddar replace the bechamel sauce, so you'll still get that hit of melted cheese. Next up, discover more healthy ways with chicken.
Healthy chicken pasta bake recipe
9. Veggie lasagne
Take this opportunity to sneak a few more vegetables into your family's dinner. Roast aubergines, peppers and tomatoes until lightly charred, then layer with ready-cooked lasagne sheets and passata. Top with half-fat crème fraîche, sprinkle with parmesan and bake until bubbling and golden. Even the meat-lovers will be satisfied with this super simple dish. Looking for veggie ideas? Try our freezable vegetarian recipes.
10. Healthy burgers
Replace regular burgers with these healthier patties, made with lean turkey mince, breadcrumbs and coriander. Instead of cheese, top your burger with a dollop of zesty guacamole and a scattering of sweet peppadew peppers – the results are fresh, filling and surprisingly low in calories. Like these? We have lots more healthy burger recipes for you to try.
Turkey & coriander burgers with guacamole recipe
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What healthy family favourites are part of your regular repertoire? We'd love to hear your suggestions...
