When the evening rolls around and you’re craving something warm, comforting, and utterly delicious, it’s easy to get stuck thinking that ‘comfort food’ means sacrificing your dietary goals.
But what if you could have your cake – or rather, your mashed potatoes – and still stick to your ketogenic diet? That’s exactly where these 20 keto comfort food recipes come in, offering a mouthwatering array of dishes that are sure to hit the spot without blowing your macros.
Whether you’re craving something classic like meatloaf or mac ‘n cheese, or something more adventurous like zucchini boats or chicken pot pie, there’s something on this list for everyone. So go ahead, indulge in these comforting keto recipes – your taste buds (and your diet) will thank you!
Zucchini Lasagna
Italian cuisine is renowned for its comforting dishes, many of which are unfortunately high in carbohydrates due to the prevalence of pasta. However, what if we told you that it’s possible to create a low-carb version of these beloved dishes? By substituting traditional pasta sheets with thinly sliced zucchini, we can enjoy all the flavors and textures of a classic lasagna without the carb-heavy noodles.
Per serving, this modified recipe yields:
Calories: 368
Fats: 25g
Net Carbs: 7g
Protein: 26g
Here’s how to make it: [insert recipe]
Cauliflower “Mac” And Cheese
Macaroni and cheese, a quintessential American comfort food, is often associated with a warm, cozy evening. However, this classic dish can be transformed into a healthier, more innovative option by substituting pasta with cauliflower. This cauliflower-based ‘mac’ and cheese recipe offers a creamy, indulgent experience without the guilt, thanks to the addition of Dijon mustard and cayenne pepper which add depth and richness to the sauce.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 350
Fats: 31g
Net Carbs: 4g
Protein: 12g
Recipe:
Pizza Margherita
When indulging in a slice of neighborhood pizza, it’s easy to underestimate the carb content. A single serving can pack as much as 37 grams of net carbs – nearly twice the daily recommended intake. This is where having a keto-friendly pizza recipe makes all the difference. By swapping regular flour for almond flour, you’ll significantly reduce the carb count. Here are the details: Per Serving: Calories: 237, Fats: 17g, Net Carbs: 4g, Protein: 15g. This low-carb alternative is a game-changer for those on a ketogenic diet, allowing you to enjoy your favorite pizza without compromising your dietary goals.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
The pork rinds add a satisfying crunch to the dish, reminiscent of the crispy topping found in traditional recipes. For an added layer of depth, the red pepper flakes provide a subtle kick. To keep things keto-friendly, be sure to use a no-sugar-added marinara sauce. You can find high-quality pork rinds here. If you’re interested in exploring more keto casserole recipes, click here. Per serving, this dish boasts an impressive nutritional profile: 438 calories, 25.6g of fat, 3.4g of net carbs, and a substantial 43.8g of protein.
Chicken Quesadilla
Indulge in the rich flavors of Mexican comfort food with a twist! Chicken quesadillas can satisfy your cravings, but at what cost? One serving alone can pack over 50 grams of net carbs. To mix things up, we’re trading traditional tortillas for a crispy, cheesy ‘taco’ shell. Simply bake mozzarella and cheddar cheese on parchment paper to achieve the perfect base. For optimal results, be sure to prepare it on wax paper to prevent sticking. With this clever hack, you can enjoy the best of both worlds while keeping carbs in check.
Per Serving:
Calories: 599
Fats: 40.5g
Net Carbs: 5.4g
Protein: 52.7g
Recipe:
Fried Chicken Tenders
Classic Southern comfort food gets a keto-friendly twist with this innovative fried chicken recipe. Typically, the process involves dredging the chicken in flour and breadcrumbs – not an option for those following a ketogenic diet. But fear not! By swapping out traditional wheat flour and breadcrumbs for almond flour and pork panko, we can indulge in crispy, flavorful fried chicken without compromising our dietary goals.
Per serving, this recipe yields:
Calories: 193.6
Fats: 9g
Net Carbs: 1.1g
Protein: 26.8g
Butter Chicken
When Indian comfort food cravings strike, butter chicken is an excellent option that just so happens to be naturally low in carbs. The aromatic trifecta of cumin, turmeric, and garam masala will have your stomach growling in anticipation. Plus, its meal-prepping capabilities make it perfect for a ketogenic lunch at the office. For a satisfying accompaniment, try pairing it with keto cauliflower thins or naan – the buttery sauce is sure to be mopped up quickly! A good quality wok stir-fry pan is essential for achieving that perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Per serving:
Calories: 367
Fats: 22g
Net Carbs: 6g
Protein: 36g
2-Ingredient Keto Pasta
Imagine indulging in a plate of pasta without the guilt of consuming over 40 grams of net carbs. This 2-Ingredient Keto Pasta recipe makes it possible, satisfying your cravings while keeping the carb count in check. When paired with no-sugar-added marinara sauce and a fresh garden salad, this dish becomes a complete meal perfect for days when you’re craving something more substantial than meat. The best part? This pasta packs only 3g of net carbs per serving. Here’s the breakdown: Calories – 358; Fats – 22g; Protein – 33g.
Paleo Turkey Burger
The quintessential American experience is firing up the grill and serving up juicy burgers, piled high with your go-to toppings. There’s something comfortingly familiar about it. And if you don’t have an outdoor grill to call your own, fear not! A reliable indoor grill can produce equally impressive results. In fact, these grills are perfect for keto meal prep, as this recipe demonstrates.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Meatballs are a beloved Italian-American staple that evokes feelings of warmth and comfort. To give our recipe a unique twist, we substitute traditional wheat flour with almond flour to bind the meat mixture. When combined with a blend of spices and hot sauce, these chicken meatballs take on a bold, spicy flavor profile that deviates from the classic versions. As an added bonus, they are surprisingly light, moist, and low in net carbs, making them an excellent fit for those following a ketogenic lifestyle. Serve with your favorite keto ranch dressing – I recommend using [insert recommended brand]. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:Calories: 104Fats: 8gNet Carbs: 1gProtein: 5g
Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Burger Bombs
Indulge in a unique twist on the classic cheeseburger with our bacon-wrapped avocado burger bombs. Imagine a creamy avocado core filled with melted cheese, encased in a juicy ball of ground beef and crispy bacon. This indulgent treat is sure to satisfy your cravings when you’re looking for an extra boost of flavor and fat. To give you an idea of what’s in store, here are the nutritional highlights per serving:
Calories: 618
Fats: 46g
Net Carbs: 5g
Protein: 48g
Keto Pizza Bread
To give this pizza bread a unique twist, we’re swapping out traditional wheat flour for almond flour to significantly reduce the carbohydrate content. This keto-friendly creation is a must-try for anyone who loves a good cheese fix. The combination of mozzarella, parmesan, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar brings together a rich tapestry of flavors that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. For more innovative keto almond recipes, be sure to check out our collection. As for the nutritional breakdown, here’s what you can expect per serving: Calories: 142, Fats: 9.8g, Net Carbs: 2g, Protein: 11.1g.
Peanut Curry with Chicken
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Thailand with this creamy, mild dish that pairs perfectly with shirataki noodles or cauliflower rice. For a satisfying meal, be sure to pick up some of these low-carb alternatives.
To prepare cauliflower rice, you’ll need a steamer and a food processor. For an affordable vegetable steamer option, consider this budget-friendly alternative. If you’re in the market for a reliable food processor on a budget, look into this sturdy model.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 367
Fats: 31g
Net Carbs: 3g
Protein: 25g
Mozzarella Chicken
Parmesan chicken is a beloved Italian-American comfort food that’s surprisingly easy to make without breading. In fact, this one-pan dish is so saucy and cheesy that you’ll hardly notice the absence of breadcrumbs. The secret to its rich flavor lies in the homemade tomato sauce, which only requires 5 minutes of your time and is well worth the effort. Simply combine crushed tomatoes with a few other ingredients for a sauce that’s both tangy and savory.
The nutritional information per serving is impressive: 309 calories, 25.9g of fat, 6g of net carbs, and 37g of protein. This recipe makes a great option for those looking to balance their macronutrients while still indulging in a delicious meal.
Low Carb Nachos
Nachos, a staple of Mexican cuisine, often get a creative twist in the low-carb and keto communities. In this recipe, we’re trading traditional flour-based nacho cheese for baked parmesan and cheddar – a game-changer for those who crave this snack without the carbs. To bring our cheesy creation to life, you’ll need a trusty pizza cutter to cut the baked cheese into bite-sized pieces. This low-carb take on nachos doubles as a satisfying keto snack, perfect for movie nights or spontaneous gatherings.
Keto Pizza Rolls
When the craving for a comforting snack strikes, pizza rolls are often the perfect solution. However, traditional pizza rolls may not fit seamlessly into a keto diet. To create a low-carb version that still satisfies our cravings, we’re substituting traditional flour with almond flour. This twist allows us to fill our pizza rolls with a blend of mozzarella and cream cheese, making them suitable for serving as elegant appetizers. With their rich flavor profile and satisfying crunch, these keto-friendly pizza rolls are sure to become a new favorite. Per serving, you can expect: Calories: 203, Fats: 16.5g, Net Carbs: 2.1g, Protein: 12.4g.
Original Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are the ultimate comfort food for dipping and indulging, but what’s often overlooked is their surprisingly high carb content. A standard serving of regular tenders typically clocks in at around 12 grams of net carbs – a number that can quickly add up when you’re trying to keep your diet in check. That’s why we’re taking the low-carb approach by dredging our chicken tenders with almond flour, a game-changing move that not only enhances their flavor but also slashes their carb count. Simply toss your chicken strips in the almond flour mixture, seal them in a Ziploc bag, and give it a good shake to ensure even coating. And when you’re done, enjoy the fruits of your labor knowing that each serving comes with a healthy dose of protein (29.3g, to be exact), a moderate amount of fat (14.7g), and an impressively low net carb count of just 3g – all in a serving size that’s roughly 285 calories strong.
Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream Icing
The allure of chocolate cake is undeniable, and when paired with whipped cream icing, it’s a match made in heaven. But what if we told you that this decadent dessert can be adapted to fit a low-carb lifestyle? By substituting regular flour with coconut flour, we’re not only reducing the overall carb count but also providing a nutty flavor profile that complements the richness of the chocolate. And if you’re looking for more low-carb sweet treats, be sure to check out our recipes for doughnut cookies and shredded coconut cookies, both of which feature coconut flour or unsweetened coconut flakes as key ingredients.Per serving, this modified recipe yields a impressive nutritional profile:* Calories: 358* Fats: 33g* Net Carbs: 5g* Protein: 8g
Creamy Chocolate Pudding
For a delightful treat, few things compare to the richness of chocolate pudding. However, traditional pudding can be a carb-heavy indulgence. A single serving of regular pudding, weighing in at 4.0 oz., contains approximately 25 grams of net carbs. To sweeten our pudding, we’re opting for Lakanto’s monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar. This innovative swap not only reduces the overall carb count but also preserves the decadent flavor and creamy texture you’ve come to expect from a rich dessert. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional information per serving: Calories: 407.5; Fats: 44.4g; Net Carbs: 2.75g; Protein: 4.4g.
Fluffy Low Carb Waffles
While the aroma of freshly baked waffles on a Saturday morning is undeniably inviting, it’s essential to consider the nutritional value of these treats. A single waffle can contain nearly 13 grams of net carbs, which may be a concern for those following a low-carb diet. However, with a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy fluffy and buttery waffles that pair perfectly with your favorite sugar-free syrups. In fact, if you’re a fan of waffles, you likely appreciate pancakes just as much. For inspiration, check out our collection of low-carb pancake recipes. When it comes to the nutritional breakdown of this recipe, here’s what you can expect per serving: Calories – 291, Fats – 27g, Net Carbs – 4g, Protein – 9g.
Conclusion
Keto doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing beloved comfort foods; it’s all about making creative substitutions to keep the flavors and feelings intact. By simply adapting these familiar dishes to fit within a ketogenic diet, you can indulge without compromising on taste.
