Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Take the guilt out of your Thanksgiving meal this year with these healthy (yet still satisfying) dishes. 

Photo By: Adrian Mueller ©2012, Adrian Mueller / AMueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Adrian Mueller ©2012, Adrian Mueller / AMueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Tara Donne ©Tara Donne

Photo By: Emmer Schmidt

Photo By: Adrian Mueller ©2012, Adrian Mueller / AMueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Emmer Schmidt

Photo By: VideoFocus

Jewel Roasted Vegetables

Roast beets, carrots and Brussels sprouts to form a rainbow-colored vegetable dish that's as enticing as the stuffing, cranberry sauce and other bread-based sides.

Get the Recipe: Jewel Roasted Vegetables

Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

Ellie Krieger's turkey breast fills the kitchen with the fragrant fall aromas of fresh thyme, rosemary and sage. This slimmed-down recipe is a quick-cooking alternative to a whole turkey.

Get the Recipe: Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

Ground walnuts add nutty depth and texture to this healthy red pepper dip, while pomegranate juice or pomegranate molasses lends sweetness and distinct fall flavor.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

Watercress Salad with Dried Fruit and Almonds

Tyler's three-ingredient watercress salad couldn't be simpler to make and is extremely versatile. If you don't have dried cranberries on hand, feel free to substitute dried apricots, cherries or raisins.

Get the Recipe: Watercress Salad with Dried Fruit and Almonds

Macaroni and 4 Cheeses

By using part-skim ricotta and low-fat milk, Ellie shaves calories off her mac 'n' cheese recipe without taking away flavor.

Get the Recipe: Macaroni and 4 Cheeses

Roasted Rosemary Turkey Breast

Kelsey Nixon's quick-cooking turkey has a secret: It's just the breast. Rub the turkey skin with seasoned butter and cook the turkey on a roasting pan filled with fall vegetables.

Get the Recipe: Roast Turkey Breast

Mediterranean Farro Salad

Protein-rich, nutty farro forms the perfect base for a medley of Mediterranean ingredients: green beans, red peppers, olives and Parmesan cheese.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Farro Salad

Green Beans with Mushrooms and Shallots

Assorted mushrooms and shallots make the perfect accompaniment for fresh, snappy green beans.

Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Mushroom and Shallots

Turkey Roulade with Apple-Cider Gravy

Ellie's ultimate healthy turkey uses just the breast. It's filled with cranberry and pecan stuffing, then rolled and secured with kitchen twine. Sear the turkey until lightly brown, then roast until done.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Roulade with Apple-Cider Gravy

Free-Form Apple-Pear-Cranberry Tart

Full of sweet and tangy flavor, this fuss-free tart makes for a beautiful centerpiece; serve it with ice cream to really wow guests.

Get the Recipe: Free-Form Apple-Pear-Cranberry Tart

Cauliflower with Sweet Potatoes

This five-star side dish recipe from Bal Arneson infuses cauliflower and sweet potatoes with the strong flavors of ginger, coriander and cumin, while turmeric adds color and plenty of potassium.

Get the Recipe: Cauliflower with Sweet Potatoes

Rustic Fall Vegetable Soup

Kelsey adapts classic vegetable soup to include cold-weather veggie favorites, like butternut squash and sweet potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Rustic Fall Vegetable Soup

Grilled Polenta Crackers with Roasted Pepper Salsa

Use a grill pan to bring out the distinct cornmeal flavor in these polenta crackers, then top them with an Italian-inspired olive, pepper and caper salsa.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Polenta Crackers with Roasted Pepper Salsa

Mediterranean Chick Pea Stew

Protein-rich chickpeas form the base of Nadia G.'s stew –– which works well as a hearty dip or vegetarian-friendly main dish –– containing paprika, parsley and mint, among other Mediterranean flavors.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chick Pea Stew

Rustic Pear Tart

Ellie's flaky, homemade crust is made with a mixture of whole-wheat and all-purpose flours and provides just the right amount of buttery goodness without overshadowing the sweet caramelized pears.

Get the Recipe: Rustic Pear Tart

Apple, Dried Cherry and Almond loaf

A slice of this dense, cake-like loaf works well as a snack, dessert or holiday weekend breakfast when served with a dollop of fresh ricotta cheese and a drizzle of honey.

Get the Recipe: Apple, Dried Cherry and Almond Loaf