These 9 Recipes Are Healthier Than You'd Think

Just because a recipe has a lot of fat or carbohydrates doesn't mean it's unhealthy. Fuel up with these good-for-you recipes.

This flavorful and easy-to-make pasta dish can help promote brain health. The combination of the omega-3 fatty acids in the fish and the complex carbohydrates in the pasta will protect your brain cells, improve your mood, and help your brain function at its best. If you can't find the casarecce that this recipe calls for, substitute another shape of pasta that can stand up to a chunky sauce, like cavatelli or penne.
 

Any sandwich labeled "melt" has the potential to pack a ton of fat and calories, but this delicious version has all the flavor and none of the guilt. With wholesome whole grain bread, lean chicken, and creamy avocado replacing mayonnaise, this melt will keep you fuller longer, making it easier for you to stick to your healthy eating plan.

If you're looking for a delicious way to eat more good fat, this dairy-free pudding is your new go-to recipe. It gets its creamy texture from avocado. The avocado is pureed with banana and dates for sweetness, and unsweetened cocoa powder for a boost of antioxidants and a rich chocolaty flavor.
 

This super flavorful quesadilla is full of fresh and good-for-you ingredients like low-calorie, high-protein lobster, creamy avocado, and tangy crumbled goat cheese, putting quesadillas back on your list of healthy eats.

Sure, these delicious little cookies are a dessert and should be eaten in moderation, but they're way healthier than some other sugar-loaded versions. Coconut meat has lots of fiber, and it is believed to help your body burn stored fat. Honey is a natural probiotic. Try one or two of these tasty macaroons for dessert instead of other sugar-sweetened pastries.

When you think of a healthy meal, the odds are good that you don't picture pasta and red wine, but this delicious penne dish is loaded with health benefits. Pasta can help you stay fuller longer (making it less likely that you'll binge on junk food later), and the red wine that it's cooked in is full of antioxidants. As an added bonus, the wine will add a ton of flavor to the pasta, which means you won't need to top it with a potentially diet-bombing sauce.
 

You won't miss the mozzarella or pepperoni once you take a bite of this healthy and flavorful pizza. The whole-wheat pizza crust provides your body with the carbohydrates it needs for energy, and the vegetable toppings on this sweet and salty pizza help you get your daily dose of vitamins and antioxidants.

Salmon is a key ingredient in many healthy eating plans, but we often think of carbohydrates like pasta as something to avoid when we're trying to lose weight. Pasta should be a part of a healthy diet, though; it is full of complex carbohydrates that your body needs to function well. Try this orecchiette recipe; it pairs pasta with lots of antioxidant-rich vegetables and heart-healthy salmon.

This rich and creamy pasta dish is so good you'll have a hard time believing it's good for you. The addition of zucchini "noodles" helps control the amount of carbohydrates in the dish, and heart-healthy avocado make a creamy pasta sauce — no dairy needed. Make this spaghetti with avocado sauce with whole-wheat pasta for even more nutritional benefits.