With just a few simple ingredients, a lovely summer pasta sauce can be yours in minutes.

Stuffed potatoes usually rely on butter, sour cream, bacon or cheese. Without the saturated fats, these are simple, satisfying, and completely delicious.

Warm risotto is classic comfort food and known for its signature creaminess. This version is rich and creamy without any added fats, cheeses, or dairy products and it’s simple to prepare.

This satisfying, oil-free dish will quickly become your next go-to meal.

Making a pot of homemade soup can be the perfect antidote for our frazzled nerves. Here are some tasty chili and soup recipes to warm you up.

This soup is rich and flavorful and hits the spot on a chilly night. It’s heavenly served with little scoops of leftover or freshly-made mashed potatoes in the bowls. This recipe is flexible and forgiving. Try adding chickpeas or steamed cooked greens for variety. Whether prepared all day in the slow cooker, or on the stove on a weekend afternoon, Perfect Lentil Soup with Mashed Potatoes takes comfort food to a whole new level.

This recipe has a long history, and goes back several decades. My mom made a wonderful split pea soup when I was growing up, and over the years, I tweaked her recipe, removing all animal products and added oils. Now it’s simple as can be, and incredibly delicious. I usually make this in a slow cooker, which requires no babysitting at all. But you can simmer it on the stove. We typically turn this soup into a hearty Sunday dinner, adding whole grain pasta, cooked greens, or diced potatoes to our bowls. This makes a big pot of stick-to-the-ribs soup, and you’ll find there’s plenty for a few extra bowls during the week.

This recipe makes just about one quart, but I sometimes prepare a double batch just to share with friends, poured into little Mason jars and tied with ribbons.

Whether your salad is for a lunchbox, a potluck, or for friends and family at home, check out these recipes for fabulous summer salads.