When paired with a balanced diet, I believe that everyone is entitled to a food splurge every once in a while. I would be quite a grumpy person if I had to rid myself of treats forever. But I recently came to a rude realization that these eating sprees have become part of my everyday routine.

Working in an office full of food enthusiasts, it’s not surprising to find myself eating cake at 2 p.m. on a weekday. My love for burgers has me taste-testing my way through New York City in search of the best. And I add bacon to pretty much everything, cookies included. I decided that I need to make these indulgences more of what they’re meant to be, guilty pleasures to be enjoyed on occasion.

When I had this epiphany, I was determined to have a veggie-packed dinner right away. I was craving something hearty and didn’t want to feel like I was sacrificing a delicious dinner just to be healthy. Ellie always seems to have a solution for that and her Tuscan Vegetable Soup really is comfort food at its finest. Generally for me, that category entails something like a big bowl of mac and cheese, but this soup really fit the bill for a satisfying and feel-good meal.

Here are few things to consider before making this recipe

We took the best part of this classic soup — all the sweet caramelized onions — and left behind all the fat. A small sprinkling of Gruyere cheese (or your favorite) at the end is all you need for a satisfying main dish.

Get the recipe: French Onion Soup

Browse more of Food Network’s healthy takes on classic recipes.

Skip those store-bought, sodium-laden canned soups, and celebrate the quintessential flavors of fall with this veggie-packed Monday night meal. With fresh herbs, warm nutmeg and curry powder, this simple and satisfying soup is ready in under an hour.

Serve a basket of Alton’s warm Butter Flake Rolls for easy and delicious dunking.

Get the recipe: Food Network Magazine’s Curried Sweet Potato-Apple Soup

Note: Make sure you use vegetable broth instead of chicken.

Meatless Monday, an international movement, encourages people everywhere to cut meat one day a week for personal and planetary health. Browse more Meatless Monday recipes.