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Recipes

18 Vegan Comfort Food Recipes to Make This Winter

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Seattle U chapter.

The holiday season, aka the best time of the year, is right around the corner. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, or whatever you celebrate, there’s a good chance you’re going to be surrounded by a lot of delicious food. If you’re vegan, or if you’re just looking to add some new recipes to your table and impress your friends, you won’t be disappointed by these 15 vegan comfort food recipes. While fun, the holiday season can be a lot. These recipes are all pretty straightforward and simple to save you some stress!

1. Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

vegan comfort food
Photo Courtesy of minimalistbaker.com

If there’s one thing that could make glorious cinnamon rolls even better, it’s pumpkin (okay, and chocolate). And yes, the frosting on these pumpkin cinnamon rolls is also vegan.

2. Vegan Mac and Cheese

vegan comfort food
Photo Courtesy of cookieandkate.com

Think you can’t have creamy comfort food just because you’re vegan? Think again, my friend. This vegan mac and cheese tastes and looks like the real thing.

3. Roasted Butternut Squash Casserole

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of ohsheglows

Take advantage of fall produce while it’s still in season and make yourself this squash casserole you’ll actually feel good about eating.

4. Vegan Ice Cream

4th of July Vegan Dessert Recipes cream milk
Kristine Mahan

Maybe ice cream isn’t the exact thing you want to warm you up this winter, but who doesn’t like a scoop of ice cream with their pie? You only need three ingredients for this vegan ice cream recipe, and no ice cream machine!

5. Spicy Chipotle Cornbread

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of loveandlemons   

Cornbread for me means a warm snowy night paired with a bowl of chili. The added heat in this cornbread recipe is sure to keep you warm this winter.

6. Vegan Pumpkin Pie

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of yummy mummy kitchen   

What’s Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? Not complete is what it would be. Don’t sacrifice your pie just because you’re not into eggs and dairy, this vegan pumpkin pie is just as good as the OG, if not better.

7. Curry Scalloped Potatoes

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of veganricha.com   

It’s hard to go wrong with potatoes. If you’re looking to spice things up a bit and put your basic self aside, whip up this rich and flavorful side dish.

8. 1-Bowl Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of Minimalist Baker   

I can’t think of anything more comforting than a whole chocolate cake. Forget a shoulder to cry on, just give me this. This chocolate hazelnut cake recipe only requires one bowl, so it’s perfect for those of you who hate to wash dishes (me!).

9. Vegan Green Bean Casserole

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of ohmyveggies.com   

This isn’t the greenish-white pile of mush you might think of when “green bean casserole” comes to mind. Cut through cake and carbs with this fresh and modern casserole.

10. Vegan Stuffing

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of The Edgy Veg   

While stuffing may not be the most difficult thing to make vegan, this vegan stuffing recipe does a great job packing in the flavors for one of the tastiest stuffings regardless. 

11. Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie

vegan comfort food chocolate cookie
Katherine Baker

I know, the holiday season is all about sharing, but sometimes you just need to indulge by yourself. This single-serve chocolate chip cookie is a perfect option to whip up in less than 15 minutes, and you don’t have to worry about “accidentally” eating a whole sheet of cookies.

12. Easy Butternut Squash Soup

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of Mom’s Kitchen Handbook   

I love butternut squash soup, but I hate when the soup is two parts heavy cream and one part squash. That’s a stomach ache waiting to happen. This butternut squash soup recipe is still rich and creamy, but not with heavy cream!

13. Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of Girl and the Kitchen   

A sweet potato is a star on its own, but whipped up with some coconut milk and vegan butter… I’m hooked. Mash away for the creamiest, dreamiest sweet potatoes so far.

14. Vegan Eggnog

Christmas desserts coffee milk
Kristine Mahan

Most eggnogs are loaded with nasty, unnecessary ingredients. While this eggnog recipe is a little more involved than popping over to the grocery store, it’ll be totally worth it in the end.

15. Best Damn Vegan Mashed Potatoes

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of Minimalist Baker   

If you’ve ever tried making vegan mashed potatoes yourself, there’s a good chance you ended up with a gluey mess. Don’t make that mistake again, just make this mashed potato recipe!

16. 6-Ingredient Apple Pie

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of The Spruce   

Apple pie is obviously a holiday must. At only six ingredients, this pie recipe is a dessert anyone can make. Keep it simple and let the apples shine.

17. Vegan Thanksgiving Wraps

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of Minimalist Baker   

When you’re struggling with what to do with all those Thanksgiving leftovers, look no further than this Thanksgiving wrap recipe. You’ll get a mouthwatering combination of fall flavors stuffed in a delicious wrap.

18. Vegan Pecan Pie

vegan comfort food
Photo courtesy of namelymarly.com   

Last but not least, the pecan pie. This one might seem a little trickier to “vegan-ify”, but it can be done! I promise this pecan pie recipe is going to be just as good as one filled with dairy and eggs.

I’m not a vegan, but I often find myself making vegan recipes because half the time they just simply taste better. I’ll be cooking up some of these vegan comfort food recipes this winter, and so should you, vegan or not! 

Jamie Hegg

Seattle U '21

I am a freshman at Seattle University, majoring in Sports and Exercise Science. In addition, I'm also a part of the Seattle University Track and Field Team. When I'm not running, you can either find me on a hike, or in the kitchen trying to satisfy my sweet tooth (and making a mess)!