The 10 Best Vegan-Tested Comfort Food Recipes for Difficult Times 

We asked, and you answered: What is your favorite vegan comfort food? While it’s true that we could all use as much immunity-boosting produce as possible, we could equally go for a bit of belly-warming comfort food. VegNews readers around the world wrote in, and we’re sharing your responses. Turns out, we all love a sweet treat and some plant-based cheesy goodness when self-isolating at home.

1. Chocolate chip cookies

Crispy, chewy, bite-sized, jumbo … no matter your preference, it’s undeniable that the humble vegan chocolate chip cookie is universally loved.
Try this recipe: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies 

2. Soup

From potato leek to black bean, soup can soothe the soul—especially when served with a generous slice of homemade bread. 
Try this recipe: Vegan Ginger Noodle Soup

3. Mac and cheese

Boxed mac and cheese prepared on the stovetop counts as semi-homemade, right? Whether you buy it from the store or bake it in the oven, a bowl of mac and cheese never fails to bring out a smile. 
Try this recipe: Real Deal Vegan Mac and Cheese

4. Mashed Potatoes

Perhaps we love this simple dish because it reminds us of the holidays. We know for sure that we are definitely not waiting until Thanksgiving rolls back around to enjoy a fluffy batch of potatoes topped with rivulets of vegan butter. 
Try this recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

5. Apple Pie

Sorry, pumpkin and pecan; the readers have spoken and apple pie reigns supreme. When it comes to comfort, no pie can outshine the iconic glory of the all-American apple pie. 
Try this recipe: Oh, Ladycakes Apple Crumb Pie

6. Pizza

Let’s not quarrel over the deep-dish versus thin crust debate. No matter how thick or thin the dough, we can all agree that vegan pizza makes us happy.
Try this recipe: Vegan Mac and Cheese Pizza with Potato Chip Topping

7. Popcorn

There’s comfort that comes with the mindless monotony of shoveling popcorn into one’s mouth. In the height of this self-isolation period, that satisfying crunch definitely helps calm our nerves. 
Try this recipe: 14 Ways to Step Up Your Vegan Popcorn Game

8. Brownies

The fudgier, the better! Whether they’re warm and served with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, swirled through with peanut butter, or even made with black beans, a quality vegan brownie can lift us up during tough times.
Try this recipe: OMG Oreo Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies

9. Curry

There’s something about fresh tofu and veggies simmering in a thick, spicy broth that warms the soul. Bonus: curries are perfect for batch-cooking and freezing leftovers. 
Try this recipe: Vegan Thai Vegetable Curry

10. Grilled Cheese

How many slices of vegan cheese do you stack on your homemade grilled cheese? That is the ultimate question. When we need some feel-good food, few things can beat the nostalgia of this childhood staple. 
Try this recipe: How To Make the Perfect Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.