Are you seeking satisfying vegan comfort food that provides warmth and maybe even nostalgia? If so, check out eight of our delicious carefully selected vegan recipes.
These dishes are crafted to tempt your taste buds, offering the hearty goodness of indulgent favorites with a plant-based twist. With a bit of creativity, we will create the same rich, creamy, comforting flavors you love without the use of dairy, eggs, etc.
Join us as we unveil a world where flavor and unique ingredient uses transform how you think about vegan cuisine.
The ultimate comfort food? Mac and cheese! Our vegan sweet potato mac and cheese is a plant-based twist on the classic dish. It subs cooked sweet potatoes as the “cheese” sauce base.
Sweet potatoes are known for their creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor when cooked. Just blend nutritional yeast, Pacific Foods cashew milk, garlic and seasonings to create a rich, creamy sauce. Then mix the sauce with cooked macaroni pasta.
When preparing vegan sweet potato mac and cheese, cook the sweet potatoes until they’re soft — it creates a smoother sauce. Using a high-powered blender can help you achieve an even consistency. Add a pinch of smoked paprika and gently fold the sauce into the cooked macaroni for even coverage. Bake the mixture briefly with a breadcrumb topping for a crispy finish.
See the full recipe: Vegan Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
You can take a traditional Mexican breakfast dish and put a vegan spin on it. This version swaps out traditional ingredients for vegan-friendly alternatives like Pacific Foods vegetable broth. and cashew cheese sauce.
Start with a crispy base of lightly fried corn tortillas cut into quarters or strips. The tortillas are generously smothered in a rich, spicy tomato-based sauce that is infused with traditional Mexican spices like cumin and chili powder, lending a tangy, smoky flavor.
To bring it all together, top the coated tortillas with vegan cheese to add a creamy texture. Garnish with colorful cilantro, diced onions and creamy avocado slices and enjoy.
See the full recipe: Vegan Chilaquiles
Vegan cauliflower gratin is a delectable, comforting dish that transforms cauliflower into a creamy, indulgent treat. This dish features cauliflower florets, blanched to tender perfection, ensuring they retain a slight crunch.
The real secret is in the sauce. Create a rich, velvety blend made from a base of vegan cheese and Pacific Foods almond milk. Then thicken with arrowroot flour or cornstarch and nutritional yeast for added depth and a cheesy flavor.
In a food processor or blender, puree your yeast, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper, nutmeg and red pepper. Once you’ve got a smooth sauce, pour it over the cauliflower florets, top with vegan cheese and panko topping and bake until your toppings are bubbly and golden brown. Before serving, be sure to top with parsley, almonds, and thyme for that last sprinkling of flavor.
See the full recipe: Vegan Cauliflower Gratin
Have you heard of a meatless, seafoodless gumbo? Our vegan gumbo uses vegetables like okra, bell peppers and tomatoes instead to create the rich and spicy flavors you know and love.
The base, or “roux,” is made with oil and flour and cooked until browned, providing a deep, nutty flavor. Aromatic onions, celery and garlic are added for depth. Cayenne, paprika and thyme infuse the dish with warmth and complexity. Beans or tofu add substance and texture. You can also round it out with Pacific Foods soy beverage.
Vegan gumbo is no different than the standard recipe and is best served over rice, absorbing the bold, savory broth. Each spoonful offers a harmony of flavors, celebrating Creole cuisine’s essence without animal products.
See the full recipe: Vegan Gumbo
This vegan comfort food uses cauliflower as its base to recreate the popular Italian sauce. The cauliflower is boiled until tender and blended with yeast, which adds a cheesy flavor.
The addition of almond milk gives the sauce a rich, creamy consistency without the addition of dairy. Garlic and onion are sautéed in Pacific Foods cashew beverage and added for depth of flavor. Seasonings like salt, pepper and a hint of nutmeg enhance the overall taste.
The sauce is versatile, pairing well with traditional pasta and zucchini noodles or as a base for creamy soups. The sauce maintains a luxurious feel despite being entirely plant-based.
See the full recipe: Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo
A vegan almond butter cookie skillet combines rich almond butter with cookie ingredients. Creamy almond butter replaces traditional butter, adding a nutty flavor.
The use of Pacific Foods Organic Almond Vanilla Beverage brings a rich flavor to the cookie. The flaxseed binds the ingredients and adds a subtle earthiness. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately before combining to avoid overworking the dough. Doing so maintains a tender, chewy texture in the final product.
When baking, remember that the skillet retains heat. Remove it from the oven when the cookie is still slightly underdone. That allows the cookie to continue cooking gently, achieving a balanced consistency. Serve it warm, maybe topped with vegan ice cream or maple syrup, to enhance the cozy, comforting flavors.
See the full recipe: Vegan Almond Butter Cookie Skillet
Vegan rigatoni bake is a hearty dish for those seeking plant-based comfort food. It starts with rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente, to form the base. The sauce is rich and tomato-based, thanks to Pacific Foods Tomato Basil Soup and added herbs like basil and oregano.
Yeast or vegan cheese can add a cheesy flavor without dairy. Include lentils or a vegan meat substitute to get more texture. Vegetables like spinach, bell peppers and mushrooms add a welcome burst of flavor. Layering the ingredients in a baking dish, topped with vegan cheese, creates a melty, golden crust.
Bake until bubbly and slightly browned on top. Letting it rest for a few minutes after baking helps the layers set. Serve with a side of garlic bread or a salad. This dish is adaptable, so feel free to experiment with different vegetables and spices. Cooking the pasta slightly less than usual prevents it from getting too soft when baked.
See the full recipe: Vegan Rigatoni Bake
Vegan sun-dried tomato cream pasta is a rich, flavorful dish. It combines the tangy taste of sun-dried tomatoes with a creamy sauce, made luscious without any dairy. This pasta dish uses ingredients like soaked cashews or Pacific Foods hemp milk to create its creamy texture. Yeast often adds a cheesy flavor, enhancing the sauce’s depth.
The sun-dried tomatoes provide a chewy texture and a concentrated tomato flavor that’s sweet and tart. Fresh herbs like basil or oregano complement the tomatoes’ intensity, adding freshness to the dish. Garlic and onions are sautéed to make the base more fragrant.
Vegan pasta can be made with various pasta types, from traditional spaghetti to gluten-free options. It’s a versatile dish, easily adaptable to include vegetables like spinach or artichokes.
See the full recipe: Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Cream Pasta
Unleash your culinary creativity with Pacific Foods’ range of vegan products. Elevate your vegan comfort food with our plant-based, flavorful ingredients. Order online or shop our vegan options at your nearest grocer.