Veganuary: Vegan Comfort Food Recipes That Are Better Than the Originals

10 indulgent, comforting plant-based recipes 

If you’ve committed to going meat and dairy-free for the Veganuary challenge, you’ll need some inspiration on what to cook and what to eat. Ease yourself into the meat-free month with ten simple plant-based versions from recipe box company Gousto. 

January is the month of fresh starts, health kicks and for some, giving up animal products. This year a record-breaking 500,000 people in the UK are committed to Veganuary, a challenge to eat only plant-based foods for a month – that’s a 25% increase from last year. 

Comfort food doesn’t need to contain meat or dairy to be out of this world! From Thai-inspired curries to irresistible pasta dishes, the recipe team Gousto have shared 10 super satisfying vegan comfort foods that are even better than the originals. 

Ellie Bain, Gousto’s in-house Nutritionist has shared five tips to help you adopt (and stick to) a plant-based lifestyle, even after Veganuary has ended.   

Sticky Sesame Tofu Asparagus Noodles 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/vegan-recipes/sticky-sesame-tofu-asparagus-noodles 

Check out this easy plant-based Asian-inspired noodle dish, with spicy sriracha, sweet agave, sesame-lime noodles, crunchy asparagus and black sesame seeds. This simple recipe is packed with plenty of flavours, plus it is completely meat-free. 

Harissa Chickpea Apricot Tagine 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/vegetarian-recipes/harissa-chickpea-apricot-tagine 

This dish has all the flavours of our favourite Moroccan dish minus meat and dairy. What’s not to like? Seriously. You’ll add sweetness and warmth to chickpeas with dried apricots, baharat and harissa, before serving with couscous and creamy tahini yoghurt.

Oven Baked 3 Bean Chilli with Jacket Potatoes 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/recipes/oven-baked-3-bean-chilli-with-jacket-potatoes 

Serve up a wholesome winter dinner with this vegan-friendly jacket potato recipe. Top tatties with warming bean chili and finish with pickled chilli and a sprinkle of spring onion. 

Thai Style Butternut Squash Coconut Curry 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/vegan-recipes/thai-style-butternut-squash-coconut-curry 

Ditch the meat and create a tasty, Thai-inspired vegan dish with a creamy coconut sauce, red curry paste and kaffir lime leaves for a hint of citrus. Turn up the heat with a chilli garnish and peanuts for added crunch. 

Spiced Cauliflower Spinach Tamarind Dal 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/vegan-recipes/spiced-cauliflower-spinach-tamarind-dal 

Get creative in the kitchen with this Indian inspired spinach and tamarind dal recipe. Finish of with a topping of paprika-spiced roasted cauliflower and toasted almonds. Dal-icious!

Mushroom Thyme Fusilloni 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/vegan-recipes/mushroom-thyme-fusilloni 

Vegan fusilloni pasta, a fast and easy weeknight meal that’s perfect for lunch leftovers. You’ll swap cheese for creamy coconut yoghurt and thyme-infused mushrooms. Serve with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for a delicious dinner!

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To help give you a head start into your vegan journey free from stress, recipe box company Gousto has launched Plant Bistro, a new vegan range for Veganuary. 

Plant-Based Poké Bowl with Tomato Sashimi 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/recipes/plant-based-poke-bowl-with-tomato-sashimi 

Gousto’s Vegan Poké bowl features marinated tomatoes, plant-based sashimi, sticky sushi rice, pickled radishes, edamame and seaweed for a quick and easy meal bowl! 

The Ultimate Vegan Stack Burger 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/recipes/the-ultimate-vegan-stack-burger 

These hearty vegan burgers are packed with flavour, with extra juicy vegan patties, melty vegan cheese, a smoky cuspy potato rösti and balsamic onions. 

Tofu Fingers, Minty Peas & Tartare Sauce 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/recipes/tofu-fingers-minty-peas-tartare-sauce 

These tofu-fried ‘fish’ fingers are unbelievably good. You’ll dip tofu in batter and panko breadcrumbs so they’re extra crispy, before serving with a homemade tartare sauce and minty crushed peas.

Plant-based Spaghetti Carbonara 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/recipes/plant-based-spaghetti-carbonara 

This super easy vegan carbonara is rich and creamy and ready in less than 20 minutes. You’ll recreate the creamy sauce soy cream, meat-free bacon and miso paste, which adds an umami richness to the sauce. Luscious! 

Plant-based No Butter Chicken With Fragrant Rice 

https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/recipes/plant-based-no-butter-chicken-with-fragrant-rice 

There’s no butter in sight in this plant-based twist on murgh makani. Instead, you’ll crete a rich sauce with soya ‘cream’, add meat-free chicken and serve with fragrant cardamom rice. 

Gousto Nutritionist Ellie Bain’s top tips to enjoy a nutrient-packed plant based diet

1. Include protein with every meal. As a society we put a lot of emphasis on protein in our diets, however, most of us don’t actually know exactly how much they need (it’s approx 0.6-1g per kilo of your body weight depending on your activity levels) and in general we’re eating a lot more than is necessary to stay healthy. Nuts, seeds, pulses, wholegrains and tofu are all packed full of protein and can be seamlessly substituted for meat and fish in many recipes, plus veggies all contain small amounts which quickly add up on a plant based diet.

2. Include iron-rich foods in your diet. “Getting the balance right with a plant-based diet can be challenging. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, chickpeas, lentils and kidney beans are all fantastic sources of iron and essential for a balanced nutrition-packed diet, so make them a top priority on your shopping list.” 

3. Don’t forget to include calcium, iodine and vitamin D! “Dairy products, such as cheese and milk are rich in essential nutrients, but this doesn’t mean you can’t substitute them with a plant-based alternative. If you’ve switched to a vegan-diet, make sure your plant-based alternatives are fortified to make sure you’re not missing out. Tofu, sesame seeds, kale and broccoli are also great additions to your vegan menu. We get most of your vitamin D from sunlight so make sure you’re getting outside or taking a supplement in darker months (between September and May).

4. Find an Omega-3 substitution. “Fish and other seafood contain omega-3, which is crucial for keeping your brain and heart healthy. Try adding vegan-friendly sources such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds to your diet instead!” 

5. Include B12 in your meat-free diet. “B12 is naturally found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy. Try adding marmite, yeast flakes, fortified cereals or other fortified alternative milk products to your daily meal plan.”