Comfort Food Recipes – 5 Meals To Cheer You Up

As the crisp chill of winter settles in, there’s nothing better than curling up with a warm bowl of comfort food. But we’re not talking about just any comfort food—this winter, let’s embrace hearty, nourishing, and cruelty-free dishes that will leave you feeling both satisfied and inspired.

From creamy curries to indulgent pies, we’ve rounded up five UK-based vegan Instagram chefs who are changing the game when it comes to plant-based cooking. These culinary stars, with followings between 100-500K, have captured hearts and appetites alike with their delicious and wholesome winter recipes.

1. Rachel Ama (@rachelama_)

Famous Recipe: Sweet Potato & Black Bean Shepherd’s Pie

With her vibrant and Caribbean-inspired twists, Rachel Ama never fails to deliver flavour-packed dishes. Her Sweet Potato & Black Bean Shepherd’s Pie has gained massive traction, boasting thousands of likes for its rich, savoury filling topped with a layer of creamy sweet potato mash. Packed with protein from black beans and lentils, this dish is both nourishing and indulgent—a perfect winter warmer to share with family or enjoy all to yourself.



Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 1 tin black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 tin lentils (drained)
• 1 red onion (finely chopped)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh coriander to garnish

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Peel and chop the sweet potatoes, then boil them in salted water until soft (about 15 minutes). Mash them with a bit of salt and pepper, and set aside.
2. While the potatoes cook, heat a bit of olive oil in a large pan. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook until softened. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, black beans, and lentils.
3. Add the vegetable stock and simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld together.
4. Transfer the bean and lentil mixture to a baking dish. Spread the mashed sweet potato on top and bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
5. Garnish with fresh coriander before serving.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
(15 minutes boiling sweet potatoes + 20 minutes baking)
Total time: 50 minutes

2. Sophie Wyburd (@sophiewyburd)

Famous Recipe: Vegan Sausage and White Bean Stew

Sophie Wyburd is all about making vegan food approachable and fun. Her Vegan Sausage and White Bean Stew is a prime example, garnering lots of love for its deep flavours and warming goodness. The rich tomato-based stew features hearty vegan sausages, beans, and aromatic herbs—a perfect dish to cosy up with on a chilly winter night. Serve with crusty bread for a complete comfort meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pack vegan sausages
• 1 can white beans (drained)
• 2 cans chopped tomatoes
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 vegetable stock cube
• Olive oil for cooking
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. Start by browning the vegan sausages in a pan with a bit of olive oil. Once browned, remove them from the pan and set aside.
2. In the same pan, add more olive oil if needed and sauté the chopped onion until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Stir in the tomato purée, smoked paprika, and thyme, cooking for a further 2 minutes to release the flavours.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes, white beans, and crumbled vegetable stock cube. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
5. Return the vegan sausages to the pan and cook for another 5 minutes to heat through.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve with crusty bread.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

3. Hannah Mai (@hannahmaieats)

Famous Recipe: Creamy Miso Ramen

Hannah Mai’s recipes are always packed with umami, and her Creamy Miso Ramen has been a fan favourite. This dish is perfect for those who crave something warming yet light, with miso broth adding depth and richness. Topped with roasted vegetables, crispy tofu, and fresh greens, this ramen will keep you cosy all winter long.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp white miso paste
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 block tofu (cubed and roasted)
• 1 carrot (julienned)
• 1 pack ramen noodles
• 1 handful spinach
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• Fresh spring onions and sesame seeds to garnish

Method:

1. Start by roasting the tofu. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Toss tofu cubes in a bit of sesame oil and bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
2. In a large pot, heat sesame oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute.
3. Add the vegetable stock, soy sauce, and white miso paste, stirring until the miso has dissolved. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
4. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
5. To serve, divide the noodles between bowls, pour the broth over them, and top with roasted tofu, julienned carrots, spinach, spring onions, and sesame seeds.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes (including tofu roasting)
Total time: 40 minutes

4. BOSH! (@bosh.tv)

Famous Recipe: Ultimate Vegan Mac & Cheese

BOSH! is well known for taking indulgent classics and giving them a plant-based twist, and their Ultimate Vegan Mac & Cheese has gained serious attention. The dish features a super creamy, cheesy sauce made from cashews and nutritional yeast, poured over perfectly cooked pasta and baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups macaroni pasta
• 1 cup cashews (soaked)
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp miso paste
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup plant-based milk
• Breadcrumbs for topping
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, miso paste, garlic, lemon juice, and plant-based milk. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and mix well. Transfer the pasta to a baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
4. Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy that creamy, cheesy goodness!
   
   

Preparation time: 15 minutes (includes cashew soaking)
Cooking time: 30 minutes (10 minutes to cook pasta + 20 minutes baking)
Total time: 45 minutes

5. Ellie Bullen (@elsas_wholesomelife)

Famous Recipe: Lentil & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings

Ellie’s rustic Lentil & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings is a classic winter comfort dish, bringing together wholesome lentils, hearty root vegetables, and soft, fluffy dumplings. Popular for its cosy, homestyle feel—perfect for those cold evenings when you just need something warm and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried lentils
• 2 carrots (chopped)
• 2 potatoes (diced)
• 1 parsnip (chopped)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup self-rising flour (for dumplings)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for dumplings)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. Heat a large pot with olive oil and sauté the onions, garlic, and thyme until softened.

2. Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, parsnip, lentils, and bay leaf. Stir for a couple of minutes.

3. Pour in the vegetable stock and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the lentils are cooked.

4. While the stew simmers, make the dumplings by mixing the self-rising flour, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Add a little water to form a dough, then shape into small balls.

5. Drop the dumplings into the stew and cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until they puff up and become light.

6. Season the stew with salt and pepper before serving.
   
   

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes (30 minutes simmering + 15 minutes for dumplings)
Total time: 1 hour

Whether you’re in the mood for a creamy mac & cheese or a fragrant ramen, these vegan chefs have you covered this winter. Their recipes offer a delicious blend of flavours, textures, and cosy goodness that will leave you feeling nourished from the inside out. So, grab your ingredients, turn on the stove, and enjoy the comforting magic of vegan cooking.