28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (2024)

Whether you're vegan, vegetarian or just want to try something new, you don't have to live a life without mac and cheese.

Hannah LoewentheilPublished on April 15, 2017
28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (2)

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

1. Vegan Mac and Cheese

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (3)

Delicious Everyday / Via deliciouseveryday.com

This cheeseless sauce is made of cauliflower, butternut squash, potato and cashews. Plus, the whole dish comes together in 30 minutes. Get the recipe.

2. Spring Vegetable Pot Pie

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (4)

Minimalist Baker

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (5)

Thanks to almond milk, this biscuit topping is so flakey and the veggie filling is so creamy you won't believe there's no dairy involved. Get the recipe.

3. Vegan Carrot Bacon

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (6)

Yumsome / Via yumsome.com

Maple syrup, tahini, liquid smoke and coconut aminos give this veggie side dish the salty-sweet, smoky taste of cured meat. Get the recipe.

4. Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (7)

Nutritional Foodie

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (8)

Start with roasted sweet potato, add this miracle dairy-free cheese sauce and end with your favorite nacho toppings. Get the recipe.

5. Mushroom Stroganoff

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (9)

Natural Girl Modern World / Via naturalgirlmodernworld.com

No beef here, just lots and lots of savory cremini mushrooms. Vegetable broth and almond milk add an element of richness to the whole dish. Get the recipe.

6. Vegan Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (10)

7. White Bean and Mushroom "Meatball" Subs

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (11)

Sobremesa

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (12)

Mix white beans and mushrooms with garlic, onion, breadcrumbs and some spices, and bake them for half an hour. Toss 'em in a submarine roll with marinara, and you won't miss the meat. Get the recipe.

8. Green Goddess Pizza

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (13)

Well and Full / Via wellandfull.com

Swap marinara sauce for cashew cheese and pesto. But let's face it, the carbs are the best part, anyway. Get the recipe.

9. Carrot Pigs in a Blanket

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (14)

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell / Via purewow.com

All your guests will be talking about this creative (and insanely simple) party app. Just make sure to buy or make vegan pizza dough. Get the recipe.

10. Bang Bang Broccoli

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (15)

Rabbit and Wolves / Via rabbitandwolves.com

This battered, lightly fried and spicy broccoli is the answer for anyone who doesn't love eating vegetables. Get the recipe.

11. Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (16)

Emilie Eats

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (17)

Emilie Eats

This crispy, baked cauliflower gets a serious kick from hot buffalo sauce. Then, it's cooling avocado cilantro sauce to the rescue. Get the recipe.

12. Vegan Lasagna

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (18)

Eat Within Your Means / Via eatwithinyourmeans.com

Layers of savory cashew cream and spinach "ricotta" take the place of cheese in this easy weeknight dinner. You can whip up both of these dairy-free fillings in your food processor in about 10 minutes. Get the recipe.

13. Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (19)

Lands and Flavors / Via landsandflavors.com

Cashews, nutritional yeast, white miso and flour form the base of this creamless yet rich pasta sauce. Get the recipe.

14. Crispy Avocado Tacos

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (20)

What's Cooking Good Looking / Via whatscookinggoodlooking.com

You can never have to many meat-free taco options. These baked and breaded avocados are crispy on the outside but creamy on the inside. Top them with smashed white beans and sriracha and call it a fiesta.

15. Popcorn Tofu Nuggets

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (21)

Under a Lemon Tree

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (22)

Why should you have to choose between honey dijon, chipotle ketchup and Sriracha mayo? Pair these guys with not one, but THREE easy vegan dipping sauces. Get the recipe.

16. Vegan Pad Thai

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (23)

Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com

Put down the takeout menu. Tamarind paste, tamari, soy sauce, maple syrup and lime make the secret sauce in this fancy Thai stir-fry. Get the recipe.

17. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (24)

Minimalist Baker

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (25)

If you've never heard of jackfruit, it's a miracle produce that, when prepared properly, has a very similar texture to meat. Toss it with BBQ seasoning and sauce and you just might be convinced you're chowing down on pulled pork. Get the recipe.

18. Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (26)

Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

Making these 3-ingredient coconut oil biscuits for breakfast pretty much guarantees a great day. Get the recipe.

19. Spaghetti and Lentil Bolognese

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (27)

Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com

This ain't your grandma's spaghetti, but it's protein-packed with a sauce made of sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts and lentils. Get the recipe.

20. Mediterranean Chickpea Burgers

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (28)

Catching Seeds / Via catchingseeds.com

Imagine that falafel and a Big Mac had a baby. Get the recipe.

21. Moroccan Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (29)

Our Four Forks / Via ourfourforks.com

Substitute lamb or beef for chickpeas and mash the sweet potatoes with a non-dairy milk to make this hearty meal vegan-friendly. Get the recipe.

22. General Tso's Cauliflower

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (30)

The Woks of Life / Via thewoksoflife.com

Golden-brown, sweet-and-spicy and totally vegetarian, this Asian-inspired dish takes less than an hour to whip up from scratch. Get the recipe.

23. Vegan Spinach Dip

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (31)

No Recipes / Via norecipes.com

Serve this to a crowd...or hoard it for yourself. Get the recipe.

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (32)

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

24. Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (33)

Via sprinkledwithjules.com

Make these for dessert...then keep some leftovers for tomorrow's breakfast. Get the recipe.

25. Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (34)

Rabbit and Wolves / Via rabbitandwolves.com

Vegan butter sugar cookies + coconut cream ice cream = bliss. Get the recipe.

26. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (35)

http://www.blissfulbasil.com/5-minute-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough/

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (36)

http://www.blissfulbasil.com/5-minute-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough/

Let's be honest, the best part about baking cookies is eating the raw dough. Next time, save yourself the hassle with this five-minute eggless treat. Get the recipe.

27. Lemon Blueberry Pistachio Cupcakes

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (37)

Ambitious Kitchen / Via ambitiouskitchen.com

Vegan buttercream exists, people, and it's a miracle for satisfying any dairy-free sweet tooth. Get the recipe.

28. Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (38)

My California Roots / Via mycaliforniaroots.com

Got 20 minutes? Bake these easy-easy cookies. Get the recipe.

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    28 Comfort Food Recipes With No Meat Or Dairy (2024)

    FAQs

    What can you eat if you don't eat dairy or meat? ›

    There are plenty of plant-based sources of protein, including beans, lentils, peas, nuts and seeds, whole grains, tofu and tempeh. With the exception of soyfoods, all these foods offer "incomplete protein," meaning they have some, but not all, of the essential amino acids we need-the compounds that make up protein.

    What is the ultimate comfort food? ›

    No other dish describes comfort quite as well as chicken pot pie. Made with tender chicken, mixed veggies, satisfying spices, and a delicious pie crust, this is the perfect easy weeknight dinner.

    What is a no meat no dairy diet? ›

    Vegan diet. A vegan diet is one that excludes all animal-derived products, including all meats and fish, dairy products, and eggs. Some people on a vegan diet also choose to exclude honey because it's produced by bees. Ethics are a major reason why some people choose a vegan diet.

    What happens to your body when you stop eating meat and dairy? ›

    Better Gut Health

    But a plant-based diet helps boost healthy gut bacteria. Fiber-rich foods especially trigger growth of good bacteria, which lower inflammation and your risk of inflammatory diseases.

    Will I lose weight if I stop eating meat and dairy? ›

    The health factor

    A plant-based diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, peas, lentils and nuts. It's rich in fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. And people who don't eat meat, called vegetarians, generally eat fewer calories and less fat. They also tend to weigh less.

    Do humans need dairy and meat? ›

    While studies worldwide have shown the value of a balanced, healthy diet with some amount of meat, dairy and other animal products, he says, “the only one that is really challenging is a vegan lifestyle. And even there, in this day and age, there are numerous ways to replace the missing substances."

    How can I get protein without meat and dairy? ›

    5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
    1. Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
    2. Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
    3. Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. ...
    4. Soy. ...
    5. Yogurt.

    Can vegans survive without meat? ›

    Even though meats provide certain nutrients that plants don't, eating meat isn't necessary for your health or survival. With appropriate planning and supplements, plant-based diets can provide the nutrients your body needs.

    What are the top five comfort foods? ›

    Become a Jetsetter
    • 1 Chicken and Waffles.
    • 2 Spaghetti and Meatballs.
    • 3 Chicken Fried Steak.
    • 4 Mac and Cheese.
    • 5 Hotdish.
    • 6 Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.
    • 7 Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.
    • 8 Matzo Ball Soup.
    Mar 1, 2020

    What is a Piscatarian? ›

    A pescatarian diet refers to a vegetarian diet with the addition of seafood. Plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds supply many vitamins, phytochemicals, and minerals, and seafood provides protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

    How cutting out dairy changed my life? ›

    I did so and within 2 weeks my pain had cut in half, my weight plummeted, I had more energy and I could see and think clearer. It was like a fog lifted. For a few years I would “cheat” now and then and have some dairy.

    What happens if you don't eat meat for 30 days? ›

    Following a no-meat diet for 30 days may positively affect your cholesterol levels. High levels of blood cholesterol increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and increased consumption of meat, which contains a considerable amount of saturated fats, may increase the cholesterol level in your blood.

    Can you live without meat and dairy? ›

    Overall it appears that that well-chosen vegan diets can provide adequate nutrition, and that on such a diet long-term health will be broadly similar to that of comparable people who eat moderate amounts of meat and also follow nutritional guidelines for good health.

    How can I replace dairy in my diet? ›

    There are a number of alternative foods and drinks available in supermarkets to replace milk and dairy products, such as:
    1. soya milks, yoghurts and some cheeses.
    2. rice, oat, almond, hazelnut, coconut, quinoa and potato milks.
    3. foods that carry the "dairy-free" or "suitable for vegans" signs.

    What foods to avoid if you can't have dairy? ›

    A dairy-free diet includes avoiding all or most dairy products including milk, butter, yoghurt, cheese, cream and ice cream.

    What snacks have no dairy? ›

    Dairy-free snacks from the Pantry
    • Nuts. Nuts are a great dairy-free snack option that are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. ...
    • Fruit. Fresh or dried fruit is another easy and nutritious snack option that is dairy-free. ...
    • Rice Cakes. ...
    • Veggie Chips. ...
    • Pickles. ...
    • Dairy-free Jam. ...
    • Apple sauce.
    Mar 10, 2023

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