Life can be stressful, but your meals shouldn’t be. Here are 7 vegan comfort food ideas that are both delicious and nutritious. Whether you order from a vegan meal delivery service, or cook your own comfort food at home with a new cookware set, these 7 vegan meal ideas will bring you stress-free sustenance for your body and soul.

Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff

Give yourself the treat of a creamy, savory meal that features tender mushrooms in a rich sauce served over pasta or rice. Mushrooms provide an umami flavor and combined with  the super creamy texture of the sauce, you’ve got the perfect stress-relieving meal.

Did you know that B vitamins and selenium are concentrated in mushrooms? These vitamins help keep your mood positive, so you can better deal with stress. The creamy sauce, often made with cashews or plant-based milk, gives the dish a luxurious feeling without the heaviness of dairy. You’ll be ready to take on the world!

Hearty Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

This vegan Shepherd’s pie is easy to prepare, packed with protein, absolutely satisfying. You won’t even miss the meat! You’ll swap a protein-rich lentil base and top with creamy mashed potatoes to replace the traditional meat filling. This dish is a top-notch choice as a power meal on stressful days, and it keeps well in the fridge and microwaves nicely for easy leftover meals.

Complex carbohydrates such as lentils can also help increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps us to feel calm and well. The potato-based topping is high in vitamin B6, another nutrient that helps produce serotonin. This hearty meal soothes your mind and gives you energy to tackle your toughest problems.

Chickpea Curry with Brown Rice

This spicy dish of warm, aromatic curry is like a hug in a bowl. Vegan chickpea curry is packed with protein from the chickpeas, and it’s loaded with a flavorful sauce and aromatic spices to serve over brown rice. It’s a filling satisfying meal that can help you be your best.

Curry contains anti-inflammatory spices, such as turmeric and cumin. They may help reduce the physical effects of stress on the body. Chickpeas are high in tryptophan, an amino acid which helps produce serotonin. Brown rice gives you complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.

Mac & Cheese

There is a vegan version of Mac and cheese! It’s rich and creamy, like the classic comfort food from our childhoods. Made with plant-based milk, flour, nutritional yeast, this tasty dish has all the comfort and zero cholesterol.

The “Cheesy” flavor comes from the nutritional yeast, which is high in the B vitamins that help the body process stress. Serve yourself up a bowl of creamy happiness before a big meeting.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa & Black Beans

Bright bell peppers stuffed with a flavorful mixture of quinoa and black beans create a comforting and nutritious meal. It’s literally loaded with stress-fighting nutrients.

Quinoa is a complete protein featuring all nine essential amino acids, including tryptophan, which helps produce serotonin. Black beans are known to be rich in magnesium, which plays a significant role in regulating the body’s stress response. Bell peppers are high in vitamin C that helps the body lower cortisol levels. This combination of ingredients creates a meal that’s both comforting and beneficial for managing stress.

Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

Butternut squash soup is the perfect fall comfort dish. This rich and filling soup features aromatics  like ginger and cinnamon, to help lower inflammation and better manage stress.

Butternut squash is also abundant in vitamins C and A, which both play important roles in the body’s stress response.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Craving sweets on a stressful day? Make a healthy choice that nourishes your body and satisfies your sweet tooth. Vegan chocolate avocado mousse is easy to prepare and chock full of good fats.

Avocados are rich in vitamin B and potassium – nutrients that help reduce stress levels. Flavonoids in dark chocolate can increase serotonin in your brain and lower your cortisol levels. As an added bonus, this dessert adds healthy fats that help stabilize blood sugar. This creamy, chocolatey vegan treat is yummy and healthy way to bring some comfort to your day.

These seven vegan comfort meal ideas can nourish your body and soothe your mind. From creamy pastas to hearty stews, these healthy plant-based options are comforting and delicious, without compromising taste and texture. While you can’t always avoid stress, you can add more fun into your life as a balance. Good food feeds your stomach and soul to help you face life’s challenges with energy to be the best version of yourself. Enjoy!