Luxury Vegan Recipes to Share With Your Friends

The best vegan recipes for students are those that combine creativity, comfort, and bold flavours to deliver an impressive meal for you to share with everyone.

In today’s article we’ll be presenting you with a small selection of decadent vegan meals that’ll make your evening one to remember. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to cooking, or are already the resident chef in your student apartment, these dishes are simple enough to master and fancy enough to delight.

Why Vegan Cooking Works So Well for Students

Preparing vegan meals is a smart decision for students looking to eat well without having to spend money on expensive ingredients. Just a few pantry staples, and some fresh plant based additions, you can serve up dishes that are healthy and packed with flavour.

Plant based eating is naturally flexible, making group cooking or meal prep a breeze. Vegan ingredients also tend to be storable for longer than their meaty alternatives. This helps you to cut down on food waste and undertake less embarrassing end of the week clear outs.

Here are four simple yet luxurious vegan recipes that make cooking at university feel like a real occasion.

Creamy Cashew Alfredo Pasta

This easy pasta recipe offers all the richness of a traditional alfredo but swaps the dairy for cashews. It’s a great comfort meal that takes no time to prepare, and will leave you full all night long.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cashews (soaked for at least 2 hours)

• 2 garlic cloves

• Juice of half a lemon

• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

• 1 cup oat milk

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Pasta of your choice

Method:

Blend the cashews, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, oat milk, and seasoning until smooth. Then, warm the sauce in a pan while your pasta cooks before combining the two.

Serve with roasted vegetables or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for added depth.

Sticky Teriyaki Tofu Bowls

The crispy tofu that’s been tossed in a glossy teriyaki glaze is the true star of this dish. It’s ideal for quick meal prep or a delicious midweek dinner.

You can even store it for lunch the following day, which is particularly tasty as the tofu can absorb more flavour over time.

Ingredients:

• 1 block extra firm tofu

• 2 tablespoons cornflour

• 1 tablespoon oil

• Teriyaki sauce (bottled or homemade)

• Cooked rice or noodles

• Spring onions and sesame seeds

Method:

Pat the tofu dry and cut into cubes, then coat with cornflour. Fry in a pan until golden and crisp. Add the teriyaki sauce and toss until well coated.

Serve over rice or noodles, and finish with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds.

Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse

We couldn’t leave you without a dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth, and this intriguing delicacy will certainly raise a few eyebrows. The avocados give this mousse a rich and creamy texture without the need for any dairy products.

You can also play around with the finishing touches by adding chilli power, or a shot of espresso for a new take.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados

• 1 quarter cup cocoa powder

• 1 quarter cup maple syrup

• Pinch of sea salt

• Splash of oat or almond milk

Method:

Blend all ingredients until completely smooth. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Serve in small glasses topped with berries, coconut, or granola for crunch.

The Ultimate Vegan Mezze Platter

A sharing platter fit for the big occasion is a great no cook solution when hosting larger gatherings. It’s all about creating a great variety of options, bursting with colour and flavour. This recipe is as much about appealing to the eyes as it is the stomach.

Once you’ve chosen what to include, assemble your spread on a wooden chopping board or try and let everyone dive in. You can also customise it based on what you’ve already got in the cupboards. It offers maximum presentation with minimal effort.

What to Include:

• Hummus (any flavour works)

• Falafel

• Pita or flatbread

• Olives

• Cucumber sticks and cherry tomatoes

• Pickled onions or jalapenos

• Roasted chickpeas or nuts

• Vegan cheese or dips

How to Host the Best Shared Student Meals

Sharing food brings people together, but is pays to be prepared. Here are a few helpful snippets of advice that will ensure things run smoothly in the kitchen.

• Prep early: Chop up any vegetables and store them in tubs ahead of time.
• Serve buffet style: Lets everyone choose to eat what they like.
• Label allergens, especially if you don’t know who’s coming.
• Use what you have to save money and limit waste.

If you want to learn more about how to eat well as a student, discover more handy food guides here.

Vegan Indulgence

Cooking doesn’t need to be complicated to impress your friends. These recipes are proof that vegan food can be just as indulgent, comforting, and wide ranging as any other cuisine. They present an opportunity to get together with friends, and connect through a shared passion of food.

So set the table, turn on your best playlist, and enjoy the delights of the best vegan recipes students can make.