Comfort food doesn't have to be mac-and-cheese. For the dairy-free, gluten-free, or both, I submit this non-comprehensive list of dishes we all like:
*black bean soup, cornbread, green salad (the adults eat salad; the children ignore it)--my children eat black bean soup by the gallon, it seems
*enchilada casserole with green sauce, refried beans, salad or steamed broccoli
*salmon burgers, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts/steamed broccoli
*southwestern chicken soup, cornbread, salad
*fish pie (an unfortunate name for a delicious warming dish), roasted cauliflower (see also: shepherd's pie, which is quite similar)
*butternut squash-sausage over rice, kale chips
*chicken pot pie, kale or broccoli
*polenta pizza topped with assorted roasted vegetables--you can add bacon if you want, or sausage
*red lentil-coconut-carrot-curried soup (a family favorite) with green veggies on the side, and maybe fresh (gluten-free) bread or biscuits
Tonight I made a version of the enchiladas--simple and so delicious, just layers of salsa, corn chips, spinach, ground beef/spicy bechamel sauce (with onions, cumin, garlic, peppers), and green enchilada sauce.
I personally adore making vegan or vegetarian meals--I'm talking lentil loaf, stir-fried tofu, Indian dhal, the works--as a former vegetarian, these are my favorites!!--but my children frequently reject these meals. I try one every couple of weeks, though, just to keep their horizons broadened!