Easy Plant-Based Dinners: 15 Recipes Your Family Will Love

In today’s fast-paced world, preparing family dinners can often feel like a daunting task. However, with a plant-based diet gaining popularity, it’s easier than ever to whip up delicious, nutritious meals that everyone will love. Not only are these recipes healthy, but they can also be made in 30 minutes or less, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Below are 15 easy plant-based dinner recipes that your family is sure to enjoy.

1. One-Pot Vegan Chili

This hearty chili is packed with protein from beans and filled with flavorful spices. It’s simple, filling, and can be made in just one pot!

Ingredients:

• • 1 tbsp olive oil

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 bell pepper, chopped

• • 2 carrots, diced

• • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

• • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• • 2 cups vegetable broth

• • 1 tbsp chili powder

• • 1 tsp cumin

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes).

1. 1. Add garlic and bell pepper, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.

1. 1. Stir in carrots, diced tomatoes, beans, vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Adjust seasoning before serving.

2. Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This easy salad sandwich is packed with flavor and makes for a perfect lunch or dinner option. It’s easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite veggies.

Ingredients:

• • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• • 1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise

• • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

• • 1 stalk celery, chopped

• • 1/4 red onion, chopped

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Bread of your choice

• • Lettuce and tomato for serving

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large bowl, mash chickpeas with a fork, leaving some chunks for texture.

1. 1. Add vegan mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, celery, and onion. Mix well.

1. 1. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on bread with lettuce and tomato.

3. Easy Vegetable Stir-Fry

This quick stir-fry is perfect for any night of the week! It’s colorful, nutritious, and can be served over rice or noodles.

Ingredients:

• • 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell pepper, snap peas, carrots)

• • 2 tbsp soy sauce

• • 1 tbsp sesame oil

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 tsp ginger, minced

• • Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat.

1. 1. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

1. 1. Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until tender.

1. 1. Pour in soy sauce and stir to coat. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

4. Vegan Tacos

These delicious tacos are packed with flavor and can be easily customized with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients:

• • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• • 1 tsp chili powder

• • 1/2 tsp cumin

• • Small corn or flour tortillas

• • Avocado, salsa, and cilantro for topping

Instructions:

1. 1. In a skillet, combine black beans, chili powder, and cumin over medium heat. Cook until heated through.

1. 1. Warm tortillas and fill with the black bean mixture.

1. 1. Add avocado, salsa, and cilantro on top before serving.

5. Creamy Vegan Pasta

This rich and creamy pasta recipe uses cashews to create a luxurious sauce that’s dairy-free and delicious.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup cashews (soaked in water for 2-4 hours)

• • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast

• • 1 garlic clove

• • 1 tbsp lemon juice

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • 8 oz pasta of choice

• • Fresh spinach or other veggies (optional)

Instructions:

1. 1. In a blender, combine soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.

1. 1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.

1. 1. Combine cooked pasta with the creamy sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.

1. 1. Add spinach or other veggies, heating through and serving immediately.

6. Lentil Vegetable Soup

This nourishing soup is perfect for cooler evenings. It’s packed with protein and fiber from lentils and can be made in a matter of minutes.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup lentils (any color)

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 carrots, diced

• • 2 stalks celery, diced

• • 4 cups vegetable broth

• • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

• • 1 tsp thyme

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened (about 5 minutes).

1. 1. Add lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.

7. Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl

This protein-packed bowl is perfect for meal prep. It’s easy to assemble and can be topped with your favorite veggies.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

• • 2 cups vegetable broth or water

• • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• • 1 bell pepper, diced

• • 1 avocado, diced

• • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

• • Juice of 1 lime

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a medium pot, combine quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover, cooking for 15 minutes.

1. 1. Fluff quinoa with a fork, and mix in black beans, bell pepper, avocado, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are a fun and colorful meal that can be made with a variety of fillings. This one features quinoa, black beans, and veggies.

Ingredients:

• • 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed

• • 1 cup cooked quinoa

• • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• • 1 cup corn

• • 1 tsp cumin

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • 1 cup salsa (for topping)

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

1. 1. In a bowl, mix cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, cumin, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Stuff each bell pepper with the mixture and place in a baking dish.

1. 1. Pour salsa over the stuffed peppers and cover with foil. Bake for 30-35 minutes until peppers are tender.

9. Creamy Tomato Basil Risotto

This creamy risotto is comforting and satisfying, making it perfect for a family dinner. It features fresh tomatoes and fragrant basil.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup Arborio rice

• • 4 cups vegetable broth

• • 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes

• • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, heat vegetable broth until simmering; keep warm.

1. 1. In a separate saucepan, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add Arborio rice, stirring to coat.

1. 1. Gradually add warmed vegetable broth, one ladle at a time, stirring frequently until rice is creamy and tender.

1. 1. Stir in crushed tomatoes, nutritional yeast, basil, salt, and pepper before serving.

10. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

These enchiladas are packed with flavor and nutrition, featuring sweet potatoes and black beans wrapped in corn tortillas.

Ingredients:

• • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

• • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• • 8 corn tortillas

• • 1 can (15 oz) enchilada sauce

• • 1 tsp cumin

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil sweet potatoes until tender, about 10 minutes; drain.

1. 1. In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, black beans, cumin, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Fill each tortilla with the mixture, roll up, and place in a baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over the top.

1. 1. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until heated through and slightly bubbly.

11. Vegetable and Chickpea Curry

This warm and comforting curry is easy to prepare and can be adjusted for spiciness. Serve with rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• • 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk

• • 1 tbsp curry powder

• • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)

• • 1 onion, chopped

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, sauté onions until translucent. Add mixed vegetables and cook for 3-5 minutes.

1. 1. Stir in chickpeas, coconut milk, and curry powder. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

1. 1. Serve over rice.

12. BBQ Cauliflower Tacos

These tacos use roasted cauliflower tossed in BBQ sauce for a unique and flavorful twist.

Ingredients:

• • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

• • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

• • Small tortillas

• • Coleslaw mix for topping

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss cauliflower with BBQ sauce and spread on a baking sheet.

1. 1. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and tender.

1. 1. Serve in tortillas topped with coleslaw mix.

13. Spinach and Vegan Ricotta Stuffed Shells

These stuffed pasta shells are filled with a creamy vegan ricotta made from cashews and spinach, offering a delicious family meal.

Ingredients:

• • 12 jumbo pasta shells

• • 1 cup cashews, soaked and drained

• • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

• • 2 cups spinach, chopped

• • 1 jar marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. 1. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions; drain and set aside.

1. 1. In a blender, combine cashews, nutritional yeast, and spinach. Blend until creamy.

1. 1. Stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture and arrange in a baking dish. Pour marinara sauce on top.

1. 1. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until heated through.

14. Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff

This creamy stroganoff is perfect for mushroom lovers. It can be served over pasta or rice for a comforting meal.

Ingredients:

• • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 cup vegetable broth

• • 1/2 cup coconut milk

• • 1 tbsp soy sauce

• • 8 oz pasta of choice

Instructions:

1. 1. In a skillet, sauté onions and garlic until soft. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.

1. 1. Stir in vegetable broth, coconut milk, and soy sauce. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

1. 1. Cook pasta according to package directions and combine with the mushroom mixture.

15. Vegan Buddha Bowl

This colorful bowl is not only nutritious but also visually appealing. It can be packed with grains, veggies, and a tasty dressing.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa

• • 1 cup mixed greens

• • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• • 1/2 avocado, sliced

• • 1/4 cup hummus

• • Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for dressing

Instructions:

1. 1. In a bowl, layer cooked rice or quinoa, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and avocado.

1. 1. Add a scoop of hummus on top. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Conclusion

Preparing plant-based dinners can be easy and enjoyable with the right recipes. These 15 dishes are sure to please your family, providing delicious flavors and nourishing ingredients. Whether you’re incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet or looking for new options, these recipes are adaptable and can be customized to suit your tastes. Try them out during your next family dinner and watch as your loved ones enjoy every bite!

FAQs

1. Are plant-based dinners suitable for kids?

Absolutely! Many plant-based dishes are filled with flavors and textures that kids enjoy. Recipes like tacos, chili, and pasta can be easily adapted to please young palates.

2. Can I prepare these meals ahead of time?

Yes! Many of these recipes can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer. Dishes like soups, casseroles, and grain bowls hold up well when reheated.

3. What can I substitute for common allergens in these recipes?

For nut allergies, consider using sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of nut-based ingredients. To replace gluten, use gluten-free pasta or grains. Always check ingredient labels to ensure safety.

4. How do I meal prep with these recipes?

Choose a few recipes to prepare at the beginning of the week. Cook larger batches and divide them into containers for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week.

5. How can I get my family to try more plant-based meals?

Start by incorporating plant-based versions of their favorite meals. Get creative with flavors and presentations. Engaging family members in the cooking process can also pique their interest in trying new dishes.