20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious (2024)

If you're trying to eat better—for yourself and for the planet—you'll want to add more plant-based dinner recipes to your diet. We all know that eating more plant-based meals is important, but what, exactly are they? A plant-based diet involves eating vegetables, grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes, which results in many vegan meals. But they can also be vegetarian and include dairy, eggs, and other animal-based foods.

It's surprisingly easy to maintain a plant-based diet. If a vegan lifestyle isn't for you (rest assured, you are not alone!), know that just cutting back on animal-based foods is a great place to start. Prioritize having one or two plant-based meals every week—and use these quick and easy dinner ideas to get started. All of these plant-based dinner recipes can be made in 45 minutes or less.

20 Plant-Based Breakfast Ideas That Will Jumpstart Your Mornings

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Vibrant-Green Broccoli Curry

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Creamy but dairy-free, this comforting tofu-and-broccoli curry uses coconut milk and green curry paste as a shortcut to making a rich sauce. Serve it over brown rice for a hearty dinner.

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One-Pan Pasta

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A fan-favorite, this magical tomato pasta cooks in 20 minutes in one pan and tastes sublime. Even better, you can make it any time of the year, since it's based on always-available cherry tomatoes.

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Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

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Eggplant has a hearty texture that makes it a popular option for plant-based dinners. This revolutionary recipe takes everything you love about eggplant parmesan and turns it into an individual grilled entrée that's ready in 35 minutes.

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04of 20

Chilaquiles Egg Bake

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This plant-based dinner relies on pantry ingredients, so it's a stellar option for those nights when you're short on time and inspiration, and the fridge looks bare. Be sure to stock up on tortilla chips and cans of diced tomatoes and chiles, like Ro-Tel, and always keep eggs on hand so you can make this 35-minute dinner.

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05of 20

Double-Portobello Burgers With Roasted Tomatoes

Anyone who doubts plant-based meals can be filling should try one of these hefty burgers. Two portobello mushroom caps are sandwiched with gooey melted provolone cheese as the patties.

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Pinto-Bean Burgers

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No bun, no problem! These California-style veggie burgers are plenty filling on their own. They're served with roasted red pepper-studded Greek yogurt, toasted almonds, sprouts, and sliced avocado. A squeeze of lemon brightens the whole dish.

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Mushroom Tacos With Charred-Corn Salsa

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These hearty portobello tacos require just over 30 minutes to make and are absolutely delicious to eat. Take this smoky dinner vegan if you like—just skip the sour cream.

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Cheater's Mac and Cheese

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Easy, cheesy, creamy, and quick, there's a lot to love about this comforting pasta dinner that takes just 20 minutes to make. It gets bonus points for adding healthy broccoli to the mix.

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Very Veggie Fried Rice With Eggs

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You'll want to add this recipe to your regular dinner rotation. Not only is it delicious, but it's also versatile—we like to think of it as a use-what-you-find-in-the-crisper-drawer kind of quick meatless meal. Top each portion with a fried egg and enjoy.

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Asparagus-and-Potato Gratin

Don't you love it when a side can easily become dinner? That's the story of this potato gratin with asparagus and prosciutto. It's rich with goat cheese and Pecorino Romano, and you can be sure the whole family will be asking for seconds. To make it vegetarian, leave out of the prosciutto.

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Taco Salad With Sweet-Potatoes

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Don't think salads have dinner appeal? Try this filling vegetarian option. It's packed with black beans, jalapeños, crunchy romaine, roasted sweet potatoes, and plenty of tortilla chips. It comes together in 35 minutes, and if you skip the goat cheese garnish, it's a vegan dinner.

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Tomato-Eggplant Gnocchi

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Here's a one-skillet vegetarian dinner that's hearty but not-too-heavy. What's more, it's simple to make since it stars store-bought gnocchi. They cook atop an eggplant and tomato sauce. Red pepper flakes add a touch of heat that's tempered by a little bit of creamy ricotta.

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Avocado, Salsa, and Cilantro Omelet

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Inspired by huevos rancheros, this omelet is stuffed with creamy avocado, salsa, and plenty of cilantro. We're skipping the cheese tonight for a healthy but flavor-filled meal.

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Creamy Broccoli and Spinach Soup

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Vibrantly colored and velvety textured, this weeknight-friendly broccoli soup gets an extra boost of nutrients from baby spinach and silky sautéed leeks. A drizzle of tangy crème fraîche and a few crunchy pretzel nuggets serve as the finishing touches to this comforting, wholesome bowl.

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Swiss-Chard and Almond Pasta

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When you need a quick pasta dinner but fancy something just a little different, try this spin on spaghetti. It's made with rainbow chard, toasted almonds, and a hint of lemon zest.

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Mezze Salad

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This meatless dinner gathers everyone's favorite Mediterranean foods on one plate. We're talking lemony yogurt, cucumber salad, easy roasted chickpeas, and grape leaves. Make the components ahead and assemble just before dinner.

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Soba With Sweet Potatoes in Miso-Lime Broth

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You'll want to eat this noodle soup again and again once the temperatures start dropping. Bok choy, shiitakes, miso, lime, garlic, and fresh ginger all act as immune-boosters, while sweet potatoes thicken the broth and give it body.

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Rice-and-Bean Salad Bowl With Tahini Sauce

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It's the tahini-and-lemon sauce over a rice and bean salad with sliced red cabbage, avocado, roasted bell pepper, cucumber, and watercress that truly takes this vegan recipe to the next level. (Our recipe calls for making the brown rice in advance, but even if you start from scratch, you can get the whole dish on the table in under an hour.)

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Mushroom Tortellini With Arugula

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Use fresh or frozen cheese tortellini for this vegetarian dinner that's ready in half an hour. It's paired with a mix of sautéed mushrooms and peppery arugula, and finished with cool crème fraîche.

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Beet Noodles With Parsley Pesto and Parmesan

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Your most colorful dinner yet? Cutting beets into thin noodles means you can roast them in just 10 minutes. Pairing the crimson-hued "pasta" with bright-green parsley-walnut pesto makes for a striking presentation and a deliciously healthy meal.

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious (2024)

FAQs

What are examples of plant-based meals? ›

41 Easy Plant-Based Recipes You'll Make Again and Again
  • Green Bean Pasta with Cashew Pesto. ...
  • Thai Rice Salad Bowls. ...
  • Tex-Mex Pita Pizzas. ...
  • Chickpea Flour Pizza Crust (Gluten-Free), Plus Topping Ideas. ...
  • Sneaky Chickpea Burgers. ...
  • Lentil Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Kale Arrabbiata-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. ...
  • Hearty Vegan Red Bean Chili.
Oct 31, 2022

How do you make plant-based eating easy? ›

Start by experimenting with plant-based foods that taste and look familiar, rather than jumping to unfamiliar ingredients and dishes. If you like cereal for breakfast, switch to a plant-based milk. If you like chili for lunch, use your usual recipe but just stick with beans or swap in a ground beef substitute.

What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

What could 30 plant points look like?
  • Green beans.
  • Beetroot.
  • Rocket.
  • Sweet potato.
  • Courgettes.
  • Carrots.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Red pepper.
Mar 3, 2023

What are 5 plant-based foods? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier! Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber.

What is the cheapest food to make at home? ›

65 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Sweet Potato And Black Bean Burritos. tasty.co. ...
  • Barbecue Beer Can Chicken. tasty.co. ...
  • Zucchini Noodles with Kale Pesto. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Chicken Alfredo Penne. ...
  • Avocado Quinoa Power Salad. ...
  • Tofu Scramble. ...
  • Egg Pizza With Scallions.
Dec 21, 2023

What cooks food really fast? ›

  • Air Fryer. Air fryers were the must-have appliance a few years ago because they could cook french fries, wings and cheese sticks with less fat. ...
  • Instant Pot. Instant Pots have been an essential kitchen appliance for about a decade. ...
  • Toaster Oven. ...
  • Food Processor. ...
  • Slow-Cooker. ...
  • Stand Mixer. ...
  • Chef's Knife.
Nov 1, 2022

What happens if you only eat plant-based food? ›

Plants are high in fiber.

Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it's great for good bowel management.

Can you eat pasta on a plant-based diet? ›

Yes, pasta can be part of a vegan diet. Traditional pasta is typically made from wheat flour and water, and these ingredients are plant-based and considered vegan. However, when choosing pasta, it's essential to check the ingredients label to ensure there are no added non-vegan components, such as eggs.

Can you eat rice on a plant-based diet? ›

While most people equate protein with meat, dairy, and eggs, many plant foods contain high amounts of protein as well. Brown rice, quinoa, beans, and legumes can be added as part of a plant-based diet to ensure adequate intake of all essential amino acids.

What to cook for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What to cook when you have almost nothing? ›

15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
  1. Buttery, gooey grilled cheese. ...
  2. PB&J because duh. ...
  3. Tuna melt tostadas. ...
  4. Pancakes! ...
  5. Scrambled eggs. ...
  6. Waffles. ...
  7. A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal. ...
  8. Spaghetti carbonara.
Apr 28, 2020

What are the most common plant-based foods? ›

List of Whole-Food, Plant-Based Foods
  • Nuts and seeds.
  • Starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, squash, and peas.
  • Fruits such as berries, apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, figs, bananas, and kiwi.
  • Whole grains such as oatmeal, buckwheat, quinoa, and rice.
  • Legumes such as chickpeas, beans, and lentils.

Can you eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

In other words, plants were paired with protein sources, like eggs, to make a nutritious and well rounded meal. Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

Can you eat chicken on a plant-based diet? ›

There are a lot of great plant-based protein sources, including tofu, lentils, beans, nuts and nut butters, seeds, and quinoa. Don't forget: Dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, and fish are allowed on the plant-based diet, they just shouldn't be the center of the meal.

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