Whole Food Plant Based Diet Dinner
We'll do the thinking for you - we have a full list of easy, plant-based recipes that both the kids and the adults (or the solo folks) will enjoy. From vegan nuggets to cozy stews! These are the meatless meals you need to have in rotation.
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I remember when I first started experimenting with plant-based recipes, I had no idea where to start. How can I have a complete meal without the no-veg protein?
That's when I had to start to think outside the box. Or better yet, the things I can add to my dinner plate, rather eliminate.
The good news is that there is a wide range of plant-based recipe ideas that are affordable, easy, and plant-based. Including the things you might already be eating, namely, spaghetti, vegan pizza, loaded potatoes, and vegetable stews.
And you might already be working with everyday pantry ingredients that are vegetarian including lentils, beans, rice, quinoa, and spices.
It will take some time, creativity, and a little bit of cooking skill – but I promise it's approachable to switch to a plant-based diet, especially for those nighttime meals.
What Are Plant-Based Foods?
Plant-based foods are those that derive from plants. Vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds are all examples of plant-based foods.
A plant-based diet consists mostly or entirely of plant-based foods, some of which may be minimally processed. It can be a balanced, wholesome, and nutritionally generous diet when done right.
Additionally, it's a delicious and healthy way of eating that can be approachable and affordable with a little bit of planning.
Here are 21 delicious plant-based recipes for dinner that can be paired with your favorite sides. Very easy recipes, so they are perfect for plant-based beginners!
Not sure how to make your breakfast plant-based and healthy? Check out our 18 Frugal Plant-Based Breakfast Recipes.
Habichuelas Guisadas From Scratch
A savory, Puerto Rican stew called "habichuelas guisadas" also known as a pink/red bean stew. Made from dry beans and from scratch. Served with rice, sliced avocado, and a protein.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: To make habichuelas guisadas a complete meal, pair it with white rice, plantains, and sliced avocado. For the plantains, either go for salty "tostones" or sweet "maduros," which can be fried or baked for a healthier version.
Black Bean Tofu Burger Recipe
Protein-packed, healthy plant-based burgers made with tofu, black beans, and mushrooms. A kid-friendly burger that's great for a weekday dinner meal. Gluten-free, vegan, and healthy.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Dress up your burger with your favorite items. Just like regular burgers, we can add onions, tomatoes, pickles, our favorite sauces, and a slice of vegan, melted cheese.
20-Minute Black Bean Soup
Get your bellies ready – this 20-minute black bean soup recipe is perfectly tender, slightly smoky, with layers of umami from reserved black bean sauce, and spices.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Serve your black beans soup with a dollop of cool cashew cream.
Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Crispy, tender, and packed with flavor. These crispy buffalo cualiflower wings are a great party snack, or as a kid-friendly meal. Pile up those plate with these spicy and savory wings that'll satisfy vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Buffalo cauliflower wings go perfectly with a side of cool vegan ranch, celery, and some fries. It's a kid-friendly meal that even that adults can get behind. Not a fan of cauliflower? Go for a flavor-packed pile of bang-bang broccoli.
20-Minute Chipotle Sofritas
A flavor-packed sofritas recipe that's inspired by Chipotle's version of the dish. Made with adobo sauce, fresh homemade sofrito, and "meaty" firm tofu. A great dish to add with rice, tacos, burritos or a salad.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: This Chipotle-inspired sofritas dish is just as versatile as what you get from the restaurant. Go for a burrito, taco, salad, or rice bowl – the choice is yours. Add all of your favorite toppings and sides and you have a full meal.
Cannellini Bean Veggie Burger
A delicious and easy cannellini bean veggie burger made with affordable, pantry-friendly ingredients. This burger is vegan, gluten-free, eggless, and cooked up in just 10 minutes.
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Creamy Rigatoni With Sofrito Avocado Sauce
Quick and easy, creamy rigatoni pasta gently tossed in avocado and fragrant sofrito sauce. Made with a Puerto Rican twist, using adobo. A delicious dinner recipe that's perfect for a busy weekday summer night.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Nothing beats a big bowl of cozy vegetable soup with Puerto Rican spices! My favorite way of having this soup is with a side of quick and easy flatbread.
Vegan Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
A creamy, savory, rich vegan "butter chicken" recipe made with tofu. This recipe is 100% meat-free and packed with insane flavor. Pair this dish with rice, naan, or roti.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: If you're missing Indian food, good news, you can still have it! This "butter chicken" recipe goes perfectly with a side of naan, roti, rice, or some raw onions. You won't need anything else. Top it off with coconut or cashew cream.
Vegan Carne Guisada (Meatless "Beef" Stew)
A Puerto Rican classic, turned vegan! A plant-based, vegan beef stew, also known as "carne guisada." Made with mushrooms caps, carrots, olives, and spices.
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Oil-Free Vegan Fried Rice
A delicious, oil-free healthy vegan fried rice recipe loaded with your favorite veggies along with tofu scramble!
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: This oil-free "fried" rice is the perfect opportunity to throw in your favorite vegetables that need to get used up. Feel free to make this dish a little more interesting by adding corn, edamame, or even green beans.
Extra-Crispy Baked Tofu Nuggets
Extra-crispy and crunchy baked tofu nuggets, coated and seasoned with panko and Italian breadcrumbs.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Finger foods for dinner is always a great idea. Pair these bad boys with a side of fries or vegan mac and cheese. Choose any dip you like, including ranch, BBQ, or dijon mustard.
Tomato Braised Mushroom
If you're looking for flavor – you came to the right place. This tomato braised mushroom recipe is cooked until golden and then simmered in an umami-packed tomato sauce.
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Smoky Vegan Mac and Cheese
Get your spoons ready and dig into this smoky vegan mac and cheese. It's a healthy, oil-free alternative that's kid-friendly and out-of-this world good!
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How To Cook Dry Black Beans (No Soak)
Time to put those dry black beans to work! Here's an easy way on how to cook dry beans from scratch – no soaking needed. These beans are packed with plant-based fiber, protein and they're EASY to make.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Dry beans are ridiculously easy to make, they just need a little bit of time. I love pairing these beans with a side of white rice and steamed vegetables.
Vegan Palak "Paneer" With Tofu
Flavor-packed vegan palak "paneer" made with tofu, spinach, and Indian spices. A healthy dish that is best served with naan, roti, or a side of rice.
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Vegetarian Tofu Bean Chili
The BEST vegetarian tofu bean chili. This classic, comfort dish is made with tender tofu, creamy beans, rich tomato sauce, and a blend of pantry-friendly spices.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Chili is cozy any time of the year – whether it's for game day, winter, or to use as a topping for summer veggie hot dogs. I like to keep things traditional and add a side of homemade cornbread.
Vegan Picadillo
Meatless ground "beef" simmered in a tomato sauce with sazon seasoning, homemade sofrito, and russet potatoes. It's a popular Puerto Rican side dish turned plant-based.
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Spring Vegetable Fried Rice
Easy, 10-minute, vegan spring vegetable fried rice! A healthy, springtime recipe loaded with seasonal vegetables. Serve as a side dish or as the main meal.
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Stovetop Vegan Tofu Meatballs
Sometimes, a classic, cozy dinner recipe is everything we need at the end of a long day. We're going plant-based for our homemade vegan tofu meatballsrecipe to accompany our piled-up spaghetti.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: The only thing you need to make this recipe complete is a pile of spaghetti and tomato pasta sauce.
20-Minute Thai-Style Vegetable Red Curry
Flavor-packed, Thai-style vegetable red curry made with sweet red bell pepper, broccoli, and tender potatoes. Cooked in just 20 minutes! Serve with a side of jasmin rice or roti.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Make this dish complete with a side of white jasmine rice or flatbread.
Arroz Con Gandules (Puerto Rican Yellow Rice)
Arroz con gandules or Puerto Rican yellow rice with gandules is a Puerto Rican staple made with pigeon peas, long-grain rice, sofrito, sazon, adobo, tomato sauce, and sometimes Spanish green olives. It's a Puerto Rican dinner staple that is served with most meals.
Make This Recipe
DINNER TIP: Puerto Rican yellow rice is typically paired with ripe avocado, plantains, and meat. But to keeps vegan, go for a side of sofritas or vegan picadillo mentioned in this list.
There you have it – 21 plant-based dinner ideas that'll make everyone at home asking for seconds!
Did you try any of the recipes on the list?
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Whole Food Plant Based Diet Dinner
Source: https://plantbasedandbroke.com/11-easy-plant-based-dinner-ideas/