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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02of 20

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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03of 20

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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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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06of 20

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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08of 20

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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09of 20

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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10of 20

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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17of 20

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 to make for dinner when you have no clue what to make? ›

30 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make
  1. Fajita Parchment-Baked Chicken. tasty.co. ...
  2. The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast. tasty.co. ...
  3. Veggie Garlic Noodles. tasty.co. ...
  4. Chicken & Biscuit Bake. tasty.co. ...
  5. Taco Soup. tasty.co. ...
  6. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  7. Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry. ...
  8. Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas.
Apr 19, 2023

What to make for dinner when you don't have much food? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  1. 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  2. 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  3. 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  4. 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  5. 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  6. 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What foods can you eat on a plant-based diet? ›

This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn't mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy. Rather, you are proportionately choosing more of your foods from plant sources.

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 eat when you are sick of everything? ›

WHAT TO EAT FOR DINNER WHEN YOU LACK INSPIRATION OR DON'T FEEL LIKE EATING
  • Homemade queso + chips.
  • Popcorn. ...
  • Eggs on or with toast.
  • Omelet – very accommodating to whatever you might have in the fridge!
  • Grilled cheese and soup. ...
  • Cereal. ...
  • One skillet meals like rice, chicken and veggies.
  • Pesto pasta.
May 27, 2020

How to eat when you are broke? ›

  1. Apples. “Apples are an affordable, nutritious fruit to purchase year-round. ...
  2. Bananas. ...
  3. Beans. ...
  4. Brown Rice. ...
  5. Chicken. ...
  6. Corn Tortillas. ...
  7. Eggs. ...
  8. Flour.
Jan 16, 2024

How can I eat large amounts of food without feeling full? ›

How To Eat More Food Without Feeling Full
  1. Slow Down and savor each bite. ...
  2. Choose high-volume, low-calorie foods. ...
  3. Opt for smaller, more frequent meals. ...
  4. Pay attention to your body's hunger and fullness cues. ...
  5. Practice mindful eating. ...
  6. Stay hydrated.

What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...

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.

Is peanut butter OK on a plant-based diet? ›

Plant Protein

Anyone can follow plant- based eating. Peanuts and peanut butter is one of the most powerful plant foods that have a perfect balance of calories and nutrients. They are a food that has a lot of nutrients to offer, with the majority of calories coming from those good nutrients.

What cooks food quickly? ›

  • 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 cooks food the fastest? ›

One of the best ways to prepare food faster is to invest in induction cooking. This is the most efficient way to prepare meals and is quicker than gas or electric options.

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