50+ of the Best Vegan Dinner Recipes | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

I love taking traditionally meat-heavy dishes and putting a vegan twist on them with different proteins, spices and flavors. In this round up, you’ll find over 50 of the best vegan dinner recipes to put on your menu ASAP! These delicious, healthy vegan recipes pack plenty of fiber and protein, so I guarantee you won’t be missing the meat. Plus, most of them are drizzled or tossed in some amazing vegan sauces — you might just want to dip your whole life in them. SO GOOD.

These vegan dinner ideas cover pretty much anything you could ever want in a satisfying meal. I divided them into the following:

  • Vegan pasta recipes
  • Meat-free comfort foods (vegan takes on traditional, meat-heavy dishes!)
  • Cozy soups
  • Hearty stews, chilis & curries
  • Flavorful vegan burgers
  • Vegan rice dishes
  • Vegan sandwiches, salads & wraps

Pick a few new vegan favorites to put on your Meatless Monday menu this week! If you make any of these vegan dinners be sure to head to the recipe to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

50+ of the Best Vegan Dinner Recipes | Ambitious Kitchen (1)

Vegan Noodles & Pasta Recipes

Noodles are naturally a good source of protein and fiber (especially whole wheat ones!) but feel free to use gluten free noodles if you’d like, too. Each of these vegan pasta recipes has a flavorful sauce and a boost of veggies, too!

Easy Vegan Mac and Cheese

Kickin’ Vegan Taco Pasta with Sweet Corn

Crispy Broccoli Sweet and Spicy Sesame Tahini Noodles

Vegan Pasta Primavera with Creamy Garlic Cashew Sauce

Creamy Chipotle Sweet Potato Penne Pasta

Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Peas

Vegan Butternut Squash Lasagna with Garlic Tahini Tofu Cream

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Meat-Free Comfort Foods

Your favorite comfort foods like meatloaf, sloppy joes, enchiladas, and even pot pie just got a vegan makeover! These recipes are packing plant-based protein from tofu, beans and other legumes.

Vegan Egg Roll in a Bowl

Mom’s Ultimate Vegetarian Lentil Loaf

The Most Delicious Meatless Black Bean Loaf with Creamy Avocado Verde Sauce

Vegan Butternut Squash Black Bean Enchiladas with Jalapeño Cashew Crema

Vegan Turmeric Pineapple Tofu Kabobs

Vegetarian Slow Cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes over Spaghetti Squash

Healthy Sesame-Orange Ginger Chickpea Stir-Fry

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Cozy Soups

Warm, nourishing soups that are guaranteed to fill you up even without any meat. Enjoy as-is or with your favorite plant-based sides!

Vegan Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup

The Best Minestrone Soup

Easy Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup (using canned tomatoes)

Healing Curry Butternut Squash Lentil Soup (with a slow cooker option!)

Sweet Potato Zoodle Bowls with Golden Turmeric Coconut Milk Sauce

Slow Cooker Taco Lentil Soup

Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

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Hearty Stews, Chilis & Curries

Is there anything better than a warm bowl of chili, curry, or a hearty stew? These recipes are SO nourishing and filled with vegetables and cozy flavors. Plus, you’ll find vegan protein sources like chickpeas. lentils and tofu.

Healing Lemongrass Chickpea Thai Green Curry with Toasted Coconut Brown Rice

Actually, the Best Vegetarian Chili Ever

Creamy Vegan Corn Chowder

Vegan Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

Coconut Curried Sweet Potato and Lentil Stew

Nourishing Yellow Chickpea Pumpkin Curry with Coconut Brown Rice

Thai Peanut Coconut Cauliflower Chickpea Curry

Vegetarian Tofu Cashew Coconut Curry

Vegan Curried Sweet Potato Corn Chowder

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Flavorful Vegan Burgers, Wraps & Sandwiches

Curb those burger and sandwich cravings with your new fav vegan versions! Traditional veggie burgers just got a delicious makeover with wonderful spices and sauces, and you’ll come back to these easy wraps and sandwiches again and again.

Vegan Sweet Potato Burgers

Vegan Curry Chickpea Salad Collard Wraps

Ultimate Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Creamy Tahini Garlic Sauce

Smashed Chickpea Avocado Salad Sandwich with Cranberries + Lemon

Vegetarian Calabacitas Quesadillas

Vegan Pecan Apple Chickpea Salad Wraps

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Vegan Rice Dishes

Gotta love an everything-in-a-bowl meal, especially when it’s packed with amazing flavors. Many of these vegan dishes are inspired by my Puerto Rican mama, and they’re all some of my favs to meal prep.

Mom’s Authentic Puerto Rican Rice and Beans

Vegan Mango Black Bean Green Rice Burrito Bowls

One Pot Vegan Coconut Curried Brown Rice with Tofu

Mama’s Chickpeas in Sofrito with Arroz con Gandules

Vegan Macadamia Coconut Tofu Bowls

Arroz con Gandules (rice with pigeon peas)

Vegan Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl with Orange Sesame Almond Butter Dressing

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Protein-Packed Vegan Salads

No boring salads here! These beautiful plant-based salads are truly a full meal with lots of hearty vegetables and protein. You’ll want to use the variety of dairy free dressings on EVERYTHING.

Curry Roasted Cauliflower Sweet Potato Salad

Spicy Cashew Thai Chickpea Broccoli Salad

Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad

Famous Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad

Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad

Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad

One Pot Moroccan Chickpea Quinoa Salad

Cashew Crunch Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad

Winter Roasted Butternut Squash Black Lentil Salad with Grapes + Arugula

Chopped Thai Chickpea Salad with Curry Peanut Dressing

If you make any of these vegan dinner recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagramso that I can see your creations. Thank you, xo!

This post was originally published on January 16th, 2021, and republished on January 22nd, 2022.

50+ of the Best Vegan Dinner Recipes | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What do vegans eat for breakfast lunch and dinner? ›

Sample meal plan
  • Breakfast: tempeh bacon with sautéed mushrooms, avocado, and wilted arugula.
  • Lunch: whole-grain pasta with lentil “meatballs” and a side salad.
  • Dinner: cauliflower and chickpea tacos with guacamole and pico de gallo.
  • Snacks: air-popped popcorn, kale chips, and trail mix.
Apr 4, 2019

How do vegans accommodate at a dinner party? ›

Make sure you're aware of any allergies ahead of time, so you can prepare dishes suitable for your guests' needs. Speak to your guests a few weeks before the event, and where possible create dishes that are suitable for all, so you avoid having to create different recipes for each person.

What do you serve a vegan guest? ›

The Vegan Guest: How to Feed a Vegan 101
  1. Earth Balance butter spread.
  2. almond, rice or soy milk (original or vanilla is a safe bet)
  3. hummus and guacamole.
  4. chopped veggies and mixed greens.
  5. fruit.
  6. mixed nuts.
  7. squash or sweet potatoes.
  8. soy, almond or coconut yogurt.

What can I cook for my vegan girlfriend? ›

Vegan meal for two recipes
  • Sticky noodles with homemade hoisin. ...
  • Pearled spelt salad with peas & gooseberries. ...
  • Grilled Mediterranean veg with bean mash. ...
  • Miso aubergine. ...
  • Marinated tofu. ...
  • Roasted cauli-broc bowl with tahini hummus. ...
  • Veggie noodles with sesame dressing. ...
  • Pumpkin, spinach & black bean dopiaza.

Where do vegans get protein? ›

Some plant-based foods, such as soybean products, seitan, beans, and lentils contain high amounts of protein. You can also find protein in nuts, whole grains like quinoa and amaranth, and hemp seeds. People following a vegan diet may need to plan in order to reach their daily protein goals.

What is a vegan who eats dairy and eggs? ›

Vegans who consume eggs and dairy products are often referred to as "lacto-ovo vegetarians" or "vegetarian vegans." These individuals choose to exclude meat and fish from their diet, but still consume eggs, dairy, and other animal products.

What sort of foods do most vegans love having? ›

11 Foods Healthy Vegans Eat
  1. Legumes. ...
  2. Nuts, nut butters, and seeds. ...
  3. Hemp, flax, and chia seeds. ...
  4. Tofu and other minimally processed meat substitutes. ...
  5. Calcium-fortified plant milks and yogurts. ...
  6. Seaweed. ...
  7. Nutritional yeast. ...
  8. Sprouted and fermented plant foods.

How do vegans feel full when eating? ›

Dietary fibre: Foods full of dietary fibre - like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds - help promote feelings of fullness. Solid foods: The process of chewing food - and chewing slowly, to boot - helps send fullness cues to your brain, promoting feelings of satiation.

What two groups of ingredients need to be avoided when catering for a vegan? ›

Vegans do not eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products derived from animals (e.g. honey). Seek advice from a dietitian if a vegan diet is requested. Many settings include a vegetarian option as part of their menu every day, as vegetarian diets are relatively common.

Which foods are surprisingly vegan? ›

Top 10 surprising vegan foods
  • Crumpets. This might be an obvious one to some, but a quick poll with our vegan and dairy-free friends shows many mistakenly believe crumpets contained dairy. ...
  • Dark chocolate. Chocoholics assemble! ...
  • Cream crackers. ...
  • (Some) biscuits. ...
  • (Some) crisps. ...
  • Ice Cream. ...
  • Pasta. ...
  • Peanut butter.

How to be vegan when you're broke? ›

Staple vegan foods such as oats, lentils, pasta, rice and chickpeas are among the cheapest foods and are in *a lot* of vegan recipes, so should definitely make an appearance on your list. Oh, and avoid shopping whilst hungry. You're more likely to stray from the plan...

What are people who eat vegan called? ›

Dietary vegans, also known as "strict vegetarians", refrain from consuming meat, eggs, dairy products, and any other animal-derived substances.

What is vegan for beginners? ›

Vegan Diet Basics and How to Get Started

A vegan diet is a plant-based plan that excludes all animal products, like meat, fish, dairy and even honey (because it's made by bees, so it's considered an animal product).

What not to do when going vegan? ›

Vegans don't eat any foods made from animals, including:
  1. Beef, pork, lamb, and other red meat.
  2. Chicken, duck, and other poultry.
  3. Fish or shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels.
  4. Eggs.
  5. Cheese.
  6. Butter.
  7. Milk, cream, ice cream, and other dairy products.
  8. Mayonnaise (because it includes egg yolks)
Nov 3, 2023

Can a non vegan marry a vegan? ›

Put simply, yes. It's something people ALWAYS ask me when they find out I'm in a relationship – 'is he vegan/do you cook vegan together/do you eat vegan at home' etc.

What lunch do vegans eat? ›

Chickpea soup is one of our favorite vegan lunch ideas; it is rich in fiber, plant protein, heart-healthy fats, and antioxidants from rosemary and vegetables. Serve it with a slice of grilled or toasted bread brushed with garlic and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

What does a vegan eat on a typical day? ›

The vegan diet
  • eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.
  • base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible)
  • have some fortified dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks and yoghurts (choose lower-fat and lower-sugar options)

What vegans eat in the morning? ›

Sure, you could rip open a cup of nondairy yogurt or spread a slice of toast with peanut butter and call it a morning. But sometimes, it's worth taking an extra minute to cook an easy vegan breakfast recipe that's totally satisfying. Think overnight oats, crunchy granola, refreshing smoothies, and even chewy bagels.

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