© Photo by Minimalist Baker
Are you seeking some unique and delicious plant-based vegan dinner recipes with tons of fresh veggies and bold, flavorful spices? We’ve got you covered with these 20+ vegan recipes that know how to pack the flavor with the plant-based nutrition you need to upgrade your next dinner.
Whether you’re a long-time vegan or you’re starting a plant-based diet, we’ve got something for everyone! Featuring colorful power bowls, hearty burgers and sandwiches, soul-warming soups, and vibrant salads.
Plus we’ve added recipes that take less than 20 minutes for easy weeknight meals as well as recipes for hosting (and impressing!) friends. Feel free to invite over your non-vegan friends — I guarantee they’ll find these meals just as flavor-packed and exciting as you do!
Ready to give your body variety and your taste buds something new to explore? Here are some plant-based vegan dinner ideas for your next meal…
Veggie Bowl Recipes
1. Crispy Vegan Miso Chickpea Bowls
© Photo by Minimalist Baker
This hearty recipe has a deliciously crunchy, salty taste from the roasted chickpeas – and is both naturally sweet and incredibly savory at the same time. The recipe is surprisingly quick and easy to make while being filling and satisfying. Plus, if you’ve never roasted chickpeas before, it’s an awesome way to get quality plant-based protein into your diet – with a big, bold taste. With 459 calories, 9.9g of protein, 8.8g of fiber, 19.1g of healthy fats, and 64g of healthy carbs, it’s a well-balanced, tasty vegan meal.
Get this Crispy Vegan Miso Chickpea Bowl Recipe here.
2. Veggie Taco Bowls
© Photo by Peas and Crayons
If you didn’t think you could sink your teeth into a juicy, “meat-filled” taco bowl as a plant-based eater, think again! In this recipe, the meat comes from a savory mix of walnuts and cauliflower drenched in spices — and has such a heartiness of taste that you won’t even miss the actual ground beef. This meal is also incredibly versatile. Once you make the meat, rice, black bean salsa, and pico de gallo, you can use it in the taco bowl or for another meal – like regular tacos, nachos, or quesadillas. Enjoy this simple yet delicious recipe on “Taco Tuesday” or any other night of the week!
Get this Veggie Taco Bowl Recipe here.
3. Vegan Buddha Bowl
© Photo by Love & Lemons
This nutrient-packed vegan Buddha Bowl is nutritious, delicious, and colorful! Featuring fresh veggies, beans, sauerkraut, and a tasty turmeric tahini sauce, this recipe needs to find a place at your dinner table as soon as possible. What we love about this recipe is that it is 100% customizable. Don’t like sweet potatoes? Swap in roasted butternut squash, beets, or another vegetable instead. Or boost your protein by adding in black beans, tofu, or tempeh. It only takes 35 minutes to whip up, so you can have a mouth-watering vegan meal ready to go while you use whatever you have in your fridge.
Get this colorful Vegan Buddha Bowl recipe here.
4. Colorful Veggie Sesame Noodles
© Photo by Cookie and Kate
The theme of these bowls is color and we’re coming in with even more of that irresistible color and flavor with this sesame noodle recipe. Perfect as a side dish or add in shelled edamame or crispy baked tofu to make this a protein-packed full meal. Combine your cooked soba noodles or spaghetti noodles of choice with toasted sesame seeds, cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions. Drizzle with tamari, sesame oil, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes for a delicious and easy-to-make plant-based meal.
Get this Colorful Veggie Sesame Noodles recipe here.
Vegan Burgers and Sandwiches
5. Frankies or Bombay burritos (India’s delicious street food!)
© Photo by Feasting At Home
Enjoy the flavorful street food of India right in your home with Frankies, also known as Mumbai Burritos, Bombay Burritos, or roti wraps. This vegan version of a Frankie combines curry mashed potatoes, roasted Indian cauliflower and chickpeas, fresh spinach, Cilantro Mint Chutney, and pickled onions, all wrapped up in a warm tortilla. While this recipe might take some time we promise it’s worth it for a delicious balance of flavors from the toasty warm tortilla to the creamy richness of the potatoes.
Get this vegan Frankie recipe here.
6. Easy Grillable Veggie Burgers
© Photo by Minimalist Baker
With only 10 ingredients and 30 minutes, you can make your own grillable vegan veggie burger! Blend toasted walnuts with spices, sauté the onion, mash up some black beans, and mix with rice, panko bread crumbs, and BBQ sauce, and you’ve got yourself a hearty, simple, and seriously tasty vegan burger. Plus each burger has around 10g of protein, making this a filling and delicious dinner option. Throw it together with a healthy salad and this makes the perfect nutritious meal for summertime grilling.
Get this Grillable Veggie Burger recipe here.
7. Crispy Baked Falafel
© Photo by Love & Lemons
This traditional Middle Eastern dish is a plant-based dieter’s dream, bursting with flavorful herbs and spices and your favorite fixings for the perfect go-to vegan dinner recipe. A popular street food throughout the Middle East and Europe, this falafel dish combines chickpeas, shallot, garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, cilantro, parsley, plenty of spices, and a little bit of baking powder for the perfect shape. And instead of deep-frying your falafel, this recipe opts for the healthier alternative by baking them in the oven instead. This makes the falafel crispy but also less heavy from oils for a more nutritious option. Serve with your favorite diced veggies, tahini sauce, and hummus in a sandwich pita, or mix it in with a salad instead.
Get this Crispy Baked Falafel recipe here.
8. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich
© Photo by Love & Lemons
Get ready to get messy and experience mouthwatering smoky flavor with this BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich recipe. If you’ve never cooked with jackfruit before don't worry! Check out the canned food aisle in your next grocery store visit to find this fruit. It has the same texture as shredded meat, making it the perfect vegan meat substitute for a BBQ sandwich. Simmer some chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, and almost caramelized onion with the jackfruit to create a finger-licking flavor. Perfect on their own or pair it with cabbage slaw or homemade french fries for a flavor-packed plant-based dinner experience.
Get this BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich recipe here.
Vegan Soups
9. Vegan Minestrone Soup
© Photo by From My Bowl
This soul-warming minestrone veggie soup is a great plant-based dinner recipe that’s quick and easy, with only 10 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cook time. It’s the perfect one-pot meal for busy weeknights, or to make during meal prep and store in the freezer for lightning-fast future dinners. The best part about this recipe is that it’s jam-packed with nutritious veggies and works great with any particular leftovers you have in your fridge. Also, the soup includes red kidney beans, which pack almost 9g of protein and 6.4g of fiber in every 3.5-ounce serving.
Get this Vegan Minestrone Soup Recipe here.
10. Spiced Vegan Lentil Soup
© Photo by Cookie and Kate
With over 500 five-star reviews this hearty lentil soup carries the name “The Best Lentil Soup” and we couldn’t agree more. This soup combines your pantry staples with seasonal veggies for an affordable gourmet taste that’s easy to freeze and reheat. Making it the perfect Sunday meal prep staple! Rich in protein, fiber, iron, and folate, lentils are the ultimate vegan ingredient and this recipe is packed full with them plus onion, carrots, tomatoes, collard greens or kale, and plenty of flavorful spices.
Get this Spiced Vegan Lentil Soup recipe here.
11. Vegan Corn Chowder
© Photo by Willyum's Kitchen
Savor this mouth-watering chowder recipe all season long with fresh summer veggies mixed in with the comforting warmth of a nice bowl of soup. Serve as part of a larger meal or all on its own with filling ingredients like chickpeas, sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, and fresh corn from the cob. It’s both dairy-free and gluten-free featuring coconut milk and veggie broth mixed in with the aromatic flavors of turmeric and paprika for a creamy and tasty consistency.
Get this Vegan Corn Chowder recipe here.
Salads
12. Vegan Kale Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
© Photo by Minimalist Baker
Are you craving the perfect salad to add to your simple, plant-based menu this week? Well, you found it, as this highly nutritious recipe has sky-high taste! This garlicky kale salad with crispy chickpeas is a restaurant-quality meal you can make in the comfort of your home in just 30 minutes. In this eye-catching recipe, a creamy roasted garlic tahini dressing pairs nicely with fresh, crisp kale leaves, and crispy tandoori roasted chickpeas. It’s truly a “flavor explosion” and a plant-based dinner recipe you’ll love.
Get this Vegan Kale Salad Recipe with Crispy Chickpeas here.
13. Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Raw Squash and Feta
© Photo by Cookie and Kate
Meet your new favorite twist on a summer salad recipe, featuring couscous and colorful veggies! This Mediterranean-style salad combines zucchini, squash, Israeli couscous (or if you can’t find it, any other small pasta shape will work!), tomatoes, chickpeas, pine nuts, and more. Add on feta cheese for our vegetarians or skip the feta and add on more olives if you’re vegan. It takes 35 minutes to prepare but make sure to refrigerate for 30 minutes after making for the best flavor!
Get this Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Raw Squash and Feta recipe here.
14. Vegan Cobb Salad
© Photo by The Simple Veganista
It’s a hearty California Cobb salad with a plant-based twist! Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, one serving of this 10-minute salad creation has 14g of protein, 15g of fiber, 11g of healthy fats, and only 295 calories. This dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free recipe features vegan bacon, chickpeas, radishes, leafy greens, tomatoes, and a creamy vegan ranch dressing. Perfect for a filling and appetizing meal for those busy days where it’s hard to stay healthy. Plus, if you store the salad and dressing separately you can keep this one in your fridge for up to four to five days, making it a great busy week go-to.
Get this Vegan Cobb Salad recipe here.
Vegan Recipes for Hosting a Dinner Party
15. Vegan Chickpea & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
© Photo by Cupful of Kale
These amazing, truly-flavorful stuffed peppers make the perfect quick weeknight dinner. They are also wonderful if you’re having company over – as they’re both extremely tasty and beautiful to display. But don’t worry, the cooking time is only 30 minutes, so it’s definitely manageable! If you’re unfamiliar with harissa, it’s an African paste made from chilies, garlic, pepper, and spices – which gives it a nice kick. You can even save time by getting the harissa pre-made instead of making your own. With only 247 calories, 9g of protein, 8g of healthy fat, 40g of healthy carbs, and 8g of fiber, it’s a healthy meal for your clean, plant-based diet and lifestyle.
Get this Vegan Chickpea & Quinoa Stuffed Pepper Recipe here.
16. Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
© Photo by The Almond Eater
Next up we have a mouth-watering crispy baked eggplant recipe featuring easy vegan mozzarella cheese layered with classic marinara sauce. Although you need to give yourself an hour to make this one, the recipe is really easy to prepare and results in a delicious (and meatless and cheeseless!) dish ready for serving. Coat your eggplant in a Panko mixture and bake until crispy and make your vegan mozzarella using cashews! Whether you’re making your meal for the week or having friends over, this one will quickly become a must-have staple.
Get this Vegan Eggplant Parmesan recipe here.
17. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce
© Photo by Feasting At Home
Impress your dinner guests with this healthy vegan side dish bursting with Middle Eastern flavors! Not only is it easy and delicious, but it’s also vegan, paleo, and keto-friendly, making it the ultimate plant-based dinner recipe. Keep the cauliflower whole for added drama or slice it into florets for easier roasting and drizzle with olive oil and Zaatar Spice. After roasting in the oven sprinkle with fresh herbs and tahini sauce and voila! You’re ready to enjoy this delicious vegan cauliflower steak with friends. To take things up a notch, we recommend serving with the Crispy Baked Falafel recipe to keep with the Middle Eastern theme!
Get this Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce recipe here.
18. Vegan Pizza
© Photo by Love & Lemons
Invite the gang over for pizza night with this finger-licking vegetable pizza recipe that even your non-vegan friends will enjoy! Featuring creamy cashew sauce, summer veggies, and sun-dried tomatoes, this pizza is loaded with healthy nutrition while also satisfying your greatest pizza cravings. Cover the pizza with all your favorite veggies, roast in the oven, then top with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of savory cashew cream. Add in some jalapeño to bring some extra spice to this pizza party!
Get this Vegan Pizza recipe here.
Quick Vegan Recipes (Under 20 Minutes!)
19. 15-Minute Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry
© Photo by Discovery, Inc.
Looking for quick, easy, and hearty? We’ve got all that and more in this 15-minute Tofu and Vegetable Stir Fry recipe. Even if you’ve never cooked with tofu before, we promise this recipe is easy to follow… and delicious! The spicy Asian marinade brings this dish together featuring ginger, soy sauce, garlic chili sauce, and sesame oil combined with shiitake mushrooms, brown rice, baked tofu, and vegetables of your choice. If you’re going low-carb or keto, you could also sub in cauliflower rice or even zucchini noodles instead of brown rice!
Get this 15-Minute Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry recipe here.
20. Vegan Pesto Pasta
© Photo by BuzzFeed
It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it only takes a few minutes to whip up this Vegan Pesto Pasta recipe! Start by making your pesto with fresh basil, arugula, lemon juice, water, and olive oil. Combine with your favorite pasta for the easiest recipe you’ll ever make that still packs the nutrition! It’s only 392 calories, 11g of protein, 18g of healthy fat, 47g of healthy carbs, and 4g of fiber, making it a healthy plant-based meal for your next busy day!
Get this Vegan Pesto Pasta recipe here.
21. 20-Minute Vegan Mac and Cheese
© Photo by Minimalist Baker
This is the perfect recipe for when you need something easy, comforting, delicious... and you need it right now! This recipe takes 20 minutes from start to finish but without sacrificing amazing flavor or cheating on your vegan diet. Instead of cheese, this recipe uses a creamy and delicious cashew sauce made from cashews, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Blended together this results in a savory, creamy, and vegan cheesy combination that will satisfy all mac-n-cheese cravings and leave you wanting more. Plus one serving has 24g of protein, 25g of healthy fats, 8g of fiber, and only 480 calories.
Get this 20-Minute Vegan Mac and Cheese recipe here.
22. Old School Vegetarian (and Vegan) Tacos
© Photo by Hello Veggie
Spice up your “Taco Tuesday” with this veggie-packed plant-based taco recipe, perfect for a quick weekday dinner. This recipe uses crumbled tempeh as a tasty meat substitute. Then you top it off with all your favorite taco fixings including shredded lettuce, cheese (dairy or vegan), diced tomatoes, olives, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and hot sauce. To give that tempeh some extra flavor marinate with soy sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, and green chiles for an explosion of flavor prepared in less than 15 minutes. To make this recipe vegan swap out the shredded cheese and sour cream for just guacamole and salsa instead!
Get this Old School Vegetarian Tacos recipe here.
Ready to make these yummy plant-based dinner recipes?! Let us know what you’re going to whip up first in the comments, below! For more amazing, extremely tasty recipes for your clean and healthy diet, visit our 310 Nutrition Blog.
