Simple Vegan Recipes
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What do vegans eat for dinner?

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Looking for easy, crowd-pleasing vegan dinner recipes? Choose from casseroles, tacos, air fryer and Instant Pot meals and MORE!

image collage showing easy vegan dinner recipes: air fryer stir fry, quesadillas, lentil loaf, and a mashed potato bowl

One of the most common questions I get is what vegans eat for dinner. This post answers that question with tons of delicious options!

Check out the table of contents, so you can jump right to the category of recipe that's speaking to you! Or browse through everything to see what jumps out.

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Easy vegan dinner recipes

Think about your weekly routine. What are the dinners that you turn to when you're in a hurry? One way to make the leap to veganism easier is to find vegan equivalents to those dishes.

When you go vegan, you need to re-imagine your plate. That also means rethinking those go-to meals. Having vegan dinner recipes on hand makes that so much easier.

That can be tricky to figure out, and this list will help!

Bowl meals

Bowl meals are great, because you can mix and match to use what you have. Make these vegan bowl dinners as-is or raid your fridge and pantry for substitutions to make them your own.

Tofu Sushi Bowl Recipe
Gingery tofu, fresh veggies, and creamy avocado make this tofu sushi bowl totally addictive. And it's so easy to make!
Get the recipe!
tofu sushi bowl with fresh veggies, pickled ginger, and sesame seeds on a marble table
Roasted tofu and broccoli bowl
Roasted tofu and broccoli over hearty quinoa is a super easy, super healthy, and super satisfying sheet pan meal.
Get the recipe!
quinoa bowl with roasted tofu and broccoli topped with pesto and tomatoes
BBQ tofu bowl recipe
Sticky baked bbq tofu is the star of this flavor-packed vegan BBQ tofu bowl with creamy mashed potatoes and lemony kale. It's an easy, crowd-pleasy plant-based meal!
Get the recipe!
bbq tofu bowl with mashed potatoes and kale

Tacos

Tacos are such an easy vegan dinner, and like bowl meals, they tend to be very flexible. Try these easy tacos recipes!

Avocado Tacos
Crispy avocado tacos are loaded with hearty corn and bean salad and creamy, vegan sriracha mayo. They're a deliciously easy weeknight meal.
Get the recipe!
avocado tacos with spicy mayo on a white platter
Buffalo tofu tacos recipe
Crunchy, spicy, tangy tofu and creamy broccoli slaw combine to make the ultimate buffalo tofu tacos! Make the tofu in the oven or in the air fryer.
Get the recipe!
crunchy buffalo tofu tacos in a taco holder on a white plate
Plantain tacos with quick pickled onion
Sweet, tender maduros with tangy pickled onions, earthy black beans, and creamy avocado. These plantain tacos are a flavor explosion!
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close-up of plantain tacos with red onion, black beans, and sliced avocado. Grape tomatoes on the side
Buffalo cauliflower tacos recipe
Crunchy buffalo cauliflower is the star of these decadent cauliflower tacos topped with avocado, cilantro, and velvety garlic cashew crema!
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hand picking up a taco from a plate of buffalo cauliflower tacos
Mango Tacos
Hearty black beans, creamy avocado, and flavorful mango salsa combine to make the best mango tacos! 
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mango tacos with black beans, avocado, cilantro, and vegan sour cream on a white plate

Soups

I love a hearty bowl of soup for dinner! Serve with some crusty bread and vegan butter, and you've got an easy, cozy meal in a flash.

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup
Rich and creamy pumpkin black bean soup with coconut milk and ginger will warm you from the inside out. And it's incredibly easy to make!
Get the recipe!
hand dipping buttered toast into a bowl of pumpkin black bean soup
Dairy-Free Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
Creamy, dairy-free butternut squash soup is seriously the BEST! Sauteed collards make this classic comfort food heartier and healthier.
Get the recipe!
bowl of creamy, dairy-free butternut squash soup topped with greens
Creamy eggplant tomato soup recipe
Rich, creamy eggplant tomato soup with plenty of fresh basil and garlic is a cozy, one-pot bowl of comfort that you are going to love!
Get the recipe!
bowls of Eggplant Tomato Soup on a blue table

Salads

Vegans don't only eat salads, but a salad can be a super easy dinner, when you're craving something healthy!

Serve these as the main dish or pair them with your favorite plant-based protein.

Kale and Broccoli Salad Recipe
Kale and broccoli salad with sweet cranberries and crunchy macadamia nuts in sweet balsamic dressing is a perfect side dish that comes together in minutes!
Get the recipe!
kale and broccoli salad with cranberries and macadamia nuts in a white bowl on tea towel
Vegan Wedge Salad
This is seriously the best vegan wedge salad I've ever had. It's got roasted beets and homemade pumpernickel croutons, zesty Russian dressing and savory pickled onions.
Get the recipe!
vegan wedge salad with croutons, pickled onions, bacon, and creamy dressing on a white plate
Crispy Fried Tofu Salad Recipe
Fried tofu salad with fresh strawberry and avocado is an easy spring or summer meal. You're going to be seriously obsessed with this crispy tofu salad!
Get the recipe!
crispy tofu salad in with strawberries and avocado in a white bowl
Quinoa salad with cranberries and citrus dressing recipe
Citrus quinoa salad with cranberries and avocado is a perfect side dish or make-ahead lunch! It's all about the sweet-tart citrus dressing.
Get the recipe!
bowl of citrus quinoa salad with cranberries, cashews, and avocado

Casseroles

Looking for vegan comfort food? Look no further than these plant-based casseroles.

Tofu Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Rich, flavorful tofu shepherd's pie combines traditional elements with a dash of greens and toothsome tofu. It's deliciously hearty and one of my family's favorite meals!
Get the recipe!
spoon serving tofu shepherd's pie from the pot
Vegan Tater Tot casserole
Cheesy, hearty vegan tater tot casserole is totally addictive. This meat-free hotdish is packed with beans and veggies in a cheesy sauce!
Get the recipe!
overhead photo of vegan tater tot casserole in a Dutch oven
Vegan baked macaroni and cheese recipe
Old-fashioned, Vegan Baked Macaroni and Cheese made from scratch is a family favorite: rich, creamy, decadent, and perfect with a side of air fryer tofu and your favorite greens.
Get the recipe!
overhead photo of a bowl of vegan baked macaroni and cheese

Vegan air fryer dinners

Fire up your air fryer for these easy vegan dinner recipes!

Air fryer stir fry with veggies and tofu
This air fryer stir fry is packed with flavor and is so easy to make! The magic is in the 5-minute blender stir fry sauce.
Get the recipe!
air fryer stir fry on a white plate with rice
Air fryer fajitas
Vegan air fryer fajitas are easy to make and such a crowd-pleaser! Packed with veggies and tofu, they're a simple, weeknight dinner.
Get the recipe!
air fryer fajitas on a plate
Air fryer falafel recipe
Flavorful air fryer falafel is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfect on salads or stuffed into a pita.
Get the recipe!
green salad topped with air fryer falafel

Instant Pot Dinners

Bust out your Instant Pot for an easy dinner that takes very little active cooking.

Vegan Instant Pot Risotto Recipe
Creamy vegan Instant Pot risotto is packed with veggies and flavor and is a snap to make! It's a one-pot meal that the whole family loves.
Get the recipe!
wooden spoon full of vegan risotto over an Instant Pot
Creamy vegan Instant Pot pasta
Tender pieces of penne in tomato basil cream sauce cooks up like a dream in your Instant Pot! This vegan Instant Pot Pasta recipe is bursting with flavor!
Get the recipe!
overhead photo of instant pot pasta in creamy sauce with tomatoes and spinach
Vegan Beef Stew
Cozy vegan beef stew with tender carrots and potatoes is super simple to make in the Instant Pot or on the stove. This beefless stew is a quick, easy, one-pot vegan dinner that you are going to love!
Get the recipe!
bowl of vegan beef stew on a white table
Vegan Chicken Stew
Y'all, my family can't get enough of this Vegan Chicken Stew. It's packed with veggies, beans, and hearty potatoes and is so simple to make in the Instant Pot or on the stove.
Get the recipe!
Instant Pot Chili with Canned Beans and Tofu
Instant Pot Chili with Canned Beans and Tofu is one of my family's favorite meals, and it's so, so easy to make!
Get the recipe!
Instant Pot Chili with Canned Beans and Tofu is one of my family's favorite meals, and it's so, so easy to make!

Pasta

Pasta is such an easy meal, and it's so simple to make pasta recipes that are vegan! These are some of my favorite easy vegan pasta dishes.

Vegan pesto tofu pasta
Flavor-packed vegan pesto tofu pasta is a total crowd pleaser and so easy to make! It's an easy and satisfying weeknight meal.
Get the recipe!
white ceramic bowl with pesto tofu pasta topped with fairy dust and minced basil
One-pot creamy vegan pasta bake
My family is obsessed with this rich and creamy vegan pasta bake with tender pieces of melt-in-your-mouth spinach. I can't wait for you to try it!
Get the recipe!
A Dutch oven with Pasta and spinach in a creamy sauce
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Pasta Recipe
Creamy vegan spinach artichoke pasta is a 30-minute, one-pot meal. If you like spinach artichoke dip, you'll love this pasta!
Get the recipe!
vegan spinach artichoke pasta in a pot
Lazy vegan sun dried tomato pasta
This vegan sun dried tomato pasta is my weeknight special. It's packed with flavor but requires very little effort to prepare. If you can boil water, you can make this plant-based meal!
Get the recipe!
sun dried tomato pasta topped with crushed red pepper and vegan Parmesan cheese
Vegan Red Pepper Pesto
Flavorful, veggie-packed vegan red pepper pesto comes together in the time it takes your pasta to boil. It's a totally addictive vegan pasta sauce!
Get the recipe!
bowl of red pepper pesto pasta with spinach and black olives
Vegan Baked Ziti Recipe
This delicious, cheesy vegan baked ziti with sausage 'mushrooms' is a hearty, cozy dinner that your family is going to love!
Get the recipe!
vegan baked ziti on a plate with a fork

Fan and family favorites

These recipes didn't fit into any of the above categories, but they are family and reader favorites that I couldn't leave out!

Quinoa Lentil Meatloaf Recipe
A hearty baked quinoa and lentil meatloaf smothered in sweet ketchup glaze is the easy dinner you need! This recipe is easy to make and a total crowd-pleaser!
Get the recipe!
sliced lentil meatloaf, so you can see the texture of the inside
Baked Vegan Quesadilla Recipe
Baked vegan quesadillas packed with black beans, corn, spinach, and creamy homemade queso are an easy, crowd-pleasing plant-based meal.
Get the recipe!
a stack of vegan quesadillas with beans and corn on a white plate
Baked tofu fajitas
Baked tofu fajitas are a flavorful and easy hands-off meal that's perfect for busy weeknight cooking. They only take an hour from chop to finish.
Get the recipe!
hand picking up tofu fajitas in a tortilla
Vegan Bean Chili Recipe
My family is obsessed with this flavor-packed, super-easy vegan bean chili! You can use any canned beans you like to make it. 
Get the recipe!
vegan bean chili topped with vegan sour cream, green onion, and jalapeno in a white bowl on a marble table
Vegan Taquitos Recipe
Vegan taquitos stuffed with creamy, smoky black beans are an easy-to-make plant-based entree. Bake or air fry them!
Get the recipe!
blue plate of air fryer taquitos topped with avocado salad
Vegan Quiche Lorraine Recipe
Vegan quiche Lorraine is rich, decadent, and flavorful. Packed with plant-based bacon, it's a new favorite vegan brunch or dinner recipe!
Get the recipe!
vegan quiche Lorraine in the pie tin with a piece taken out

About Becky Striepe

Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

Learn more about me >>>

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