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

What does 100% vegan eat? ›

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)

Which three food groups are avoided on a vegan diet? ›

People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health, as research shows that a plant-based diet could lower the risk of certain diseases.

Can vegans eat pasta? ›

Do vegans eat pasta? Most packaged pasta—including spaghetti, penne, and more—is vegan. It's worth checking the label to be sure, as some pasta contains eggs, but most of the pasta you see on the supermarket shelves is 100% vegan!

What food is surprisingly vegan? ›

Accidentally Vegan Foods You Already Have at Home
  • Peanut butter.
  • Welch's Jelly.
  • Marie Callender's Frozen Pastry Pie Shells.
  • Pizza dough.
  • Thomas Bagels (most flavors but not all)
  • Bush's Vegetarian Baked Beans.
  • Polenta.
  • Rice, quinoa, barley, oats, farro, couscous.
Aug 24, 2023

What is the most delicious vegan food in the world? ›

Top 20 global vegan recipes
  • Ponzu tofu poke bowl. ...
  • Veggie yaki udon. ...
  • Sesame & spring onion stir-fried udon with crispy tofu. ...
  • Sesame & ginger sushi bowls. ...
  • Vegan ramen. ...
  • Seitan & black bean stir-fry. ...
  • Vegan paella. ...
  • Padron peppers.
Aug 16, 2023

What is vegan for beginners? ›

Basic vegans who don't eat any animals or products from animals. Raw vegans don't eat any animal products — or even any cooked food. Ostrovegans also don't eat any animal products — except oysters or similar bivalves.

Can vegans eat hummus? ›

Yes, it's almost, always is suitable for vegans. Hummus is a vegan staple that allows you to have some versatility in your diet. It's an immensely popular food amongst vegans so you may have found a new favourite yourself.

How to host a vegan for dinner? ›

Vegan dinner party snacks and starters
  1. Beetroot vegan hummus. ...
  2. Purple sprouting broccoli tempura with ponzu dipping sauce. ...
  3. Crispy fried cabbage. ...
  4. Grilled vegetable antipasti. ...
  5. Vegan summer rolls. ...
  6. Warm hummus with pine nuts, raisins and olives. ...
  7. Beer batter pakoras. ...
  8. Cashew cream and ancho chilli elotes.

How do you put vegan on a menu? ›

Make it obvious. Don't separate your vegetarian and vegan choices in a different section, as that can make meat-eaters skip the section altogether. Instead, integrate them into the regular menu and make ordering meat-free dishes simple by labelling the vegetarian and vegan dishes on your menu.

What to eat out when you're vegan? ›

What to Order at your Favorite Restaurants
  • Totally go for that bread basket and dip it in olive oil, yum.
  • Bruschetta.
  • Minestrone soup.
  • Pasta with veggies and/or white beans in a marinara sauce or garlic & oil. ...
  • Vegetable medley pizza with no cheese or a tomato pizza (pizza rossa)
Jul 23, 2021

Is pasta suitable for vegans? ›

Most packaged pasta—including spaghetti, rotini, and any other type—is 100 percent vegan. To know for sure, simply check the ingredients on your package! Sometimes, you might see “egg” listed as an ingredient in “fresh” pastas, so avoid those—but generally, pasta contains no animal-derived ingredients.

Can you lose weight as a vegan? ›

Studies have shown that a vegan diet can reduce your weight by an average of 5.6 pounds in 18 weeks, or less or more than a third of a pound per week! In theory, you can lose up to 63 pounds in a year. However, the amount you lose depends on several factors.

What not to eat when going vegan? ›

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

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