Whether you have been following a vegan diet for years or recently switched up your routine, you’re probably always on the lookout for new vegan dinners to prepare this week for the whole family. These easy vegan dinner ideas include family-friendly, light dinner recipes and heart-healthy meals you can enjoy in any season — from winter soups to spring pastas.
These vegan recipes also function as vegetarian dinners (and lunches, if you have leftovers!). From hearty stews to fun salads and easy stir-fry recipes, these vegan dinner ideas are quick to prepare and are also kid-friendly for the picky eaters sitting at the table. And if any of these recipes are a hit with your family, you can save them for future reference — and maybe even your Christmas dinner menu. Vegan dinner ideas don’t have to involve hard-to-find alternatives. They can come together in under 30 minutes with just a few ingredients you probably already have at home. Keep reading for 25 recipes to get you started.
Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach
Con Poulos
You can have this warm bowl on the table in just 35 minutes, making it a surefire weeknight staple for the family.
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Get the Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach recipe.
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Stew
Raymond Hom
On the topic of butternut squash, this kid-friendly slow cooker recipe is an easy meal-prep hack. Prepare the ingredients in just 10 minutes and then place in a slow cooker for 5 to 7 hours on low, or 3 to 5 hours on high.
Get the Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Stew recipe.
Spaghetti with Grilled Green Beans and Mushrooms
RYAN DAUSCH
A spaghetti dinner can be served in a hop and a skip, plus this recipe introduces greens and cremini mushrooms as an added bonus.
Get the Spaghetti with Grilled Green Beans and Mushrooms recipe.
Tofu Tacos with Romaine Slaw
Erika Lapresto
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The best part about Taco Tuesdays is that each family member or dinner guest can choose their own add-ons, and this tofu crumble recipe is no different.
Get the Tofu Tacos with Romaine Slaw recipe.
Sweet Potato, Bean and Rice Soup
Photo Credit: Steve Giralt; Food Stylist: Michelle Gatton at Stockland Martel; Prop Stylist: Courtney De Wet for Big Leo
You can store this eight-ingredient soup in freezer bags for up to one month, perfect for a make-ahead dinner during a busy work or school week.
Get the Sweet Potato, Bean and Rice Soup recipe.
Vegetarian Chili with Wheat Berries, Beans, and Corn
Con Poulos
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Make this vegetarian (and vegan, as long as you substitute the cheese and sour cream) chili for cold winter days when the whole family has spent the day outdoors and is craving a hot bowl of comfort food.
Get the Vegetarian Chili with Wheat Berries, Beans, and Corn recipe.
Pineapple and Black Bean Fajitas
Con Poulos; Food stylist; Michelle Gatton; Prop stylist: Megan Hedgpeth
Skip the sour cream, and you’ve got yourself a protein-packed fajita recipes thanks to a can of black beans. Don’t forget the fresh cilantro for serving!
Get the Pineapple and Black Bean Fajitas recipe.
Potsticker Stir-Fry
Chris Court; Prop stylist: Lucy Tweed
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Once you purchase a package of your go-to frozen potstickers, then this veggie-focused stir-fry dinner will come together in 25 minutes flat.
Get the Potsticker Stir-Fry recipe.
Chickpea and Red Pepper Soup with Quinoa
Steve Giralt; Food styling by Anne Disrude; Prop styling by Marina Malchin
Quinoa is a fast-cooking, easy protein source for vegans and vegetarians alike, making this soup an obvi0us choice for a filling meal.
Get the Chickpea and Red Pepper Soup with Quinoa recipe.
Soba with Miso-Glazed Eggplant
Con Poulos
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Japanese eggplant, green beans, spinach, and green onions make this soba noodle dish an easy way to get in the kids’ serving of vegetables.
Get the Soba with Miso-Glazed Eggplant recipe.
Stewed Black Beans with Collard Greens
Mike Garten
If you have a box of couscous you’re looking to use up, try out this quick meal that cooks onions, collard greens, and black beans to perfection with a squeeze of lime juice as garnish.
Get the Stewed Black Beans with Collard Greens recipe.
Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup
Photo credit: Raymond Hom; Food styling by Vivian Lui; Prop styling by Gerri Williams
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This soup is packed full of surprising ingredients like dried apricots and pistachios for an all encompassing dish that will leave you feeling satisfied.
Get the Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup recipe.
Watercress Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette
MIKE GARTEN
If you are looking for a new salad to add to your rotation, try out this vegan watercress combo thats packed full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Get the Watercress Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette recipe.
Lentil Broccoli Falafel Bowls With Jalapeño-Herb Tahini
Mike Garten
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You can easily make this falafel recipe vegan by swapping the egg for a plant-based alternative like a flax egg or JUST Egg.
Get the Lentil Broccoli Falafel Bowls With Jalapeño-Herb Tahini recipe.
Farro, Apple, and Carrot Salad
Antonis Achilleos
Mix in pecans, dried cranberries, red apple slices, and arugula with farro for a professional looking salad your vegan dinner guests will love.
Get the Farro, Apple, and Carrot Salad recipe.
Tomato and Cucumber Farro Salad
Con Poulos
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This fresh salad is full of summer favorites like tomatoes and cucumbers, but you can enjoy this dish year-round if the vegetables look good at your local grocery store.
Get the Tomato and Cucumber Farro Salad recipe.
Quick Chickpea and Kale Stew
MIKE GARTEN
Although this stew recipe has a fair share of ingredients, it will be ready in under a half hour. Pass on the grated pecorino to keep it vegan.
Get the Quick Chickpea and Kale Stew recipe.
Lemony Artichoke Linguine with Olives
Con Poulos
You may already have a go-to pasta recipe that is a standard in your family’s weeknight menu rotation, but we promise that this linguine recipe will become a new favorite — and it can be made vegan simply by skipping the parmesan.
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Get the Lemony Artichoke Linguine with Olives recipe.
Butternut Squash and Turmeric Soup
Con Poulos
Coconut milk makes this decadent soup vegan and with just five steps, it’s a no-brainer.
Get the Butternut Squash and Turmeric Soup recipe.
Mâche, Beet, and Orange Salad
Mike Garten
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Mix cooked beets, navel oranges, and shelled pistachios in with mixed greens and you’ve got a meal.
Get the Mâche, Beet, and Orange Salad recipe.
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Chris Court
Once you roast the cauliflower for 25 minutes, you just have to whisk together the dressing and toss in the scallions, almonds, raisins, and cranberries.
Get the Roasted Cauliflower Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Stew
Ryan Dausch
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Avoid the dollop of yogurt and you have a plant-based stew you can prepare ahead of time and leave in your slow cooker for 5 hours to simmer.
Get the Slow Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Stew recipe.
Pear & Walnut Salad
Mike Garten
When Bartlett pears are in season, this salad is your go-to lunch recipe for a mid-week treat.
Get the Pear & Walnut Salad recipe.
Spiced Tomato Soup with Flatbread
Con Poulos
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There isn’t a more classic soup recipe than tomato soup. Make this one vegan by using a vegan butter substitute.
Get the Spiced Tomato Soup with Flatbread recipe.
Creamy Chickpea Soup
MIKE GARTEN
This dairy-free soup uses vegetable broth for a vegan delight.
Get the Creamy Chickpea Soup recipe.
