45 Easy Vegan Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less

When it’s Thursday night, and I’ve been cooking all week, I need a simple vegan dinner to get on the table in a hurry. I put together this list of recipes from my blog and other bloggers to compile a comprehensive list of easy vegan dinners!

These vegan recipes are perfect for those that are beginning the vegan journey and those that are seasoned pros! The best part about these recipes is that they take 30 minutes or less to prepare and are mouthwateringly delicious and family-friendly!

You can also count on these meals to be nutritious, delicious, and quick. Over the years, I’ve developed a few mealtime strategies when I’m in a pickle over what to prepare.

Why These Recipes Work

• Simple and Quick: These vegetarian and vegan recipes use simple ingredients and take 30 minutes or less. You don’t have to worry about finding obscure ingredients. All ingredients can easily be found at your local grocery store, and most probably in your pantry and refrigerator right now!
• Healthy and Balanced: When it comes to dinner, you and your family need a meal that is healthy and balanced with an assortment of vegetables, protein, healthy carbs, and healthy fats. These recipes are just that! You can be assured you’re getting all the nutrients you need for a well-balanced meal that will fill you up and keep you satisfied! Plus, they can help you lose weight on a vegan diet!
• Perfect for Beginners: There are no complicated cooking techniques or a long list of ingredients. These recipes are perfect for those just beginning to try vegan recipes!
• Kid-Friendly: There’s nothing more frustrating than preparing a meal that your kids turn their noses up to. These recipes are kid-approved!
• Easy on the Budget: These recipes can be made for $10 or less! How’s that for a cheap meal for 4?
• Great for Meal Prep: I find that if I plan for the week for what I’m preparing for dinner, I end up spending a lot less money on groceries, and also don’t feel overwhelmed during the week. These recipes are perfect for those that like to meal prep!

How to Prepare an Easy Vegan Meal Without a Recipe

Even when you have the best intentions to create a meal plan for the week, there are nights when you’re just done with cooking or lack the inspiration to follow a recipe. That’s when you create your own simple and balanced, easy vegan dinner in just a few steps!

Start With a Vegetable

Look in your fridge or freezer and pull out a vegetable. I keep frozen vegetables in stock in my freezer for these occasions. Broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, and peas, are our go-to frozen veggies. Or maybe you have some produce in your refrigerator that needs to be eaten before it goes bad, go ahead and pull that out.

Another option is to prepare a simple green salad if you have the ingredients.

Add a Plant-Based Protein

If you’re new to vegan, this is probably where you get stumped! Making the mental switch from animal protein to plant protein has a bit of a learning curve. The most common question I get as a vegan is, “Where do you get your protein?”

Here is a list of vegan protein sources:

• Black Beans
• Chickpeas
• Kidney Beans
• Butter Beans
• Lentils
• Edamame
• Split Peas
• Quinoa
• Nuts
• Nut Butter
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Hemp Seeds
• Wild Rice
• Soy Milk and Other Plant-Milks

Add a Whole Grain Carbohydrate

While many low-carb diets exist, carbohydrates are essential for our bodies. They provide glucose which provides energy. Not all glucose is unhealthy. As a rule, avoid or limit refined carbohydrates and sugars, and substitute them for whole-grain carbohydrates.

Here is a list of healthy carbs:

• Wholewheat Pasta
• Lentil Pasta
• Chickpea Pasta
• Sprouted Whole Grain Bread
• Corn Tortillas
• Whole Wheat Tortillas
• Organic Brown Rice
• Wild Rice
• Farro
• Couscous
• Bulgar
• Baked Potato
• Sweet Potatoes

Add Some Spices or Sauce

After choosing something from each vegetable, protein, and healthy carbohydrate category, it’s time to add some flavor and fat!

Spices:

These are the go-to spices that I use every week. They are also spices you likely have on your spice rack right now! I use many more spices and herbs, but these are a good start!

• Cumin
• Paprika
• Chili Powder
• Salt and Pepper
• Cinnamon
• Curry Powder
• Coriander
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Basil
• Cayenne Pepper
• Red Pepper Flakes

Sauces:

• Soy Sauce
• Teriyaki
• Coconut Aminos
• Tahini
• Hummus
• Coconut Milk
• Green Curry
• Red Curry
• Marinara Sauce
• Pesto Sauce

Creating A Simple Vegan Dinner Recipe

Now that you have pulled a vegetable, a protein, a healthy carbohydrate, and spices or sauces, it’s time to create some magic!

Here’s an example of a simple vegan dinner recipe I make regularly.

Easy Lentil Pasta Recipe Ingredients:

Vegetable-10 ounces of organic leaf spinach

Protein-1 cup Cooked Lentils

Carbohydrate-16 ounces Whole Wheat Pasta

Sauce-24 ounce Jar of Store-Bought Vegan Marinara

Easy Lentil Pasta Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Add the marinara sauce to a large saucepan or pot while cooking pasta. Simmer on medium-low heat. Add a little spinach at a time, stirring to incorporate until the spinach has wilted and the entire bag of spinach has been added to the sauce.

Step 3: Stir in the cooked lentils. Simmer for 3 minutes until the lentils have warmed.

Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the pot with the sauce, tossing to coat. Serve and enjoy!

Easy Vegan Pasta Recipes

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

This vegan mushroom pasta with spinach in a cashew cream sauce is a comforting, easy, and family-friendly meal! It’s healthy satisfying comfort food at its best.

Red Curry Pasta

Super flavorful and perfectly spiced Thai red curry pasta recipe packed with stir fry vegetables and ready in under 20 minutes! 

Roasted Eggplant Pasta

One of the easiest dinners around – 6 ingredient roasted eggplant pasta! Enjoy your favorite pasta noodles served with roasted eggplant & onions in a rich tomato sauce with fresh herbs. 

Red Lentil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Greens

Red lentil pasta mixed with sautéed garlicky lemon kale and a vegan walnut “cheese” topping is a quick, easy and nutritious meal. Ready in 25 minutes!

Creamy Lemon Spaghetti

This Creamy Lemon Spaghetti is full of delicious garlicky lemon flavor. With just a touch of heat, this pasta dish is perfectly seasoned and absolutely scrumptious.

Crispy Pan Fried Pesto Gnocchi

This crispy pan-fried gnocchi with homemade spinach pesto comes together in 20 minutes. This is the perfect midweek meal that is nutritious, budget-friendly, and super easy to make.

Creamy Zucchini Pasta

The flavor of this Creamy Zucchini Pasta is delicious and simple to make. Using coconut milk as a base, the sweetness paired with tomatoes and zucchini creates a wonderful flavor combination. Ready in 30 minutes!

American Vegan Goulash

American Style Vegan Goulash made with lentils, whole wheat macaroni, peppers, and onions in a smoky tomato sauce is a comforting and healthy one-pot meal. Ready in 30 minutes!

Vegan Bolognese

A comforting and hearty vegan lentil bolognese over whole wheat spaghetti that is done in 30 minutes!

Vegan Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash

This creamy vegan butternut squash mac and cheese is a healthy family meal made with whole food plant-based ingredients that is done in 30 minutes.

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Vegan Soups, Stews, and Chilis

Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Thick and creamy with chunks of veggies, this filling vegan broccoli cheddar soup is healthier than the traditional but full of the same cheesy flavor!

Lebanese Lentil Soup

This Lebanese Lentil Soup with crushed red lentils, and vegetables in a spiced broth is simple to prepare and only requires a few ingredients. It’s done in under 30 minutes! 

Low Calorie Lentil Soup

This low-calorie lentil soup is chock full of vegetables, leafy greens, protein-rich lentils, and tons of spices. It’s a warm, comforting, heart-healthy bowl of goodness ready in 30 minutes.

Vegan Pozole

This simple vegan pozole recipe is a 30-minute weeknight dinner that is full of plant protein, vitamins, and nutrients, while also being ultra-tasty and comforting!

Vegan Irish Stew

A thick and hearty vegan Irish stew with traditional flavors, that’s so easy to make and done in 30 minutes!

Vegan Mushroom Soup

Creamy and thick this Vegan Mushroom Soup is a quick and easy meal made with a few simple ingredients. 

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

This smoky sweet potato and red pepper soup is smooth and satisfying. It’s a versatile recipe you can use to flavor in many ways. I like to top mine with chopped cashews, cilantro, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Ready in 30 minutes!

Easy Three Bean Chili

This easy vegan chili made with black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans is super simple to pull together for a weeknight meal and takes only 30 minutes to prepare. Full of heart-healthy plant protein, high in fiber, and low in calories, this chili is super satisfying.

15 Minute Pumpkin Soup

This easy and deliciously creamy vegan pumpkin soup is made with seven simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper), and ready to eat in 15 minutes. 

Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup

A creamy vegan tomato soup bursting with fresh flavors and spices, and coconut milk for creaminess. Ready in 15 minutes!

Hearty Vegan Salads and Greens

Vegan Chickpea Salad with Quinoa and Avocado

This superfood vegan chickpea salad with avocado and quinoa is high in protein, low in fat, and flavored with a simple lime dressing.

Chickpea Curry Salad

A simple and high-protein 10-minute chickpea curry salad balanced with sweet and savory elements. Crunchy apples and sweet plump raisins are paired with celery and red onion in a creamy vegan curry dressing.

Black Bean Edamame Salad

Mediterranean Farro Salad

Mediterranean Farro Salad made with herbs, tomatoes, and a balsamic vinaigrette is a delicious and hearty salad with farro as the star. A one-dish meal ready in 30 minutes.

Vegan Burgers and Sandwiches

Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

Homemade Black bean burgers made with southwest spices are loaded with plant protein and veggies. Ready in 30 minutes!

Mediterranean Chickpea Burgers

These easy-to-make chickpea patties have the flavors of the Mediterranean. Moist vegan chickpea burgers are seasoned with fresh parsley, and spices, served on top of a whole wheat bun, with crisp slices of lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy vegan dill sauce! Ready in 30 minutes!

Lavash Wrap

Assorted roasted vegetables with hummus, lettuce, and tomato are wrapped in a thin bread to create this irresistible Lavash Wrap Sandwich. Ready in 20 minutes!

Mediterranean Vegetable Sandwich

This copycat Panera Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich recipe is a simple 10-minute sandwich that you can make at home! Layered with hummus and fresh veggies! So easy, and satisfying!

Vegan Sloppy Joes

These Vegan Sloppy Joes are made with lentils, onions, red pepper, and a perfect balance of seasonings. Using pantry ingredients and taking less than 30 minutes to prepare, they’re flavorful, easy, and perfect for a weeknight meal!

Vegan Curries

Chickpea and Spinach Curry

This simple chickpea curry spinach dish served with brown rice comes together in 30 minutes. It’s a healthy weeknight meal full of plant protein, chopped spinach, and a rich tomato curry sauce.

Vegan Thai Red Curry

This authentic Vegan Thai Red Curry is simple to make and WAY healthier than takeout! Made with a combination of vegetables with spicy red curry in a creamy coconut milk sauce, it’s served alongside Jasmine rice and topped with fresh herbs! Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a quick and healthy weeknight meal!

Cauliflower Curry with Chickpeas

Simmered in a rich coconut milk sauce, this vegan cauliflower curry with chickpeas is a simple weeknight meal loaded with nutrients! It’s flavorful, easy to make, and family-friendly!

Curried Lentils

Curried Lentils are flavorful, rich in nutrients, and satisfying! With crunchy carrots, sweet onions, and bell peppers, this lentil dish delivers texture and taste! Serve with rice or quinoa.

Chole Masala

This simplified Chole Masala recipe, a popular Northern Indian chickpea dish, is cooked in a thick, spicy gravy. It’s ready in thirty minutes! Wholesome, vegan, and gluten-free. Serve with basmati rice and cilantro!

Vegan Mexican Recipes

Lentil Tacos

This simple-to-make lentil taco meat is packed with fiber, plant protein, and big on flavor. Make your own vegan tacos in 30 minutes or less, and add your favorite toppings like avocado, chopped tomato, cilantro, and green onion to a soft, crunchy tortilla!

Chipotle Bowl

When you’re craving take-out, make this simple vegan chipotle bowl, complete with fajita-style vegetables, seasoned black beans, rice, and avocado. It’s a simple healthy bowl that’s full of smoky and spicy flavor! Ready in 20 minutes.

Tofu Fajitas

This tofu fajitas recipe is a simple and flavorful vegan dinner in under 30 minutes. Packed with tons of protein, vitamins, and minerals!

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

These crispy cauliflower tacos are roasted in chipotle spice and sandwiched between whole wheat tortillas topped with homemade guacamole and pico de gallo for a family-friendly weeknight meal that’s done in under 30 minutes!

Black Bean Nachos with Cashew Cheese

These vegan nachos with black beans and cashew cheese sauce are the ultimate easy family dinner for those weeknights when you’re ready to call in for take-out. Ready in 30 minutes.

Vegan Asian Recipes

Mushroom Bao Buns

Sliced portobello mushrooms are cooked in a spicy soy sauce marinade, and paired with quick pickled onions, simple greens, and sliced tomatoes, in between fluffy whole wheat buns.

Tofu Chop Suey

Tofu chop suey with bok choy, bean sprouts, and tofu in an authentic stir-fry sauce, served with brown rice. It’s a simple 20-minute meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights!

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Teriyaki Noodles

A healthy and easy take-out inspired recipe, these teriyaki noodles are simply seasoned with ginger and garlic, with fresh vegetables and crispy tofu! It’s a one-dish meal for the whole family!

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Pineapple Fried Rice

Brown rice, peas, carrots, and pineapple are sautéd in seasoned sauce, and topped with fresh scallions and cashews! It’s a complete meal in one pan! Ready in 20 minutes!

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Chickpea Orange Chicken (Vegan)

Vegan Orange Chicken is a delicious plant-based dinner made with chickpeas! Gluten-free, healthy, delicious, and done in 30 minutes!

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Meal Planning Tips

The key to creating easy vegan dinners is to create a plan! Meal planning can take on several different versions, from prepping meals ahead of time to simply deciding what you want to cook for the week.

To be completely honest, I don’t do a lot of meal prep except chopping some vegetables. But I do create a plan for the week. I find it easier to develop a theme for each day of the week. It looks something like this:

Monday-Soup or Chili Night (Served with Salad and Bread)

Tuesday-Mexican Night (Tacos, Burritos, Nachos, etc.)

Wednesday-Asian or Indian Night (Curries, Stir-Fry, etc.)

Thursday-Pasta or Italian Night

Friday-Leftovers (Mom needs a break from cooking!)

Saturday-Take-Out or Go Out to Eat

Sunday-Sandwiches or Veggie Burgers (Create a meal plan for the following week.)

This helps us keep from relying on takeout or going out to eat too often, and it also helps us stick to a grocery list, which helps keep our grocery budget down.

Get your Free Vegan Grocery List Printable!

More Easy Vegan Dinners!

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  30 Lazy Vegan Recipes for Busy Weeknights
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  35 Asian Vegan Recipes (Easy and Healthy)
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  Veganuary Recipes: 31 Healthy Recipes for the Month
• 
  37 Vegan Prep Meals: An Ultimate Guide to Easy Plant-Based Meal Planning

I hope you found this list of recipes helpful so that you have an easy resource to meal plan easy vegan dinners that only take 30 minutes or less. If you have any questions about going vegan or preparing vegan dinners, please comment below. You can also follow me on  Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more family-friendly plant-based vegan recipes!