When time is short, energy is low, and you and your family are getting hangry, these 30 Lazy Vegan Recipes will come to the rescue! They’re my go-to recipes when I don’t feel like cooking. With five or fewer ingredients and less than 30 minutes to pull off, they’re easier than ordering take-out!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love These Lazy Vegan Recipes
- Chickpea Pasta with Marinara and Spinach
- Easy Vegan Fried Rice with Tofu
- Quick and Easy Bean Chili
- Black Bean Tacos
- Garlic Whole Wheat Pasta
- FAQ
- Tips for Creating Lazy Vegan Meals
- Quick Vegan Meal Ideas
- Vegan Quesadillas, Tacos, or Nachos
- Buddha Bowls
- Main Dish Salads
- Soups and Chilis
- Vegan Sandwiches
- Pasta and Noodles
- Storage
- 🎥 Video
- 😋 More Quick and Easy Vegan Dinners!
- Recipe
- 5 Lazy Vegan Recipes for Busy Weeknights
There are days when I have a whole afternoon to enjoy the process of cooking a slow and leisurely meal. I’m one of those people who truly loves to cook! However, I don’t always have the time or energy to spend hours in the kitchen.
Some days, I’m exhausted from working, parenting, running errands, and keeping the house kept up, and when dinner time rolls around, the last thing on Earth I want to do is make dinner.
That’s when I pulled out one of my five favorite lazy vegan recipes. These recipes follow the WFPB Diet and are no fuss!
Why You’ll Love These Lazy Vegan Recipes
- Limited Ingredients: Every recipe in this collection has five or fewer ingredients and use pantry and frozen staples.
- Easy: These one-pot recipes are finished in just 30 minutes.
- Family-Approved: Even kids are eager to devour these tasty recipes.
- Healthy: All the recipes here contain plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, and nutrients.
Chickpea Pasta with Marinara and Spinach
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It doesn’t get much easier than this! We keep chickpea pasta and pre-made marinara sauce in our pantry. Look for a sauce with 0 grams of sugar and no oil added.
I also have fresh or frozen spinach to throw into the sauce to make this a complete meal. If you don’t have spinach, add your favorite veggie. Fresh peppers, frozen peas and carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and veggies work!
Ingredients
- Chickpea Pasta: Chickpea pasta has protein, slow-digesting carbs, and a hearty flavor.
- Pre-Made Marinara Sauce: Pre-made sauce makes it quick and easy to add tons of flavor without simmering sauce all day.
- Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach adds flavor and tons of health benefits.
- Vegan Parmesan: Vegan parmesan is a tasty way to gild the lily when you’re all done.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
How to Make Chickpea Pasta with Marinara and Spinach
- Cook the chickpea pasta according to the package directions.
- In a large
saucepan over medium heat, bring the marinara sauce to a boil. Add the spinach, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the spinach wilts. - Toss the pasta with the sauce, top with vegan parmesan, and enjoy!
Easy Vegan Fried Rice with Tofu
This shortcut vegan fried rice recipe uses pre-cooked brown rice, tofu, and a frozen mixed vegetable medley. You can also use a frozen stir-fry medley.
Ingredients
- Frozen Brown Rice: Using frozen brown rice drastically cuts down the cooking time for this recipe.
- Extra Firm Tofu: Tofu takes the place of chicken, pork, or beef in fried rice.
- Mixed Vegetables: Mixed vegetables make adding healthy color, flavor, and texture quick and easy.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds a classic salty flavor to the fried rice.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
How to Make Easy Vegan Fried Rice with Tofu
- Cook the brown rice according to the package directions. If you don’t have frozen rice, you can also make Instant Pot brown rice. It’s a quick and convenient alternative.
- Press the water out of the tofu while the rice cooks. It’s easy and only takes about 15 minutes. This guide on how to press tofu can help you! Dice the pressed tofu into cubes.
- Heat the soy sauce in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the tofu and cook until it begins to brown.
- Add the frozen vegetables and brown rice, cover, and cook until the vegetables are cooked.
Quick and Easy Bean Chili
This recipe is a simpler version of my favorite easy vegan chili. It has only five main ingredients: chili powder, salt, and pepper. It comes together in less than 30 minutes and tastes excellent with vegan cornbread muffins or a small salad.
Ingredients
- Vegetables: Yellow onions and green peppers add a combination of natural sweetness and bite to the chili.
- Vegetable Stock: Vegetable stock adds flavor and the liquid necessary for the chili.
- Organic Black Beans: Organic black beans add deep flavor and protein.
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes give the chili bold tomato flavor.
- Chili Powder: Chili powder adds that classic heat and flavor kick.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
How to Make Quick and Easy Bean Chili
- Saute the onions with ¼ cup of vegetable stock in a Dutch oven or large pot until translucent. Then, add the green peppers and chili powder and cook another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
Black Bean Tacos
Everyone loves tacos, and this recipe is as lazy as it gets. Warm some corn tortillas and black beans, then top with store-bought salsa and your favorite fresh veggies.
Ingredients
- Black Beans: Black beans are hearty and meaty, replacing traditional beef.
- Frozen Corn: Frozen corn adds a bit of sweetness and color.
- Seasonings: A combination of taco seasoning and chili powder (optional) gives the tacos a big, bold flavor.
- Toppings: Salsa, shredded lettuce, and diced avocado complete the delicious flavor profile.
How to Make Black Bean Tacos
- Drain and rinse the beans.
- Combine the beans, corn, and seasonings in a medium
saucepan , cover, and cook for 5 minutes or until the corn is warmed. - Warm the tortillas in the microwave, then add the filling and top with lettuce, salsa, and diced avocado.
Garlic Whole Wheat Pasta
When you want something super flavorful, home-cooked, quick, and easy, this garlic whole wheat pasta is where it’s at! Serve with steamed broccoli for added veggies! I love this dish because the whole wheat pasta has added fiber!
Ingredients
- Whole Wheat Spaghetti: Whole wheat spaghetti is a healthier alternative to traditional spaghetti.
- Vegetable Stock: Vegetable stock is a flavorful base for the light sauce.
- Seasonings: Minced garlic, parsley or basil, and red pepper flakes create a bold flavor profile.
- Vegan Parmesan: Vegan parmesan adds a nutty, cheesy note for a classic Italian flavor.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
How to Make Vegan Garlic Whole Wheat Pasta
- Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and reserve ¼ cup of pasta water.
- Add the garlic, crushed red pepper, and vegetable stock to a large saute pan and cook on medium-high heat until fragrant, stirring frequently to keep the garlic from burning.
- Add the pasta and the reserved pasta water to the pan and toss. Then, add the parsley or basil, salt, and pepper to taste. If the pasta seems dry, add a bit more pasta water, then top with more red pepper flakes and vegan parmesan.
FAQ
Frozen vegetables are incredibly healthy. They’re even more nutritious than canned vegetables. They retain most of their vitamins and minerals because they’re frozen raw at peak freshness.
While canned vegetables lose some vitamins and minerals through the canning process, they’re still a healthy, convenient option for quick and easy vegan meals. Look for canned vegetables that don’t have added sodium.
Dried spices stay fresh for up to a year. While they never go bad, per se, they lose their potency, resulting in a bland flavor.
Yes, you can! Recipes with frozen vegetables are excellent to freeze and store for later use.
Tips for Creating Lazy Vegan Meals
To pull off these lazy vegan recipes, you must have some simple vegan pantry staples at home.
- Buy Canned, Frozen, and Dry Ingredients In Bulk
- Fill in Each Week With Seasonal Ingredients like fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Stock Up On Spices
Canned Ingredients
These are a few that I always keep in stock. Of course, you likely have your own favorites. These ingredients are fast, cheap, easy, and nutrient-dense. Beans are high in protein, coconut milk has healthy fats and adds a nice creaminess to many recipes, while diced tomatoes and marinara are great to have on hand as they are added to numerous simple vegan recipes.
- Black Beans
- Chickpeas
- Diced Tomatoes
- Coconut Milk
- Marinara Sauce
Dry Ingredients
Keeping these dried ingredients on hand gives you a nutrient-dense, high-fiber, high-protein, vegan option. Quinoa cooks quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
I also stock up on the brown rice steamers for nights when I’m too tired and pressed for time to make brown rice on the stovetop. Although, if you have an instant pot, you can make it much quicker.
- Quinoa
- Wholewheat pasta
- Chickpea pasta
- Lentils
- Packaged brown rice steamer
- Raw nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
Frozen Ingredients
I love having frozen veggies on hand. They’re so easy to warm up and throw into a recipe for added veggies. My family loves broccoli and mixed vegetables.
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Mixed Vegetables
- Cauliflower
- Peas
- Brown Rice (comes in packets)
Fresh Ingredients
Some ingredients you have to have fresh. These are on my list every week!
- Corn tortillas or Whole wheat tortillas
- Whole wheat bread
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Bell Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Spinach
- Lettuce or other mixed greens
- Avocado
- Tomatoes
- Fresh Fruit
Quick Vegan Meal Ideas
Vegan Quesadillas, Tacos, or Nachos
If you keep tortillas around, you can quickly make your simple vegan quesadillas, tacos, or nachos by making a vegan cheese sauce and whatever canned beans and veggies you have in your fridge or freezer.
Buddha Bowls
With cooked quinoa or brown rice, make a simple Buddha bowl. Add some fresh veggies, beans, or tofu, and top with this simple vegan tahini dressing, salsa, or dressing of choice.
Main Dish Salads
If you have a lot of fresh greens you need to eat, place them on a plate and add your favorite beans, lentils, tofu, or tempeh for protein. Then, add your favorite veggies using what you have at home. Top with something crunchy like chopped nuts or pumpkin seeds, then drizzle one of your favorite vegan salad dressing recipes!
Soups and Chilis
It’s simple to make an easy homemade soup with vegetable stock, beans, frozen vegetables, and spices. You can get creative with the variety of flavors.
Vegan Sandwiches
There’s nothing wrong with preparing a simple sandwich for dinner or lunch. There are so many more sandwiches you can prepare than simple peanut butter and jelly.
Pasta and Noodles
When looking for a lazy vegan recipe to prepare quickly, nothing is as easy as pasta or noodles. So many different types and shapes of pasta and sauces can vary the flavors. Use lentil or chickpea pasta for extra protein or gluten-free pasta if needed.
Storage
Refrigerator: Most recipes can be stored for up to 4 days in an air-tight container.
Freezer: Almost all these recipes can be stored for up to 2 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container.
Reheat: Microwave individual portions at 30-second intervals until heated through. Be sure to defrost frozen dishes first!
🎥 Video
😋 More Quick and Easy Vegan Dinners!
Please comment below if you found this article helpful or have any additional questions. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more family-friendly vegan recipes!
Recipe
5 Lazy Vegan Recipes for Busy Weeknights
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Ingredients
Lazy Vegan Recipe #1: Chickpea Pasta with Marinara and Spinach
- 8 oz chickpea Pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 12 oz fresh spinach
Lazy Vegan Recipe #2: Easy Vegan Fried Rice
- 1 package steamed brown rice packet or 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 16 oz extra firm tofu
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables carrots, peas, corn, and green beans
- 1 small red onion
- ¼ cup soy sauce
Lazy Vegan Recipe #3: Quick and Easy Bean Chili
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 green pepper diced
- 2 ¼ cups vegetable stock divided
- 14 oz black beans or other type of beans drained and rinsed
- 14 oz fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Lazy Vegan Recipe #4: Black Bean Tacos
- 4 corn tortillas
- 15 oz black beans rinsed and drained
- 2 teaspoon taco seasoning or chili powder or chili powder (optional)
- ½ cup frozen corn
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ avocado diced (optional)
Lazy Vegan Recipe #5: Garlic Whole Wheat Pasta
- 8 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- 5 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley coarsely chopped
- vegan parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
Lazy Vegan Recipe #1: Chickpea Pasta with Marinara and Spinach
- Prepare chickpea pasta according to package instructions.
- Heat marinara sauce on a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add spinach when sauce begins to boil. Reduce heat and cover.Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until spinach wilts.
- Combine cooked and drained pasta with sauce. Sprinkle with vegan parmesan cheese (optional).
Lazy Vegan Recipe #2: Vegan Vegetable Fried Rice with Tofu
- Cook brown rice in the microwave according to package directions. If you don't have a brown rice steamer bag, you can make instant pot brown rice to save time.
- While rice is cooking, quickly press water out of tofu. Usually, I press my tofu for 15 minutes, but when I'm in a crunch for time, I do quick press. Drain water from tofu. Place tofu block on two paper towels folded into quarters, fold two additional paper towels into quarters, and place on the top of the tofu. Gently but firmly press on the top of the tofu for 1-2 minutes. Then dice tofu into cubes.
- Heat ¼ cup of soy sauce in a large skillet. Add diced onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until translucent. Add tofu. Cook until tofu begins to brown, about 5-10 minutes.
- Add frozen vegetables and cooked brown rice. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until frozen vegetables are cooked through.
Lazy Vegan Recipe #3: Easy and Quick Black Bean Chili
- In a large dutch oven or pot sauté onions in ¼ cup of vegetable stock. Cook until translucent. Add chopped green pepper, and chili powder. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Add vegetable stock, fire roasted tomatoes, and black beans. Simmer on low for 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Lazy Vegan Recipe #4: Black Bean Tacos
- Drain and rinse black beans.
- Add to medium saucepan. Add taco seasoning (optional), and frozen corn. Stir to combine. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until corn is warm and cooked through. While beans are simmering, warm corn tortillas in microwave for 10-20 seconds
- Assemble tacos. Add black beans to corn tortillas. Top with lettuce, salsa, and diced avocado (optional). Serve and enjoy!
Lazy Vegan Recipe #5: Garlic Whole Wheat Pasta
- Prepare whole wheat pasta according to package directions.
- Add vegetable stock to a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until garlic softens and becomes fragrant about 8 minutes. Stir frequently so that garlic doesn't burn.
- Add pasta and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water to the sauté pan. Toss together until combined. Add parsley and salt and pepper to taste. If pasta seems too dry add a little more pasta water. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and optional vegan parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Nutrition Facts are an average of all 5 dinners.
- Each recipe produces 4 servings.
Shira Kates
Love it! These are perfect for weeknights. The only thing I’d add to these recipes would be more healthy fats like avos, flax oil drizzle, olive oil, and more nuts.
Shelley
The Garlic Pasta recipe was great! So much lighter than a butter sauce. I would definitely make this again!
Angela
I am always looking for easy weeknight recipes. There are some great ones here. Thanks for sharing!
Lizet
Oh! this is great! with few ingredients I can make 5 delicious meals! Pinning so I can keep coming back.
Dannii
We are trying to eat more vegan meals and these look like a great option.
Pavani
Wow, this is perfect – 5 delicious vegan recipes to try. Thanks for compiling this – would love to try these dishes for my family.
Maria
This post is honestly a lifesaver! Thank you for this, now I have better and healthier options for busy weeknights.