Whether you've watched a recent Netflix documentary like What the Health [1] or you're ditching meat and dairy to help with belly bloat and digestion [2], vegan dinners don't have to be stressful! They also don't have to be a bowl of plain-old, not-superhealthy pasta. Here are 14 simple, wow-your-family recipes you can make that are full of protein, healthy fats, and fiber to satisfy your hunger and your taste buds.
Roasted Tofu, Sweet Potato, Pepper 1-Pan Meal
This easy, one-pan meal offers 15 grams of protein and so much sweet flavor! It's perfect for dinner and even breakfast the next day.
Get the recipe: roasted tofu, sweet potato, pepper 1-pan meal [4]
Cauliflower Rice and Beans
Using cauliflower instead of rice not only cuts on carbs and ups the vitamin A and C, but it also increases the fiber — this recipe offers 16.5 grams per 398-calorie serving. And cauliflower rice cooks in half the time, so this recipe will be done in under 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: cauliflower rice and beans [5]
Smashed Avocado Chickpea Salad
This zesty avocado chickpea salad is bursting with fresh dill, lemon, celery, cucumbers, and carrots. The best part? It throws together in less than 10 minutes.
Get the recipe: smashed avocado chickpea salad [6]
Avocado Pesto Pasta
Craving pesto pasta? Make this creamy avocado sauce and you'll never eat regular pesto again.
Get the recipe: avocado pasta [7]
Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Salad
Massaged kale is topped with warm maple-cinnamon roasted butternut squash, white beans for protein, cucumbers and almonds for a satisfying crunch, and raisins for a little added sweetness.
Get the recipe: maple-roasted butternut squash, kale, and white bean salad [8]
Maple Cumin Lentils Over Spaghetti Squash
The chewy texture of the lentils in this recipe is comparable to ground beef, and since the maple cumin tomato flavor is so outstanding, your meat-loving family will love it just as much, maybe even more. Feel free to use spaghetti instead of spaghetti squash.
Get the recipe: maple cumin lentils over spaghetti squash [9]
Sesame Ginger Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is anything but boring in this sesame-ginger salad with protein-packed edamame, crunchy cabbage, and rich sesame oil. Eating the colors of the rainbow is always good for your health, and all the different flavors in this salad work perfectly together.
Get the recipe: sesame ginger quinoa salad [10]
Chickpea Coconut Curry With Sweet Potatoes
You can prep this vegan and gluten-free curry recipe in your slow cooker before work and have a restaurant-worthy meal for dinner.
Get the recipe: chickpea and sweet potato curry [11]
Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese
Would you believe that all that cheesy goodness is completely dairy-free? And no, it's not made with fake cheese, nutritional yeast, or even fake butter. The earth-shattering creaminess comes from pureed cashews and white beans.
Get the recipe: vegan mac and cheese
[12]
Vegan Stuffed Shells
The next time you're craving some cheesy pasta comfort food, whip up a batch of these.
Get the recipe: vegan stuffed shells [13]
Mexican Tempeh Quinoa Salad
This colorful dish combines tons of flavors like cumin, cayenne, and cilantro, and the nutritional value is immense: almost 10 grams of fiber and 17.4 grams of protein — all for 350 calories per serving.
Get the recipe: Mexican tempeh quinoa salad [14]
Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito
This heart-healthy dinner is a great option if you're watching your cholesterol while upping your protein.
Get the recipe: roasted sweet potato and black bean burrito [15]
Vegan Lasagna
Instead of ricotta, the creaminess in this lasagna comes from blended tofu flavored with garlic and fresh basil. The velvety consistency will floor you!
Get the recipe: vegan lasagna [16]
Chickpea and Kale Stew
This metabolism-boosting stew packs 24 grams of protein per serving, so it will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Get the recipe: chickpea and kale stew [17]