Easy Vegan Meals Ideas For Lazy Days

No time to shop or cook? Not a genius in the kitchen? These easy vegan meal ideas are for you! Most are ready in 15 mins or less

By Lora O’Brien

While Instagram may have you believe a vegan diet is all about expensive superfoods you can barely pronounce, the reality is that it’s really easy to be vegan.

Aside from the obvious ‘but where do you get your protein?’ the other misconceptions I’ve heard when it comes to a vegan diet are: 1. It’s expensive 2. You have to know how to cook. But the reality is that a vegan diet is one of the cheapest diets to sustain, and it’s incredibly easy, too!

Sure, if you buy all of the overpriced vegan mock meats and superfoods, your food shop is going to be extortionate. But you don’t need any of that to make easy vegan meals that are healthy and cheap.

While it’s cool to add blue algae to your smoothies to turn them a wonderful shade of blue, it’s not vital. In fact, you most likely already have these vegan staples in your pantry:

  • Beans
  • Rice
  • Nuts
  • Fruits
  • Oatmeal
  • Chickpeas
  • Vegetable stock
  • Potatoes

You’ll be using quite a few of these in the easy vegan meals we’ve found for you, below. These recipes are perfect for newbie vegans who aren’t sure what to eat, or anyone following a vegan diet who is often in a rush, or a bit low on cash. And they’re also reflective of what a vegan diet really can be – and that’s cheap, cheerful and totally tasty!

30 Super Easy Vegan Breakfasts, Lunches & Dinners

1. 5-Minute Vegan Banana Smoothie

Breakfast on the run? A smoothie is one of the easy vegan meals that even beginners can make, and is a great way to start your day. This banana smoothie is made with yummy ingredients and can be thrown together and made in just a few minutes.

Get the recipe here.

vegan smoothies

2. 5-Minute Oatmeal Powder Bowl

Not only are oats super cheap, but they can also be the base for some seriously tasty dishes. Add them to smoothies to make them more filling, or use them in a porridge bowl like this one, below. Adding nut butters, nuts and seeds and dried fruits are a great way to boost nutritional while getting lots of healthy, essential fats.

Get the recipe here.

easy vegan meal ideas

3. Smoky Vegan Beans on Toast

Whenever I hear someone exclaim: ‘vegan food isn’t filling!’ I like to stare at them deadpan and ask, ‘So, you’ve never had baked beans?’ People really do think that vegans live off of grass, I swear. And who doesn’t love beans on toast? This recipe is quick to make, but you could use canned baked beans for convenience. I like sprinkling mine with nutritional yeast for some added cheesiness and B12!

Get the recipe here.

vegan baked beans on toast

4. Healthy Apple Nachos

One of my absolute favourite combinations is apple and peanut butter. Honestly, the sharpness of the apple with the naturally sweet nut butter is so addictive. Why not kick things up a notch? Turn this healthy snack into a nacho inspired dessert! Great for when you’ve got kids around, too.

Get the recipe here.

apple nachos

5. Pan Seared Soy & Black Pepper Tofu

Tofu is a great way to get protein on a vegan diet, and it’s also a great meat alternative. But by itself, tofu is super bland. The best way to use tofu is to marinade! When you do this, it takes on the delicious flavour of the sauces, and it’s honestly a game changer! This crisp, pan-seared tofu is perfect with rice and beans, topped on a salad or stuffed in a wrap.

Get the recipe here.

soy pepper tofu recipe

6. The Best Hummus

Hummus is so versatile! You can use it as the base for a wrap, use it in sandwiches, dollop it onto Buddha bowls, or even use it as a pasta sauce! Me? I like to serve it up with raw veggies, toasted pita or some crunchy tortilla chips.

Get the recipe here.

best hummus recipe

7. 5-Minute Easy Rice and Beans

One of the most popular easy vegan meals ideas is rice and beans! It’s full of protein and will fill you up. This dish is full of minced onion, garlic salt, thyme, black pepper and fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro or chives – depending on what you prefer. Yummy!

Get the recipe here.

easy vegan meals

8. Pasta Pomodoro

Bursting with the fresh flavour of juicy tomatoes infused with garlic, this pasta pomodoro is both delicious and pretty quick to whip together. It’s perfect for using up leftover tomatoes, but the dish works just as well with the canned variety – perfect for dining on all year round.

Get the recipe here.

vegan pasta pomodoro

9. Easy Roasted Vegetables

Vegetables are delicious! It’s all about finding new ways to enjoy them. And one of my favourites is to make a huge tray of roasted veggies at the start of the week. I then add these to wraps, salads and rice bowls. Easy, nutritious and a fabulous way to use up leftover food that would otherwise get tossed.

Get the recipe here.

easy vegan meals

10. Hummus Pasta

Hummus pasta is one of my toddler’s favourite meals. And it’s so easy to put together; I just cook up some pasta and toss it with hummus, peas and sweetcorn. She loves it! This recipe is great for adults, as it has some tasty additions like sun-dried tomatoes and lots of garlic!

Get the recipe here.

vegan hummus pasta

11. 5-Minute Easy Tacos

Think you need mock-meat to make tacos amazing? Nope! These quick and easy tacos are stuffed with black beans and veggies and are super satisfying! Loaded with healthy goodness, these are a great option for lunch or dinner. You can customise them easily with your favourite fillings, too. Definitely one of my favourite easy vegan meals!

Get the recipe here.

quick tacos recipe

12. Loaded Vegan Quesadillas

These full loaded vegan quesadillas are stuffed with grilled veggies, black beans and smashed guacamole, topped with fresh cilantro and jalapeños. All cooked inside of a soft taco tortilla for a quick, cheap and tasty vegan and gluten-free meal.

Get the recipe here.

vegan quesadillas

13. Stuffed Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the cheapest foods to buy – and so delicious! This sweet potato is stuffed with quinoa, chickpeas and kale and then topped with an easy homemade tahini sauce. It’s filling, it’s super tasty and really easy to make.

Get the recipe here.

easy vegan meals

14. Easy Vegan Pizza Pasta Bake

Pasta bake is a favourite comfort dish in my household. And honestly, what’s not to love? Pasta smothered in a creamy sauce, and then baked until hot and bubbling? Yum! And if you love pizza, you’ll love this bake, as it combines herbs, marinara and vegan cheese with pasta, to make a cheesy peasy pizza flavoured bake.

Get the recipe here.

vegan meals for beginners

15. Simple Vegan Stir Fry

This easy veggie stir fry is the perfect meal for busy weeknights when you really don’t feel like making anything. It’s such a great way to incorporate grains and veggies in a delicious way with a side of tempeh for some plant-protein.

Get the recipe here.

easy vegan meals

16. Chipotle Inspired Vegan Burrito Bowl

Inspired by the fast food chain Chipotle, this vegan burrito bowl is loaded with everything you need: flavour, colour and texture! Plus, it’s easier to make and wallet-friendly as it’s heaps cheaper than ordering take-out.

Get the recipe here.

vegan burrito bowl

17. Vegan Taco Casserole

Wondering what makes a taco casserole? Layers of tortilla chips, salsa, nutritional yeast and seasoned black beans. These make a fast Mexican feast that is great for sharing.

Get the recipe here.

vegan nachos

18. Vegan Fried Rice

Rice can be the main ingredient in lots of quick and easy dishes, much like this vegan fried rice! This recipe contains 10 simple ingredients, but frankly, you can just use up whatever veggies you like or have on hand.

Get the recipe here.

vegan fried rice

19. Easy Veggie Chow Mein

Think this dish looks complicated? The hardest part is chopping up the carrots and broccoli! The noodles are cooked and set aside while the veggies are sauteed in a delicious sauce for a few minutes. The noodles are then tossed into the veggies, and then it’s done!

Get the recipe here.

vegan chow mein

20. ‘Cheesy’ Broccoli Rice Casserole

A yummy plant-based cheese sauce adds the right amount of gooey, creaminess to this, one of the easy vegan recipes I love most. It’s satisfying, comforting and super healthy. Eat it alone or serve alongside a simple salad for some added green goodness!

Get the recipe here.

vegan dinner ideas

21. Garlicky ‘Parmesan’ Pasta Soup

You know those days when you’re super hungry but you don’t have much food on hand? Well, you won’t dread those days anymore once you’ve got this soup in your cooking repertoire. Sauteed garlic and shallots kick of the dish then you simply add in the broth and some pasta and let it cook. Yum!

Get the recipe here.

vegan soup ideas

22. Twice Baked Potatoes

This spinach artichoke baked potato recipe is creamy and SO loaded with a vegan cheesy flavour that you won’t believe is dairy-free! These make a great meal alongside a salad. And the best part? Leftovers reheat well, too. Another of my go-to easy vegan meals, for sure!

Get the recipe here.

vegan meals for beginners

23. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Use up some mushrooms to make this creamy risotto dish. It’s quick, easy and guaranteed to be delicious! And you don’t need vegan cheese to make this creamy texture. The secret ingredient? Nooch, of course!

Get the recipe here.

Creamy Mushroom Risotto vegan

24. Vegan Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Sandwich

Chickpeas are another incredibly cheap vegan pantry staple. You can roast ’em, smash them into a sandwich filler, and you can even use their juices (aka aquafaba) as a replacement for an egg in baking. When it comes to easy vegan meals, this sandwich is one of my staples for lunch.

Get the recipe here.

vegan 'tuna' sandwich

25. 5 Ingredient Mexican Quinoa Bowl

This Mexican quinoa bowl may look like it requires a lot of prep work, but it actually takes a minimal amount. Who wants to stand around chopping and peeling for ages anyway? Once everything is ready, you can pop it into an instant pot to do all the hard work while you relax!

Get the recipe here.

easy vegan meals

26. Mushroom Barley Soup

In winter, soup is one of the easy vegan meals I love the most. It’s perfect for beginners to try out, as all you need to do is chop some stuff up, throw it in a broth, and let simmer. Add a crusty roll, and dinner is served!

Get the recipe here.

mushroom barley soup vegan recipe

27. Moroccan Couscous Salad

Say goodbye to those boring lettuce and tomato salads so many people think vegans live on. Say hello to an explosion of flavours (and nutrients!). This is one of those easy vegan meals that can be served for lunch or dinner, too.

Get the recipe here.

Moroccan Couscous Salad

28. Apple Cinnamon Crisp for One

Got a craving for something sweet? I didn’t want to make a list of easy vegan meals without adding at least one dessert! This apple cinnamon crisp is the perfect portion size for one, meaning zero waste, and can be made is just 5 minutes. Serve with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream.

Get the recipe here.

Apple Cinnamon Crisp for One

Lora O'Brien
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  1. Pingback: Recettes végétaliennes faciles pour les débutants et les chefs - Nepalilm

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