Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Healthy Meals 31 Easy Vegan Recipes to Start a Plant-Based Diet Try these for your vegan diet: tasty soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and more. By Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Instagram Website Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 22, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: VICTOR PROTASIO With over 30 easy vegan recipes, you'll find something to start your plant-based diet or add to your already-vegan menu. Not only is plant-based eating good for the environment and your body, but it can also be incredibly satisfying and tasty, especially with these hearty recipes. Grab your best chef's knife—you'll need it for all these veggies. Read on for some of our best vegan meals. 01 of 31 Cauliflower Tartine With Romesco Sauce Caitlin Bensel You'll get rave reviews from guests with this delicious open-faced sandwich—it looks high-maintenance but is super simple to make. Golden raisins and fresh parsley are in the mix to freshen and sweeten the delectable combo of Romesco and cauliflower, but you can try using cilantro and chopped dates for a different spin. Make sure to buy vegan sourdough bread. get the recipe 02 of 31 Meatless Meatball Subs Caitlin Bensel Eggplant meatballs mixed with umami-rich mushrooms, served on fluffy whole-wheat hoagies? These sandwiches are so flavorful that your dinner guests will forget they're meatless. To make them vegan, make sure to skip the Parmesan cheese. Try using nutritional yeast if you want the salty, savory flavor of cheese (minus the dairy). get the recipe 03 of 31 Spicy Coconut Noodles Beatriz da Costa This Asian-inspired dish gets its richness from coconut milk, tomato paste, and spices. Cooked in only 20 minutes from start to end, this tasty vegan dish can be made with rice noodles or fettuccine. It's sure to become a family favorite. get the recipe 04 of 31 Southwestern Pasta Salad Greg DuPree Avocado adds creaminess to the dressing in this vegan pasta salad. Topped with more avocado, black beans, and corn, this makes a refreshing, hearty salad that's perfect for lunch or dinner. Serve with tortilla chips for added texture and flavor. get the recipe 05 of 31 Winter Lentil Soup Kana Okada Use kale, leeks, and sweet potatoes in this warming one-pot meal. With so many veggies, this soup is filling and nutrient-rich. Skip the Parmesan for a completely vegan version. get the recipe 06 of 31 Quick Nutty Noodles Greg DuPree The star of this vibrant noodle dish is a slurpable sauce made with a few pantry staples, including apple cider vinegar, almond butter, and toasted sesame oil. The gluten-free soba noodles, which help soak up the sauce, are tossed with crunchy salt-marinated cucumber, peppery watercress, and quick-pickled radishes. What we love most about this flavorful plant-based meal is that it comes together in just 20 minutes. get the recipe 07 of 31 Crispy Tofu Noodle Soup Caitlin Bensel Crispy tofu is combined with rice noodles and Swiss chard in a vegetable broth flavored with ginger, garlic, tamari, and star anise for a nutritious and protein-rich meal. To ensure that the tofu browns, pat it dry before cooking. get the recipe 08 of 31 Three-Bean Chili With Spring Pesto James Merrell Three types of beans—chickpeas, cannellini, and kidney—ensure this chili is filling and full of protein. Top with pesto for a refreshing twist, and serve with your favorite crusty (vegan) bread. get the recipe 09 of 31 Fettucine With Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce Victor Protasio While some of the main ingredients in traditional alfredo sauce are heavy cream and cheese, you can whip up a vegan version of this famous pasta sauce courtesy of healthy cauliflower. The versatile veggie combined with cashew milk and nutritional yeast creates a savory, creamy sauce that's dairy-free. Finish your bowl of pasta with a dusting of lemon zest and a shower of chopped, fresh parsley leaves. get the recipe 10 of 31 Roasted Broccoli Pesto Pasta Caitlin Bensel The savory pesto coating this pasta is made with roasted broccoli (florets and stems), almonds, lemon zest, lemon juice, arugula, olive oil, salt, and pepper. While the pesto calls for an optional dose of cheese, you can always use vegan-friendly nutritional yeast instead. Once the sauce is done, toss it with the pasta and top the finished dish with some extra broccoli florets and baby arugula. get the recipe 11 of 31 Swiss Chard With Chickpeas and Couscous John Kernick Toasted pine nuts go a long way in providing flavor and texture to this sweet and savory dish. Chickpeas boost protein and help keep you full. The best part is this vegan meal cooks in just 20 minutes. get the recipe 12 of 31 Hummus and Cucumber Toast Caitlin Bensel On nights when you don't want to fire up the stove, try this hearty, plant-based toast. It features toasted whole-grain bread slathered with store-bought or homemade hummus. Topped with thinly-sliced Persian cucumbers, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of za'atar spice mix, you'll be wanting two slices of toast for a filling (and simple) dinner. get the recipe 13 of 31 Linguine With Caper and Green Olive Sauce Hector Sanchez This simple pasta meal combines store-bought marinara sauce with Spanish olives and capers to give it an assertive, briny bite. Red pepper flakes give the dish a spike of heat. You'll love that it's easy to make and only takes 20 minutes. get the recipe 14 of 31 Curried Eggplant With Tomatoes and Basil Con Poulos Eggplant's meaty texture makes it an ideal ingredient for vegan and vegetarian dishes. Chickpeas increase your protein count, while curry powder adds heat. To ensure that this meal is entirely vegan, use plant-based yogurt. get the recipe 15 of 31 Cuban Black Beans and Rice Kan Kanbayashi Full of fiber and protein, you can eat this Latin American staple as a main or a side dish. Serve with a side salad, or add plant-based meat for an even heartier meal. get the recipe 16 of 31 Torn Pita and Eggplant Salad With Parsley and Green Tahini Jennifer Causey Meaty eggplant helps make this a filling salad. You'll also find crispy pita rounds and fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, but the best part is the flavorful green tahini that ties the whole meal together. get the recipe 17 of 31 Spicy Summer Squash Stir-Fry Greg DuPree This colorful stir-fry (which comes together in just 20 minutes) is packed with healthy vegetables. Specifically, it combines summer squash, Japanese eggplant, and spicy red jalapeño slices. The whole thing is coated in a cornstarch-soy sauce and served over a hearty helping of white rice. get the recipe 18 of 31 Cauliflower and Chickpea Stew With Couscous Lisa Hubbard Cooking couscous is a fast process: Just cover it with hot water and allow it to steam for five minutes. While cauliflower and chickpeas already provide a nutritional component, this stew gets even more nutrients from raisins, spinach, and spices. get the recipe 19 of 31 Chickpeas With Chard and Pan-Roasted Tomatoes Romulo Yanes Fresh lemon juice and golden raisins give this dish unexpected brightness and sweetness. Chickpeas boost the protein level, and brown rice provides healthy whole grains and fiber. This filling vegan recipe is excellent as-is, but you can add tofu or another meat alternative for an even heartier meal. get the recipe 20 of 31 Toasted Israeli Couscous With Corn and Herbs Greg DuPree Upgrade your pasta salad game with this vegan dish—perfect for summer picnics and potlucks. The toasted Israeli couscous base is paired with juicy summer corn kernels and fresh herbs—basil, chives, and dill—plus caramelized onions for good measure. Trust us: You won't be longing for any meat here. get the recipe 21 of 31 Loaded Sweet Potatoes With Coconut and Kale Victor Protasio For an easy vegan meal, load up a microwave-baked sweet potato with some of your favorite veggies. This particular recipe calls for a filling of kale cooked in a rich and spicy coconut sauce flavored with lime juice and fragrant curry powder. For a completely plant-based recipe, omit the butter or use vegan butter instead (found in Trader Joe's vegan foods selection). get the recipe 22 of 31 Simple Red Beans and Rice Con Poulos A simplified take on the well-known Louisiana dish, these red beans and rice are sure to leave you satisfied and full. Red kidney beans are nutritious and are the main star of this dish, but the best part is it cooks in less than 30 minutes. get the recipe 23 of 31 Carrot and Red Lentil Soup Greg DuPree Carrots and red lentils combine with creamy coconut milk for a warm and comforting vegan soup. Ready in just 20 minutes, this meal works wonderfully with crusty bread for scooping up all the broth. get the recipe 24 of 31 Lemony Lentil Soup Greg DuPree Enjoy this simple-yet-filling soup in just 30 minutes. Red lentils add protein and texture, while vegetables supply much-needed nutrients. Top with roasted kale leaves for a new comfort-food favorite to add to your menu. get the recipe 25 of 31 Jane Goodall's Lentil-Miso Soup With Spinach Erin Scott There are plenty of healthy vegetables in this soup recipe from Jane Goodall. Lentils add protein and fiber, while miso gives a rich, umami flavor. With so many hearty ingredients, this plant-based dish will leave you feeling full. get the recipe 26 of 31 Green Curry Noodle Bowls With Tofu Antonis Achilleos This quick dinner recipe combines a curry coconut milk broth with tofu and broccoli. Feel free to swap other vegetables for the broccoli—snap peas, cabbage, or grated carrot also work. Serve with rice noodles (or rice) for a filling vegan dinner. get the recipe 27 of 31 Squash, Mushroom, and Kale Soup With Dill Christopher Testani You'll reap the health benefits of mushrooms and butternut squash with this delicious soup recipe. Orzo adds a bit of texture, and kale rounds out this dish. It's hard to believe such a hearty meal takes only 30 minutes to cook. get the recipe 28 of 31 Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes Con Poulos Loaded with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and two types of beans, this vegetarian chili packs a protein punch. After a quick 20 minutes of prep time, the slow cooker does the rest of the work, ensuring you have a warm meal when you get home. Serve with tortilla chips and skip the sour cream and cheese toppings for a hearty vegan meal. get the recipe 29 of 31 Walnut Mushroom Bolognese Caitlin Bensel This plant-based Bolognese sauce combines mushrooms and walnuts for a meat-like texture. When served with your favorite pasta, you get a delicious, hearty meal to add to your weekly menu. Use a non-dairy creamer and skip the cheese for a completely vegan dish. get the recipe 30 of 31 Skillet Polenta in Creamy Tomato Sauce Caitlin Bensel Cooked polenta, white beans, and canned tomatoes make this an easy dish to cook. The result is a comforting meal that's perfect when served with crusty bread. get the recipe 31 of 31 Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole Antonis Achilleos The popular dip gets a twist in this casserole recipe. Non-dairy milk and cashew butter provide a creamy texture, while a potato chip topping adds crunch. Quinoa helps round out this fun and simple meal. get the recipe 21 High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Ideas to Keep You Full Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit