Easy Plant Based Dinner Recipes for Beginners

We'll do the thinking for you - we have a full list of easy, plant-based recipes that both the kids and the adults (or the solo folks) will enjoy. From vegan nuggets to cozy stews! These are the meatless meals you need to have in rotation.

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I remember when I first started experimenting with plant-based recipes, I had no idea where to start. How can I have a complete meal without the no-veg protein?

That's when I had to start to think outside the box. Or better yet, the things I can add to my dinner plate, rather eliminate.

The good news is that there is a wide range of plant-based recipe ideas that are affordable, easy, and plant-based. Including the things you might already be eating, namely, spaghetti, vegan pizza, loaded potatoes, and vegetable stews.

Collage with different plant-based recipe ideas for dinner.

And you might already be working with everyday pantry ingredients that are vegetarian including lentils, beans, rice, quinoa, and spices.

It will take some time, creativity, and a little bit of cooking skill – but I promise it's approachable to switch to a plant-based diet, especially for those nighttime meals.

What Are Plant-Based Foods?

Plant-based foods are those that derive from plants. Vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds are all examples of plant-based foods.

A plant-based diet consists mostly or entirely of plant-based foods, some of which may be minimally processed. It can be a balanced, wholesome, and nutritionally generous diet when done right.

Additionally, it's a delicious and healthy way of eating that can be approachable and affordable with a little bit of planning.

Here are 21 delicious plant-based recipes for dinner that can be paired with your favorite sides. Very easy recipes, so they are perfect for plant-based beginners!

Not sure how to make your breakfast plant-based and healthy? Check out our 18 Frugal Plant-Based Breakfast Recipes.

Vegan Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

A creamy, savory, rich vegan "butter chicken" recipe made with tofu. This recipe is 100% meat-free and packed with insane flavor. Pair this dish with rice, naan, or roti.

Vegan butter chicken topped with cilantro and served with rice.

DINNER TIP: If you're missing Indian food, good news, you can still have it! This "butter chicken" recipe goes perfectly with a side of naan, roti, rice, or some raw onions. You won't need anything else. Top it off with coconut or cashew cream.

Vegan Puerto Rican Spaghetti

Load up your plates with Puerto Rican spaghetti made with adobo, sazon, sofrito, tomato, sauce, and meatless ground beef. This recipe is 100% vegan and EASY to make!

Meatless Puerto Rican spaghetti topped with chopped cilantro.

Habichuelas Guisadas From Scratch

A savory, Puerto Rican stew called "habichuelas guisadas" also known as a pink/red bean stew. Made from dry beans and from scratch. Served with rice, sliced avocado, and a protein.

Puerto Rican habichuelas guisadas with a side of rice

DINNER TIP: To make habichuelas guisadas a complete meal, pair it with white rice, plantains, and sliced avocado. For the plantains, either go for salty "tostones" or sweet "maduros," which can be fried or baked for a healthier version.

Black Bean Tofu Burger Recipe

Protein-packed, healthy plant-based burgers made with tofu, black beans, and mushrooms. A kid-friendly burger that's great for a weekday dinner meal. Gluten-free, vegan, and healthy.

DINNER TIP: Dress up your burger with your favorite items. Just like regular burgers, we can add onions, tomatoes, pickles, our favorite sauces, and a slice of vegan, melted cheese.

Puerto Rican Tofu Guisado

Go plant-based and enjoy your cozy bowl of Puerto Rican Tofu Guisado. Completely meat-free made with "meaty" tofu, tender potatoes, carrots chunks, and a variety of Puerto Rican spices.

Cooked tofu guisado or tofu stew made with tofu, carrots, potatoes, and olives. Topped with chopped cilantro.

DINNER TIP: Serve tofu guisado with your favorite PuertoRican sides including rice, avocado, and fried plantains.

Mushroom Lentil Loaf

Let's crank on the oven for an umami-blasted Mushroom Lentil Loaf made with plant-based ingredients! Made with juicy mushrooms, protein-packed lentils, spices, and topped with a sweet-and-savory glaze

Sliced mushroom lentil loaf with glaze and topped with parsley.

DINNER TIP: Go for a carb-based side to go along with your veggie mushroom lentil loaf, like mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, cornbread, and air fryer potatoes.

20-Minute Chipotle Sofritas

A flavor-packed sofritas recipe that's inspired by Chipotle's version of the dish. Made with adobo sauce, fresh homemade sofrito, and "meaty" firm tofu. A great dish to add with rice, tacos, burritos or a salad.

Vegan chipotles sofritas in a cast-iron skillet served with black beans, cilantro-lime rice, and tortillas.

DINNER TIP: This Chipotle-inspired sofritas dish is just as versatile as what you get from the restaurant. Go for a burrito, taco, salad, or rice bowl – the choice is yours. Add all of your favorite toppings and sides and you have a full meal.

Cannellini bean burger with sirarcha mayo sauce, spinach, and sliced onions.

Creamy Rigatoni With Sofrito Avocado Sauce

Quick and easy, creamy rigatoni pasta gently tossed in avocado and fragrant sofrito sauce. Made with a Puerto Rican twist, using adobo. A delicious dinner recipe that's perfect for a busy weekday summer night.

Rigatoni pasta in a creamy avocado sauce in a gray bowl. Topped with chili flakes.

Beefless "Beef" Stew (Puerto Rican Style)

Using Gardein Beefless Tips, we're firing up the stove to make a hearty pot of Beefless "Beef" Stew – Puerto Rican style! Loaded with potatoes, carrots, and Puerto Rican flavors

Vegetarian beef stew with chunks of potatoes, carrots, vegan beef, green olives in a gray bowl

Oil-Free Vegan Fried Rice

A delicious, oil-free healthy vegan fried rice recipe loaded with your favorite veggies along with tofu scramble!

Oil-free "fried" rice with veggies served on a platter

DINNER TIP: This oil-free "fried" rice is the perfect opportunity to throw in your favorite vegetables that need to get used up. Feel free to make this dish a little more interesting by adding corn, edamame, or even green beans.

Vegan Creamy Chickpea Pasta with Spinach

Whip up a creamy, velvety chickpea pasta for your next weekday dinner! Made with linguine, pan-roasted chickpeas, garlic, and creamy coconut milk. This recipe is 100% dairy-free, vegan, and can be made gluten-free.

Linguine pasta with chickpeas, spinach, and coconut milk in a wok.

Bowl of vegan macaroni and cheese.

How To Cook Dry Black Beans (No Soak)

Time to put those dry black beans to work! Here's an easy way on how to cook dry beans from scratch – no soaking needed. These beans are packed with plant-based fiber, protein and they're EASY to make.

No soak, cooked black beans in a gray bowl.

DINNER TIP: Dry beans are ridiculously easy to make, they just need a little bit of time. I love pairing these beans with a side of white rice and steamed vegetables.

Vegan Palak "Paneer" With Tofu

Flavor-packed vegan palak "paneer" made with tofu, spinach, and Indian spices. A healthy dish that is best served with naan, roti, or a side of rice.

Vegan palak paneer in a large white bowl with a side of sliced onions and white rice.

Vegetarian Tofu Bean Chili

The BEST vegetarian tofu bean chili. This classic, comfort dish is made with tender tofu, creamy beans, rich tomato sauce, and a blend of pantry-friendly spices.

Vegetarian tofu bean chili in a gray bowl topped with chopped cilantro

DINNER TIP: Chili is cozy any time of the year – whether it's for game day, winter, or to use as a topping for summer veggie hot dogs. I like to keep things traditional and add a side of homemade cornbread.

Vegan picadillo with Spanish green olives and potatoes in a serving bowl.

Spring Vegetable Fried Rice

Easy, 10-minute, vegan spring vegetable fried rice! A healthy, springtime recipe loaded with seasonal vegetables. Serve as a side dish or as the main meal.

Spring fried rice with vegetables in a bowl.

Stovetop Vegan Tofu Meatballs

Sometimes, a classic, cozy dinner recipe is everything we need at the end of a long day. We're going plant-based for our homemade vegan tofu meatballsrecipe to accompany our piled-up spaghetti.

Stovetop tofu meatballs with pasta.

DINNER TIP: The only thing you need to make this recipe complete is a pile of spaghetti and tomato pasta sauce.

20-Minute Thai-Style Vegetable Red Curry

Flavor-packed, Thai-style vegetable red curry made with sweet red bell pepper, broccoli, and tender potatoes. Cooked in just 20 minutes! Serve with a side of jasmin rice or roti.

Thai-style vegetable curry in a bowl made with red bell peppers, potatoes, and broccoli.

DINNER TIP: Make this dish complete with a side of white jasmine rice or flatbread.

Arroz Con Gandules (Puerto Rican Yellow Rice)

Arroz con gandules or Puerto Rican yellow rice with gandules is a Puerto Rican staple made with pigeon peas, long-grain rice, sofrito, sazon, adobo, tomato sauce, and sometimes Spanish green olives. It's a Puerto Rican dinner staple that is served with most meals.

Puerto Rican yellow rice in dutch oven.

DINNER TIP: Puerto Rican yellow rice is typically paired with ripe avocado, plantains, and meat. But to keeps vegan, go for a side of sofritas or vegan picadillo mentioned in this list.

There you have it – 21 plant-based dinner ideas that'll make everyone at home asking for seconds!

Did you try any of the recipes on the list?

Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us

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