35 Delicious Vegan Recipes

Vegan Mac and Cheese

This low-fat, dairy-free version of this American classic retains its signature flavor: the orange, creamy sauce contains pureed cauliflower, vegan cheddar, and turmeric. Miso paste and nutritional yeast bring out the cheese's nutty, savory flavor.

Recipe: Pasta with cauliflower

Rolls with hummus and grilled vegetables

Grill or pan-fry the zucchini until tender. Layer the filling, alternating with raw peppers, spinach, store-bought hummus, and mixed greens for a nutritious, on-the-go lunch.

Recipe: Fried Zucchini and Spinach Wraps

Vegan banana bread

This banana bread is egg- and dairy-free, but the difference is subtle. The crust is soft and tender, and the flavor gets better with each passing day (though you'll probably eat it quickly).

Recipe: Vegan banana bread

Creamy Broccoli Soup

The creamy consistency of this low-fat, healthy soup can be achieved without cream by using Yukon Gold potatoes. Nutritional yeast, with its pleasant nutty flavor, makes a great cheese substitute; look for it in health food stores.

Recipe: Vegan Creamy Broccoli Soup

Hummus

Aina's recipe is effortless, and you probably already have the ingredients. Infuse the dip with vibrant flavor by adding plenty of garlic and lemon.

Recipe: Simple hummus

Vegan Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic

Yellow-fleshed potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, are firm, tender, and moderately starchy. This makes them an ideal base for mashed potatoes, especially in a vegan recipe; dairy-free mashed potatoes are low in fat and calories.

Recipe: Vegan Roasted Garlic Crushed Potatoes

Vegan pancakes

You won't need eggs or dairy for these fluffy pancakes—baking powder will do the trick. Enjoy the flavor and tenderness that coconut oil imparts to these pancakes.

Recipe: Vegan pancakes

Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes

Delicious egg- and dairy-free cupcakes are quite simple. Use shelf-stable soy or almond milk: they contain fewer additives that could affect the taste and texture of the dessert.

Recipe: Vanilla cupcake with vegan cream

Salad with mashed tofu and spinach (shira-ae)

Masaharu Morimoto combines spinach and tofu in a hearty, tender dish. Be sure to drain and squeeze the spinach and wrap the tofu in a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Recipe: Shira-ae: Tofu Salad

Vegan tofu omelette with spinach

This low-calorie breakfast is rich in protein and fiber. Lemon juice adds a bright note. Complete the dish with whole-grain toast.

Recipe: Vegan tofu omelette with spinach

Vegan Blueberry Muffins

These muffins are just as delicious as the traditional version, with the same sweet and creamy base. You can use fresh or frozen blueberries; fresh berries can add a little more moisture.

Recipe: Vegan Blueberry Muffins

Baked Winter Vegetables

The key to roasting vegetables is to cut them into large pieces, as they will shrink in the oven. Aina uses plenty of salt and pepper to ensure the vegetables are infused with vibrant flavor after cooking.

Recipe: Baked Winter Vegetables

Vegan lasagna with spinach and mushrooms

You'll love the combination of mushrooms and fennel seeds, which gives this vegan lasagna a pleasantly spicy flavor. Assemble the lasagna a few hours ahead of time and use instant, egg-free pasta.

Recipe: Vegan lasagna with spinach and mushrooms

Butternut Squash Stuffed with Wild Rice

This impressive autumn dish is a delight for vegans and vegetarians as a main course, but it can also be served as a side dish for any gathering. Curry powder adds a pleasant warmth and depth of flavor to the pumpkin.

Recipe: Stuffed pumpkin with wild rice and sage

Fettuccine Alfredo with Lemon

This low-fat, fiber-rich vegan version of the classic has all the hallmarks: a creamy texture from soy cream cheese, rich flavor from garlic, lemon, and pepper, and a cheesy note from nutritional yeast.

Recipe: Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo with Lemon

Vegan saffron risotto

This delicate, colorful risotto is inspired by the flavors of the Provençal dish bouillabaisse (seafood soup). It's a perfect special occasion dish for vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike. Umami-rich ingredients (the "fifth" taste)—tomato paste, soy sauce, and canned tomatoes—add depth. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor. Make the broth ahead of time and reheat it as you prepare.

Recipe: Vegan saffron risotto

Vegan Potato Casserole

Nutritional yeast, grown in molasses and then dried, imparts a cheesy, nutty flavor (and also enriches with vitamin B12). Silken tofu and tender new potatoes provide a creamy, dairy-free texture, while sautéed onions add a rich flavor.

Recipe: Vegan Potato Gratin

Vegan cheesecake

This version of a classic dessert is delicious and creamy thanks to silken tofu and vegan cream cheese. Silken tofu is softer and more crispy than regular tofu—perfect for desserts like this.

Recipe: Vegan cheesecake

Vegan Basil Pesto

The combination of smoked almonds, pistachios, and green tea leaves creates a deep flavor typically found in cheese—a great vegan sauce for pasta or crostini. Freeze leftovers in an ice cube tray for up to 1 month.

Recipe: Vegan Basil Pesto

Vegan tartlets with potatoes, sweet peppers, and olives

Finely chopped potatoes are quickly boiled, then mashed with olive oil and nutritional yeast to create a cheesy, creamy base for this vegan appetizer. Smoked paprika adds a hint of bacon flavor (but there's no actual bacon here!). Make the filling a day ahead, then fill the shells, reheat, and serve. Meat eaters will love this appetizer too!

Recipe: Vegan tartlets with potatoes, sweet peppers, and olives

Vegan apple pie

In this vegan fruit pie recipe, extra-virgin coconut oil is a great substitute for butter in both the crust and the apple filling. Try using a variety of apples: Golden Delicious apples hold their shape well, perfectly complementing the soft McIntosh apples, while Granny Smith apples offer a pleasant tartness.

Recipe: Vegan apple pie

Vegan French Toast

One of the secrets to any French toast is to use day-old, stale bread. Fresh bread is too soft and can fall apart. This recipe makes for relatively dry toast. For a softer version, soak the bread in a milk-yogurt mixture for about 2 minutes on each side.

Recipe: Vegan French Toast

Lentil burgers

These burgers are full of flavor, high in fiber and protein, and low in fat. They can be grilled or pan-fried: heat 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. (Remember: adding more oil will alter the fat and calorie content.)

Recipe: Vegan Lentil Burgers

Sloppy Joe's Spicy Vegan Burgers

Mushrooms add a meaty richness to these savory burgers. But there's no meat, so these are probably the leanest Sloppy Joe burgers you can make.

Recipe: Vegan Sloppy Joe's Burger with Crispy Topping

Are you following the "Meatless Mondays" tradition or are you a plant-based eater? This vegan version of shepherd's pie will satisfy your craving for this warming winter classic. It looks just like the meat dish and is just as delicious. We've simplified the process for a quick weeknight meal: we use frozen peas and carrots, and the pie is baked in the same pan you used to cook the vegetables.

Recipe: Vegan Shepherd's Pie

Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake

This pumpkin pie combines beloved pumpkin pie ingredients—smooth pumpkin puree, warm autumn spices, and a generous dose of vanilla—but eliminates any dairy or eggs to create a seasonal vegan treat. Vegan chocolate chips, folded into the batter and sprinkled on top, add extra flavor and texture.

Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake

Vegan Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup

This hearty vegan soup incorporates the flavors of Spain. Smoked paprika (pimenton) adds a deep, savory flavor that will please everyone, even your favorite meat-eaters. We like to use water as a base: it brings out the flavors of the vegetables better. Sherry vinegar, while optional, adds a vibrant flavor and elevates the dish.

Recipe: Vegan Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup

Vegan dessert “Pavlova”

This luxurious dessert is the perfect treat for you, your friends, and family, whether you're vegan or not. The meringues themselves are made with aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas, which effectively replaces egg whites. After baking, they turn out wonderfully crisp on the outside and soft as marshmallows on the inside.

Recipe: Vegan dessert “Pavlova”

Vegan pasta salad with creamy dressing

If you're following a plant-based diet or just looking for a good dairy-free dish, this creamy pasta salad is the perfect solution. It's perfect for both picnics and weeknight dinners.

Recipe: Vegan pasta salad with creamy dressing

Vegan Lentil Chili

With hearty lentils, beans, and vegetables, this vegan chili is just as comforting as the meaty version.

Recipe: Vegan Lentil Chili

Vegan Banana Pancakes

A ripe banana, often used in vegan recipes, serves double duty here: it replaces eggs and adds a delicious flavor to the pancakes. In this case, the darker the banana, the better! For frying, it's best to use unsalted vegan butter, which gives the pancakes a traditional flavor, but coconut oil will do in a pinch.

Recipe: Vegan Banana Pancakes

Vegan baked beans

The secret ingredient in these vegan baked beans is shiitake mushrooms. Even meat lovers won't notice the lack of bacon! The best part is, the beans don't require soaking—just slowly roast them in the oven until tender and savory-sweet.

Recipe: Vegan baked beans

Vegan potato salad with creamy dressing

This recipe transforms classic potato salad with a creamy dressing into a vegetarian side dish perfect for holidays, picnics, or a simple midweek dinner. A splash of apple cider vinegar and gherkins add just the right amount of tartness and crunch.

Recipe: Vegan potato salad with creamy dressing

Vegan Vegetable Curry Stew

This vegan creamy soup is hearty enough for a main course thanks to the chickpeas and abundant vegetables. To make it even more filling, you can add some cooked rice or noodles just before serving. When choosing a vegetable broth for this recipe, look for one with a more subtle color and flavor so it doesn't overpower the other ingredients.

Recipe: Vegan Vegetable Curry Stew

Vegan Unagi Donburi

This is a super-delicious vegan version of the popular Japanese dish unadon (unagi-donburi), fried eel in a sweet, sticky sauce served with white rice. Eggplant replaces the eel. The recipe is quick and simple, but so delicious that it's sure to please even vegans.

Recipe: Vegan Unagi Donburi