Are there days where you just can’t even summon the strength to deal with the world? Last thing you want to do is cook an extensive meal for yourself, let alone anyone else. Don’t worry, with these Lazy Vegan Meals you’ll be able to throw together recipes that are cheap, delicious and, most importantly, easy.
Hey Internet… sometimes life gets really crazy. Work, family, kids, the list goes on and on. At times like these, the last thing on your mind is making a five course dinner. Just thinking about the dishes has me shuddering.
Sometimes you just need food that’s quick to eat and to clean. But takeout is expensive, and if you go out to get it, you might spend just as much time traveling to get it than if you had cooked in the first place.
Plus some restaurants can’t get anywhere close to as good a home cooked meal.
On top of all that, we’re vegan! While things have been improving in terms of available options, vegan friendly restaurants are still not as common as their omnivorous counterparts.
And unless you live close to a large city, good luck getting anything late at night.
This conundrum is a big part of the reason we started Zardyplants. We love being vegan, but that has not stopped us from being busy all the time.
Don’t get us wrong, we love our recipes like our seitan turkey (so juicy and tender 🤤).
But, steaming, rice paper wrapping and baking seitan after coming home from Three Meetings That Could Have Been an Email is not too appealing.
That’s why we made our tagline “Easy, Plant-Based Comfort Food;” because a lot of the time, you just need an easy, cheap and tasty way to get something in your throat-hole (internet cookie if you know what that’s from!).
Some Tips for Creating Your Own Lazy Vegan Meals
Before we go over some great recipes for dinner, here are some easy ways that you can start playing with your own recipe ideas.
These also help make sure you have the supplies on hand, because having to stop at a store is not really ideal. Nobody likes that or endorses it (bit of an inside joke).
Pasta, Rice and Beans are Your Friends
These are not only cheap vegan staples, but they’re also easy to prepare. There’s many ways to season, cook and enjoy these staples--so feel free to experiment!
Use Spices, Vinegars, etc. for Seasoning Your Food
No matter what flavor profile or cooking method you go with, you shouldn’t skimp on flavor.
Pepper, garlic, paprika, onion powder and many other spices add great flavor for not much extra cost.
Sauces are Great for Quick and Easy Flavors
Whether you buy it, make it, or use a short-cut (like a pre-made sauce with a homemade dish), there are lots of ways to invent and enjoy lazy vegan meals.
Certain Small Appliances Can Help
I have a tiny kitchen so I very carefully consider what I buy since I really don't have a lot of space.
My kitchen table becomes my counter because the only counter space I have in my kitchen is taken up by my blender, food processor, and drying rack--yes, it's really that tiny.
But I do have an IKEA shelf that has the small appliances I really love and use: my Instant Pot, air fryer and toaster oven.
And these ones I really do find useful.
For example I steam a lot of seitan with my instant pot seitan recipe--but it's a method I use with most of my roast-style seitan recipes (like the seitan turkey, vegan ham and vegan corned beef).
My air fryer is actually one of my most used gadgets for super quick food. I often will just top frozen vegan chicken nuggets or frozen veggies and beans or tofu in there, top it with a good vegan sauce, and that's dinner.
And I mean if we're talking really lazy, my Vitamix blender can make soup in like 5 minutes. And it's hot.
But not everyone is a kitchen nerd like me.
So here's a bunch of recipes that don't require any kitchen gadgets but are till super quick and pretty easy for when you're feeling like some lazy vegan meals.
25 Lazy Vegan Meals
25 Lazy Vegan Recipes
Are there days where you just can’t even summon the strength to deal with the world? Last thing you want to do is cook an extensive meal for yourself, let alone anyone else. Don’t worry, with these Lazy Vegan Meals you’ll be able to throw together recipes that are cheap, delicious and, most importantly, easy.
Easy, sweet, salty, and super garlicky, these Vegan Garlic Noodles might just become your new favorite go-to meal. With just 5 ingredients and no oil or dairy, this dish is quick and easy, coming together in just 15 minutes.
Delicious Vegan Beef and Broccoli is savory, satisfying, and family friendly. Skip the takeout and make this delectable yet healthy dish in less than 30 minutes.
This Vegan Waldorf Salad is creamy, refreshing and perfectly balanced for a delicious side or entree. Made from grapes, apples, walnuts and optional celery and served in a beautiful lettuce lined bowl, this is a dish you can bring to any gathering or complement any spread at your dinner table.
This super fast 15 Minute Vegan Veggie Lo Mein is the perfect meal when you need dinner ready in a flash but you still need it to be healthy and taste good. Simple & easy to find ingredients and it tastes just like takeout, you may just make this meal part of your weekly staples!
This Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Chickpea Croutons and Pickled Onions is a delicious twist on a classic salad. This salad is also protein-packed, super satisfying, and takes less than 15 minutes to throw together!
Fluffy, delicious, and nutritious, these healthy Plant Based Pancakes are an easy breakfast that will please even the pickiest of eaters. Full of fiber, protein, and micronutrients, these delicious pancakes are indulgent only in taste so you can feel satisfied and ready to take on your day.
Creamy, spicy, and flavorful, this Vegan Cajun Pasta may just be your new favorite dinner. Enjoy on its own or top it with some seitan chicken.
Protein-packed and full of eggy flavor, this loaded Vegan Omelette is satisfying and delicious. Make it in just 10 minutes with simple pantry ingredients and any fillings you like for a customizable and quick yet wholesome breakfast.
This Vegan Chickpea Florentine Pasta is a creamy, savory, tangy pasta meal comes together in just 30 minutes and only uses one pot! The light, creamy sauce will have you slurping your noodles and licking the bowl, yet it's healthy and loaded with veggies so no guilt necessary!
Delicious and fun, this Vegan Rasta Pasta recipe is inspired by an original Jamaican dish and is an easy, quick meal to make on weeknights or when you’re short on time. Featuring soy curls as a replacement for chicken and surrounded by fettuccine, bell peppers, green onions, Jamaican curry powder, and, believe it or not, vegan parmesan cheese to create a lick-the-bowl meal you’ll be proud to serve.
This delicious, cozy Creamy Vegan Mushroom Pasta takes just 30 minutes and one pot to make. A super easy meal to make no matter your kitchen skills, this pasta, is creamy, rich, savory and packed with umami flavor!
Comforting, nostalgic, and delicious, this Vegan Tuna Casserole is a healthy take on a family favorite. Made from a simply delicious cheesy sauce, noodles, peas, onions, garlic, optional celery, and breadcrumbs, this satisfying meal is ready in 30 minutes!
A healthy twist on a true classic, these Easy Vegan Tuna Melt Sandwiches will become your new favorite lunch. Made from wholesome, plant-based ingredients and ready in 15 minutes or less, they're a delicious protein-packed upgrade to grilled cheese.
This sticky and delicious vegan orange chicken uses tofu and is incredibly easy to make. In under 25 minutes you can have a tasty entree that's both healthy and decadent, as this recipe contains zero refined sugar or oil!
Creamy, zesty, tangy homemade vegan ranch mixed with pasta and fresh veggies--is there anything better? This simple and delicious pasta salad is great warm or chilled, and the perfect dish to take to a potluck or cook at home for yourself or your family, and free of any nuts, gluten, oil, or sugar.
Hey Internet, I'm excited to bring you Vegan Avocado Pesto Pasta today! This vegan pesto is my favorite that I've tasted, and thanks to the creamy avocado, it's oil-free!
This ridiculously delicious Sticky Tofu might just be one of the best things I’ve ever made. It’s incredibly easy to make, customize, and it goes with basically everything.
Cheesy, rich, and a little indulgent, this Vegan Cacio e Pepe is basically grown up mac and cheese. With only a few simple ingredients, this simple and easy dish packs a mighty bunch of flavor in a sophisticated and feels-fancy package.
This creamy, refreshing, and delicious Vegan Chicken Salad is a quick and easy meal you can make for yourself, your family, or even a barbecue or potluck. It’s gluten-free, oil-free, and ridiculously tasty in a sandwich or with some fresh vegetables!
Creamy, bright, and delicious, this Vegan Vodka Sauce comes together in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients. It’s packed with flavor, incredibly easy to make, and is sure to become your go-to dinner with the pasta of your choice.
Cozy, savory, and perfect for fall, this Vegan Cream of Chicken Soup is hearty, healthy, and stick-to-your-ribs satisfying. Whether you make up a big pot to eat throughout the week, serve to your family with crusty bread, or freeze for a snowy day, this soup is sure to become your new household favorite. Did we mention it takes only 30 minutes to make?
Quick and easy, this Vegan Garlic Bread is super delicious and flavorful. Make this cozy classic side dish in just 20 minutes with only 5 ingredients including the bread!
A vegan take on the Philippines’ national dish, Tofu Adobo is savory, sweet, tangy, rich, and completely delicious. Tofu has met its match with this easy and flavorful meal.
Rich, creamy, and lush, this easy yet decadent Vegan Mac and Cheese is for cheese lovers. This incredibly delicious cheese sauce is great on any pasta (or anything else) and contains no nuts, soy, gluten, or oil.
These Vegan Honey Mustard Chicken Wraps are perfect for lunch or dinner, or even as a snack. They’re customizable and easy to assemble so they’ll please the whole family, and they’re ready in less than 20 minutes!
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