15 Vegan Recipes That Are More Delicious Than You Think

If you’re a meat lover, the thought of vegan meals is probably enough to make you turn up your nose. Tofu, chickpeas, and other plant-based ingredients may not sound appetizing, but these creative vegan recipes are anything but bland. Even if you’re not a vegan, you’ll be tempted to give these fifteen dishes a try.

1. Rustic Italian Pasta Salad

A closeup of Rustic Italian Pasta Salad in a white bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This Rustic Italian Pasta Salad is light yet hearty enough to replace a meaty entrée. Add some crusty bread on the side to make it even more filling.

2. Split Pea Soup

Clean Eating Split Pea Soup Recipe
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Need a quick, go-to soup recipe for a busy, cold, and blustery weeknight? I’ve got the perfect solution! This easy split pea soup recipe.

3. Chickpea Orzo Salad

An overhead view of a white bowl filled with Chickpea Orzo Salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This Chickpea Orzo Salad can be enjoyed as a main course for vegans or a delicious side dish for meat eaters. Either way, everyone will want seconds.

4. Avocado Pasta Salad

A closeup of avocado pasta salad in a bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This Avocado Pasta Salad is fresh and delicious. The best part is, if you have to feed folks who aren’t plant-based, you can easily add a side of meat to this. But it’s a great meal all on its own. Pro tip: use a bean-based pasta for extra protein and fiber.

5. Lentil Sloppy Joes

Two lentil sloppy joes sit on a parchment-lined baking pan.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Everyone loves sloppy joes. These Lentil Sloppy Joes are plant-based and absolutely delicious. Plus, the lentils and buns make a complete protein.

6. Cucumber Sandwich

A finished cucumber sandwich cut in half.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

A good Cucumber Sandwich is a thing of beauty. And while this is definitely a lighter meal, it’s perfect for a hot summer evening. Plus, you won’t be heating up the kitchen.

7. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Curry

A wood bowl sits filled with sweet potato curry. Two large raw carrots lay next to the bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Curry is absolute comfort food. Plus, it cooks itself in your slow cooker without heating up the kitchen. Not a bad deal in the warmer months.

8. Mushroom Barley Soup

An overhead view of a light green crock filled with mushroom barley soup.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Mushroom Barley Soup is a comforting and nourishing meal. Sautéed mushrooms add a rich, savory flavor and meaty texture, while barley absorbs the delicious mushroom-infused broth. Mushroom Barley Soup is a hearty and nutritious choice that can be enjoyed as a satisfying meal or appetizer.

9. Creamy Kale and Mushroom Pasta

A skillet full of just-made Creamy Kale And Mushroom Pasta.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you love creamy pasta, give this Creamy Kale and Mushroom Pasta a try. It uses vegan yogurt as the base of the sauce, and it’s absolute comfort food at its best. This is one the whole family will love.

10. Orecchiette Pasta Salad

A white bowl filled with Orecchiette Pasta Salad sitting on a red dishtowel, surrounded by fresh basil leaves and cherry tomatoes.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Pasta is a universally loved dish. Did you know that “Orecchiette” is a reference to “little ears?” This Orecchiette Pasta Salad is a delicious combination of fresh vegetables, fresh basil, and more. And if you can’t find Orecchiette, shells are a great replacement.

11. Grilled Zucchini Salad

Just mixed Grilled Zucchini Salad sitting in the metal bowl it was mixed in.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Few things are as tasty in summer as grilled veggies. Grilling truly brings out their flavors in ways an oven just can’t. Grilled Zucchini Salad is a fabulous way to use up some of your zucchini harvest in the tastiest way possible.

12. Mushroom Tacos

A row of mushroom tacos on a dark gray surface.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Everyone loves tacos. Just because you go vegan doesn’t mean that love stops. I just means that you’ll be filling your tacos with something other than meat, and these Mushroom Tacos are a delicious way to do that.

13. Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo

A hand holds a fork and reaches for a fork full of Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Creamy and decadent, this Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo is an indulgent dish for dinner tonight. This plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite features a luscious, velvety sauce that rivals the traditional dairy-based version.

14. Lentils And Rice

A closeup of a white bowl filled with Instant Pot Lentils and Rice.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Lentils And Rice is a simple and nourishing dish that brings together two nutritional powerhouses into a satisfying and versatile meal. This recipe offers a hearty, budget-friendly, and nutritious option that is both comforting and satisfying.

15. Spring Minestrone Soup

The finished Spring Minestrone Soup Recipe served in a white bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

There are so many different ingredients and combinations you can use to create a truly great pot of minestrone. With spring almost over, I thought it would be wonderful to use in-season ingredients to create this delicious pot of Spring Minestrone Soup before the season ends.

Intrigued By The Idea Of A Vegan Diet? Not Sure Where To Start?

Carrots and a red bell pepper arranged on a wooden surface to spell the word, vegan.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you are interested in a vegan or plant-based diet, don’t get overwhelmed when trying to figure it out. Here’s a guide on how to get started.

Need To Create More Balance In The Foods You Eat?

A single yellow bell pepper sitting on a wooden surface.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

You’ve probably heard about the 80/20 rule but never really looked closely at what those numbers actually mean. Here, I break it down for you.

Frustrated About Trying To Figure Out What Your Body Really Wants?

A hand reaches for a strawberry crumble bar from a wood surface where several bars are spread out.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Sometimes it’s really hard to know what your body wants or needs. But you don’t have to get frustrated and give up. Here’s a guide on how to figure things out.

This originally appeared on The Gracious Pantry.

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