There’s no doubt about it: vegetables can be the main event. A vegetable-heavy vegan dinner doesn’t need to be a chore. With these delicious plant-based dinners, there really is something for everyone. Even if you’re not crazy for cauliflower or all about the aubergine, these vegetable dinner recipes offer inventive ways to enjoy vegetables as part of a nutritious, balanced plant-based diet.
Why eat vegetables?
Full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, vegetables are crucial for a healthy diet. Some can even provide a healthy protein boost.
Eating a plant-based diet rich in vegetables has many health benefits. From a lower risk of Parkinson’s Disease to protection from chronic kidney disease, healthy plant-based diets are seen by health experts as a recipe for a longer, healthier life. Higher consumption of vegan protein has also been linked to “healthier aging” and a lower risk of catching Covid-19.
Top vegetable recipes
This list of 17 vegetable dinner recipes has something for everyone. From sweet potato to butternut squash, aubergine to artichoke, here are our top picks of vegan dinners where vegetables are the main event.
Coconut And Peanut Butter Curry
Need a new vegan curry to add to your dinner rotation? Try this coconut and peanut butter vegetable curry from Molly Patrick (owner of Clean Food Dirty Girl). Featuring zucchini (courgette), sweet potato, red pepper, kale, and more, this vegan curry is a great way to pack loads of vegetables into your meal times.
Find the recipe here
Sweet Potato Katsu Curry
An easy and delicious vegan vegetable dinner. This recipe from So Vegan simplifies things by removing the hassle of breadcrumbing the sweet potato cutlets. Quick to cook, this is a versatile weeknight dinner that packs a nutritious punch. Serve with rice and pickled ginger, which adds a nice tangy flavor to the dish. But the sweet potato is the star of the show.
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Harissa Aubergine On Butter Bean Mash
Aubergine (also known as eggplant) is the centerpiece in this vegan dinner recipe. The vegetable’s spongey interior can make aubergine difficult to get right. But this recipe is a sure hit: just fry aubergine chunks until tender then cook with rose harissa, olive oil, onion, garlic, herbs, and spices. A spicy, floral delight.
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One-Pot Vegan Mushroom Pie
Flavored with red wine and topped with thin slices of potato, this vegan mushroom pie is comfort food. Whole mushrooms give the pie a meaty chew, and using slices of potato instead of pastry mean that it is gluten free too. And it’s all in one pot so washing up doesn’t take too long.
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“Leftover Veg” Vegan Hot Pot
A cupboard leftover hot pot ideal as a winter warmer and just . It comes from Matt Pritchard’s new vegan book Dirty Vegan Fast and Easy and, as that name suggests, it is a great prompt for a simple and quick vegetable dinner. With many of its ingredients already in your cupboard (onions, garlic, stock, salt, and pepper), it doesn’t involve lots of forward planning either.
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Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff
This vegan stroganoff recipe comes from plant-based recipe developer Lucy Johnson (from Edible Ethics). It uses vegan butter and cream, as well as mushroom and vegan “beef” strips to make a meat-free version of the classic Russian dish. Mustard, paprika, lemon juice, and vegetable stock ensure that flavor isn’t lacking. A creamy and indulgent way to make mushrooms the main event.
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Roasted Aubergine With Harissa Yogurt
Roasted aubergine alongside dairy-free harissa yogurt? Yes please! This vegetable recipe from plant-based cook Madeleine Olivia makes aubergine the main event. Roasting aubergines brings out their creamy and earthy depth of flavor, which pairs perfectly with the sweet spice of the harissa yogurt.
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Mushroom Bourguignon With White Bean Mash
Bourguignon is a hearty winter dish. Thankfully, you can easily create the famous flavors of a bourguignon with vegan ingredients. Once again, mushrooms steal the show. Their rich, umami flavor and substantial texture make them an excellent substitute for meat. This is a recipe for a medley of mushrooms and herby goodness in a rich, gravy-like red wine sauce. An indulgent treat for a vegan vegetable dinner.
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Creamy Cauliflower Casserole With Olives And Red Onion
Looking for a midweek meal that’s comforting and packed full of nutrients? This vegetable dinner recipe from Ashley Madden (owner of Rise Shine Cook) might be just the thing. Jam-packed with vegetables and full of flavor, it’s hard to imagine not having vegetables as your vegan dinner centerpiece after trying this.
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Wild Rice-Stuffed Squash
Squash comes in many varieties, including butternut squash and acorn squash, and you have the choice of which to use in this vegan dinner recipe. This vegan wild rice stuffed squash is healthy yet comforting, which makes it ideal on a cold evening. Designed by Rainbow Plant Life, this vegetable recipe is an inventive choice for your next dinner party.
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Spicy Cauliflower Tacos
What could be better than tacos? Tacos filled with cauliflower! The versatile veg works a treat in these sheet pan tacos. Spicy, packed full of flavor, and easy to make, this is a truly new and exciting cauliflower recipe from Ashley Madden. With black beans for protein, as well as salad like avocados, tomatoes, onion, and lettuce, they’re topped off with vegan sour cream. Yum.
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Brussels Sprout And Mushroom Lasagne
There’s nothing quite like a large comforting bowl of lasagne on a cold evening. Lasagne is popular for its creaminess, and this vegan dinner recipe from Rainbow Plant Life is exactly that. Made with a tofu-based ricotta, Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, this dish gives all the joy of lasagne but without any of the guilt. Delicious as a vegan vegetable dinner or as part of plant-based feast.
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Easy Root Vegetable Curry
A vegan curry recipe to use up any leftover veg you have in the fridge. Created by Mandy Mazliah, a vegan cook and food blogger, this vegetable dinner recipe uses swede, carrot, turnip, and potato. You can also swap in any other vegetables you have lying around, including beetroot, parsnips, celeriac, and sweet potato. Spices like turmeric, cumin, and garam masala make sure it’s full of flavor.
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Roasted Aubergine Steak
Need even more ways to make a delicious dinner with aubergine? Roast dinners are wildly popular in the UK and this vegetable dish can help you up your vegan roast dinner game. This recipe comes from plant-based chef Romy London. Use it to create a meaty and flavorful vegan roast centerpiece that pairs perfectly with a vegan peppercorn sauce, roast potatoes, and Yorkshire puddings.
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Vegan “Tuna” Sandwiches
Artichokes are a versatile ingredient that can mimic the shredded and meaty texture of tuna. Low in fat, rich in fiber, this vegetable-based “tuna” sandwich is a healthier alternative to fish-based seafood. Spread it on a sandwich and let artichoke be the main event in this simple vegetable meal. This plant-based recipe comes from World of Vegan.
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Vegan Butternut Squash Curry
This vegan red lentil and butternut squash curry from Vegan Richa is a winner: full of nutrients, fun to make, and simple to prepare and cook. This vegetable-powered dish combines the natural sweetness of butternut squash with the earthy richness of red lentils. And all ready to eat in under 30 minutes.
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Roast Pumpkin And Kale Salad
Warm, nourishing, and completely vegan, this salad recipe from Plant Baes couldn’t be more different to a few boring leaves of lettuce and some soggy cucumber. With so many layers of taste and texture, this is vegetables done right. Kale, parsley, raisins, shallots, pine nuts, beans, avocado, and quinoa… it is full of bold flavors. A vegetable dinner that is sure to become one of your new favorite vegan recipes.
Find the recipe here