10 Plant-Based Meals to Make in 30 Minutes

Fast meals are a must for busy nights. We want to whip something up quickly and with zero hassle, enjoy it, and then get on with some down time. The meals here bring new meaning to the term “veg out”—they’re all plant based, there’s something here for any craving, and the best part: They’re all good to go in 30 minutes or less.

Photo Credit: Naturally Ella

Curried Cauliflower Wraps
Cauliflower is a culinary star for good reason—not only does it do it all (it’s rice! It’s sauce! It’s pizza crust!), it’s also packed with vitamin C, fiber, and minerals, and low carb. Here it becomes the star of a flavorful sandwich, along with greens and hummus. Pro tip: Double the roasted cauliflower and have it for another meal.

Spiralized Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet
All the elements you love about enchiladas, with none of the hassle. Black beans and corn (we prefer frozen to canned) join vitamin A-rich sweet potato noodles for a super-quick skillet meal. Buy pre-spiralized sweet-potato noodles to make it even faster, and top it with avocado for some healthy fat.

Photo Credit: Minimalist Baker

30-Minute Quinoa Fried “Rice”
Even if you don’t have leftover quinoa in the fridge, you can still get this better-than-takeout, veggie- and protein-rich dish on the table before your fave sitcom is over. Get the quinoa cooking while you prep the vegetables and quick sauce, toss it all together and grab some chopsticks.

Vegan Thai Soup
Here’s a bowlful of rich, hearty, colorful goodness, with plenty of good fats from coconut milk. Use any vegetables you have on hand, and try adding a spoonful of red curry paste if you have it on hand.

Photo Credit: Love and Lemons

Cauliflower Steaks with Romesco Sauce
A dish fancy enough for guests, but simple and fast for a weeknight? For real. Cauliflower is back, this time in “steak” form, and the rich, luscious sauce recipe makes extra, so you have a head start on a meal for the next day, too.

Grilled Bok Choy with Salty + Spicy Oyster Mushrooms
This recipe had us at “grilled bok choy”—why didn’t we think of that?—but the punchy mushroom topping makes it a must. Humble oyster mushrooms are actually a nutrition powerhouse, too—they’re anti-inflammatory, brain boosting and loaded with antioxidants.

Photo Credit: Making Thyme for Health

One-Pot Lemon Pasta with Greens and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Pasta is a go-to for fast meals (especially now, with so many good gluten-free options), and this dish gets extra points for its one-pot easy-cleanup appeal. We love the brightness of lemons; lacinato kale, chard or spinach would work here; and the added umami from sun-dried tomatoes brings it all together.

30-Minute Vegetarian Lentil Soup with Wilted Greens
Lentils are a plant-based eater’s staple, and no wonder—they’re loaded with protein and fiber, plus minerals like potassium and iron. This hearty, flavorful soup recipe makes extras, so you’re set for lunches for a few days, too. Use vegetable broth instead of the chicken broth called for if you prefer.

Photo Credit: The Glowing Fridge

Sesame-Kale Glow Bowls
Sure, these grain bowls are awesome, but the sauce—we’re just going to drizzle it all over everything from now on, thanks. The tempeh in these is a good way to get both protein and gut-healthy fermented food.

Chickpea “Tuna” Stuffed Avocados
Regular tuna salad is a go-to fast meal—and now you can have it even if you’re eating plant-based. A magical mix of toasted sunflower seeds and chickpeas comes together with diced bell pepper, mayo, lemon juice and more. Then the whole thing gets scooped into avocado halves to make a nutrient-loaded, tasty meal.

Hungry for more plant-based recipes?

• Make This Now: Four Awesome Yet Easy Plant-Based Recipes
• A Plant-Based Poke Bowl You’ll Be Obsessed With
• These Plant-Based Recipes Are Magical

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