five favorites :: vegan dinners

After completing our kitchen renovation and having the space to cook again, I’ve really been enjoying trying new recipes (for months it was a steady rotation of pasta and rice with veggies!). Here are five vegan dinners I’ve made recently that I highly recommend!

one. // Pineapple Rice {101 Cookbooks} - This was a huge hit with the whole family. The dressing is made with pineapples, but I also set some aside to go in the rice itself (the recipe doesn’t do this but I think it improves the dish!). Be sure to make your rice ahead, as cold rice is best for fried rice!

two. // Orecchiette with Creamy Carrot Sauce {Feasting at Home} - My kids kindly call this “mom’s mac and cheese” but there’s absolutely no cheese in it. The creamy carrot miso sauce is the orangish color of mac and cheese, but much healthier. The sauce freezes well, so double it for multiple meals. The carrot top gremolata is delicious if you have time to make it. I often add sautéed mushrooms as a side, or fresh greens.

three. // Roast Squash Salad with Crispy Chickpeas {Bon Appétit} - Not a kid-pleaser, but the adults in our family (all two of us!) adored this dish. The recipe makes a good amount of dressing, so there might be enough leftover for a salad lunch the next day!

four. // Kung Pao White Beans Skillet {Full of Plants} - This is one of my favorite recipes I’ve discovered in the past few years. I cook a lot of Asian food, particularly Chinese, and this bean dish replicates delicious flavors of “traditional” dishes with the health benefits of legumes. I’ve made it with black-eyed peas, too, and it was equally delicious! Serve with rice or noodles.

five. // Kitchari {Goop} - Awhile back, I shared this recipe on my Instagram, and my best friend gently mocked me for the source. But I have made this mung bean and rice dish too many times to count and I adore the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of it. Add whatever veggies you have on hand (carrots and potatoes are always good) and eat it for any meal of the day.

What’s the best dinner you’ve made lately? Will you try one of these recipes soon? If you do, let me know what you think!