32 Easy Vegan Weekday Meals

Whip up casseroles, stews, pastas, and more to cut down on time in the kitchen.


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Thanks to the daily hustle and bustle, it can be a challenge to make a home-cooked vegan meal every night. With this quick roundup of one-and-done recipes (and some Tupperware), you can enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal throughout the week without slaving over the stove each night.

Cook-Once Casseroles
There’s nothing easier than tossing ingredients in a baking dish and pulling out a delicious meal 30 minutes later. To get your veggies in, bake up some Grilled Zucchini and Tomato Casserole. If you’re in the mood for Latin food, a Mexican Tortilla Bake, Pueblo Corn Casserole, or aptly named Throw it Together Mexican Casserole are great South-of-the-border options that will provide many workweek lunches. Cook up a batch of Soyrizo Potato Enchiladas or Spinach Enchiladas while you’re at it—these tubular tasties are already perfectly portioned for leftovers. Shepherd’s Pie and Tofu Stuffing Casserole are also two traditional-tasting, belly-warming options for when you’ve had a late night at work.

Brown Rice Bonanza
Brown rice is the bread-and-butter for quick-and-easy meals. Cook a big batch on Sunday night, and you’ve got the perfect start to many a vegan meal all week long. Use it as a base for VegNews’ ever-popular Chocolate Chili, an Asian-inspired Nutty Citrus Stir-Fry, or Pan-Fried Ginger Sesame Tofu. This healthy grain also serves as a component in many main-course dishes such as Vegetable Seitan Almondine, Chickpea Bungit, and Cheezy Kale and Brown Rice Soufflé. Got leftovers? Make a lunch box- and commute-friendly meal with Brown Rice, Tofu, Broccoli, and Spinach Wraps.

One-Pot Wonders
There is perhaps nothing better (or faster) than a one-pot meal. With fewer cleanups, you can finally get around to organizing your closet or catching up with old friends. Try Quicker Red Posole with Beans, Vegan Sausage Stew, Thai-Spiced Sweet Potato Stew, Coconut Red Lentil Curry, or Carrot, Tofu, and Miso Stew next time you want a tasty, filling soup. If you have a slow cooker in your kitchen, whip up a batch of Easy Crockpot Lentil Soup, Tofu Chili, Curried Crockpot Dhal, or Mediterranean Stew while you do a yoga video or watch a TV marathon.

Lots ‘a Pasta
Pasta, like brown rice, is another tasty, substantial staple that will stand the microwave test even after three days in the fridge. Make a batch of VegNews’ life-changing Macaroni and Cheese. Tofu and Vegetable Lo Mein, Penne Puttanesca, Coconut Curry Noodles, and Quick Asparagus Pasta are all options you’ll want to eat again and again, and Pasta e Fagioli, a traditional Italian soup, is hearty enough to get you through a tough day at work. Don’t forget the lasagna! Try Creamy Red Pepper Lentil Lasagna for a hearty, filling meal.

With these recipes, you (and others!) can enjoy delicious vegan meals by only putting in one seventh of the work. If only everything else in life worked that way.

Photo by Kate Lewis