Quick & Easy 15-Minute Vegan Meals for Beginners (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

August 17, 2024

I'm Chef Eduardo, and I'm a plant-based chef.

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I've been a professional chef for over 10 years and now I'm sharing my knowledge and helping people learn how to cook with plants to make them delicious!

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· Gluten-free · Soy-Free ·

If you’re like many of us, finding the time to prepare healthy, plant-based meals every day can be challenging. Between work, family, and social commitments, cooking might feel like just another task on your never-ending to-do list. But what if we told you that you could make delicious, gourmet-level vegan meals in just 15 minutes?

In today’s post, I’m sharing three of my go-to vegan recipes that are not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with flavor and nutrition. These dishes are perfect for anyone who wants to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen.

GREAT FOR:

These are everyday recipes that are customizable, so you can add any flavor you want and use any veggies you have at home, use your favorite ingredients and spices.

RECIPES

Cacao Spiced Porridge

Start your day with a bowl of this warm and comforting cacao spiced porridge. It’s rich, satisfying, and loaded with the goodness of multigrain, cacao, and spices.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of multigrain mix (store-bought), soaked overnight
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • 2 tbsp cacao powder or 3 tbsp dark chocolate (80%), chopped
  • 1 ½ tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ginger powder
  • 1 ½ tsp Vietnamese cinnamon powder
  • A pinch of Himalayan salt

Toppings:

  • Cacao nibs
  • Mulberries or goji berries, golden berries
  • Banana
  • Seed granola (recommended)

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the soaked grains and place them in a medium-sized pot. Add all other ingredients.
  2. Cook on medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, adjusting the consistency with water as needed.
  3. Serve in a bowl with your favorite toppings like cacao nibs, berries, and banana slices. Add a sprinkle of seed granola for an extra crunch.

Vegan Spiced Tofu Scramble

This tofu scramble is a vibrant, protein-packed lunch option that’s as satisfying as it is healthy. Serve it with gluten-free tortillas, sourdough, or your favorite bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 1 cup bell peppers, sliced thinly
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Chili flakes to taste
  • 15 oz firm tofu
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • ½ bunch cilantro (stems and leaves chopped)
  • Himalayan or sea salt, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan, add peppers and grated carrots, and cook until caramelized (about 4 minutes).
  2. Add onions, garlic, chili flakes, turmeric, and black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.
  3. Remove the vegetable mix from the pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil, crumble the tofu into the pan, season with salt, and cook for 3 minutes.
  4. Add back the vegetable mix and cherry tomatoes, stir, and cook covered for 5-7 minutes.
  5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy with tortillas or bread.

One-Pot Coconut Chickpea Stew

This one-pot coconut chickpea stew is perfect for a cozy dinner. It’s hearty, warming, and full of rich flavors from the coconut milk, mushrooms, and spices.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 1/2 cups cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • 1/2 cup red onions, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
  • 2 tbsp ginger, chopped finely
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, whole
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 3 3/4 cups chickpeas, canned/cooked
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup basil, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat coconut oil in a pot on medium flame. Sear the mushrooms for 1 minute until they get some color.
  2. Add onions, ginger, and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, then add spices, tomatoes, and chickpeas, cooking for 2 more minutes.
  3. Add coconut milk and bring to a boil. Simmer for 4 minutes, then add half the chopped parsley.
  4. Before serving, stir in the remaining parsley, basil, lemon zest, and juice. Adjust seasoning and enjoy with brown rice or quinoa.

Conclusion: These 15-minute vegan recipes are proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy healthy, delicious meals. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a cozy dinner, these dishes have got you covered. Give them a try and let me know how they turn out!

For more quick and easy vegan recipes, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on social media. Let’s make plant-based cooking a joy, not a chore!

Nutritional Benefits

Cacao Spiced Porridge:

  • Rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like magnesium and iron. The combination of whole grains and cacao boosts heart health, supports digestion, and provides sustained energy.

Vegan Tofu Scramble:

  • High in plant-based protein, vitamins A and C, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Tofu provides all essential amino acids, while the vegetables and spices support immune function, eye health, and digestion.

One-Pot Coconut Chickpea Stew:

  • A hearty source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Chickpeas offer sustained energy and satiety, while coconut milk provides quick energy from MCTs. The spices and mushrooms add antioxidants and further support immune health.

Cooking Tips

  • To deepen the flavors, allow the stew to simmer for an extra 5-10 minutes after adding the coconut milk. This will let the spices fully infuse into the dish.
  • For a thicker stew, you can mash some of the chickpeas with the back of a spoon or blend a small portion.

General Cooking and Storage Tips

  • Batch Cooking: These recipes are perfect for batch cooking. You can easily double or triple the ingredients and store them in portioned containers for meals throughout the week.
  • Freezing: For the stew, freeze in individual portions to make reheating simple and quick. Porridge can be frozen, but it’s best to freeze it without toppings. Reheat on the stove with some added liquid to bring it back to the right consistency.
  • Meal Prepping: Prepare the porridge and tofu scramble ingredients the night before to save time in the morning. For the stew, chop vegetables and measure out spices ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.

Made this recipe? We’d love to see! Share your creations on Instagram @vegancookingmastery Have any tips or tweaks? Drop a comment below and share the love!

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I'm Chef Eduardo, and I'm a plant-based chef living in New York City.

more about me

I've been a professional chef for over 10 years and now I'm sharing my knowledge and helping people learn how to cook with plants to make them delicious!

categories

learn how to master vegan cooking

find out more

categories

starters

events

snacks

sides

breakfast

dessert

mains

bread

sauces

nutrition

lifestyle

cooking

all the fun is happening on instagram

@vegancookingmastery