Recipe Instructions:
1 package of frozen brown rice
16 oz extra firm tofu
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, and green beans)
1 small red onion (diced)
¼ cup soy sauce
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30 LAZY VEGAN RECIPES FOR BUSY WEEKNIGHTS
Published: Sep 17, 2020 Modified: Feb 28, 2023 by Alison Corey | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclaimer.
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When time is short, energy is low, and you and your family are getting hangry, these 30 Lazy Vegan Recipes will come to the rescue! They’re my go-to recipes when I don’t feel like cooking. With five or fewer ingredients, and less than 30 minutes to pull off, they’re easier than ordering take-out!
Collage of lazy vegan recipes including chili, tacos, fried rice, and pasta.
There are days when I have a whole afternoon to enjoy the process of cooking a slow and leisurely meal. I’m one of those people who truly loves to cook! However, I don’t always have the time or energy to spend hours in the kitchen.
Some days, I’m exhausted from working, parenting, running errands, and keeping the house kept up, and when dinner time rolls around, the last thing on Earth I want to do is make dinner.
That’s when I pull out one of my five favorite lazy vegan recipes. These recipes follow the WFPB Diet and are no fuss!
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Why You’ll Love These Lazy Vegan Recipes…
1. Chickpea Pasta with Marinara and Spinach
2. Easy Vegan Fried Rice with Tofu
3. Quick and Easy Bean Chili
4. Black Bean Tacos
5. Garlic Whole Wheat Pasta
Tips for Creating Lazy Vegan Meals
Quick Vegan Meal Ideas
Vegan Quesadillas, Tacos, or Nachos
Buddha Bowls
Main Dish Salads
Soups and Chilis
Vegan Sandwiches
Pasta and Noodles
More Quick and Easy Vegan Dinners!
5 Lazy Vegan Recipes for Busy Weeknights
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE LAZY VEGAN RECIPES…
5 ingredients or less
Less than 30 minutes from start to finish
Family approved
Healthy, vegan and plant-based
It uses pantry and frozen staples I keep in stock.
1. CHICKPEA PASTA WITH MARINARA AND SPINACH
lazy vegan recipe, chickpea pasta with marinara and spinach
It doesn’t get much easier than this! Chickpea pasta is a staple we keep in our pantry, along with the pre-made marinara sauce. Look for a sauce with 0 grams of sugar and no oil added. I also have fresh or frozen spinach to throw into the sauce to make this a complete meal. If you don’t have spinach, add your favorite veggie. Fresh peppers, frozen peas and carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and veggie work!
INGREDIENTS
8 oz of chickpea pasta
2 cups pre-made marinara sauce
12 oz bag of fresh spinach
4 tablespoon vegan parmesan (optional)
HOW TO MAKE CHICKPEA PASTA WITH MARINARA AND SPINACH
Pasta process: pasta boiling in water, sauce and spinach in pot, mixed pasta, sauce, and spinach.
Step 1: Prepare chickpea pasta according to package instructions.
Step 2: Heat marinara sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add spinach when the sauce begins to boil. Reduce heat and cover. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until spinach wilts.
Step 3: Combine cooked and drained pasta with sauce. Sprinkle with vegan parmesan cheese (optional).
2. EASY VEGAN FRIED RICE WITH TOFU
vegan fried rice with tofu in black bowl
This short-cut vegan fried rice recipe uses pre-cooked brown rice, tofu, and a frozen mixed vegetable medley! You can also use a frozen stir-fry medley for this recipe.
INGREDIENTS
vegan tofu fried rice ingredients
1 package of frozen brown rice
16 oz extra firm tofu
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, and green beans)
1 small red onion (diced)
¼ cup soy sauce
HOW TO MAKE EASY VEGAN FRIED RICE WITH TOFU
Brown rice, patting tofu, tofu and onions in pan, frozen vegetables and rice added to pan.
Step 1: Cook brown rice in the microwave according to package directions. If you don’t have a brown rice steamer bag, you can make instant pot brown rice to save time.
Step 2: While cooking rice, quickly press the water out of the tofu. Usually, I press my tofu for 15 minutes, but when I’m in a crunch for time, I do a quick press. Drain water from tofu. Place the tofu block on two paper towels folded into quarters, fold two additional paper towels into quarters, and place them on top of the tofu. Gently but firmly press on the top of the tofu for 1-2 minutes. Then dice tofu into cubes.
Step 3: Heat ¼ cup of soy sauce in a large skillet. Add diced onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until translucent. Add tofu. Cook until tofu begins to brown, about 5-10 minutes.
Step 4: Add frozen vegetables and cooked brown rice. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until frozen vegetables are cooked through.
