Try these 30 easy and inexpensive plant-based dinner ideas to provide a balanced, healthy, and delicious meal for a family of four for under $20.
Food costs are rising all the time, so it’s important to look out for plant-based meals that don’t break the bank. It’s all about creating simple, nutritionally balanced meals that provide you with the major food groups and nutrients in one simple recipe. That means fewer ingredients and fewer dishes to clear! Many people think that a plant-based diet is expensive, but it can be very affordable because many plant-based foods, such as beans, lentils, peas, whole grains, and seasonal vegetables, are very economical. Plus, these plant-based foods are shelf-stable, so they’re easy to keep in your pantry. I like to prepare meals with simple ingredients at least a few times a week to keep our food costs down. That’s why I asked some of my favorite food bloggers to share their top plant-based recipes that provide balanced, nutritious meals for a family of four for under $20. These 30 easy and inexpensive plant-based dinner ideas provide all that and more. Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments section!
Good food and good life,
Sharon
30 Easy and Inexpensive Plant-Based Dinner Ideas
Casserole
Roasted Hummus CasseroleChristine King, Too busy to feel dizzy and hungry
Sweet and Spicy Vegan Enchilada CasseroleKelsey Lorenz, Carefully nourished
pasta
Baked Macaroni and Cheese (vegetarian diet),Lynn Croyle, Cooking, eating and loving (As shown above)
Creamy Chili PastaKerry Bevin, daily dishes
Garlic White Bean and Vegetable PastaLouise Claire Kaiser, Vegan Food Pantry (As shown above)
One Pot Chickpea and Tomato Pasta,Melissa Traub, Melissa Traub Nutrition (As shown above)
One-Pot “Grilled” Feta PastaRachel Lessenden, healthy my lifestyle (As shown above)
Vegetable BologneseGus and Jocko, our plant world (As shown above)
Tacos, burgers, fajitas
Beet BurgerClara Jane Bjorkman, roasted ginger (As shown above)
Black Bean TacosLarissa Bernard, Make it dairy-free (As shown above)
breakfast burritoNisha, rainbow plant life
Chickpea TacosJennifer Thurman Sebestyen, Vegetarian inspiration (As shown above)
Easy Quorn FajitaJessica Sanders, Vegan Punk (As shown above)
Kidney Bean BurgerMelanie McDonald, virtual vegetarian (As shown above)
Quinoa, Grilled Corn and Black Bean TacosAndrea Mathis, beautiful food and things (As shown above)
Vegetable FajitasSharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, plant nutritionist
bowl
Burrito Bowl with Rice and Black BeansNicole Stevens, lettuce vegetables (As shown above)
Easy Quinoa and Black Bean SaladLaura Lawless, Recipe Well (As shown above)
green pozoleSharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, plant nutritionist (As shown above)
Sichuan TofuLori Rasmussen, my quiet kitchen (As shown above)
Vegan Beans and Rice DinnerJenna Braddock, Jenna Braddock (As shown above)
Chili, stews, soups
Chili cinnamonShayna Rose, peace and nourishment (As shown above)
Tortilla SoupSophia DeSantis, Vegetables don’t bite (As shown above)
stir-fry
Crispy Tofu Satay Stir-FryPriya Tu, british nutritionist
Lemongrass “Orzotto” with Garlic ChickpeasJackie Nugent, Jackie Nugent (As shown above)
Miso green beans and tofuSharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, plant nutritionist (As shown above)
Spanish vegetarian paella,Rebecca Pitre, Strength and sunshine (As shown above)
Stuffed vegetables
Southwestern Stuffed Peppers and Black Bean QuinoaSharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, plant nutritionist (As shown above)
Sage Lentil Stuffed Butternut SquashSharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, plant nutritionist
Butternut Squash and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers,Melissa Traub, Melissa Traub Nutrition
Main image: Jackfruit Black Bean and Quinoa Tacos, Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN
For other affordable eating tips, check out the following:
Plant-Based Tips on How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
Lisa Andrews’ Affordable Plant-Based Diet
Chef’s Tips for Affordable Plant-Based Meals
4 Ways to Eat Organic on a Budget
Use frozen vegetables to make budget-friendly and healthy dinners