Dog dad and I have enjoyed a primarily plant-based diet for over three years now! We originally chose to embrace a plant based diet for environmental reasons, as factory farming is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. I’ve had loads of questions about how to make this transition, and it seems the thing many people struggle with is coming up with enough variety to keep things interesting. With autumn on the horizon and (hopefully) cooler weather on the way, I thought I’d share some of my favorite easy plant based recipes for Fall.
I specifically chose quick and easy recipes, because very few of us have a lot of time or energy after a long day at work. Not only are these simple recipes naturally vegan, but they come together easily without a ton of prep work or weird ingredients. They are healthy, filling, and warming enough for Fall without being too heavy.
Looking for a Fall friendly recipe for your dog? Try these Pumpkin Spice Dog Cookies!
1. Savory Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
Nothing says fall like butternut squash! While you can certainly use the Sweet Earth Tuscan crumbles like the recipe says, I actually prefer to use tempeh. I just crumble the tempeh like ground meat and season it with a little olive oil, Italian herbs, and salt and pepper to taste.
2. Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake
Thanks to the use of nutritional yeast, this pasta bake has a TON of protein. Rather than add in fake cheese, I just up the nutritional yeast to a full cup. This easy plant based recipe is delightfully filling and pairs perfectly with a roasted veggie or side salad.
3. Vegan White Chickpea Chili
This is one of my all-time favorite chili recipes! It is incredibly flavorful, rich, and savory, but not so heavy that you couldn’t enjoy it on a warmer day. It’s a perfect plant-based recipe to ease into fall, and it’s very quick and easy to boot! I skip the cheese (obviously) and serve this with a tangy plain /unsweetened coconut yogurt as “sour cream”. Culina is my personal favorite brand!
4. Roasted Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Tacos
Tacos are easily one of my favorite vegan foods, and I love that this recipe uses fall produced like sweet potatos and cauliflower. I don’t bother to char the tortillas, but I highly recommend a “ready to cook” tortilla if you can find them at your local grocery store. Premade corn tortillas are like cardboard in my opinion, but the “ready to cook” are so much better!
5. Curried Couscous with Broccoli and “Feta”
I don’t have a great image of this recipe, but trust me when I say it is quick, delicious, and filling. This is one of those easy plant based recipes that frequently makes it onto our weekly meal plan. It also makes for bangin’ leftovers! I use Violife “Just like Feta” which is hands down the best fake feta on the market. If you can’t find it, you can definitely try another brand, make your own, or just leave it out altogether.
6. Slow-Cooker Ratatouille
Summer veggies like eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes last well into September and October here in South Texas. This simple, plant-based slow cooker recipes is absolutely divine and tastes way “fancier” than it is. It’s warming, yet lifht, so perfect for pleasant early Fall days. Serve it was a nice crusty bread for a rustic, delicious meal.
7. West African Peanut Soup
If you’ve never had a peanut soup then YOU ARE MISSING OUT. My husband and I are obsessed with this recipe, partially because it is so damn good, but partially because it is so damn easy. This is another one perfect for leftovers, and you can easily sub collard greens for another hearty leafy green like kale. Although it’s definitely a hearty soup, it’s not too heavy, making it an ideal and simple plant based recipe for the transition from summer to fall.
8. Sheet-Pan Veggie Shawarma Bowls
Sheet-pan recipes are a favorite because they keep dishes to a minimum. Not to mention, you end up with time to do other things while the food roasts away in the oven. This recipe is super easy to prep ahead of time, and you can serve it over salad greens or wrapped in a warm pita.
9. Butternut squash tacos
Because I love tacos so much, I just had to end this simple plant based recipe round up with one of my all time favorites. I like to add a little smoked paprika to the butternut squash seasoning, or even a dash of chipotle seasoning for some spice. This recipe is quick and easy, making it perfect for a busy weeknight. You can even chop the butternut squash in advance to save you some time!
