Vegan food has become hugely popular in recent years, and if you’re looking to get involved, you’ve come to the right place. Raising a vegan child ourselves, we’ve tried plenty of vegan dinner recipes over the years, and here are our top picks — delicious vegan dinner recipes your family will love, whether you’re fully plant-based, giving Veganuary a go, or just after some new family dinner ideas.
Tasty, nutritious and budget-friendly, get ready to cook up a storm that will have the kids asking for seconds.
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You may also enjoy: 11 of the Best Vegetarian Recipes for a Meatless Monday
Vegan Dinner Recipes to Try
Fantastic Fish Pie
If fish is a popular dinner in your family, you’ll love this vegan fish pie from Bosh. Creamy, delicious and with a real “fishy” taste, this take on a classic fish pie will fill your kids full of veggies without them even noticing.
It’s one of the most requested dinners in our house, and it’s a great one to make on a Sunday, leaving plenty of leftovers for the week ahead.
Luscious Lentil Curry
Image: Simple Vegan Blog
Lentils are cheap, cheerful, and an excellent source of healthy protein. Most families have curries on the dinner rotation, so this lentil curry from Simple Vegan Blog is a really simple swap for a traditional meat-based version.
This recipe includes coconut milk, which can be swapped for a single cream alternative (we like Alpro) if coconut isn’t a favourite flavour in your house.
You may also enjoy: 14 Delicious and Budget-Friendly Lentil Recipes You Need to Try
Seasonal Shepherd’s Pie
Image: The Simple Veganista
We love this vegan shepherd’s pie from The Simple Veganista because of its 10-minute prep time. This winter warmer is bursting with vegetables to keep everyone’s immune system fighting fit. It’s also a versatile dish — throw in whatever veg you have in the fridge, or swap the white potatoes for sweet potatoes instead.
Indulgent Vegan Lasagna
Image: BBC Food
Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, and making it vegan is easier than you’d think. You won’t miss the meat in this dish, as it’s packed full of flavour.
This recipe from BBC Food needs a little more preparation time than the others, but it’s worth the wait. If you’d rather skip making the white sauce from scratch, there are vegan white sauces available in most supermarkets, and gluten-free, vegan-friendly pasta sheets too, for family members who need them.
You may also enjoy: A Delicious Vegan Pesto Recipe That’s Packed With Flavour!
Wholesome Butternut Squash Risotto
Tickle their tastebuds with this healthy, wholesome and filling dish. Risotto can be a tricky one to make with a house full of kids needing your attention, but this butternut squash risotto is genuinely family-friendly — most of the cooking happens in the oven, freeing you up to get on with your evening.
Tasty Vegan Tacos
Tacos, like these from Bosh, are a great way to introduce a plant-based meal into your weekly menu. The kids can get involved making sides like guacamole and salsa. It’s also a great opportunity to help fussy eaters — building their own tacos gently encourages them to try new flavours and textures.
If black beans are a no-go in your house, diced mushrooms make a similarly satisfying taco filling.
You may also enjoy: 14 Sneaky Ways to Get Vegetables into Kids’ Meals
15 Minute Mexican Quesadillas
These Mexican quesadillas from The Happy Pear are packed full of healthy vegan fats and bursting with flavour. Quick and easy, you can throw them together in just 15 minutes.
Homemade fries make a great side — simply chop potatoes into fry shapes and pop them in the oven with rosemary, oil and your seasoning of choice while you get on with the quesadillas.
The recipe also shows you how to make an easy cashew cheese from scratch, which works out cheaper and healthier than shop-bought vegan cheese.
You may also enjoy: Cheap Chickpea Recipes That Are Packed With Flavour (And Protein!)
Have your say! Are you planning to try more vegan dinner recipes? Leave your comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these vegan dinner recipes suitable for kids?
Yes — every recipe here was chosen with families in mind. Dishes like the fish pie, lasagna and shepherd’s pie are designed to sneak in extra vegetables without fuss, while the tacos and quesadillas let kids build their own plate, which often encourages fussier eaters to try something new.
Can I make any of these recipes gluten-free?
The vegan lasagna can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free, vegan-friendly pasta sheets, available in most supermarkets. Always check individual recipe pages for full ingredient details if you’re catering for a gluten-free family member.
What if my child doesn’t like coconut milk?
For the lentil curry, you can swap the coconut milk for a plain dairy-free single cream alternative (we like Alpro) if coconut flavours aren’t a hit in your house.
Can I freeze leftovers from these vegan dinners?
Dishes like the fish pie, shepherd’s pie and lasagna generally freeze well, making them great for batch cooking. As freezing results can vary by recipe and ingredients, it’s worth checking the original recipe source for specific freezing guidance.
Related Articles
- 11 of the Best Vegetarian Recipes for a Meatless Monday
- 14 Delicious and Budget-Friendly Lentil Recipes You Need to Try
- A Delicious Vegan Pesto Recipe That’s Packed With Flavour!
- 14 Sneaky Ways to Get Vegetables into Kids’ Meals
- Cheap Chickpea Recipes That Are Packed With Flavour (And Protein!)
Save These Ideas for Later
Not cooking tonight? Bookmark this page or save it to your recipes board so you’ve got seven family-friendly vegan dinners ready to go whenever you need dinner inspiration.
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