Wednesday, September 12, 2018

24 Vegan Family Dinners - Pestos, Pastas, Macs, and Bakes


Now that the kids are back to school and the weather has started to cool off, I thought it would be the perfect time to share a roundup of hearty, filling, family-friendly pastas recipes from this blog and all of our favorite vegan bloggers. From Stuffed Shells and lasagnas, to spaghetti and mac and cheese, we have 24 healthy plant based recipes for hungry families to enjoy.



1. Vegan Ricotta Stuffed Shells
[tofu based "ricotta"]



This is our family recipe and something that we make all the time. We also bring it to pot lucks or family gatherings because it is also easy for people to scoop out a stuffed shell or two and everyone seems to love it, even our picky kids!

2. Vegan Sunflower Mac and Cheese
[with sunflower seeds, potato, onion, and carrot]


This is our very own recipe for a savory mac and cheese made with sunflower seeds. The kids are crazy about this one and we love that the sunflower seeds are so high in folate, B6 and other nutrients.




3. Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta


This is another spin on tomato sauce with a creamier, cheesier base with lots of flavor!

Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe from Vegan Huggs



4. The Ultimate Vegan Mac and Cheese
[uses plant milk, cashews and veggies]




Vegans may not have the old blue box of mac and cheese lying around but there are no shortage of easy Mac and Cheese recipes depending what kinds of veggies and nuts are in your cupboard. This recipe uses plant milk, cashews, and veggies to get its ultimate flavor.


The Ultimate Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe from Vegan Huggs



5. Rigatoni Pretzel Pasta





No nuts, no problem! This pesto is made from crunchy PRETZELS, kale, and vegan parmesan.

Rigatoni Pretzel Pasta Recipe from Allergylicious



6. Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
[with potatos, carrots, and tahini]





This vegan mac and cheese recipe put another twist on this savory dish by adding creamy tahini to the mixture and topping with savory cheesy sunflower topping for a healthy and hearty baked version of our kids' fave.



7. Penne Pasta Casserole


Nothing makes a pasta dish more comforting than some cashew cream and 3 cups of spinach is packed into this savory, saucy Italian-style casserole.

Penne Pasta Casserole Recipe from Veganosity



8. Peas Pesto Pasta



Pesto is the best. Even better when you can can bulk it up with nutritious peas!

Peas Pesto Pasta Recipe from The Belly Rules the Mind



9. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Spaghetti


5 ingredients and 10 minutes and you have this tasty spin on pesto.

Vegan Sundried Tomato Pesto Recipe from The Belly Rules the Mind



10. Cauliflower Walnut Bolognese


Make a hearty and healthy bolognese packed with cauliflower and the crunch of walnuts with this simple recipe. 

Cauliflower Walnut Bolognese Recipe from Veganosity



11. Vegan Lasagna



Layered with veggies and a creamy cheesy sauce, this lasagna looks delectable!
Vegan Lasagna Recipe from The Bright Bird



12. Ultra Creamy Vegan Strogonoff


This is a rich coconut cream and cashew base sauce. You can throw in you favorite mushrooms, veggies and pour over your favorite pasta.

Ultra Creamy Vegan Strogonoff Recipe from Vegan Blueberry



13. Mushroom and Lentil Vegan Spaghetti


This is one of those sauces that hides a ton of veggies and legumes beneath the richness of smokey warm flavors. Pick a pasta that soaks up all the goodness and serve. 

MUSHROOM AND LENTIL VEGAN SPAGHETTI BOLOGNES Recipe from Quite Good Food




14. Gluten-free Stuffed Shells with Vegan Almond Ricotta


This recipe makes use of a new vegan Ricotta that is available all throughout the US and it is rapidly becoming extremely popular. Here's how to use it to make a sumptuous Italian comfort dish that kids love.

Gluten-free Stuffed Shells with Vegan Almond Ricotta Recipe from Strength and Sunshine





15. 2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Gnocchi


This recipe is so easy and making gnocchi looks like something that might be fun to make with kids, too!

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe from Savory Tooth



16. Vegan White Bean Mac and Cheese


This vegan mac and cheese recipe is made with white Canellini beans as a base and using almond milk and miso to round out the creaminess and flavor.

VEGAN WHITE BEAN MAC AND CHEESE (GF) from Rhian's Recipes




17. Butternut Squash Mac and Peas


With a handful of cashews and a butternut squash, you can put together this appetizing dish that pulls a little cornstarch to keep it creamy then goes classic kid with a serving of green peas.


18. Cauliflower Fettucine Alfredo


A super-simple creamy, 6 ingredient recipe made with a cauliflower base and miso for umami.

CAULIFLOWER FETTUCINE ALFREDO Recipe from Yummy Mummy Kitchen



19. Pasta with Creamy Spinach Sauce


Picky eaters sit down. If you got the bag of vegan cheese, the plant based butter and the non-dairy milk, you are ready to make this kid-friendly fuss-free meal.



20. One Pot Vegan Lasagna


Lasagna is one of our favorite vegan dinners but it can take so long to make! This recipe does a little one-pot fast-forward version of this family favorite dish.

ONE POT VEGAN LASAGNA Recipe from Vegan Guide to the Galaxy




21. One-Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese
[SUPER easy recipe]


Besides opening up a box of macaroni with a little vegan cheese packet to stir in, this has to be the easiest vegan mac and cheese recipe I've ever seen. So many of these recipes call for carrots but this is the easiest and most genius way I've seen anyone completely get out of the chopping work.

One-Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe from Strength and Sunshine





22. Cashew Mac and Cheese 
[with Miso and Cashews]


One thing that is always in my fridge, is a tub of miso. Did you know that miso can last up to 6 months? Good because a tiny bit of  this stuff is all it takes to get an excellent umami flavor in a vegan mac and cheese. This recipe taps into this tablespoon of treasure as well as creamy cashews for their version of the classic dish.

Cashew Mac and Cheese Recipe from V Nutrition and Wellness




23. Buckweat Mushroom Risotto


Buckwheat is a nutrient rich food that would be fun to add into the mix.



Buckwheat Mushroom Risotto Recipe from Eat Thrive Grow




24. Healthy Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese


This is our own family favorite that we have been making for years now, with a classic, healthy, potato/carrot/onion mac and cheese base and our own personal secret ingredient that gives it the rich buttery taste. Then there's the broccoli hidden in all that cheesiness to get that nice healthy dash of calcium and iron to round things off.




BONUS Our Healthy Potato Carrot Mac and Cheese






If you try any of these recipes, let me know! We would love to hear from you in the comments. 

Also, check us out on our social media channels to see more vegan food like this all the time.



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