NanouTurf

Meatless Mondays? Yeah, that’s the day I switch it up and try to be all virtuous. Some days it works. Some days… not so much. Anyway, here’s the kicker: turning Monday meals into plant-powered feasts doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it can be downright delicious. These 10 Best-Ever Vegan Recipes for Meatless Mondays are everything you need—hearty, comforting, and quick enough for that last-minute scramble when you realize it’s already 6 p.m. and you haven’t thought about dinner. Again.

1. Smoky Lentil Tacos

Tacos on a Monday? Hella yes.

Now, look, I’m not saying I’m a taco expert, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that lentils—yes, lentils—can totally take the place of meat. Who knew, right? These smoky lentil tacos have that perfect “meaty” vibe, but they’re not trying too hard. They just know what they’re doing.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (or two, because you’re a grown-up now)
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder (or three, if you’re feeling spicy
• Taco shells, lettuce, avocado, salsa (optional—actually, who am I kidding? You need salsa)

How to make ’em:

1. Throw those lentils in a pan with the spices. You’ll want to cook them long enough so they soak up that smokey goodness.
2. Toss them into the taco shells with whatever toppings float your boat.
3. Taste them. Realize you’ve just created the easiest taco night ever.

Honestly, these tacos could be the hero of the 10 Best-Ever Vegan Recipes for Meatless Mondays if you ask me. If not, at least they won’t make you feel like you’re missing out. I tried it once with my buddy Luke—he said it was like taco night but, you know, without the guilt. (He also said his 2020 sourdough starter died faster than my willpower at an all-you-can-eat pizza joint—RIP, Gary.)

2. Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry

Let me paint a picture. It’s Monday. You’re tired. You’ve spent half the day pretending to be productive. Enter the creamy coconut chickpea curry—aka comfort in a bowl. This curry is like a big warm hug from your mom… if your mom was a plant-based chef who knew how to make you feel all good inside without turning the kitchen into a disaster zone.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 can chickpeas (the ones with the crazy easy peel-off lids)
• 1 tbsp curry powder (or, like, more if you’re wild)
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• Rice to serve

How to make it:

1. Toss everything into a pot. Stir it up.
2. Simmer until the chickpeas soak up all that creamy goodness.
3. Serve over rice. Don’t forget to eat it while watching Netflix because that’s just how we roll.

My friend Jess swears that it’s like a vacation in a bowl. She doesn’t even like coconut, but I tricked her with this curry. Now she makes it at least once a week. Who’s the vegan genius now? (Me, obvi.)

3. Vegan Mac & “Cheese”

Alright, so I need to admit something. I’ve tried a lot of vegan mac and cheese. A lot. And guess what? They didn’t all work out. (Some were downright tragic.) But this one? This one nailed it. Cashews, nutritional yeast—things you probably already have in your pantry if you’ve dabbled in vegan cooking. It’s creamy, cheesy, and life-affirming.

You’ll need:

• Elbow macaroni (or, like, any pasta you’ve got in the pantry)
• 1 cup cashews, soaked (don’t skip this part)
• ½ cup nutritional yeast (don’t question it, just trust me)
• Garlic powder and lemon juice

How to make it:

1. Cook your pasta.
2. Blend the cashews, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder into a smooth sauce.
3. Mix the sauce with your pasta. Taste it. Realize you’ve just made a masterpiece.

Trust me, this creamy vegan mac is on the 10 Best-Ever Vegan Recipes for Meatless Mondays list for a reason. And if your non-vegan friends try it and don’t believe it’s dairy-free? Let them eat their words—and your mac.

4. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

Okay, listen. Jackfruit is a magical fruit. If you’ve never tried it, I get it. I was skeptical too. But I’ll be honest—I was shocked at how much it can mimic pulled pork when it’s doused in BBQ sauce. Seriously, one bite and you’ll forget you’re not eating a regular sandwich.

What you’ll need:

• 1 can jackfruit (buy it, don’t try to find it growing on a tree)
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (because who has time to make their own?)
• Red cabbage slaw
• Pickles (optional—but don’t skip it, trust me)

How to make it:

1. Drain and shred the jackfruit. (Yeah, I said shred it. Don’t freak out, it’s easy.)
2. Sauté with BBQ sauce until it soaks it all in.
3. Pile it on a bun, top with slaw and pickles, and boom. Dinner. Done.

I made these for a barbecue once, and my aunt Bev didn’t even notice it wasn’t real meat until after she’d eaten two sandwiches. “Tastes like heaven,” she said. “But, uh, did you serve me fruit on a bun?” My family’s got high standards, okay?

5. Sweet Potato & Black Bean Enchiladas

Sweet potatoes. Black beans. Enchiladas. Is your mouth watering yet? If not, then I can’t help you. Seriously, though—these enchiladas are like a cozy blanket, but in food form. Warm, filling, and with just the right amount of spice.

What you’ll need:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, roasted
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 cup red enchilada sauce
• Corn tortillas

How to make it:

1. Roast your sweet potatoes.
2. Mix them with black beans and spices.
3. Roll them up in tortillas, top with sauce, and bake until bubbly.

The best part? These hold up well in the fridge for leftovers. I might have eaten the last one cold at 10 a.m. one day. Don’t judge me, okay? It was just… too good.

6. Crispy Tofu Stir-Fry

Let’s talk tofu. Yeah, I used to be scared of it too. But once you learn how to press it properly (not the way I learned, which was, uh, not properly), it crisps up beautifully. And when paired with stir-fried veggies? It’s magic.

What you need:

• 1 block firm tofu (press it, seriously)
• 1 cup mixed veggies (like bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli)
• Soy sauce, garlic, and ginger

How to make it:

1. Press your tofu, cube it, and sauté until crispy.
2. Throw in your veggies and sauce.
3. Stir-fry until everything’s golden and delicious.

The tofu’s crispy on the outside and soft inside—like an old friend who knows exactly how to comfort you. But in tofu form. (I still can’t believe it took me years to figure out tofu wasn’t actually as terrifying as it seemed.)

7. Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff

Remember the first time you had stroganoff? It was creamy, rich, and you swore it was the best thing you’d ever eaten. Well, welcome to your new best friend—vegan mushroom stroganoff. It’s got all the comfort of the original, minus the beef.

You’ll need:

• Mushrooms (I go for cremini, but any will do)
• Vegan sour cream (don’t knock it till you try it)
• Dijon mustard and thyme

How to make it:

1. Sauté mushrooms and onions until soft.
2. Stir in the vegan sour cream and mustard.
3. Pour over noodles. You’ve got comfort food for days.

Fast-forward…

You get it. Vegan meals don’t have to be fancy or difficult. The 10 Best-Ever Vegan Recipes for Meatless Mondays are all about simplicity, flavor, and fun. If you screw it up? Oh well, it’s just food. Try again next week.

Anyway, get into it. These dishes will change the way you look at Mondays. Maybe even make you like Mondays. That’s a lot for one day, but hey—it could happen.