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Cook up a fantastic dinner with easy prep in just 3 to 5 steps. Just put it all in the pot!

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Quinoa Veggie Soup (GF) from Orchids + Sweet Tea

This soup is effortless to make. It’s a solid source of veggies with protein and fiber, thanks to beans and quinoa.

Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos (WFPB) from The Natural Nurturer

Toss everything in and cook during the workday, if you’d like. Your taco filling will be ready to go by dinner. Just scoop into tortillas.

Slow Cooker Veggie Loaf from Healthy Slow Cooking

This recipe is excellent for incorporating leftovers as you can add any veggie ingredients you want. A homemade ketchup recipe is also included if you’re into that.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Pot Pie Stew (WFPB, GF) from The Healthy Kitchen

All your favorites like potatoes, carrots, peas, and more from vegetable pot pie, but in stew form. The perfect stew to warm you up if you’re feeling a chill.

Slow Cooker Cacciatore (WFPB) from Veggies Save the Day

You’ll love this dish that has potatoes and chickpeas instead of chicken. Just prep everything the night before and slow cook the next day for an easy dinner.

Easy Southern Collard Greens with Fire Roasted Tomatoes (WFPB) from I Can You Can Vegan

For a tasty side dish, just toss all the ingredients into your slow cooker, give it a stir, and you have the perfect collard greens in a few hours.

Crockpot Oatmeal (GF) from Healthier Steps

This simple breakfast includes rolled oats. Make one batch, and you have breakfast for the week.

Slow Cooker Red Lentil Chili (WFPB, GF) from Running on Real Food

What’s not to love about a recipe with only 3 steps?! Get your fiber and protein from the lentils along with several veggies.

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Stuff I love: Slow Cookers

It’s likely obvious, but these recipes all call for slow cookers. Any slow cooker that’s the right size will do.

You can use a traditional slow cooker such as the Hamilton Beach 6-quart model found here. Or if you have an Instant Pot, that works too. Just be sure to read the instructions carefully.

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Slow cookin’ with veggies

Slow cooking meat is common, but why do it with veggies and plant-based ingredients? There are a bunch of benefits.

The most clear one to me is that I don’t have to continually watch and tending to my recipe. It’s hard for me to walk away from something on a stove, so using a slow cooker allows me to do something else.

Slow cookers allow for the melding of flavors, just like simmering on a stove would.

I’m also a fan of dried foods like lentils, which work well with slow cooker recipes.

There’s also the ease of cleanup compared to using lots of pots and pans.

And when I’m on the go, I like the ability to just pack up the slow cooker and take it with me to somewhere else rather than trying to transfer it to another container (messy!)

What do you like most about slow cooking?

To cooking it slow and steady!

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All your fave recipes with plant-based cheese! Don’t believe me? There’s virtually nothing we can’t make vegan, so let’s go!

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Cheesy Recipes

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese from Jessica in the Kitchen

An all-time favorite, this baked mac and cheese uses cashews and plant-based milk for its creaminess.

Easy Vegan Poutine (GF) from Vancouver with Love

Debatably one of the world’s best snacks, this dish comes with everything you’d expect: fries, gravy, and yes, cheese curds.

Ultimate Fully Loaded Vegan Nachos from Nora Cooks

You can’t just use any cheese on nachos. This recipe includes a homemade nacho cheese sauce and includes plant-based “beef” and all your fave toppings.

Double Premium Vegan Pizza from Violife

Vegan pizza is so easy. Just prepare as usual and top with vegan cheese, like the Violife Mozzarella Shreds in this recipe.

Grilled Cheese from Two Spoons

Simple yet delicious, this grilled cheese pairs well with tomato soup or whatever side you’d like.

Mac and Cheese With Broccoli from Munchmeals by Janet

Here’s a different take on make and cheese cooked on the stovetop and includes some broccoli for built-in veggies.

The Best Vegan Lasagna from The Hidden Veggies

Lasagna is another recipe that screams “cheese!” This recipe includes not only vegan mozzarella but also ricotta with spinach.

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Stuff I love: Chao Cheese

There are dozens of plant-based cheeses to choose from (more on that below). But if I had to pick one, I’d go with Field Roast Chao Cheese.

It’s perfect for grilled cheese, on a burger, and even on pizza.

Find Chao Cheese on Amazon here.

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Soft Flour Quesadillas with Creamy Chao and Apple from Field Roast

Made just like you’d expect, these quesadillas also pack some plant protein with Field Roast Plant-Based Sausages.

Cheezy Baked Vodka Rigatoni from Daiya Foods

Try this easy baked pasta recipe topped with Daiya Mozzarella shreds for some easy cheesy goodness.

Cheesy Cauliflower Potato Casserole (WFPB) from HealthyGirl Kitchen

I’m biased because I love potatoes so much. Still, this recipe combination with cauliflower just feels like you can’t go wrong.

Miyoko’s Phenomenally Vegan New York Style Cheesecake from Miyoko’s Creamery

Vegan cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. Try this one with Miyoko’s Cream Cheese that bakes in less than an hour.

Best Vegan Mozzarella Cheese (No Oil!) from The Vegan 8

Whether you’re craving a grilled cheese or any recipe with mozzarella, try this recipe with only 7 ingredients.

Impossible™ Philly Cheeseburger from Impossible Foods

A simple recipe using plant-based Impossible Burgers topped with plant-based cheese of your choosing. Ready in 14 minutes.

Creamy Vegan Queso from Kite Hill

Kite Hill Plain Unsweetened Yogurt is the secret ingredient to creating this plant-based queso for dipping tortilla chips or topping a dish.

The best vegan cheeses

I’m not going to lie to you: vegan cheese used to taste terrible. And sadly, some of it still does. But the good news is there are plenty of tasty cheese options out there now. This includes both homemade and store-bought kinds of cheese.

The recipes above use a mix of these options. For some recipes that call for homemade cheese in the recipe, it may be possible to substitute store-bought cheeses.

If you’re wondering what cheeses are tastiest, you can read about the best vegan cheeses here in a post by PlantProteins writer Lacey Bourassa.

Remember that certain vegan cheeses will lend themselves better to specific uses, just like dairy cheese. With so many different dairy-free cheeses available now, there are some for nearly every use.

Here are some of Lacey’s favorite cheese brands and types:

• Shreds: Follow Your Heart Shreds
• Slices: Field Roast CHAO Slices
• Cream Cheese: Miyoko’s Vegan Cream Cheese
• Mac N’ Cheese: Daiya Deluxe Cheezy Mac
• Pizza: So Delicious Mozzarella Shreds

To makin’ it easy being vegan cheesy,

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This week, it’s Valentine’s recipes! I decided to flip the script this week and put desserts first — why not?! I’ve got your menu covered with appetizer, side, and dinner ideas that you can mix and match with love.

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Desserts

Heart-shaped Churros Coated with Strawberry Sugar from Elephantastic Vegan

A tasty, festive treat with surprisingly simple ingredients makes these churros with chocolate sauce the perfect dessert.

Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies from I Can You Can Vegan

If red foods get you in Valentine’s spirit, these soft and chewy red velvet cookies with white chips will surely do the trick.

Conversation Heart Cookies from Eat Figs, Not Pigs

What’s not to love about these heart cookies, complete with your own sweet messages to share with someone you care about.

Vegan Strawberry Cake with Oatmeal from Orchids + Sweet Tea

This beautiful cake, featuring fresh (or frozen) fruit, is perfect for the strawberry lovers out there.

Appetizers and Sides

Garlic Knots from Vegan Travel Eats

An easy and fan-favorite appetizer made from pizza dough with some red color from a marinara sauce side.

Vegan Appetizer Board | Vegan Mezze from Spoonabilities

The only limit is your imagination with this vegan appetizer board featuring nuts, fruits, vegetables, and anything else your heart desires.

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms from Vegan Blueberry

If you’re feeling a little cheesy, these stuffed mushrooms include vegan parmesan AND cream cheese.

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Stuff I love: Heart Cookie Cutter Set

I’m not always one for romantic, heart-shared type stuff. But putting together this edition of the Weekly has done it to me this time, so here we are.

This Heart Cookie Cutter Set from Amazon provides the perfect shape for a few recipes in this Weekly. It’s a fun way to add some pizazz to your Valentine’s Day creations.

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Rainbow Chickpea Salad from Running in a Skirt

You’ll love the colors on this rainbow salad that makes for a hearty side with chickpeas.

Easy Tomato Pasta Soup from ElaVegan

Side or entree, this tomato pasta soup will warm your heart no matter how cold it is outside.

Braised Red Cabbage and Apples with Maple and Thyme from Jessica Levinson

This red recipe adds plenty of color to your plate with a sweet and savory fruit/veggie combo.

Entrees

Heart-Shaped Pastry with Sweet Piccolo Tomato & Fragrant Basil from Life Without Meat

If you’re loving the heart theme, here’s another fun way to incorporate it with puff pastry and tomato-basil sauce.

Homemade Ravioli Hearts from Bianca Zapatka

Okay, last heart-shaped recipe (I promise!) These ravioli use homemade dough cut into heart shapes and then cooked in minutes on the stove.

Sausage & Spinach Skillet Lasagna from This Savory Vegan

This recipe (and photos) won’t stop making my mouth water. The vegan ricotta on red sauce in a skillet makes for one tasty combination.

Gnocchi Tomato Cream Sauce from Short Girl Tall Order

Something about pasta just feels right for Valentine’s Day. Here’s one more with vegan gnocchi in a simple red sauce you can’t go wrong with.

Enjoying the sweet stuff

Eating sweets and desserts feel like a significant part of enjoying Valentine’s Day. And as you can see, there are plenty of plant-based options for doing just that.

Strawberries, chocolate, and cake — I’ll take all of it! And ingredients like maple syrup is perfect for sweetening up entrees too.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission. See my terms here. Thanks.

This week, I’ve rounded up 14 sheet pan recipes– meals and sides you can throw onto a single pan and bake. All it takes is easy prep and a hot oven. Here we go!

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Sheet Pan Recipes

Easy Cheesy Garlic Potatoes and Broccoli from VegNews

This recipe’s very straightforward: potatoes, broccoli, and some seasonings on a pan. In 20 minutes you have a tasty veggie side dish.

20-minute Sheet Pan Portobello Mushroom Fajitas (WFPB) from Eat Figs, Not Pigs

Roast up some mushrooms and other veggies in 20 minutes and serve on some tortillas. Super simple, and everyone will love it.

Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetable Turmeric Tahini Bowls from Okonomi Kitchen

This one-pan recipe turns into veggie bowls with chickpeas topped with a tasty tahini sauce.

Dijon Rosemary Sheet Pan Dinner (with tofu) from Rabbit & Wolves

Another main course that includes veggies plus tofu, so there’s no need to make anything on the side.

Tahini Ranch Tofu Sheet Pan from Plant-Based RD

This recipe features homemade dairy-free ranch dressing to top off the sheet pan ingredients of red potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and tofu (with 14g of protein per serving)

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Stuff I love: Nordic Ware Naturals Baker’s Half Sheet

You can make a sheet pan dinner on any pan, but having a better pan makes for the job makes cooking even easier (more on this below).

This Nordic Ware Naturals Delight Set is available from Amazon, and it’s all you need for sheet pan dinners.

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Sheet Pan Recipes (cont.)

Veggie Loaded Tempeh Sheetpan Dinner with Tahini and Turmeric Sauce from May I Have That Recipe

Tempeh gives this recipe some substance and 19g of protein per serving.

Cherry and Almond Sheet Pan Pancakes from Minimalist Vegan

Sheet pan recipes can work for breakfast too! This recipe uses dairy-free buttermilk to make tasty pancakes topped with cherries.

Sheet Pan Tofu Scramble from Vegan Yack Attack

This single pan breakfast can be prepped and prepared ahead of time for a whole week of meals.

Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner with Pesto from Munchmeals by Janet

For a recipe with more variety, this recipe includes a pistachio pesto to top the veggies and tofu that’ll fill your plate with color.

Maple Mustard Roasted Vegetable Sheet Pan Supper from Bad to the Bowl

Combine broccoli, carrots, peppers and onions and top with a maple mustard sauce for a delicious bowl.

Tandoori Sheet Pan Dinner (GF) from The Curious Chickpea

Combining veggies plus garam masala, turmeric, and yogurt gives this dish a nice balance of spice and flavor.

Sheet Pan Oven Roasted Vegetables from Vegan in the Freezer

If you’re looking for a simple side, toss some asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, or whatever you have available onto your pan and roast this way.

Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables and Beans With Za’atar (GF) from Sharon Palmer

This recipe includes fresh veggies topped with simple, household spices plus za’atar, a traditional Lebanese seasoning blend.

Secrets of the sheet pan dinner

Sheet pan dinners are designed to be simple. Once you’re cooking, it’s mostly a “set it and forget it” endeavor. But if you want to level up your sheet pan game, there are a few things you can do.

First off, having and using the right sheet pan makes it easier. Melissa Clark from NYT Cooking has a few recommendations:

• Use a “half sheet” pan, which is 18-by-13 inches with a 1-inch rim, so long as that fits in your oven. You can go down to a “quarter sheet” pan that’s 9-by-13 inches if needed.
• Use an aluminum or stainless steel pan, if possible.
• A pan with a heavy-duty or higher gauge is better. Clark recommends a gauge of 13 to 18.

Obviously, you don’t have to have the perfect sheet pan to make this work. Just about any pan will do.

A few more tips:

• Many sheet pan dinners call for flipping or rotating during cooking. Using a cookie sheet makes it easy for things to slide or roll-off.
• Use parchment paper or a silicone sheet to help crisp up ingredients and keep them from sticking.
• Add ingredients in stages, as necessary. Some ingredients have different cook times. Recipes will generally have instructions for this, but it’s helpful to know if you’re making your own recipe. While throwing everything in at once is ideal, it’s not a big deal to add things in a few different stages to accommodate varying cook times.

To sheet pan success!

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This week, we’re cooking up 100% plant-based pizza! That’s right, pizza with plant-based cheese, sauce, and more!

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Recipes – Pizza 100% Plant-Based

Vegan Deep Dish Pizza from Pasta-Based

We’re coming out with the big guns with this thick-crusted, saucy-gooey masterpiece. Includes a vegan mozzarella recipe made from cashews.

Simple Vegan Pita Pizzas (WFPB) from Forks Over Knives

Don’t want to deal with dough? This recipe uses pitas, and it’s ready in about 15 minutes.

Vegan Roasted Cauliflower BBQ Pizza from This Savory Vegan

When you’re not feeling red sauce, try this BBQ pizza with cauliflower for some tasty added veggies.

Vegan Pizza with Homemade Pizza Dough from Jessica in the Kitchen

This recipe is super simple and easily customizable. The recipe includes pizza dough, which can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for later.

BBQ Hawaiian Jackfruit Pizza from baumassfoods

This recipe’s another easy one yet provides a unique flavor with pineapple, cilantro, and jackfruit.

Vegan Pizza Rolls from Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes

These pizza rolls are a nice twist that also packs in 3 cups of vegetables. They’ll never know! 😏

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Stuff I love: Pizza stones

I love cooking with a pizza stone. The crust comes out perfectly cooked for me– crispy and evenly cooked.

Preheating the stone means the pizza crust cooks fast too.

Pizza stones can also be used to cook pizza on the BBQ grill.

The Hans Grill Baking Stone on Amazon is a great pizza stone option.

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Plant-Based Pizza Dough (WFPB) from NutritionStudies.org

If you’re looking for a bank canvas, try out this pizza dough that combines flour and black beans.

White Bean Pesto Pizza from Food Revolution Network

The white bean pesto provides this pizza with a hearty and filling topping. Just spread it on tortillas and bake.

Simple Sweet Potato Pizza Crust (GF) from Bucket List Tummy

Try this tasty sweet potato crust for another gluten-free crust option and top it however you’d like.

Vegan Pizza Waffles from Vegan Richa

For a fun brunch option, there’s pizza waffles. The veggies and other toppings are baked right in too.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust (GF) from Chocolate Covered Kate

Cauliflower pizza crust has taken off in popularity lately. This takes just 6 ingredients, including cauliflower (obviously), for some built-in veggie action.

Grain-Free Vegan Pizza with Caramelized Onions + Mushrooms from Simply Quinoa

This recipe has it all with sauce, veggie toppings, and cream sauce, all plant-based. The drizzled sauce makes it one of the most delicious looking pizzas I’ve ever seen.

Making the perfect plant-based pizza

For many, pizza without dairy cheese might not sound so delicious. But I hope I’ve highlighted the many other plant-based cheese and topping options to give you an idea of how to get creative.

It’s really up to your imagination as to what makes a delicious, plant-based pizza. Let the toppings and sauces shine, and you and your family will be delighted.

A few more plant-based pizza tips:

• Don’t fear the dough. Pizza dough is generally vegan. It’s not always the case, so be sure to check. But most dough I’ve bought is entirely plant-based. Making your own dough is pretty simple too.
• Make your own cheese or shop for it. Popular homemade plant-based cheeses include cashew, nutritional yeast, and other ingredients. For store-bought options, check out top vegan cheeses (including our picks for pizza) here. You can always opt for a cheese-less pizza, too, including when you’re ordering out.
• Change up the sauce. Tomato sauce is and always will be my fave, but there are plenty of options, as you can see above. Try a white sauce, barbecue, balsamic, or whatever you think might be tasty.
• Experiment with veggie toppings. Nearly any veggie can go on a pizza. Some of my favorite non-traditional toppings are kale and corn. Varying sauces allow for more veggie versatility too.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission. See my terms here. Thanks.

This week, it’s 100% recipes that can be made in a single pot. Let’s go!

(Reminder: all recipes are 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based (including oil free), GF = gluten free)

Recipes – Made in One Pot

One-Pot Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup (GF) from From My Bowl

Enjoy this classic comfort food made with soy curls. It’ll warm you up on a cold winter day.

One-Pot Vegan Italian Pasta (WFPB) from HealthyGirl Kitchen

This pasta takes just 10 minutes to cook and includes favorites like olives, capers, and marinara sauce.

Ultimate Vegan Pot Roast from Trifecta Nutrition

If you’re in the mood for a meaty recipe, enjoy this pot roast that includes Beyond Sausage to beef things up.

One-Pot Plant-Based Lentil Chili (WFPB) from NutritionStudies.org

This lentil chili is a nice changeup from the typical bean chili. Just dump everything in the pot in a few steps, simmer and serve.

Black-Eyed Pea Stew (WFPB) from Clean Food Dirty Girl

If you’re looking for a recipe to really “wow” people, this will do the trick. Plus, it’s both Instant Pot and stovetop friendly.

One-Pot Vegan Lentil Shepherdless Pie (WFPB) from The Vegan Afterglow

For the mashed potatoes lovers, Shepherdless Pie is the ultimate flavor combo. The lentils make this one hearty and filling. (Note: 200°C = ~400°F)

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Stuff we love: Gotham Steel Cookware, 5 Quart Stock Pot

Each week, we feature things we love. This week, it’s the Gotham Steel Cookware 5 Quart Stock Pot.

Look: I’m not going to tell you to buy something you don’t need. Just about any stockpot will do the trick for this week’s recipes. The main thing to keep in mind is you want a large enough pot to cook with and not make a mess.

If you need a stockpot, check out the Gotham Steel Cookware 5 Quart Stock Pot on Amazon.

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Easy One-Pot Pasta from Sweet Simple Vegan

Here’s another easy pasta dish with the option to add parmesan cheese that you can make at home with four ingredients.

One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Soup from Yay! For Food

Coconut milk gives this recipe a nice creaminess that pairs well with the cremini mushrooms.

1-Pot French Onion Soup from Minimalist Baker

Another classic soup, this recipe takes only 5 minutes to prep. Prepare the optional croutons to adds some extra flare.

One-Pot Vegan Chana Masala from Eat With Clarity

This Indian dish is probably easier than you think to make. The canned chickpeas provide flavor, fiber and protein.

Thai Vegetable Noodle Soup (WFPB) from Forks Over Knives

This noodle soup uses various spices and crisp veggies for a delightfully balanced recipe—no need for a side dish here.

One-Pot Cajun Rice from Everyday Easy Eats

Five minutes of prep and five steps are all it takes for this cajun rice. The kidney beans make it an option as a hearty side or an entree.

The joys of One Pot cooking

One-pot meals are another great option if you’re busy and want to limit the amount of work to prepare a meal. My favorite advantages of one-pot meals are:

• Lots of flavors. Just because it’s contained to one pot doesn’t mean it’s basic. All the recipes above have a variety of flavors and ingredients.
• Easy cleanup. Only one pot to clean at the end.
• Stove simplicity. No need to monitor multiple pots and pans on the stove at one time.
• Veggies included. One-pot recipes are generally complete meals that include veggies. There’s no need to plan a separate side dish.
• Instant pot-friendly. Many recipes can be made in an Instant Pot to simplify things even further.

I hope you find a one-pot recipe to try this week!