Dinnertime Showdown: Vegan Wins! 17 Easy Meals Kids Will Choose Over Meat
Switching up what’s on your kids’ plates can be surprisingly easy with tasty vegan meals. You don’t need fancy ingredients, just fun combinations of grains, veggies, and beans that are both healthy and delicious. These meals are a hit with kids because they’re packed with flavors and textures they love. Nail dinnertime with vegan wins using these 17 easy meals kids will choose over meat.
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
Ever tried Roasted Cauliflower Tacos? They’re a game-changer, making even the most veggie-skeptical kids come back for seconds. Just roast the cauliflower with some spices, stuff it in tortillas, and watch them disappear faster than you’d think. Plus, it’s fun letting everyone build their own.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
Vegetable Casserole
A cozy, comforting Vegetable Casserole can be your secret weapon for getting kids excited about eating their greens (and yellows and reds). It’s all the veggies they need, baked into a delicious, cheesy (vegan cheese counts!) dish. The best part? It’s customizable with whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Casserole
Banana Chocolate Cake
When there’s a bunch of ripe bananas sitting around, turning them into Banana Chocolate Cake is a brilliant move. It’s super moist, chocolatey, and a hit with everyone, especially the little ones. You’re basically getting dessert and sneaking in some fruit—win-win.
Get the Recipe: Banana Chocolate Cake
Mixed Bean Chili
On a chilly day, nothing beats a bowl of our hearty Mixed Bean Chili, and it’s a meal that could easily sway the kids away from their usual meaty favorites. It’s jam-packed with protein-rich beans and has a deep, savory flavor that fills you up in the best way. It’s a warm hug in a bowl, especially when topped with some avocado or vegan cheese.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Bean Chili
Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies
When chocolate cravings hit, our Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies come to the rescue, proving you don’t need typical ingredients to make something drool-worthy. These cookies are so soft and packed with chocolate, they’ll easily become your kid’s favorite. And the best part? They’re allergy-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies
Vegan Ratatouille
Our Vegan Ratatouille is like a veggie rainbow on a plate, making it a fun way to convince kids to enjoy their greens, reds, and yellows. It combines zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and bell peppers in a way that might just convince them to have seconds. This dish is not only pretty to look at but deliciously healthy too.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Ratatouille
Vegan Alfredo Pasta
Creamy, dreamy Vegan Alfredo Pasta that’s so good, you might not believe it’s vegan. This dish is a comforting hug in a bowl, with a rich, garlicky sauce that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Bonus: it’s a super simple way to make a weeknight dinner feel fancy without a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Alfredo Pasta
5 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Coconut Mousse
For a touch of elegance at the end of your meal, our 5 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Coconut Mousse is surprisingly simple to whip up. It’s rich, creamy, and full of chocolate goodness, making it a dessert that’ll have your kids forgetting about traditional dairy-filled treats. This mousse is proof that less really is more when it comes to ingredients.
Get the Recipe: 5 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Coconut Mousse
Easy Thai Peanut Curry
Our Easy Thai Peanut Curry might just be the dish to introduce your kids to exciting new flavors in a fun way. It’s creamy, peanutty, and completely wholesome, making a great meat-free dinner option that’s ready in no time. Serve it over fluffy rice, and watch your family ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Easy Thai Peanut Curry
Best Tropical Smoothie
If you’re aiming to sneak more fruits into your child’s diet, our Best Tropical Smoothie is a delicious and sneaky way to do it. This smoothie is a blend of mango, pineapple, and banana, creating a sunny vacation in a glass that they’ll choose over sugary sodas. It’s a hit on hot days or as a quick breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Best Tropical Smoothie
Vegan Chicken Nuggets
Who knew Vegan Chicken Nuggets could be so crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside? They’re perfect for dipping and can easily become the star of the meal, making everyone forget they’re meat-free. Serve them up at your next family movie night and they’ll be a smash hit.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Chicken Nuggets
Vegan Strawberry Granola Bars
For a sweet snack that beats out any store-bought candy bar, our Vegan Strawberry Granola Bars are a hit. They pack a punch with the natural sweetness of strawberries and the hearty crunch of granola, making them a great pick-me-up during playtime. Plus, they’re easy to slip into a backpack for a quick energy boost.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Strawberry Granola Bars
Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Our Roasted Tomato Basil Soup is a creamy and flavor-packed option that’s way better than the canned stuff, and it’s a nice way to get the kids hooked on veggies. The roasting brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes, and the basil adds a fresh twist they’ll love. Pair it with a toasted sandwich for the ultimate comfort meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Egg Rolls
If you’re looking for an easy meal that kids might pick even over chicken nuggets, our Vegan Egg Rolls are a perfect match. They’re stuffed with crunchy veggies and have that fun-to-eat, crispy outside that everyone loves. Dip them in sweet and sour sauce, and watch them disappear faster than you can make them.
Get the Recipe: Egg Rolls
Berry Frozen Yogurt Cups
Our Berry Frozen Yogurt Cups are the perfect little treats for a hot day, and you only need yogurt and berries to make them happen. They hit that sweet spot without loading up on sugar, and kids totally dig them. Whip these up together, freeze, and enjoy—no fancy kitchen gadgets are needed.
Get the Recipe: Berry Frozen Yogurt Cups
Baked Mushroom Rice
Baked Mushroom Rice might just be the easiest, tastiest side dish you haven’t made yet. It’s fluffy rice mingled with earthy mushrooms, baked to perfection. Even kiddos who say they don’t like mushrooms might change their tune after this.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mushroom Rice
3-Ingredient Vegan Mango Sorbet
If you’re after something sweet, cool, and super easy, try making our 3-Ingredient Vegan Mango Sorbet. Kids go bananas for it, especially since it’s just fruit, a touch of sugar, and lemon. It’s a breeze to whip up and way healthier than store-bought ice cream.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Vegan Mango Sorbet