When I Needed A Reset, I Made These 11 Vegan Meals Under 500 Calories

When a reset was needed, made these 11 vegan meals under 500 calories. Each one felt light, fresh, and easy on the body. The meals gave a clean start without feeling hungry. Simple bites brought calm and balance to the day. Energy came back without heavy food or stress. These meals helped bring focus and peace. A small change made a big difference.

Close-up of a layered dish with melted cheese, corn, beans, diced tomatoes, and green onions. — Vegan Enchilada Casserole. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

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Guacamole

Smooth and creamy, Guacamole is the perfect dish when you’re aiming for something fresh and wholesome. Its simplicity makes it a go-to option for a quick reset meal. Pair it with some crispy chips or use it as a topping to enhance your favorites. Made entirely plant-based, this spreads goodness on your plate. You’re not just eating, you’re nourishing yourself.
Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Vegan French Toast Casserole

Close-up of baked French toast with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with syrup in a baking dish. — Vegan French Toast Casserole. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Comfort in every bite, Vegan French Toast Casserole is perfect for when you need a hearty, yet balanced treat. Its baked layers bring a cozy feel that hits the reset button on any tough day. Whether it’s breakfast or dessert, it knows how to keep things enjoyable. Plus, it’s entirely vegan, making it guilt-free. Get ready to settle in with this dish that feels like home.
Get the Recipe: Vegan French Toast Casserole

Lentil Bolognese

A pot of pasta with a tomato-based sauce, lentils, mushrooms, and vegetables on a light surface beside a bowl of grated cheese. — Lentil Bolognese. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Sometimes you want something that warms both the body and soul, and that’s where Lentil Bolognese comes in. Rich, filling, and delicious, it brings plant-powered goodness straight to the table. Packed with depth and hearty textures, it’s sure to become a regular on any reset day. Perfect over a bed of pasta or simply on its own, this dish keeps things clean yet flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Bolognese

Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

A white dish with roasted root vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, red onions, and sweet potatoes, garnished with fresh dill and thyme. — Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

There’s something grounding about a plate of Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables. Roasted to perfection, they bring out all the earthy flavors you might need after a long day. Veggies come together in harmony here, with no fuss—just plant-based simplicity. The oven does all the work while you refocus your energies elsewhere. Resetting your plate doesn’t have to come with stress.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Marry Me Lentils

A pan of lentil dish with spinach, fresh basil, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, garnished with lemon wedges. — Marry Me Lentils. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

One bite of Marry Me Lentils and you’ll understand why this dish might just become your new favorite. It’s all about combining hearty comfort with clean ingredients, creating something that feels just right. Every spoonful delivers a soft yet bold flavor without feeling heavy. It’s vegan, nourishing, and exactly what you need on those days calling for something easy yet impactful. Meals like this are happiness in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Lentils

Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo is your go-to option when simplicity feels right. Bright and fresh, it lifts any meal or snack with just the right amount of flavor and balance. Every bite brings together clean ingredients that complement each other effortlessly. Whether you’re using it as a dip or topping, it’s flexible and easy to make. A quick fix to reset and keep things vegan all the way.
Get the Recipe: Pico de Gallo

Sesame Soba Noodles

Two bowls of soba noodle salad with carrots, edamame, and radish slices, placed on a patterned cloth with wooden chopsticks beside them. — Sesame Soba Noodles. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Light yet filling, Sesame Soba Noodles hit the spot perfectly when you’re aiming for a quick reset. These noodles bring a soft balance that refreshes and leaves you feeling satisfied and peaceful. Their simple flavors keep things easy without compromising taste or nutrition. Tossed and ready within minutes, this dish is perfect for busy days. Sometimes, less is truly more.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Soba Noodles

Cucumber Tomato Salad

A bowl of fresh salad with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and herbs, seasoned with black pepper, with a serving spoon. — Cucumber Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Fresh and crisp, Cucumber Tomato Salad is exactly what you need to balance out your day. It’s light, refreshing, and just enough to give you that feel-good energy without overdoing it. Perfectly combining vibrant pieces, it keeps everything straightforward but enjoyable. Great as a side or standalone, this dish fits effortlessly into a plant-based lifestyle. Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean complicated cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad

Mushroom Pie

Four individual pot pies with flaky crusts on a round tray, one open to reveal a mushroom filling. — Mushroom Pie. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

When it’s time for something both indulgent and mindful, Mushroom Pie is the answer. Each slice is packed with wholesome goodness in a flaky crust, offering the perfect balance of texture and taste. Completely plant-based, it’s a dish that leaves you feeling nourished without overthinking. Whether served warm or cold, it’s undeniably filling. Reset your flavor game one slice at a time.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Pie

Quinoa Salad

Perfect when you need a dish that’s as clean as it is filling, Quinoa Salad checks all the boxes. The fluffy quinoa mixes effortlessly with fresh and vibrant ingredients that say simplicity in every forkful. A great option for lunch, dinner, or even a mid-day reset. You get plant powered energy without feeling weighed down. Meals don’t have to be complicated to be nourishing and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad

Vegan Enchilada Casserole

Packed with bold flavors while staying wholesome, Vegan Enchilada Casserole is comfort food done right. Layered with plant-based goodness, it transforms every meal into a fulfilling experience. Ideal for those reset days when simplicity and flavor are equally important. It’s hearty, easy to make, and something you’ll come back to time and again.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Enchilada Casserole