I Relied On 29 Vegan Meals When The Fridge Was Nearly Empty

It’s funny how 29 vegan meals ended up doing all the heavy lifting when everything else was gone but a questionable lemon and hope. They didn’t need much to get the job done, just a little creativity and the ability to not panic. Even with a fridge that looked like a barren wasteland, there was still something decent on the table. Let’s just say survival mode got an upgrade.

A close-up of a plant-based burger with layers of creamy sauce, sliced cucumbers, red onions, and a brioche bun. — Ultimate Vegan Burger. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

This post has affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you.

Tofu Vegan Stir Fry

Tofu Vegetable Noodle Stir Fry. Photo Credits: Two City Vegans — Tofu Vegan Stir Fry. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Running low on fresh ingredients doesn’t mean skipping a hearty meal. Tofu Vegan Stir Fry makes use of versatile staples to create a quick and filling option. Using a rich blend of flavors, it’s simple yet filling enough to turn into a full dinner. This recipe embraces simplicity while still feeling like a complete dish.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Vegan Stir Fry

Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe

Need something comforting but don’t want to spend hours prepping? Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe offers that homey, warm satisfaction with minimal prep. It’s packed with plant-based protein that can hold up as a main dish. Leftovers work great for sandwiches the next day, making it a solid pick during tighter weeks.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe

Gochujang Cabbage Steaks

A gochujang cabbage steak on a bed of white rice. — Gochujang Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

If you’ve ever wondered how to use cabbage in a fun way, Gochujang Cabbage Steaks will make it exciting. The spicy kick pairs so well with the soft, roasted texture. This dish is bold while being simple enough for nearly-empty pantry days. Plus, it’s a creative twist when you don’t want the usual sides.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Cabbage Steaks

Easy Vegan Yellow Lentil Dal

Turning lentils into something warm and comforting in a pinch is always a good idea. Easy Vegan Yellow Lentil Dal makes use of everyday spiced flavors to create an uncomplicated yet filling dish. The texture and warmth of this recipe are great on days when options feel limited. It’s the kind of meal that doesn’t require much but still works.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Yellow Lentil Dal

Tuscan White Bean Skillet with Kale

This one-pot recipe creates a balance between simple and filling when options are low. Tuscan White Bean Skillet with Kale uses resilient pantry beans and greens for a wholesome meal. It’s versatile and quick to pull together when you’re working with basics. The balance of textures makes it a great go-to choice during those lean times.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan White Bean Skillet with Kale

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.

When there’s a pack of noodles lying around, Sesame Soba Noodles turns it into something special. The nutty flavor stands out with just a few simple additions. It’s quick, adaptable, and works well as a base if you have extra veggies or protein to toss in. Don’t underestimate how easy it is to bring this dish together on busy days.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Soba Noodles

Easy Vegan Gluten-Free Crackers

Relying on pantry staples, this dish gives something light and snackable. Easy Vegan Gluten-Free Crackers are quick to put together for when packaged snacks aren’t handy. It’s a great option for munching or pairing with spreads during downtime. This way, having fewer supplies still feels functional without missing meal options.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Gluten-Free Crackers

Best Vegan Nut Roast

Close-up of a nut roast topped with cranberry sauce and garnished with fresh herbs, served on a white plate. — Best Vegan Nut Roast. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Turning a handful of pantry staples into something suited for dinner is simple with this recipe. Best Vegan Nut Roast gives a protein-packed meal full of texture. The flavors combine nicely to transform small leftovers into a complete entree. While minimal, it feels hearty and versatile as a meal centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Best Vegan Nut Roast

Blood Orange and Fennel Salad

If salads feel played out, Blood Orange and Fennel Salad brings something fresh to the table. The mix of citrusy sweetness and crunchy fennel is a unique pairing that stands out. While simple, it feels complete with only a few available ingredients. This salad works as a main dish or a flavorful side to complement the rest of your meal.
Get the Recipe: Blood Orange and Fennel Salad

Asparagus and White Bean Risotto

Using up pantry essentials plus some basics makes great meals possible. Asparagus and White Bean Risotto pulls together creamy textures with beans and simple grains. It works as a filling dish when you need to get creative with sparse options. There’s no need for extra fancy steps, but the result feels complete and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus and White Bean Risotto

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Close-up of sliced cucumbers garnished with chopped scallions, sesame seeds, and red chili flakes. — Spicy Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Fresh yet simple options are still achievable with limited ingredients. Spicy Cucumber Salad uses a quick prep method for something bold and refreshing on your plate. It’s versatile enough to enjoy as a side or light meal. The simplicity of flavors makes it a dependable dish during lean times.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

Grilled Zucchini

Sometimes the simplest ingredients make the best plates, and Grilled Zucchini proves that. Its lightly charred texture and subtle taste make it a solid option for quick cooking. Pair it with sauces or just have it as-is when you’re short on effort. This dish works for when you’re down to those last vegetables in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini

Almond Pancakes

A stack of pancakes with strawberries on top. — Almond Pancakes. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

On mornings when options are slim, breakfast stays easy with this recipe. Almond Pancakes are a quick, filling, and flexible way to start the day. Using accessible pantry items, these pancakes create a warm and reliable option. The simplicity never overcomplicates the process, letting you enjoy a wholesome meal in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Almond Pancakes

Easy Caribbean Rice and Beans

A bowl of cooked rice mixed with kidney beans, garnished with chopped herbs on top, placed on a light-colored surface with fresh greens on a wooden board in the background. — Easy Caribbean Rice and Beans. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Pantry staples come together perfectly when options are tight. Easy Caribbean Rice and Beans creates a protein-packed, flavorful meal without too much effort. It works as a dependable dinner with its bold taste and simple method. Using just a few basics, this recipe proves that you don’t need much to make great meals happen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caribbean Rice and Beans

Air Fryer Accordion Potatoes

Crispy potato wedges served on a plate with a cup of coffee. — Air Fryer Accordion Potatoes. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Smart cooking ideas never fail in lean times. Air Fryer Accordion Potatoes use just simple staples to transform into a unique, crisp dish. Crunchy and warm, they make a great snack or side with minimal prep. Cooking potatoes this way keeps variety alive without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Accordion Potatoes

Moussaka

A pan of cooked lasagna topped with melted cheese, black pepper, and chopped parsley. — Moussaka. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Big dishes can come together from small ingredients with a bit of creativity. Moussaka makes use of baked, layered textures that hold their own as a meal. Great for dinner, this dish repurposes pantry items into something filling and hearty. It’s perfect for those moments when you’re mixing limited ingredients creatively.
Get the Recipe: Moussaka

Copycat Impossible Burger

Close-up of a burger with a plant-based patty, lettuce, and sauce in a bun. — Copycat Impossible Burger. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Recreating popular meals is doable with some simple adjustments. Copycat Impossible Burger uses basic options to make a filling, plant-powered dinner. If you’re craving something hearty but have limited supplies, this will keep you covered. It’s a clever way to repurpose staple ingredients into something bold.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Impossible Burger

Egg Rolls

Even without a full fridge, Egg Rolls make a great snack or side. They’re customizable with whatever veggies or fillings you can put together. Wrapping them up takes little effort, and their crunch makes them feel complete. These are perfect for repurposing leftover ingredients into something fresh.
Get the Recipe: Egg Rolls

Creamy Peanut Sauce

Sauces can add something extra to any meal without requiring much effort. Creamy Peanut Sauce makes a quick pairing option when you need flavor boosts for basic meals. Reliable and easy, it uses pantry staples for a smooth finish across several dishes. Having this option on hand keeps meals interesting without much prep.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Peanut Sauce

Harvest Salad

Light combinations turn into reliable meals with items you already have at home. Harvest Salad mixes different textures to create a quick and balanced plate. It’s great when you need a no-fuss way to use what you’ve got while still feeling complete at meals. This easy recipe works well as a side or main.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Salad

Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Steaks

A plate of roasted cauliflower steaks garnished with chopped pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and fresh parsley. — Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Steaks. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Pantries don’t need much to make Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Steaks shine. Its hearty texture brings substance, while roasting gives it a warm, slightly caramelized edge. Easy to dress up with sauces or keep plain, depending on your mood. A quick way to turn humble cauliflower into a center-stage option.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Steaks

3-Ingredient Vegan Mango Sorbet Recipe

A bowl of mango sorbet on a wooden table. — 3-Ingredient Vegan Mango Sorbet Recipe. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Desserts can stay simple without needing extra supplies. 3-Ingredient Vegan Mango Sorbet Recipe uses pantry-friendly sweetness for a refreshing end to any meal. It’s quick and straightforward while still giving something tasty to enjoy. Even on days with limited ingredients, dessert doesn’t have to go off the menu.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Vegan Mango Sorbet Recipe

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.

Big flavors can still happen even with fewer items in the fridge. Mushroom Pie turns basic pantry staples into comfort food worth serving for dinner. The earthy taste combines well with this dish’s warm, flaky nature. It’s a smart option for when meals need to stretch without losing quality.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Pie

Homemade Ratatouille

A close up of food. — Homemade Ratatouille. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Stretching ingredients creatively works really well with this recipe. Homemade Ratatouille mixes versatile veggies into a layered dish using only a few essentials. It’s filling enough to serve as a dinner centerpiece without relying on too many components. This recipe makes good use of everyday ingredients for maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Ratatouille

Overnight Vanilla Oats

Three jars of oatmeal with berries and maple syrup. — Overnight Vanilla Oats. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Breakfast options are covered easily with this recipe. Overnight Vanilla Oats offer a no-cook meal idea that relies on shelf-stable ingredients to set overnight. The creamy texture makes mornings simpler while still bringing variety to your plate. It’s perfect when you want something nutritious without standing by the stove.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Vanilla Oats

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.

Quick meals with basic ingredients never feel limited thanks to this option. Cucumber Tomato Salad balances crisp textures and fresh flavors in a minimalist plate. It’s ideal for pairing with other dishes or as a light standalone meal during busy days. By using simple prep, this recipe stays reliable without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad

Dairy Free Ice Cream

A gold spoon scoops a portion of creamy, pale vanilla ice cream from a glass bowl. — Dairy Free Ice Cream. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Sweet cravings don’t need to go unmet during lean days. Dairy Free Ice Cream uses straightforward methods to create a dessert option from pantry staples. It’s reliable enough to keep things fun while feeling light on preparation. Even with minimalist steps, this recipe does the job well for any dessert lover.
Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Ice Cream

Baked Mushroom Rice

A plate of mushroom baked rice served next to a cast iron skillet. — Baked Mushroom Rice. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Warm and filling options come together easily in this recipe. Baked Mushroom Rice pulls pantry-friendly staples into a quick, oven-ready meal for dinner. The flavors blend together for a dish that hits all the right textures without extra work. Practical and simple, it’s one recipe that’s perfect any day you need something hearty.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mushroom Rice

Ultimate Vegan Burger

For days when basic meals won’t cut it, Ultimate Vegan Burger offers a hearty and simple solution. No specialty items needed—just a few staples to create texture and robust flavor. Whether eaten on a bun or alone, it feels fresh even with a short prep time. A practical pick when you’re skipping packaged options.
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Vegan Burger