I Was Too Tired to Cook—These 13 Vegan Recipes Saved Dinner

Dinner felt impossible after a long day, but these 13 plant-based ideas made it weirdly easy to throw something together without thinking. No energy? No problem. Each one takes less effort than finding your phone under the couch. Perfect for nights when cooking sounds like a scam and cereal starts looking like a viable adult dinner option.

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

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Rainbow Veggie Rice Paper Rolls

Colorful vegetable spring rolls with carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers, served with peanut sauce. — Rainbow Veggie Rice Paper Rolls. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Rolling up this simple meal is like packing your favorite fresh vegetables into little edible blankets. Rainbow Veggie Rice Paper Rolls are light yet filling and easy to grab and eat. You don’t have to heat anything, which makes it perfect for those nights when cooking feels impossible. Plus, it looks great on the plate without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Veggie Rice Paper Rolls

Yellow Lentil Dal

On a night when you want comfort with no fuss, Yellow Lentil Dal is the best kind of warm and hearty option. It doesn’t need heavy prep or messy cleanup, which makes it stress-free. The simplicity of its process also makes it a great option for leftovers. You can pair it with easy basics to complete the meal if you need extra volume.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Lentil Dal

Tofu Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice with grilled tofu, diced carrots, peas, chopped green onions, and a drizzle of dark sauce, served on a red cloth. — Tofu Fried Rice. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

If you’re not up for complicated recipes but still want a solid meal, Tofu Fried Rice is a reliable way to a one-pan dinner. It’s quick to throw together and uses simple staples you likely already have. You can make just enough for dinner or extra for tomorrow’s lunch with minimal effort. It’s great for when the idea of cooking feels overwhelming.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice

Creamy Peanut Sauce

Some dishes need extra flavor, and a drizzle of Creamy Peanut Sauce easily solves that. It’s effortless to create and pairs nicely with many meals, especially when you’re too tired for full dishes. You don’t need fancy tools or extra time to pull this off. Perfect for dipping or pouring without a second thought about cooking.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Peanut Sauce

Egg Rolls

When you want a crunch-filled, easy option, Egg Rolls are a fast solution. They’re quick to assemble, making it feel less like cooking and more like throwing dinner together. You can keep them simple or add fillings you already have on hand. They make a quick snack or light dinner without turning to something overly complicated.
Get the Recipe: Egg Rolls

Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

A bowl of Thai jasmine rice and chili peppers. — Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Having a base for meals that’s effortless is where Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice shines best. It’s simple to prepare and pairs well with most meals you throw together when cooking feels like a chore. It’s not overly heavy and works just as well solo if you’re too tired to add extra dishes to your plate. Keep it on standby for those nights you just don’t have energy.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

Indian Onion Salad

A bowl of red onion and cilantro salad on a table. — Indian Onion Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Tossing together Indian Onion Salad is one of the fastest ways to add something fresh to your meal. It doesn’t require heat or long prep-time, just a knife and a few minutes. Even on nights when energy feels low, this salad adds a nice side option without extra hassle. It’s an easy way to make meals feel less bare.
Get the Recipe: Indian Onion Salad

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.

For a quick, filling bowl that doesn’t take much thought, Sesame Soba Noodles get the job done. They have a simple preparation, so there’s no frustration about complicated steps when you’re tired. It’s versatile enough to work as a main or side dish without fuss. Make extra to keep in the fridge for an easy next-day lunch.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Soba Noodles

Tofu Vegan Stir Fry

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

If cooking feels like a hassle but you want something warm, Tofu Vegan Stir Fry makes things simple. Everything cooks quickly in one pan, so dishes won’t pile up later. You can use this recipe as a way to clean out your fridge without stress. When it’s done, the result feels filling without requiring high effort.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Vegan Stir Fry

Spicy Thai Peanut Curry

A bowl of Thai peanut curry with carrots, beans and kale. — Spicy Thai Peanut Curry. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

On nights when you need something flavorful without too much work, Spicy Thai Peanut Curry can break the food boredom. It doesn’t demand a lot of time or technical prep. You’ll find it a one-bowl dinner that feels more like eating out than cooking at home. It’s a good go-to for when you want warm food but low effort.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai Peanut Curry

Baked Tofu

Crispy tofu cubes piled on a plate with a dish of green dipping sauce in the background. — Baked Tofu. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Skipping the stove is easy with Baked Tofu since the oven does all the work. You can make a batch to snack on or pair it with a simple base for a quick meal. Even tired nights feel productive with this hands-off recipe. No complicated steps, just a straightforward way to get in some protein.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tofu

Thai Red Curry Paste

Making Thai Red Curry Paste ahead of time means tired weeknight dinners are faster when you need something full of flavor. You can use it as a shortcut to build several dishes without added stress. It’s not only good for curries—you can mix it into anything, making it adaptable for lazy cooking. Plus, leftovers store well for more meals.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Paste

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Tossing together Spicy Cucumber Salad is as simple as it sounds and works great as a side when things feel overwhelming in the kitchen. It takes minutes to put together and brings something fresh to the table. You don’t need to spend time heating or checking it, making it perfect for lazy nights. A few ingredients go far without any heavy lifting.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad