8 Budget-Friendly Vegan Recipes

Veganism has been growing in popularity over the past few years. With many people considering themselves to be vegan or vegetarian, it can be hard to find healthy and cheap vegan recipes that fit your budget. That is why we have compiled 4 of our favorite low-cost, easy-to-make vegan dishes for you!

1) Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta Recipe -

This recipe only uses 4 ingredients and takes under 15 minutes to make. The cost per serving is $1.33 which will help you save money on groceries each week.

Ingredients:

- 12 oz. of pasta

- ½ cup of vegan pesto sauce

- ¼ cup of nutritional yeast flakes

- ¼ teaspoon of salt

Instructions:

- Cook the pasta according to package directions

- Drain and transfer back into the pot. Add vegan pesto, salt, and nooch. Mix well over low heat for a few minutes until everything is combined and creamy!

- Serve in bowls and top with fresh basil leaves before serving if desired. If you want to turn this recipe into a main course, feel free to add some cooked veggies or tofu!

Cost: $0.75 per serving

Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Difficulty: Easy

Servings: About four

2) Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

This dish is hearty enough for dinner but also makes a great breakfast the next day if you're looking for something quick and filling before you head out the door in the morning.

Ingredients

- ½ large onion, diced

- ¼ cup of vegetable broth or water

- 28 oz. can of whole tomatoes (not chopped) and juices, preferably fire-roasted if you have the option! If not that's okay but just know this will affect the flavor slightly so try to find them if possible.

- 16oz. can of black beans, rinsed and drained

- 16 oz. bag frozen sweet potato cubes (about two cups) or you could use fresh if that's what you have on hand! Just dice them up before adding to the pot so they cook evenly with the rest of your ingredients

- ¼ cup nutritional yeast flakes

- ½ teaspoon each ground cumin and chili powder

- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté onions in broth or water over medium heat until translucent. Add canned tomatoes (undrained), black beans, sweet potatoes, nutritional yeast flakes, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt/pepper to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are cooked through.

Serve with your favorite toppings like avocado, green onions, cilantro, vegan sour cream or cheese, etc.!

Cost: $0.92 per serving

Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Difficulty: Easy

Servings: About six

3) Vegan Chicken and Rice Casserole -

This recipe is budget-friendly, simple to make, and can be made in just one pot!

Ingredients:

- 14 oz. of cubed vegan chicken (try Gardein) or you could use any other protein like tofu if that's what you have on hand instead

- 16 oz bag of frozen mixed veggies

- ½ cup uncooked white rice

- ¾ cup of vegetable broth or water

- ½ teaspoon onion powder

- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Add all ingredients except for the vegan chicken into a baking dish or casserole.

Stir everything around so that the rice and veggies are coated in broth or water.

Top with vegan chicken cubes and bake for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Cost: $0.92 per serving

Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Difficulty: Easy

Servings: About four

4) Avocado and Black Bean Tacos -

These tacos are a huge win in our book because they're quick, easy to make, and super budget-friendly.

Ingredients

- 14 oz can of black beans (rinsed and drained) or you could use refried beans if that's what you have on hand!

Just be sure to adjust the salt content accordingly.

- ¼ cup of salsa or taco sauce

- ½ a lime, juiced

- Salt and pepper to taste

- A few handfuls of baby spinach leaves

- ½ an avocado, diced

Instructions

Mix black beans, salsa/taco sauce, lime juice, and salt and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until everything is well combined then turns off the heat.

Divide spinach leaves evenly among taco shells or tortillas, top with black bean mixture and diced avocado before serving! If you want to add cheese feel free but it's not necessary because these tacos taste amazing without it!

Cost: $0.92 per serving

Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Difficulty: Easy

Servings: Four-six tacos depending on how full you stuff them!

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