If there’s one dish that turns a regular weeknight into something worth gathering around the table for, it’s vegan paella. This Spanish recipe has everything going for it: smoky depth from pimentón de la Vera (smoked paprika), golden saffron-infused rice
Bold and Beautiful Vegan Paella: A Plant-Based Spanish Classic Minus The Meat! Read More »
Growing up, my mom made what I still consider the best meatloaf, a classic comfort food dinners that showed up on the table with mashed potatoes and a simple veggie on the side. When I became vegetarian in 2013, finding
Easy Vegan Lentil Loaf with a Bold Sticky BBQ Glaze Read More »
If you’re plant-based and have ever missed having a classic holiday ham, you may be pleasantly surprised by this vegan ham recipe. It delivers the smoky, slightly sweet flavor many people remember from traditional ham, but it’s completely plant based
The Ultimate Vegan Ham Roast with Sweet Maple Glaze Read More »
If you’ve ever come home from the farmers market with a bag full of colorful vegetables and wondered what to make with them, a vegetable galette is a fantastic place to start. It’s rustic, flexible, and surprisingly easy for a
How To Make A Stunningly Delicious Vegetable Galette Read More »
One criticism vegans and vegetarians who enjoy faux meats often hear is, “If you don’t like meat, why eat something that tastes like meat?” On the surface, it’s a fair question. But the reality is that people adopt a plant-based
How to Make Vegan Lamb for Gyros, Bowls, and Roasts Read More »
Growing up, my dad made the best corned beef and cabbage. It filled the whole house with that salty, savory aroma. When Larissa and I became vegetarians in 2013, I honestly thought my corned beef and cabbage days were done.
How To Make The Ultimate Vegan Corned Beef and Cabbage Read More »
If you grew up eating traditional cabbage rolls, you probably remember them served at family gatherings, holidays, or on a Sunday when someone had a little extra time to cook. These vegan cabbage rolls bring all of that familiar flavor
How to Make Vegan Cabbage Rolls: Master This Classic Dish! Read More »
If you’re craving serious comfort food, this mushroom shepherd’s pie recipe delivers everything you love about classic shepherd’s pie, without the meat. It’s hearty, savory, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes that turn golden in the oven. When we make
I love cauliflower because it’s very versatile. From soups and “wings” and cheesy bakes, this humble head of florets does it all. One of the most surprising ways to prepare it as a perfectly seasoned cauliflower steak that’s golden, tender,
Unlock The Secret To The Perfect Cauliflower Steak Read More »
If you’ve followed Vegetarian Zen for a while, you know Larissa and I weren’t big seafood fans—even before we went plant-based. So when vegan sushi started popping up on restaurant menus, we were curious…but skeptical. Turns out, it’s one of
There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm bowl of risotto — creamy, rich, and indulgent. This vegan mushroom risotto brings all the classic flavors of the Italian original without any butter, cream, or cheese. Instead, we’re loading it up with
The Ultimate Vegan Mushroom Risotto for Comfort Food Lovers Read More »
If you’ve been missing creamy, dreamy pasta but want to skip the dairy and eggs, you’re in the right place. This vegan carbonara is everything you love about the classic Italian dish—without the animal products. It’s silky, smoky, savory, and
How To Make Nut-Free Vegan Carbonara in 30 Minutes Read More »
When Larissa and I first became plant-based, I’ll admit—I missed a few of those rich, comforting “meaty” dishes I grew up loving. But I quickly learned that mushrooms could more than fill that void. Their hearty texture and deep umami
Comfort Food Upgrade: This Vegan Mushroom Bourguignonne Is Magic Read More »
We love pasta in our house because it’s one of the foods Larissa and I agree on the most. It’s hearty, easy to make, and always satisfying—especially when there’s a big bowl of vegan penne alla vodka involved. This creamy,
How to Make Creamy Vegan Penne alla Vodka From Scratch Read More »
Tortellini has always been my all-time favorite pasta. I just love those little filled pasta pillows! As someone who eats plant-based most of the time, I wanted to recreate that comfort food feeling without eggs or dairy. This vegan tortellini
If you listen to our podcast, you know that Mexican food is my absolute favorite and tacos are high up on my must‑have list. This vegetarian taco casserole has all the bold, comforting flavors of Tex-Mex-style tacos in one easy,
Better Than Tacos! Vegetarian Taco Casserole for Dinner Read More »
I first tried BBQ jackfruit at a food truck festival in downtown San Antonio. Texans do not mess around when it comes to barbecue, so I wasn’t expecting much from a fruit trying to play in brisket territory. But boy,
BBQ Jackfruit Sliders – Smoky, Saucy, and Easy To Make Read More »
If you’ve ever bitten into a warm, messy, saucy Sloppy Joe and suddenly felt like a carefree kid again, same here! Sloppy Joes take me straight back to summer days at my grandma’s house. We kids were wild for them,
Comfort Food Win: The Ultimate Vegan Sloppy Joes Read More »
I’ll never forget the first time I saw veggie fajitas on a menu. I had just become vegetarian and was cautiously navigating restaurant options. Then, at one of my favorite Mexican food spots, I saw a little “vegetarian section” on
Flavor-Packed Veggie Fajitas Even Meat-Lovers Will Love Read More »
If you’ve been part of our Vegetarian Zen community for a while, you know that we LOVE comfort food, especially when it’s budget-friendly and full of flavor. This vegan Hoppin John is one of those recipes that checks all the
The first time I had quinoa stuffed acorn squash was at a company holiday party where it was offered as a vegan meal option. As I strolled past my coworkers with my plate, I saw a lot of head turns.
Say hello to your new go-to pasta sauce: a rich, cozy vegan bolognese that tastes just as satisfying as the original. It’s thick, deeply savory, and full of texture—perfect for tossing with spaghetti or spooning over creamy polenta. This version
The Ultimate Vegan Bolognese for Serious Comfort Cravings Read More »
Make these vegan meatballs once and you’ll add the recipe to your regular dinner rotation. They’re hearty, comforting, and full of flavor. They hold together beautifully, brown well, and work well on spaghetti and in sub sandwiches. The texture is
Vegan Meatballs: Flavorful, Hearty, and Easy to Make! Read More »
If you’ve ever walked into a house filled with the smell of homemade tamales, you know something special is happening. For me, that smell instantly brings me back to childhood holidays, when my mom, grandma, and aunt would gather in
How To Make Vegan Tamales For Your Holiday Table Read More »
Can I just say how much I LOVE Mexican food? If you listen to our podcast, you already know that though (hehe). This vegetarian Mexican lasagna will surprise you with how satisfying it is. Layers of roasted vegetables, beans, tortillas,
How To Make Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna With Roasted Veggies Read More »
