Whether you’ve decided to switch to a vegan diet, or just want the health benefits from occasionally eating plant-based meals, there are many reasons to enjoy vegan dishes. Far from being bland or boring, there are an endless number of vegan recipes and meal ideas that pack a tasty punch without involving meat or dairy products. Here are 6 of our favorite vegan recipes: 

Quinoa Nachos

Vegan nachos are great as a complete meal or as a tasty (and healthy!) snack while watching Netflix. When putting together vegan nachos, use cooked quinoa in place of the meat on vegan tortilla chips. Top it all off with cashew cheese (or another vegan variety), guacamole, and other creative toppings. You could even make your own vegan queso! 

Hearts of Palm “Fish” Tacos

Hearts of palm are a terrific alternative to fish. You can easily fry hearts of palm to enjoy in a soft shell taco alongside other “fish” taco ingredients, including homemade vegan tartar sauce and pickled cabbage or cabbage slaw. 

Vegan Lasagna

Vegan lasagna makes for an easy and delicious dinner. Layer lasagna noodles with marinara sauce, tofu, and healthy vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Don’t forget to add seasonings like oregano or garlic for maximum flavor. 

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a nostalgic, childhood classic. As you embrace a vegan diet, you don’t have to worry about letting go of this comfort food staple. Instead, look to sauerkraut, nutritional yeast, white onions, and bread crumbs to help you get your mac and cheese fix. Looking to make things even more interesting? Add broccoli, vegan bratwurst, or vegan sausage into your dish! 

Vegan Chili

The perfect meal during the colder months, vegan chili is extremely versatile. Replace the traditional meat with plant-based meat (like Impossible meat or Beyond meat), or simply use crumbled tofu. Alternatively, you could choose to add more beans and vegetables to forgo a meatlike food altogether. Celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, carrots, beans, and spices make for a perfect chili combination. 

Vegan Pizza

Pizza night is always a hit. Like chili, vegan pizza is versatile and can be easily customized to your own preferences. Use store bought or homemade pizza dough, and top it with tomato sauce, pizza seasonings, and your favorite sauteed or raw vegetables. You can make your own vegan mozzarella cheese out of nutritional yeast (this is a common ingredient in vegan meals), apple cider vinegar, and tapioca starch. Are you a pepperoni pizza fan? Check out the different vegan pepperoni options the next time that you’re at the grocery store, or make your own vegan pepperoni out of tofu or vital wheat gluten. 

Going vegan can feel like a major life change. Just remember, for every meat-filled favorite meal, there’s always a vegan alternative!