one green planet
one green planet

Are you looking to whip up some vegan food this holiday season? There’s no need to be intimidated if you’re a beginner vegan cook; there’s more in common between non-plant-based cooking and plant-based cooking than you might think! And there are an endless amount of recipes that won’t cause you to stress in the kitchen because they use familiar ingredients and flavors or easy cooking methods. We scoured the Food Monster App to find some beginner plant-based recipes you can cook for the holidays.

For Sides and Appetizers

1. Roasted Tomato and Pepper SoupVegan Roasted Tomato and Pepper Soup Topped with basil, pine nuts, and vinegar

Source: Roasted Tomato and Pepper Soup

This Roasted Tomato and Pepper Soup by Stephanie Davies is no average recipe. The smokiness of the roasted vegetables elevates this dish from a childhood favorite to an elegant dish.

2. Autumn Maple Sage Acorn Squash Vegan Grain-Free Roasted Acorn Squash

Source: Autumn Maple Sage Acorn Squash

A caramelized, sweet squash dish- the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Get ready for the holiday season with this Autumn Maple Sage Acorn Squash recipe by Kristina Todini.

3. Baked Potato With Parsley ‘Sour Cream’ The Perfect Baked Potato With Parsley Sour Cream

Source: Baked Potato With Parsley ‘Sour Cream’

You are going to love these easy and satisfying baked potatoes. Hot, steamy, and creamy, they are perfect for when it’s cold outside, or for any time of the year. Try this Baked Potato With Parsley ‘Sour Cream’ by Maria Koutsogiannis.

Winter Cookbook: Heartwarming Plant-Based Recipes for the Cooler Months

One Green Planet Winter Cookbook

As the seasons change and the weather gets chillier, there is truly nothing better than spending time in the kitchen with loved ones while cooking up cozy, soul-warming, home-cooked plant-based meals. This vegan winter cookbook includes 75 stunning vegan recipes with amazing photos! With this cookbook, you’ll find countless comforting recipes to inspire you and help you make the most of winter’s abundant variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables! This cookbook features warm and comforting plant-based recipes like Pasta with Creamy Chestnut Pesto and Mushroom Bisque With Cashew Cream, festive sweets like Glazed Cinnamon Bun Cookies and Caramel Topped Gingersnap Brownies, and Roasted Winter Vegetable Bowls with Couscous, Romesco Sauce, and Tahini Drizzle, this cookbook offers everything you need to create a stunning winter spread!

4. Cranberry Almond Green Beans Vegan Grain-Free Cranberry Almond Green Beans

Source: Cranberry Almond Green Beans

Usually, a green bean recipe is not a fancy one, but this might be an exception. This recipe by Gina Hoskins is a healthy take on the traditional green bean casserole. Cranberry Almond Green Beans are a perfect, modern side dish this holiday season. The added almonds give the classic ingredients an extra nice crunch.

5. Whole Roasted Baby Artichoke Whole Roasted Baby Artichoke 

Source: Whole Roasted Baby Artichoke

When it comes to roasting veggies, artichokes seem to elude most — but follow this recipe and worrying over how to prepare these delicious edible flowers will be a thing of the past. Baby artichokes are halved and then roasted with garlic and herbs so their flavor is not overwhelmed. Serve this Whole Roasted Baby Artichoke by Anarki “AJ” Tjon Affo with a simple dip and other vegetables to make it a meal.

For the Main Course

1. Portobello Mushroom Steaks With Cheesy Rosemary Polenta vegan portobello mushroom steaks with cheesy rosemary polenta

Source: Portobello Mushroom Steaks With Cheesy Rosemary Polenta

In this recipe for Portobello Mushroom Steaks With Cheesy Rosemary Polenta by Michaell Johnson, meaty mushrooms that are drizzled with a balsamic reduction sit atop a bed of cheesy, creamy homemade polenta. Pair it with some zesty roasted carrots or sweet potatoes, kale salad, and a glass of wine for a sweet and complete holiday dinner.

2. 6-Ingredient Pumpkin Alfredo Vegan 6-Ingredient Pumpkin Alfredo

Source: 6-Ingredient Pumpkin Alfredo

Six ingredients, not counting the noodles, is all that it takes to have a fresh warm batch of this creamy fall alfredo in your hands. This 6-Ingredient Pumpkin Alfredo by Amanda Smith is an incredibly easy dish to whip up that has plenty of wow factor. You won’t believe how creamy this creamless recipe is.

3. One-Pot Pumpkin Chili  Vegan Grain-Free One-Pot Pumpkin Chili

Source: One Pot Pumpkin Chili

This One Pot Pumpkin Chili by Jasmine Briones is a winner. It is super easy to make, hearty, requires just one pot, and will be ready in about 30 minutes. Warm yourself up with this delicious, seasonal chili!

4. Eggplants in Tomato Garlic Sauce Vegan Eggplants in Tomato Garlic Sauce

Source: Eggplants in Tomato Garlic Sauce

Eggplants in Tomato Garlic Sauce by Viktoria Radichkova is traditionally made by frying the eggplant pieces and serving them with the sauce on the side. This version is more of a skillet dish, with layers of eggplant smothered in tomato garlic sauce, and lots of tofu feta cheese right before serving.

5. Cheesy Cauliflower Bake With Bread Crumbs and Thyme Vegan Cheesy Cauliflower Bake With Bread Crumbs and Thyme

Source: Cheesy Cauliflower Bake With Bread Crumbs and Thyme

This Cheesy Cauliflower Bake With Bread Crumbs and Thyme by Hannah Sunderani is the A+ procrastinator of brilliant recipes. Meaning you can make this delicious dish quickly and easily with few ingredients. It’s creamy, cheesy, savory, and ooey gooey. This bake is a winning recipe that’s destined to please all.

For Dessert:

1. Flourless Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Cookies Vegan Grain-Free Flourless Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Cookies

Source: Flourless Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Cookies

These Flourless Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Cookies by Michele Elizabeth are supple, and simple, only require 4 ingredients, and there’s no baking required! You get protein, probiotics, and prebiotics in this cookie. The 4 ingredients here are simple… oats, pitted Medjool dates, natural almond butter, and chocolate protein powder!

2. Soft, Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Soft, Chewy Gingerbread Cookies [Vegan, GF]

Source: Soft, Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

These Soft, Chewy Gingerbread Cookies by Wendy Irene taste what Christmas should taste like, and I’m certain you’ll be singing in no time too while you bake and enjoy these with your loved ones. Perfect for a cookie swap or for simply enjoying yourself.

3. Golden Apple Crisp Vegan Gluten-Free Golden Apple Crisp

Source: Golden Apple Crisp

In this apple crisp, layers of juicy apple slices are baked to soft perfection and coated in a warm maple-butter sauce that is topped with brown sugar and cinnamon crumble. Bake this Golden Apple Crisp by Kristina Humphreys in the oven and enjoy the aroma as the kitchen begins to smell like everything wonderful about autumn–maple syrup, cinnamon, and baked apples.

4. Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cups With Candy Cane Topping Vegan Grain-Free Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cups With Candy Cane Topping

Source: Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cups With Candy Cane Topping

A rich, frozen treat perfect to get into the holiday spirit! These Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cups With Candy Cane Topping by Hannah Sunderani can be enjoyed fresh or frozen (if you can wait that long). Any fan of the classic mint and chocolate combo will appreciate these.

5. Apple Pie Stuffed ApplesApple Pie Stuffed Apples [Vegan]

Source: Apple Pie Stuffed Apples

Say “hello” to these gorgeous seven-ingredient Apple Pie Stuffed Apples by Alexa Peduzzi. They’re so dang flavorful, it makes me want to do my “happy dance” around the kitchen. Can you blame me? I mean, is there anything better than a warm, cinnamon apple with a crunchy, maple-spiked granola topping? Answer: no. There is not.

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

  • Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
  • Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take the initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
  • Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
  • Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
  • Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
  • Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote wise, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your own food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!

Help keep One Green Planet free and independent! Together we can ensure our platform remains a hub for empowering ideas committed to fighting for a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. Please support us in keeping our mission strong.