Contrary to what a lot of people may assume, cooking dinner for a vegan or plant-based toddler does not take any extra time or effort. Dinners at our house don’t get boring or monotonous for the most part. We have our staples that we really enjoy (you’ll see below) and I try to throw in something new here and there as time allows. It keeps everyone happy.
If you know me or have been following along for a bit, you know that I don’t do complicated. I like fast and easy dinners that can come together in 45 minutes or less. Because who has the time, really.
I hope that these 5 dinner ideas below make their way into your own rotation, especially if you are trying to feed your toddler more plant-based options. More veggies is always a good thing.
#1: Chickpea Noodle Soup
Chickpea noodle soup is a great way to get in veggies and protein. I usually serve with some bread and butter because she likes to dunk.
#2: Baked Tempeh
Simple stuff. I slice the tempeh thin and toss with olive oil, salt, and onion powder. I bake at 400 F for about 20 minutes, or until golden. Serve that with a side of mashed potatoes and another veggie.
#3: Pasta e Fagioli
Recipe for this Italian favorite here (sooo easy and delicious). Side of veggie!
#4: Bean + Corn Quesadilla
This is my daughter’s absolute favorite meal. You can find my recipe here. The beauty of it is that you can add whatever you want to the filling. I take this as an opportunity to sneak in finely chopped veggies (sometimes some broccoli, red pepper, tomato, etc.) I like the serve with olive, sweet potatoes, or avocado.
#5: Tortilla Pizza
I don’t have a pic of these cut up in her plate, so including the above for reference. BUT this is a huuuge hit, especially on nights where I want to make something with real minimal effort.
Simply grab a tortilla and cover with your favorite pizza sauce (I like a can of tomato paste mixed with water or crushed tomatoes), season, and add your favorite veggies. This is another great way to sneak in the veggies, right? Willow usually likes mushrooms, onions, olives, and vegan cheese or cashew cream. SO good! Bake at 400 F for about 10 minutes.
I hope that these ideas inspired your own dinner plans. Thanks for stopping by, as always. xx bianca
