Hey babes,
So, as those of us in the US and other places with a heavy focus on Christian holidays know, Sunday is Easter. And even the most secular among us will likely be preparing a feast and hiding Easter eggs for our sweet babies. Problem for those of us that tend to stay in the more plant-based side of life, these holidays are replete with dishes made up almost exclusively of meat, dairy, and eggs. When I searched through lists aimed at the mainstream of Easter dishes, I found maybe two that were completely plant-based. Ham, cheesy potatoes, deviled eggs, bacon-wrapped asparagus, oh my.
Luckily, the vegan community is big and strong, and collectively we have a wealth of options to choose from to make any holiday a wholesome, healthy affair without missing out on an array of flavors and textures. Without further delay, may I present to you twelve great recipes to curate a delicious Easter feast.
A couple of quick caveats so I don’t repeat myself and drive you crazy: oil can very easily be replaced by water or broth, pastas can be replaced with whole wheat, and sugar can be replaced by allulose, monkfruit, stevia, or other substitutes.
Vegan Creamy Pancetta & Pea Pasta
I deeply adore Sam’s recipes over at It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken and she was a major source of inspiration when I first went plant-based. This creamy, smoky pasta is a winner, especially if you have picky kiddos.
Chana Masala Shepherd’s Pie
This is one of mine and may be a little more risky depending on if your guests like curry powder. But, if they like the flavors of Indian curries, this should be a hit! And as a bonus you can prepare it the night before and heat it up before lunch or dinner.
Mushroom Wellington
This recipe from Kate over at Veggie Desserts is a little more complicated than the previous two, but it presents a stunning main and comes packed with mushrooms, vegetables, and nuts. I would swap out the chestnuts for walnuts, just based on availability, but otherwise it is a great idea to wow your guests. And she even provides a delicious gravy recipe to top it all off.
Lentil Loaf
Nora at Nora Cooks brought us a great vegan twist on a traditional meatloaf. It’s full of lentils, vegetables, and even flaxseeds and walnuts for a little extra flavor and nutritional benefits. All the ingredients are easy to find and pretty cheap, so if you’re struggling for an idea for a main, this one is a great option that will please palates and your microbiome.
Vegan Deviled Potatoes
Deviled Eggs are a staple at every Easter celebration I’ve attended, but this is a great alternative without the cholesterol. Brought to the internet for our consumption by Amrita at Crazy Vegan Kitchen, it utilizes a potato-hummus blend to imitate the traditional filling plus plenty of spices.
Indian-Spiced Asparagus
Another one of mine, but asparagus is a spring staple. Using just a few simple spices, lemon, and ten minutes of your time, and you have a great side dish for all of the various flavors and variety on this list.
Roasted Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
Krista at Joyful Healthy Eats has a great simple recipe for this iconic classic. The recipe is basically impossible to mess up, and balsamic vinegar is the absolute most delicious addition to compliment and offset the slight bitterness Brussel sprouts can sometimes have.
Cashew Cream Scalloped Potatoes
Yep, this is my most recent post, but I had to include it because I myself am taking it to an Easter potluck tomorrow. I know maybe two people that dislike potatoes, so you’re sure to please the group with this dish.
Maple Roasted Carrots
Kelly at Trial and Eater brings us a good example of roasted carrots. She uses heirloom carrots, olive oil, and maple syrup, but you can swap out for regular old carrots and leave out the oil. Carrots are generally a popular vegetable and when roasted in a sweet coating should be a great and popular addition to your event.
Vegan Mushroom & Basil Pâté
Hey look, another Monica! This recipe comes to us courtesy of The Hidden Veggies, another excellent plant-based resource. This recipe does use quite a bit of oil so the texture is going to be different when you swap it out, but the flavor is still great.
Banana Muffins
Another recent one of mine, but I included it because it’s an easy way to start off the day while you work on the rest of your food and festivities. It’s especially popular with kids, so they can have something healthy and delicious while you work on the day ahead.
Vegan Carrot Cake Loaf
Hannah from Domestic Gothess has a great recipe for carrot cake loaf. It skips out on the heavy oils in frosting and sticks to a glaze, and other ingredients you have issue with can easily be swapped without damaging the integrity of the core recipe.
So, enjoy all of these recipes and have a great holiday if you celebrate. If not, enjoy the spring and I’ll see you next time!
