10 Easy and Delicious Plant-Based Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Plant-based living is more than a trend; it's a delicious, sustainable, and compassionate way to eat.

If the thought of giving up meat or dairy seems daunting, don't worry! We've got you covered with 10 easy and mouthwatering plant-based recipes that will not only attract vegan foodies but also busy professionals who need a quick and healthy dinner option after a long day at work.

Here are some scrumptious dishes that you can whip up in no time, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor and nutrients. And, with every recipe featuring Great Life by Lucinda's plant-based burger mixes, you're in for a treat.

Introduction: Embracing the Green Revolution

The green revolution is here, and it's on your plate. With more people leaning towards a plant-based diet, the quest for mouthwatering, quick, and healthy vegan recipes is on the rise. Whether it's for health reasons, sustainability, or a love for animal-friendly dishes, the appeal of plant-based meals has never been stronger.

With the right ingredients and a bit of imagination, you can transform your weeknight dinners into a vegan feast that's just as satisfying as any meat-heavy meal. Let's dive into the goodness of plant-based living with ten delectable recipes that are perfect for any night of the week.

Recipe 1: Flavor Fiesta Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Great Life by Lucinda's Garden Veggie Burger Mix
• 1 and 1/4 cups of hot water
• A pack of taco seasoning
• 1 cup of your preferred salsa
• 1 cup of shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup of sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup of dairy-free sour cream
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
• 8 taco shells

Instructions:

1. Start by preparing the Great Life by Lucinda's veggie burger mix with hot water. Add the mix and water, mix well, and let it sit for a minute to form a patty.
2. Brown the burger mix in a skillet over medium heat. Add the taco seasoning and stir until well combined.
3. Warm the taco shells according to the package instructions.
4. Assemble your tacos by spooning the spiced burger mix into each taco shell. Top with lettuce, salsa, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Serves: 4

Recipe 2: Lemony Garlic Pasta with Spinach

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Great Life by Lucinda's Garden Veggie Burger Mix
• 1 and 1/4 cups of hot water
• 8 oz of fettuccine pasta
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 6 cups of fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Great Life by Lucinda's veggie burger mix and let it sit for a minute to form a patty.
2. Cook the fettuccine pasta according to package directions.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the burger mix to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
6. Stir in the cooked pasta, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss until everything is well combined.

Serves: 2-3

Recipe 3: Spicy Cajun Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Great Life by Lucinda's Spicy Cajun Lentil Soup Mix
• 1 and 1/4 cups of hot water
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup of dried lentils, rinsed
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 6 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the lentil mix to the pot, and add in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, paprika, and cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Serves: 6

Recipe 4: Veggie Burger Salad Bowl

Ingredients:

• 2 servings of Great Life by Lucinda's Garden Veggie Burger Mix, crumbled
• 8 cups of mixed greens
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup of shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup of sliced cucumber
• 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup of your favorite dressing

Instructions:

1. Prepare Great Life by Lucinda's burger patties according to package directions. Once cooked, crumble the patties.
2. Divide the mixed greens among four bowls.
3. Top each bowl with crumbled burger mix, tomatoes, red onion, carrots, cucumber, and sunflower seeds.
4. Drizzle with dressing and toss to combine.

Serves: 4

Recipe 5: Veggie Burger Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Great Life by Lucinda's Garden Veggie Burger Mix
• 1 and 1/4 cups of hot water
• 1 head of iceberg or butter lettuce
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• 1/4 cup of sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup of hoisin sauce
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon of sriracha (optional for spice)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Great Life by Lucinda's veggie burger mix and let it sit for a minute to form a patty.
2. Brown the burger mix in a skillet over medium heat.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha.
4. Assemble the lettuce wraps by spooning the burger mix onto a lettuce leaf. Top with shredded carrots and green onions. Drizzle with the sauce and enjoy.

Serves: 2-3

Recipe 6: Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Great Life by Lucinda's Garden Lentil Soup Mix
• 1 and 1/4 cups of hot water
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups of vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup of plant-based creamer
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the lentil mix to the pot, and stir in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
5. Stir in the plant-based creamer and basil. Season with salt and pepper.

Serves: 4

Recipe 7: Cajun Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Great Life by Lucinda's Cajun Veggie Burger Mix
• 1 and 1/4 cups of hot water
• 1 cup of quinoa, rinsed
• 1 and 3/4 cups of vegetable broth
• 4 bell peppers, tops and seeds removed
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 cup of corn kernels
• 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Great Life by Lucinda's veggie burger mix and let it sit for a minute to form a patty.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
6. Add the burger mix to the skillet and cook until browned.
7. Add the zucchini, corn, black beans, chili powder, and cumin. Cook for another 5 minutes.
8. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa and the burger mix filling. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Stuff each bell pepper with the quinoa mixture.
10. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.

Serves: 4

Recipe 8: One-Pot Sticky Sesame Ginger Tofu and Broccoli

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Great Life by Lucinda's Curry Veggie Burger Mix
• 1 and 1/4 cups of hot water
• 14 oz block of extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
• 1/4 cup of cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, divided
• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
• Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Great Life by Lucinda's veggie burger mix and let it sit for a minute to form a patty.
2. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
3. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes.
4. Place the cornstarch in a shallow bowl. Toss the tofu cubes in the cornstarch until coated.
5. Place the tofu on a lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until crisp.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, cornstarch, ginger, and garlic. Set aside.
7. Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli and bell pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
8. Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet and add the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil. Add the burger mix to the skillet and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
9. Pour the sauce over the burger mix and vegetables. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
10. Serve the tofu and vegetables over cooked rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Serves: 4

Recipe 9: Sheet Pan Fajita Veggies and Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Great Life by Lucinda's Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Soup Mix
• 6 cups of hot water
• 1 cup of brown rice
• 1 and 1/2 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Start by preparing the Great Life by Lucinda's veggie burger mix with hot water. Add the mix and water, mix well, and let it sit for a minute to form a patty.
2. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
3. In a small skillet, toast the brown rice over medium heat for about 3 minutes to develop a nutty flavor.
4. Transfer the rice to a baking sheet and add the vegetable broth. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
5. In a large bowl, combine the your veggie mix, onion, bell peppers, black beans, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and olive oil. Toss until well coated.
6. After 25 minutes, remove the foil from the rice and add the mixed vegetables to one side of the baking sheet. Return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves: 4

Recipe 10: Sweet and Sour Pineapple Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Great Life by Lucinda's Curry Veggie Burger Mix
• 1 and 1/4 cups of hot water
• 14 oz can of pineapple chunks, juice reserved
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, divided
• 2 tablespoons of oil, divided
• 14 oz block of extra firm tofu, drained and pressed, cut into cubes
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup of sliced carrots
• 1 cup of sugar snap peas
• 1 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Great Life by Lucinda's veggie burger mix and let it sit for a minute to form a patty.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the pineapple juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set aside.
4. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add the bell pepper, zucchini, carrots, and sugar snap peas. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
5. Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet and add the ginger and garlic. Cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
6. Stir in the burger mix and cook for 2-3 minutes.
7. Stir the pineapple chunks and tofu into the skillet.
8. Whisk the sauce to re-combine, then add it to the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
9. Serve the stir-fry over cooked rice.

Serves: 4

Conclusion: Try More, Live Plant-Good

Plant-based eating can be incredibly varied, full of flavor, and a source of energy for your busy life. As you can see, with the right combination of Great Life by Lucinda's burger mixes and fresh ingredients, the possibilities are endless. These ten recipes are just the beginning of your plant-based culinary adventure.

So why not add more plant-powered goodness to your weeknight meals? Once you experience the ease and joy of creating these dishes, you might just find that going green is your new favorite way to eat. Try these recipes today and step into a world of delicious health and sustainability. Happy cooking!