8 Budget-Friendly Cheap Vegan Recipes

Vegan food on a budget? Oh, it’s ON! 🌱💰

I’ve teamed up with some of the savviest plant-based penny-pinchers out there to bring you a mouth-watering lineup of wallet-friendly vegan recipes. Whether you’re craving hearty comfort food, quick weeknight dinners, or impressive (but secretly simple) dishes to wow your friends, we’ve got you covered.

Get ready to dive into a world of lentil loaves, chickpea curry, and even a dessert that’ll make you question why you ever thought vegan food was expensive. These recipes are so budget-friendly, your bank account might just send you a thank-you note.

So grab your reusable shopping bags, dust off that slow cooker, and let’s turn those pennies into plant-based perfection!

Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

Who says comfort food has to break the bank? This lentil shepherd’s pie is like a warm hug for your taste buds AND your wallet.

The star of the show here is our humble friend, the lentil. These little protein-packed powerhouses are dirt cheap and oh-so-filling.

To whip up this bad boy, you’ll start by simmering lentils with veggie broth, onions, carrots, and your favorite herbs.

While that’s bubbling away, mash up some potatoes (or sweet potatoes if you’re feeling fancy) with a splash of plant milk and a dash of nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor.

Layer the lentil mixture in a baking dish, top with your mashed potato masterpiece, and bake until golden and bubbly.

Pro tip: Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for those nights when cooking feels like climbing Mount Everest.

I once served this to my meat-loving uncle, and he asked for seconds before realizing it was vegan. Score one for the plants!

Chickpea Curry

Alright, let’s talk curry. Specifically, let’s talk about the kind of curry that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance without making your credit card cry.

This chickpea curry is my go-to when I want something that tastes like it took hours but actually comes together faster than you can say “where’s the takeout menu?”

Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger in a big pot. Throw in some curry powder, turmeric, and whatever other spices you’ve got lying around (seriously, go wild).

Add a can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed, unless you like bean juice), a can of diced tomatoes, and some coconut milk if you’re feeling tropical.

Let it simmer until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Serve over rice or with some naan bread for maximum deliciousness.

Fun fact: I once made this curry for a potluck and forgot to label it as vegan. It was the first dish to disappear, and I had three people ask me for the recipe. Stealth vegan win!

Pasta e Fagioli

Okay, let’s get fancy… without the fancy price tag. Pasta e Fagioli sounds like something you’d order at a swanky Italian restaurant, but it’s actually just a fancy way of saying “pasta and beans” (don’t tell your dinner guests).

This hearty soup is perfect for those nights when you’re craving something warm and filling but your fridge is looking sadder than a wilted piece of lettuce.

Start by sautéing some onions, carrots, and celery in a big pot. Add some garlic (because, duh) and a can of crushed tomatoes.

Throw in a can of white beans (cannellini are traditional, but use whatever you’ve got), some veggie broth, and your favorite small pasta shape. I like to use broken spaghetti because it makes me feel rebellious.

Let it all simmer until the pasta is cooked and the flavors have mingled like guests at a really good party.

Top with some fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy, or just dive in as is. Either way, you’ll be in comfort food heaven.

I once made this for a first date, and let’s just say… there was a second date. Coincidence? I think not.

Peanut Butter Noodles

Who needs takeout when you can whip up these bad boys in less time than it takes to decide what to order?

These peanut butter noodles are the ultimate “I’m too lazy to cook but I’m also too broke to order in” meal. Plus, they’re so good you might just start craving them even when you’re not broke.

Cook up some noodles (spaghetti works, but rice noodles are even better if you’ve got ’em). While they’re boiling, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, a splash of vinegar, and some hot water to thin it out.

Toss your cooked noodles with the sauce, and throw in whatever veggies you’ve got lying around. Carrots, bell peppers, and cucumber all work great. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some chopped peanuts on top.

Boom. Dinner is served, and your wallet is still intact.

True story: I once made these for a potluck and told everyone it was an ancient family recipe. They believed me until I started laughing so hard I nearly choked on a noodle. Lesson learned: don’t lie about recipes, kids.

Black Bean Tacos

Taco Tuesday, but make it budget-friendly! These black bean tacos are so easy and delicious, you might just find yourself making them on non-Tuesdays too. (Taco Thursday has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?)

Start by sautéing some onions and garlic, then add a can of black beans (drained and rinsed). Mash about half the beans with a fork to get that perfect texture.

Throw in some taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious), and let it all simmer for a few minutes.

Warm up some tortillas, and load ’em up with your bean mixture. Top with whatever you’ve got on hand – shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado if you’re splurging.

For a super budget-friendly option, make a quick slaw with shredded cabbage and a squeeze of lime juice.

I once served these at a party and had a guest ask me where I “hide the meat”. When I told him it was just beans, he looked at me like I’d just performed a magic trick. Abracadabra, my friend. It’s the power of plants.

Potato and Leek Soup

Okay, let’s get a little fancy (but still cheap, because we’re not made of money here). This potato and leek soup is like a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for those days when you need a little extra comfort.

Start by sautéing sliced leeks in a big pot until they’re soft and smell amazing. Add in some diced potatoes, veggie broth, and a bay leaf if you’re feeling fancy.

Let it all simmer until the potatoes are tender, then blend it up until it’s smooth and creamy. If you don’t have a blender, just mash it with a potato masher – it’ll be rustic!

Season with salt and pepper, and if you’re feeling extra indulgent, stir in a splash of plant milk or a dollop of vegan sour cream.

Pro tip: Save the dark green parts of the leeks to make veggie stock. It’s like getting two meals for the price of one!

I once served this soup to my grandmother, who swore she could taste the cream in it. When I told her it was dairy-free, she accused me of witchcraft. I’ll take that as a compliment, thanks Grandma!

Banana Oat Pancakes

Who says being on a budget means saying goodbye to weekend brunch? These banana oat pancakes are here to prove that theory wrong, and they’re bringing a whole lot of deliciousness to the table.

All you need for these bad boys is a ripe banana, some oats, plant milk, and a bit of baking powder. Blend it all up, and you’ve got yourself some pancake batter that’s healthier than the traditional stuff and doesn’t require a trip to the store for eggs or milk.

Cook ’em up in a pan (use a bit of oil if you’re not working with a non-stick surface), and voila! Pancakes that are so good, you might forget they’re actually pretty good for you.

Top with whatever you’ve got on hand – more sliced bananas, a drizzle of maple syrup, or get creative with some peanut butter and jelly.

Fun fact: I once made these for a group of friends staying at my place after a night out. They were so impressed, they didn’t even notice the lack of hangover-curing bacon. Plants for the win!

Chocolate Mug Cake

Let’s end this culinary journey on a sweet note, shall we? This chocolate mug cake is the answer to those nights when you’re craving something decadent but don’t want to a) spend money, b) leave the house, or c) put on pants.

In a mug, mix together some flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Add some plant milk, a bit of oil, and a splash of vanilla if you’re feeling fancy.

Mix it all up until it’s smooth, then pop it in the microwave for about a minute. And just like that, you’ve got a warm, gooey chocolate cake that’s almost too good to be true.

Top it with a scoop of vegan ice cream if you’re really living on the edge, or just dig in as is. Either way, you’re in for a treat.

I once made this at 2 AM during a particularly stressful exam week. Let’s just say it was a lot more satisfying than stress-eating an entire bag of chips (not that I’ve ever done that… ahem).

And there you have it, folks! Eight budget-friendly vegan recipes that prove you don’t need to break the bank to eat like plant-based royalty.

From hearty comfort foods to quick and easy meals, and even a sneaky dessert, these recipes have got you covered for any craving or occasion.

So go forth and cook! Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you. And remember, being vegan doesn’t mean you have to subsist on kale and dreams. With these recipes in your arsenal, you’ll be eating like a king (or queen) on a pauper’s budget.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a chocolate mug cake. It’s for research purposes, I swear!