Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love Roasted Fall Vegetables
• Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Roasted Fall Vegetables
• Tips for Success

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

There’s not much of a story for this one – roasted vegetables are pretty straightforward! Essentially, I wanted to create a solid recipe for roasted veggies with lots of fall vibes – autumn produce seasoned with spices that evoke Thanksgiving. Poultry seasoning is a spice mix that has all those delicious fall spices – sage, rosemary, nutmeg – so I thought I’d use a mix of those spices to give these fall veggies a lift. The result was really delicious!

Why You’ll Love Roasted Fall Vegetables

• Simple side – It’s super easy to dice and roasted veggies for a simple, easy, yet elegant side dish all season long.
• Colorful – A variety of pretty colors means these roasted fall vegetables can be fancy enough for a dinner party yet simple enough for every day.
• Easy to prep ahead – Chop up the veggies beforehand or even roast them a day or two before you want to eat them. They’re great for meal prep!

Ingredients

• Butternut squash – You’ll want about 1/2 of a small butternut squash. Here are some tips for how to peel and cut a butternut squash.
• Brussels sprouts – I absolutely adore roasted Brussels sprouts, and thought they’d add a great pop of color, plus, they’re perfect for the season!
• Carrots – While not necessarily a fall veggie, carrots are such a powerhouse veg and are delicious roasted. Plus, I love the deep orange color they add to this medley of fall vegetables.
• Red onion – I love to add onion to my roasted veggies for some texture/flavor variety.
• Olive oil – For tossing the veggies in before roasting, ensuring the roasted fall vegetables don’t dry out and form a caramelized exterior.
• Sage – Go with dried rubbed sage for an easy way to incorporate the flavor.
• Thyme – 1/2 teaspoon dried, or if you prefer fresh, I recommend 1 teaspoon full of thyme leaves.
• Rosemary – 1/4 teaspoon dried, so not very much. A little goes a long way. You can also use 1/2 teaspoon fresh.
• Marjoram
• Nutmeg – Just a touch of freshly ground nutmeg lends that unmistakably fall vibe. I love it on roasted vegetables!
• Salt & pepper – I like to add salt and pepper both before roasting and after to finish the veggies.

Adaptations/Variations

• Use poultry seasoning – simplify this recipe by using 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning mix in place of the individual herbs and seasonings.
• Add garlic powder and/or onion powder – Both add a nice touch of flavor to roasted veggies.

Tips for Success

• Cut everything roughly the same size. From carrots to squash to the Brussels sprouts, aim for a similar size so everything cooks evenly. I go for around 3/4-inch size pieces.
• Cook for longer vs. shorter. If you’re not sure, I recommend roasting your veggies for a longer amount of time vs. less. The more caramelization and brown bits the better!
• Use a large baking sheet. You don’t want your veggies to be crowded, or they’ll steam more than roast.

I hope this roasted fall veggies recipe serves as a jumping-off place for you to work roasted vegetables into your week, all season long. They’re tender and full of flavor and absolutely packed with nutrients. A win-win all around!

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Roasted Fall Vegetables

Sweet butternut squash, tender carrots, crispy-edged Brussels sprouts, and savory onions, all tossed in seasonings, then roasted to caramelized, golden perfection. The best side dish for the season!

Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword fall roasted vegetables, fall vegetables roasted, roasted fall vegetables, roasted fall veggies

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 190kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1/2 small butternut squash 2 cups; peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts 2 cups; washed, halved, outer leaves removed
• 3 medium carrots peeled and cut into chunks; 1 cup
• 1 medium red onion peeled, cut into chunks
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon marjoram
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Set out a large baking sheet.
• Add the squash, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and onion to the baking sheet.
• Drizzle with olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.
• Use a wooden spoon or your hands to coat the veggies evenly with the oil and seasonings.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes, tossing at the 20 minute mark, until tender and browned on some sides.
• Finish with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Warm in the microwave or in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 632mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 18044IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Roasted Fall Vegetables appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

We’re talking just 7 ingredients and under 15 minutes to make the most delicious enchilada sauce!

The Story Behind the Recipe

Maybe my palate just isn’t sophisticated enough, but I’ve never found a canned enchilada sauce that I actually like. I feel like that’s a weird thing to say, but it’s true.

But I do love enchiladas, and they’re such an easy (and delicious!) dish to make at home.

Traditional homemade enchilada sauce is made with peppers/dried chiles and I often see flour in the ingredients, too. Tomato, surprisingly to me, seems more like an afterthought than a main ingredient.

I decided to work backwards and, using a recipe from a cute old thrifted cookbook called The Sunburst Farm Family Cookbook as a jumping off point, make an enchilada sauce that started with tomatoes and added flavors from there.

The result is a super fast and easy homemade enchilada sauce that tastes amazing – way better than canned in my opinion, and much easier than trying my hand at a super authentic sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce

• Comes together quickly – just 15 minutes to make.
• Delicious! The tomato, onion, and chili powder combo is so good.
• Easy to double or triple, then freeze for easy homemade enchiladas anytime.

Ingredients

• Olive oil – For sauteing the onion and garlic.
• Onion – You’ll want one whole onion for lots of onion flavor.
• Garlic – Two cloves, minced, for signature garlic flavor.
• Tomato puree – Grab a 12-ounce can of your favorite brand of puree.
• Vegetable broth – You can get boxed broth at the store or use homemade veggie broth.
• Chili powder – Use a mild or more spicy blend, your choice.
• Cumin – For signature Mexican cuisine flavor and an earthy note.
• Smoked paprika – For a smoky touch.
• Salt – To taste.

I hope you love this homemade enchilada sauce as much as we do! Use it to make any type of enchilada you like. I make a black bean enchilada recipe with this sauce that’s so delicious (watch for that recipe soon!)

More Sauce Recipes

• Homemade BBQ Sauce
• Favorite Pizza Sauce
• Peanut Sauce

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Easy Enchilada Sauce Recipe

This simple 7-ingredient homemade enchilada sauce beats the pants off of store-bought canned! Now, it might not be the most authentic enchilada sauce recipe out there, but in my opinion, it tastes the best of any I've tried, authentic or not!

Keyword easy enchilada sauce, enchilada sauce recipe, homemade enchilada sauce

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 3 cups

Calories 158kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced, about 2 cups
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 12 ounces tomato puree about 1 1/4 cup
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste

Instructions

• Place a skillet over medium-low heat. When hot, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and sauce for 5-6 minutes, until soft and tender. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for another minute.
• Add the tomato puree, vegetable broth, chili powder, and cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Simmer until slightly thickened.
• Taste and add more salt if desired.
• I like to puree my enchilada sauce so that it's completely smooth, but this step is optional if you prefer it a bit chunkier. To puree, let it cool a bit then transfer to a high-speed blender. Puree by blending on high, adding more veggie broth if needed to thin it out, until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze this enchilada sauce for up to 3 months.

Notes

Recipe adapted from The Sunburst Farm Family Cookbook

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 627mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1627IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 3mg

The post Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

This vegetarian cornbread stuffing is so easy to make, with a simple list of ingredients and not too much effort. It’s one of those easy cornbread stuffing recipes that you’ll want on the Thanksgiving table every year!

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love This Cornbread Stuffing
• Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Cornbread Stuffing
• Tips for Success
• Make-Ahead Tips
• More Stuffing Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’ve been obsessed with the idea of cornbread stuffing for awhile, but I’d actually never tried it. How can that be?! I guess if no one around me was going to make it (woe is me), I was going to have to take care of business myself. Incoming cornbread stuffing situation!

It took me a few tries to make cornbread stuffing well. I wanted a vegetarian cornbread stuffing that accommodated multiple diets at the holiday table, something simple and classic yet still special and delicious.

My biggest problem was sogginess. It turns out that it is really easy to make a soggy cornbread stuffing, and less difficult to make one that is crisp on the top and still cornbread-y when you get to the bottom.

But! I cracked the code on cornbread dressing! I found that you absolutely have to do the following three things for perfect homemade stuffing with cornbread:

1. Dry your cornbread cubes in the oven beforehand.
2. Make a fairly thin layer of stuffing – no more than three cubes deep or so. It might be called “stuffing,” but don’t try to stuff it into a smaller pan!
3. The exact right amount of broth. You do NOT want bunch of broth in your cornbread stuffing situation. Too much broth = soggy.

Why You’ll Love This Cornbread Stuffing

This homemade stuffing with cornbread is vegetarian and easily vegan, yet pleases the carnivores, too. It’s a great flexible side dish that so many at the table can enjoy.

It’s herby, savory, goodness! This cornbread stuffing has a simple list of ingredients, but it’s so good!

And lastly, it’s really easy to make, with a short list of ingredients.

Ingredients

• Cornbread – I have yet to come up with the perfect classic cornbread recipe, so until that happens, I go with a store-bought mix. Note that if you’re a vegetarian and you make your cornbread from a box mix, you’ll want to check the list of ingredients. Some cornbreads (like Jiffy) are made with lard. I like to make a chili like my vegetarian three-bean chili a couple of days before it’s cornbread stuffing time, and I can cut out a couple of squares of cornbread to serve with my chili and use the rest for stuffing. Win!
• Butter – For sauteeing the veggies. If you’re vegan or dairy-free, feel free to use a vegan brand of butter or olive oil.
• Onion, celery, & garlic – Just two simple veggies and aromatic garlic add classic stuffing flavor to this cornbread dressing.
• Rosemary & sage – I love an herb stuffing situation, and fresh rosemary and sage bring those amazing stuffing flavors to the table.
• Vegetable broth – Grab a low-sodium broth at the store or make your own homemade vegetable broth.

Adaptations/Variations

• Dairy-free/vegan cornbread stuffing – This cornbread dressing is almost there already … all you need to do is make sure you have a vegan cornbread (this recipe looks great if you’re looking for homemade) – and swap out the butter for dairy-free butter or olive oil.
• Add more veggies – Sauté mushrooms or carrots and add them to the stuffing equation. Some roasted butternut squash would be amazing, too.

How to Make Cornbread Stuffing

First, you’ll dry out your cornbread cubes. You can leave them out on the counter for a few days, but I find the most reliable and fastest method is to spread them on a large baking sheet and bake them at a low temp for 30-40 minutes.

Next, you’ll sauté your veggies and garlic in the butter. Add a bit of the veggie broth to deglaze.

Place the cornbread cubes in a bowl along with the veggie mix, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.

Mix it together gently, then add the broth about 1/2 cup at a time JUST until the cornbread has soaked it up but there’s not a large pool of broth on the bottom of the bowl. A little is okay, a lot will give you soggy cornbread.

Spread it in your baking dish and bake until golden brown on top and heated through.

Beautiful!

Tips for Success

• Dry your cornbread well – You want the cornbread cubes to be borderline crunchy.
• Use the larger pan – You want a thin layer of cornbread stuffing or you risk the bottom of the stuffing turning soggy. So don’t do what I did and think, “oh, an 8×8 pan will totally work!” Because nope! It doesn’t.
• Don’t use too much broth – That results in soggy cornbread.

I hope you love this cornbread stuffing recipe as much as we do! This is going to be a staple for us for this Thanksgiving and all the others, until the end of time.

Make-Ahead Tips

I still need to test freezing this recipe, and I’ll update this post as soon as I do. You can likely make this cornbread stuffing up to the point of baking it, seal it well and freeze, then thaw overnight in the fridge before baking it. However, I don’t want to say it is a for-sure homerun because I’m not sure if that extended time sitting before baking will make your cornbread dressing soggy.

What I *do* know will work well is to dry the cornbread cubes up to 5 days before making the stuffing. Sauté the veggies and herbs and place that mix in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days in advance. Then, when you’re ready to make your stuffing, mix it all together in a bowl, place it in your baking dish, and bake. It’ll be fast and easy.

More Stuffing Recipes

• Vegan Buttery Herb Stuffing
• Wild Rice & Quinoa Gluten-Free Stuffing
• Crock Pot Sourdough Herb Stuffing
• Chanterelle & Caramelized Onion Mushroom Stuffing

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Cornbread Stuffing Recipe

A simple and easy recipe for vegetarian cornbread stuffing that will be universally loved! Customize however you like and make it your own.

Keyword cornbread dressing, cornbread stuffing, homemade stuffing with cornbread, vegetarian cornbread dressing, vegetarian cornbread stuffing

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Calories 537kcal

Author Kare

Equipment

• 1 9"x13" baking dish or pan

Ingredients

• 8 cups cornbread cubes approx. 3/4-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 medium yellow onion diced; 1 cup
• 2 cups celery diced; about 5 medium stalks
• 3 garlic cloves medium in size; minced
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage leaves chopped fine; can sub 1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped fine; can sub 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• First, dry your cornbread cubes. Spread them in a single layer on a large baking sheet (or separate between two baking sheets if you have smaller ones). Place them in a 275°F oven for 30-40 minutes until dry and crisp around the edges. Remove from the oven and place the cubes in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a 9×13 baking dish or spray it with nonstick spray. Set aside.
• Place a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Melt the butter. Add the onion and celery and sauté until translucent, 7-8 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for one more minute. Pour in 1/2 cup vegetable broth and stir to loosen up any bits stuck to the pan.
• Pour the veggie and broth mixture over the cornbread cubes. Add 1 more cup of broth then stir gently to distribute the broth. Drizzle in the remaining broth a couple of tablespoons or so at a time, stirring in between, just until a pool of broth begins to form on the bottom of the bowl. Don't add any more broth once that happens or you'll end up with soggy cornbread dressing!
• Pour the cornbread and veggie mix into your baking dish and spread evenly without pushing it down. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes uncovered then about 10 minutes uncovered, until the cornbread hunks on top are light golden-brown on the edges.
• Add fresh herbs for garnish, if desired, and serve.

Notes

Cooking time includes time to dry out the cornbread cubes in the oven. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 1104mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 367IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 3mg

The post Cornbread Stuffing Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

When you’re looking for a straight-up, classic, no-frills pasta salad, this is the best macaroni salad for the job!

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Ingredients
• Macaroni Salad Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Macaroni Salad
• Tips for Success
• More Pasta Salad Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I created this recipe a handful of years ago, when we were knee-deep in strange COVID times. And by “created” I mean I wanted to replicate deli-style, classic, creamy macaroni salad in all its glory.

Some veggies, but not a lot. Super, duper creamy and flavorful dressing – far from dry. Perfectly al dente pasta, preferably elbow macaroni.

I focused on a flavorful dressing and just a few crunchy but not dominant veggies. I hit on this combo and stopped there. I’ve made this SO many times since then, and have shared it with others who have requested it. It was past time to share it here!

Ingredients

• Elbow macaroni – Go with the classic, nothing else will do! Okay, so you can absolutely use a different medium pasta. Penne, rotini, bow tie. But I am very, very partial to elbow macaroni for this creamy pasta salad.
• Red onion – I like the mild taste and the color that some finely diced red onion adds to this macaroni salad.
• Celery – Cut small, for a bit of flavor and crunch.
• Red bell pepper – Adds some more pretty color and the fresh crunch is delicious!
• Parsley – You can stir some in, or garnish the top. Your choice!
• Dill pickles & juice – Dice up some dill pickles. It’s necessary! Plus, some juice from the jar adds tangy flavor to the creamy dressing.
• Mayo – Real, whole, full fat mayo
• Yellow mustard – Straight up classic mustard, please! Though I’d imagine Dijon would add nice flavor too.
• Sugar – I know, an odd ingredient for macaroni salad! But this adds a touch of sweetness to the dressing that makes this salad taste like the deli classic.
• Salt & pepper – Adjust to your taste.

Macaroni Salad Adaptations/Variations

• This salad is easily made vegan by subbing a vegan mayo.
• Make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free pasta. I love brown rice pasta for pasta salads.
• Add more veggies if you like. I won’t judge! Cucumbers, peas, blanched broccoli, carrots … whatever you like!
• Add cubes of cheese, beans, or salami for a heartier pasta salad.

How to Make Macaroni Salad

It’s super easy to make. Just cook your pasta, let it cool, chop your veggies, add your dressing, and toss it all together!

Tips for Success

• Salt your pasta water. It’s true, it does add more flavor to pasta!
• Cook your pasta al dente. If your pasta is overcooked, your macaroni salad can end up being a bit mushy.

More Pasta Salad Recipes

• Israeli Couscous & Green Lentil Salad
• Pea Pesto Pasta Salad
• Orzo Chickpea Pasta Salad with Olives
• Orzo Salad with Chickpeas & Cherry Tomatoes
• Peanut Noodle Salad

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Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe

Classic, creamy macaroni salad with a mayo-based dressing! This traditional macaroni salad is exactly what you think of when you picture macaroni salad.

Keyword classic pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, easy pasta salad, macaroni salad, pasta salad with mayo

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 411kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni about 2 cups
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced about 3/4 cup
• 1/4 red onion, diced about 1/4 cup
• 1 celery stalk, diced about 1/2 cup
• 2 tablespoons finely diced dill pickles
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley for garnish [optional]

Instructions

• Cook the pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.
• In a medium bowl, add the mayo, mustard, dill pickle juice, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir together until well-combined. Add the macaroni along with the diced veggies and pickles. Toss until the macaroni and veggies are evenly coated. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you feel it's needed. Garnish with parsley if desired.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

Vegan option:

This salad is easily made vegan by subbing a vegan mayo.

Gluten free option: 

Make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free pasta. I love brown rice pasta for pasta salads.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 488IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Classic Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

I love to make this lentil walnut taco meat at the beginning of the week for meals all week long. It’s so easy!

My guy, who is a carnivore, will cook taco-seasoned ground beef, and then we’ll enjoy several nights of one-dish-two-ways meals: Vegetarian taco salad + meaty taco salad. Taco stuffed sweet potatoes (recipe coming soon!) Just straight-up tacos. Quesadillas. It totally works!

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Lentil Walnut Taco Meat Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Lentil Taco Meat
• Can I Freeze This Vegetarian Taco Meat?
• More Lentil Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Reviews & Comments

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’ve been making a version of this recipe for years! I first caught wind of the genius of the lentil-walnut combo for taco meat in the Oh She Glows cookbook. Over the years, I started building my own recipe around the lentil-walnut combo.

I love, love, love the simplicity of this vegetarian taco “meat.” It’s just a matter of toasting up the walnuts, then cooking the veggies, sauteeing the aromatics, and simmering the lentils in everything plus the broth. Add back the walnuts, squeeze some lime juice over the top, and eat well!

Lentil Walnut Taco Meat Ingredients

• Lentils – I prefer French green lentils in this vegetarian taco meat recipe, because they stay rather firm and don’t get mushy like other lentils can. I love how they soak up the flavors but hold their own in this recipe. I did test this recipe with common brown lentils, and it was good, but not AS good as French green lentils, in my opinion.
• Walnuts – Chopped and toasted. They add a little nutrition and healthy fat, plus some nice texture.
• Onion, green pepper, & garlic – These veggies/aromatics add some nice flavor and nutrition.
• Olive oil – For sautéing the veggies and other ingredients.
• Tomato paste – I like the rich color and umami flavor that tomato paste gives a recipe. It’s kind of a magic ingredient for vegetarian recipes!
• Taco seasoning – I use my homemade taco seasoning in this recipe, but if you don’t have any taco seasoning mix on hand, I’ve added substitute information in the notes section of the recipe.
• Veggie broth – Store-bought or homemade veggie broth will work! I always like to start with low-sodium vegetable broth so that I can better control the salt in the finished product.
• Salt & pepper – For enhancing all of those flavors.
• Lime juice – Adds a bright, zippy, acidic touch to your lentil taco meat.

Adaptations/Variations

• This vegetarian taco meat is vegetarian, dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free already, so it’s one of those great neutral recipes that works for a lot of different diets.
• Make it spicier by adding a few dashes of Tabasco with the lime juice. You can also drop in some cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to turn up the heat.
• Brown lentils also work, but I really prefer French green lentils for this one.

How to Make Lentil Taco Meat

First, you toast your walnuts, then remove them from the pan and wipe the pan clean.

From there, heat the olive oil and add the onion and green peppers. Saute until soft and tender, then add the garlic, tomato paste, and taco seasoning spices. Saute until fragrant, then add the vegetable broth, lentils, salt, and pepper.

At this point, you’re going to need to simmer your vegetarian taco meat for a bit to cook down and the lentils get tender. Splash in a bit of broth if it gets too dry.

Then, stir in the toasted walnuts, squeeze in some lime juice, add more salt and pepper if you like, and voila! Taco time!

Can I Freeze This Vegetarian Taco Meat?

Yes, this taco meat freezes really well! Just place it in an airtight freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of vegetable broth or water.

More Lentil Recipes

• Red Lentil Pasta Sauce
• Instant Pot Golden Lentil & Spinach Soup
• Wild Rice & Lentil Stuffed Delicata Squash
• Lentil & Chickpea Curry

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Vegetarian Lentil Taco Meat Recipe

This versatile, delicious, and full-of-flavor combo makes an incredible meatless taco filling! It's not just for tacos, though. Use this lentil-walnut taco filling for burritos, taco salads, quesadillas, and so much more!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword lentil taco meat, lentil walnut taco meat, vegan taco meat, vegetarian lentil taco meat, vegetarian taco meat

Servings 6

Calories 202kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup walnuts finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 2 medium garlic cloves minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning*
• 3/4 cup French green lentils rinsed
• 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth + up to 1 cup more if needed
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt** plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
• 1/2 lime juiced

Instructions

• Set a large saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the walnuts and toast, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, until just beginning to turn lightly golden and fragrant. Transfer walnuts to a bowl and set aside.
• Carefully wipe out the pan and set it back over the heat. Add olive oil. When hot, add the onion and green bell pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Add the garlic, tomato paste, and taco seasoning. Cook, stirring, for one minute, until fragrant.
• Add the vegetable broth, scraping up any bits that have stuck to the pan. Stir in the lentils. Increase to high, until the mix is boiling, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. If the mixture gets too dry before the lentils have cooked through, splash in a little more vegetable broth to keep it going.
• Stir in the toasted walnuts along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Squeeze the lime over the top. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Notes

*If you don’t have taco seasoning mix on hand, sub in:

• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprrika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

** I usually use about 1 teaspoon kosher salt, but I kept the salt content low with the option to add more because tastes vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 239IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Vegetarian Lentil Taco Meat Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Chickpea & Tomato Curry Ingredients
• How to Make It
• What to Serve with Chickpea & Tomato Curry
• More Favorite Curry Recipes

• Jump to the full, printable recipe
• Read reviews and comments

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’ve been making this vegan and vegetarian curry recipe for at least a year, and keep thinking I need to share it! I originally found it on BBC Recipes, and have made tiny tweaks here and there to make it my own.

The spices are so well-balanced, and with the creamy coconut milk, the hearty chickpeas, and the tangy tomatoes, this tomato chickpea curry is a such a simple stovetop curry that tastes so much more complex than you’d expect! I love a scoop of it over brown rice with a generous sprinkle of cilantro. YUM.

Chickpea & Tomato Curry Ingredients

• Olive oil – For sautéing the onion and aromatics.
• Yellow onion – Most every recipe I have calls for diced onions, but this one calls for cutting them into longer strands, and it makes for the most interesting texture in this curry! I love it.
• Garlic – For lots of flavor
• Garam masala, turmeric, and ground coriander – This spice combo is *chefskiss* perfect and adds 95% of the flavor to this delicious curry.
• Canned whole tomatoes – Break them down with a wooden spoon, then cook them down a bit more. So much tomato flavor.
• Salt – Highlights the spices and ingredients!
• Crushed red pepper flakes – Totally optional, but a little pinch adds a nice little bit of heat.
• Coconut milk – I sometimes use full-fat, and sometimes use light. Full fat canned coconut milk gives a more unctuous, rich and creamy feel while light is less rich and thick but equally delicious.
• Chickpeas – One can, drained.
• Fresh tomatoes – Gotta double up on the tomatoes for a tomato curry!
• Cilantro – Adds pretty color and highlights the curry flavors.
• Brown rice – For serving. Use your favorite rice! I like brown basmati.

How to Make It

This Chickpea and Tomato curry comes together quickly! First, you saute your onion, garlic, and spices. Then, add the tomatoes and break them up with a spoon, then cook until thick. Stir in the coconut milk and chickpeas, and simmer lightly for just a bit, then add the ripe tomatoes and cilantro. Taste, add more salt, and serve over rice. That’s it!

What to Serve with Chickpea & Tomato Curry

I think that, served over a scoop of rice, this Chickpea Tomato Curry is a meal in and of itself. But if you want a heftier meal, a kale salad would be great on the side. And in keeping with the curry flavors, how about finishing the meal with a Golden Milk Latte?

More Favorite Curry Recipes

• Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry with Sweet Corn & Zucchini
• Slow Cooker Red Lentil & Chickpea Curry with Potatoes & Peas
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin, Chickpea, & Lentil Curry
• Thai Red Curry Winter Vegetables

Print

Tomato Chickpea Curry Recipe

A simple, creamy curry with hearty chickpeas, sweet tomatoes, and creamy coconut milk. On the table fast – in less than 30 minutes!

Course dinner, entree

Cuisine American, Indian

Keyword chickpea and tomato curry, Tomato Chickpea Curry Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 284kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion halved and finely sliced from end to end
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 14 ounces whole tomatoes 1 can; with juices
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pinch crushed red peppers optional; increase or decrease depending on how much heat you like
• 14 ounces coconut milk 1 can; can substitute lite coconut milk
• 14 ounces chickpeas 1 can; drained and rinsed
• 2 medium ripe tomatoes cut into eighths
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
• 4 cups cooked brown basmati rice

Instructions

• Start rice according to package instructions.
• While the rice is cooking, add olive oil to a large saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add garlic, garam masala, turmeric, and coriander. Cook, stirring frequently, for one minute, until fragrant.
• Pour in the can of tomatoes and juices, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pinch of crushed red pepper, stirring and scraping to pick up the flavors from the aromatics and spices with the tomato juices. Use a wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes as you go. I prefer to break them up pretty small. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
• Add the coconut milk and the drained and rinsed chickpeas. Return gently to a simmer. Continue to simmer very gently for about 10 more minutes, until thickened.
• Stir in the fresh tomatoes and the fresh cilantro. Taste and add more salt if desired.
• Serve scooped over rice. Garnish with additional cilantro and fresh tomatoes, if desired.

Notes

Adapted from BBC Good Food

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 614IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 5mg

The post Tomato Chickpea Curry Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

What is Minestrone?

Minestrone is a hearty Italian soup made with beans, veggies, and pasta in broth. Whether or not your minestrone recipe is considered genuine depends on a few factors – like what area of Italy or the Mediterranean does your recipe come from? (Read more about the definition of minestrone here.)

I will disclaim that this recipe is my very own, straight from my American kitchen. I have no Italian blood flowing through my veins (sadly) – at least, none that I know of. I do think my version of minestrone is simple and delicious! And I hope you like it too.

Vegetarian Minestrone Soup Ingredients

I often think of minestrone as more of a formula than a recipe – a mirepoix, some garlic, tomatoes, broth, and beans (sometimes I’ll add some winter squash and/or potatoes too), and then after it all simmers for awhile, I’ll add any tender veggies and the pasta, and finally a finish of greens and parsley.

Usually, I take stock in what veggies I have in the fridge that need to get used up. Next, I make sure I have a can of beans on hand, a bit of pasta hanging around at the bottom of a box somewhere, and some veggie broth in the pantry or freezer.

Some minestrone recipes call for pancetta or chicken broth, but this one is an entirely vegetarian minestrone recipe. I rely on a parmesan rind for flavor, but if you leave it out, it can be vegan too.

• We begin with a mirepoix – onions, carrots, and celery sautéed in olive oil.
• Next up we have garlic, a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes, beans (kidney beans are my go-to), vegetable broth, and a parmesan rind. If you’re okay with dairy, the parmesan rind is key for adding loads of flavor. So good.
• Once the soup has simmered for a bit, I then add zucchini and pasta.
• And then lastly, we add baby spinach and parsley along with any additional salt and pepper.

Why We Love Minestrone

I love that vegetarian minestrone uses up the bits and ends in the fridge, is super budget-friendly to make (that matters these days!), and always makes for delicious leftovers. One pot lasts us almost all week sometimes! So I thought it was high time I shared the recipe. Scroll on for the printable full meal deal!

More Hearty Soup Recipes

• Oh hey! I published another minestrone soup recipe back in 2013! This one is a bit different with optional sausage and more broth, but it’s the formula I’ve been working with for many years now. (Also, I remember thinking those photos were pretty darn good!)
• Lemony Chickpea Soup with Orzo & Dill is another brothy bean-and-pasta situation. I like the lightness of this one as the weather gets warmer.
• Curried Vegetable Barley Soup is a lightly spiced spin on a classic; I love the chickpeas and the barley in place of the pasta.
• This Tuscan Bean Stew with loads of beans, kale, and rosemary is a total keeper.

Print

Vegetarian Minestrone Soup

A comforting bowlful of beans, pasta, and veggies overflowing in a tomato-based broth. Please pass the shredded parm and hunks of crusty bread!

Course Soup

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 260kcal

Author Kare

Equipment

• 1 3.5 quart or larger stock pot

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion diced; about 1 cup
• 2 medium carrots peeled and diced; about 1 cup
• 1 stalk celery diced; about 1/2 cup
• 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced; about 1 tablespoon
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 15 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes 1 can
• 15 ounces cooked kidney beans 1 can; drained and rinsed
• 2 Yukon gold potatoes diced; about 2 cups [optional]
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
• 1 parmesan rind about the size of a domino
• 1 small zucchini diced; about 1 cup
• 1 cup pasta I prefer small-to-medium tubular pastas like ditallini, macaroni, penne, torchio, casarecce, etc.
• 1 ounce baby spinach lightly chopped; about 1 cup packed
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf Italian parsley chopped
• Freshly shredded parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

• Add olive oil to a large pot over medium-low heat. When hot, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 7-8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for another minute, until fragrant.
• Stir in the broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, potatoes (if using), salt, and pepper. Drop in the parmesan rind. Increase heat to high and bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to low until the soup is at a simmer. Let simmer for about 20 minutes, until the potato (if using) is tender.
• Stir in the zucchini and pasta. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, just until the pasta is barely tender.
• Remove from heat. Stir in the spinach and parsley until wilted. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.
• Ladle into bowls and pass with plenty of parmesan and crusty bread.

Notes

Vegan option

Omit the parmesan rind and parmesan topping. 

Gluten-free option

Sub cooked rice or a gluten-free pasta. 

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 336mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 4431IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 4mg

The post Vegetarian Minestrone Soup appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

If you have vegetarians and vegans coming to the table this holiday season, this stuffing recipe should have a place on your menu. Trust me!

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Creating This Vegan Stuffing Recipe
• Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Vegan Stuffing
• Tips for Success
• More Stuffing Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

Welcome to my new series, “Food Blogger Creates and Posts Thanksgiving Recipes at the Last Possible Minute!” Gosh, that name rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?!

Yeah, I’m a bit slow this year BUT I made it under the wire with this Vegan Buttery Herb Stuffing recipe that I cannot WAIT to share with you.

Creating This Vegan Stuffing Recipe

This stuffing recipe is inspired by How Sweet Eats who adapted from Bon Appetit. It’s a simple stuffing recipe with bread (of course!), onion, celery, loads of butter and herbs, and a couple of eggs.

Obviously a vegan version can’t have eggs. And butter is iffy. But there are some incredible vegan butters out there, and while eggs do add richness and make the stuffing hold together more, I find they’re really not necessary.

So for this buttery herb vegan stuffing, I sub in vegan butter, leave out the eggs, and use vegetable broth (I love this homemade recipe using veggie scraps and the Crock Pot).

The result is golden, buttery, full of flavor, crisp around the edges and soft in the middle. Everything a stuffing should be, vegan or not!

Ingredients

• Bread – I like Italian bread or sourdough. You’ll want about a pound of bread, the better part of a medium-size loaf, cut into cubes and either toasted in the oven or left out for a day or two until nice and stale.
• Vegan butter – I really like Miyokos butter in this dairy-free stuffing recipe.
• Onion & celery – Classic stuffing veggies.
• Garlic – I like a lot of garlic in this stuffing so I call for four cloves. You can reduce that if you like – or increase it!
• Salt & pepper
• Fresh sage, rosemary, and parsley – Fresh herbs make all the difference! But if you can’t get your hands on some of these fresh, just use 1/2 the amount of dried.
• Vegetable broth – Grab your favorite low-sodium brand at the store, or make your own vegetable broth (I have both a veggie broth from scraps recipe and a Crock Pot vegetable broth recipe!)

Adaptations/Variations

• Vegan Sausage & Apple – Add small chunks of tart apple and some pre-cooked vegan sausage.
• Vegan Mushroom Stuffing – Sauté button, cremini, chanterelle, or another favorite mushroom with the veggies.

How to Make Vegan Stuffing

First, you’ll want to grease an 8″x8″ pan with some of your vegan butter.

Next, prep the bread cubes. Either make sure you’ve cut it into cubes and it sat out overnight, or toast them in a 350-degree oven for a few minutes until stale and golden around the edges. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl and get to sauteeing your veggies.

Melt some of the butter in the skillet and add the onion, celery, and a pinch of salt. Saute until softened, then add the garlic and herbs.

Pour a cup of the broth into the veggie herb mix and stir to loosen up any flavorful bits. And then pour it all into the bowl over the bread cubes.

Sprinkle the rest of the salt and the pepper over the top, and add the remaining broth a little at the time just until the bread is moist.

Spread the vegan stuffing into your pan and bake until golden!

Melt the rest of the butter and brush it over the top of the stuffing, and sprinkle the top with parsley for a buttery, herby, delicious-y presentation.

Tips for Success

• Use day-old or otherwise stale bread! Don’t even attempt stuffing with fresh bread. It’ll disintegrate into a pool of sogginess. Super sad!
• Don’t add too much broth. Just add a little more at a time until a little pool starts to form at the bottom of the bowl. That’s when you know the bread can’t soak up any more.

I hope this buttery herb vegan stuffing is a homerun for you and your holiday table! We love the classic stuffing taste and how it brings stuffing to the table for multiple diets.

I hope you love this vegan stuffing recipe as much as I do, and don’t forget the mashed potatoes and vegan gravy! Happy holidays!

More Stuffing Recipes

• Cornbread Stuffing
• Slow Cooker Sourdough Herb Stuffing – set it and forget it!
• Herbed While Rice & Quinoa Stuffing – perfect for your gluten-free guests
• Vegetarian Caramelized Onion & Chanterelle Mushroom Stuffing – sooo good
• Wild Rice & Lentil Stuffed Delicate Squash – not stuffing but stuffed squash and SO GOOD so I had to share!

Print

Vegan Buttery Herb Stuffing

Everything you love about stuffing. The satisfying golden buttery crunch gives way to a perfectly soft interior – and best of all, it's 100% vegan (and 100% delicious!)

Course Side Dish

Keyword dairy free stuffing, stuffing without eggs, vegan stuffing

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 8 people

Calories 288kcal

Author Kare

Equipment

• 1 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan

Ingredients

• 9-10 cups stale or toasted bread cubes About 1 pound of bread; cut or torn into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch cubes; I like Italian bread and/or sourdough in this stuffing*
• 4 ounces + 2 tablespoons vegan butter divided; I like Miyokos unsalted cultured vegan butter for this recipe; 4 ounces is half the block
• 1 medium yellow onion diced; about 2 cups
• 2 large celery stalks diced, about 1 cup
• 1/8 + 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt divided
• 4 cloves garlic peeled and minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves chopped fine
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary minced
• 2 + 1 tablespoons fresh parsley minced; reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

Instructions

Prepare the pan and preheat the oven

• Grease an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with one of the tablespoons of vegan butter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare the bread cubes

• I like to cut the bread into cubes the day before and let it sit out over night until stale. Another option is to toast the bread in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes until lightly golden.
• Place bread cubes into a large bowl and set aside.

Saute the veggies

• Place a large skillet over medium-low heat. Melt 4 ounces of the butter in the skillet and add the onion and celery along with 1/8 teaspoon salt (a generous pinch). Gently saute until softened but not golden, about 8 minutes.
• Add the garlic, sage, rosemary, 2 tablespoons parsley, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is soft and fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
• Pour one cup of the broth into the veggies and stir. Remove from heat

Assemble the stuffing

• Pour the sautéed veggies and broth over bread cubes and sprinkle remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper over the top. Stir until evenly moist. Add remaining broth a couple tablespoons at a time just until the bread is moist but there is no broth pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
• Taste stuffing and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Pour stuffing into the baking pan and spread evenly.

Bake the stuffing

• Bake until golden, 20-25 minutes.

Garnish

• Melt remaining 1 tablespoon vegan butter and brush it over the top of the stuffing with a pastry brush. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley to garnish. And serve!

Notes

* More about bread varieties: This stuffing recipe is very forgiving and is delicious with all kinds of breads! I love a mix of Italian and sourdough but I’ll often throw in a few crusts I’ve saved in the freezer from my daughter’s sandwiches which are just straight-up white bread. Stale French bread is also delicious!

Inspired by How Sweet Eats’ gorgeous stuffing; adapted from bon appetit 

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 2g | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 3mg

The post Buttery Herb Vegan Stuffing appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

This vegetarian – and vegan! – red beans and rice recipe checks all the boxes. Cozy and comforting? Check. Hearty and healthy? Check. Just about the cheapest dinner recipe around? Big ‘ol check.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Developing This Vegetarian Beans & Rice Recipe
• Ingredients
• How to Make Vegetarian Red Beans from Scratch
• What to Serve with Meatless Red Beans & Rice
• How to Store It
• Can I Freeze Vegetarian Red Beans & Rice?
• Can I Substitute Canned Beans?

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I don’t know about you, but grocery bills have been causing me physical pain lately. $8 for a dozen eggs?! Seriously – ouch.

So I’ve been leaning more into budget-friendly recipes, and red beans from scratch have been my fave.

I make these vegetarian red beans and rice every other Monday or so and we enjoy a heap of beans and rice for dinner and lunch the next day. But wait, there’s more! THEN into the freezer goes the remainder for several more meals down the road. And the entire thing costs, what, $7 total to make, if that? Such a winner.

It’s not just about budget, though. This vegetarian red beans and rice recipe makes for beans that are seriously crave-worthy, with a smoky depth that truly rivals any meaty counterpart.

Developing This Vegetarian Beans & Rice Recipe

I started with this NYT Red Beans & Rice recipe, swapping out the meat to make this red beans and rice recipe vegetarian, and swapping in flavor in other ways, tweaking the recipe until I thought it was just right.

So how do we get all that flavor – particularly, that mouthwatering smokiness – with none of the meat? I have to give a special call-out to the #1 magic ingredient, smoked paprika. Made from pimenton peppers smoked over oak, I’m a firm believer that this ingredient belongs in every vegetarian and vegan’s pantry. Smoked paprika lends that heavy hit of smokiness that can usually only be found in meat products, and it’s glorious.

Here’s what else we’ve got:

Ingredients

• Dried red beans – a full pound to feed a crowd or meal-prep up your life.
• Smoked paprika – I’ve already sung its praises, but seriously: deep, smoky heaven right here.
• Cayenne pepper – Just a bit for the tiniest hit of heat. Of course, if you’re a heat seeker, load up.
• Onions, celery, and green bell pepper – the holy trinity of Cajun and Creole cooking.
• Garlic – lots of it.
• Dried basil, rubbed sage, and a bay leaf – for more flavor-amping action.
• Scallions and parsley – added at the end for color, and of course, flavor.
• White long-grain rice – the perfect carby counterpart to your protein- and fiber-rich beans.

(Keep scrolling for the full, printable recipe.)

How to Make Vegetarian Red Beans from Scratch

The full recipe is just below, but in a nutshell, just know that it’s not super fast process. TOTALLY WORTH IT THOUGH. And it is mostly hands-off.

The basic steps are:

• Soak your beans – overnight or using the fast-soak method.
• Cook up your aromatic veggies and spices, then add the soaked beans and water.
• Cook! It usually takes just under an hour. While the beans are cooking, prepare the rice.
• Once the beans are just about done, pull out a cup of beans, mash them, and add them back into the pot for some creaminess.
• Add scallions, parsley, and the perfect amount of salt.
• Serve with rice and, of course, enjoy your frugal and unbelievably delicious meal.

What to Serve with Meatless Red Beans & Rice

• A nice, fresh kale salad is amazing with red beans and rice.
• Cornbread is the perfect accompaniment. This vegan cornbread looks fabulous!
• Mac and cheese hits the comfort food quotient out of the park! If you’re okay with eating dairy, I recommend The Best Mac & Cheese Ever or, for a hit of heat, jalapeño macaroni & cheese. If you’re vegan, you don’t have to miss out, because this dairy free mac and cheese is insanely good.

How to Store It

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftover red beans and rice should last about 5 days in the fridge.

Can I Freeze Vegetarian Red Beans & Rice?

Yes! Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air. I like to store my beans and rice separately so I can serve them separately when I warm them back up. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight, then warm on the stovetop.

Can I Substitute Canned Beans?

I haven’t tried it this way yet, but it’s totally possible … you just might not get the full depth of flavor. I recommend sautéing the veggies and seasonings, then deglazing with a cup or so of veggie broth and adding in 4 cans of drained red beans. Simmer for about 20 minutes while you cook your rice, adding more vegetable broth if it starts to get dry. Add salt and pepper to taste. (I’ll update this section after I’ve tried it!)

Print

Vegetarian Red Beans & Rice

This budget-friendly, uber-hearty recipe takes the New Orleans classic and removes the meat – but not the flavor. The ultimate vegan and vegetarian comfort food meal!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword beans

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 413kcal

Author Kare

Cost $5

Equipment

• 1 Dutch oven 4.5 quarts or larger

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried red beans
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 medium yellow onions diced
• 6 medium garlic cloves minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
• 1 medium green bell pepper diced
• 2 medium ribs celery diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 cups water
• 2-3 teaspoons kosher salt
• 6 cups cooked long-grain white rice This is if you're serving all the beans at once – otherwise, you may want to make less rice. My rule of thumb is about 3/4 cup of rice per serving.

Toppings

• Diced scallions
• Chopped parsley
• Sour cream or vegan sour cream

Instructions

Soak beans.

• Rinse and pick through dried beans, pulling out any broken beans or debris. To soak, you can use one of two methods. Overnight method: Add beans to a large pot or bowl and fill with water to about 2 inches above the beans. Let sit overnight. Drain water. Quick-soak method: Add beans to a 4.5-quart or larger pot. Fill with water to about 2 inches above the beans. Set over high heat and bring just to a boil. Remove from heat and cover. Let sit for one hour. Drain water.

Cook beans.

• To a 4.5-quart or larger pot, add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onion. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the onions are tender, 8-10 minutes.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil along with the garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne, basil, sage, and black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
• Add the bell pepper and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add the beans along with the bay leaf and 8 cups of water.
• Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until beans are tender, 45 minutes to an hour. To check to see if the beans are done, I do two things: 1. Pull a couple of beans out and blow on it. If the skin peels, they're done or very close to it. 2. Taste test three or four beans – if they're all tender and not hard in the middle, they're done!
• Turn off heat. Pull out one cup of beans and add to a bowl. Use a potato masher to mash the beans then return to the pot and stir to incorporate.
• Stir in the scallions, parsley, and salt. I like things on the salty side, so I start with 2 teaspoons of salt, then taste and usually add one or two more until it's just right. If you're not sure, start with 1 teaspoon and go from there. If you don't think your beans have enough flavor, keep going!
• Let beans sit off-heat for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Make rice.

• Follow the instructions on your rice container to cook your rice.

Serve!

• Add beans to a bowl along with a scoop of rice. Top with scallions, parsley, and a dollop of sour cream or vegan sour cream if you like.

Prep leftovers.

• We usually throw a couple of servings of beans and rice in the fridge for lunch the next day, then freeze the rest. You can place a couple of servings at a time in a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and flatten to freeze, or use your favorite freezer containers. I usually just freeze the beans and make the rice fresh. It's so convenient to have a quick meal ready to thaw, heat, and eat for busy days!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 860mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 321IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 4mg

The post Vegetarian Red Beans & Rice appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

With a homemade mushroom-and-thyme cream sauce and crisp fresh green beans, this homemade fresh green bean casserole (without cream soup!) is what EVERY Thanksgiving needs. It’s vegetarian as-is, but easily made vegan and dairy-free with a couple of simple swaps. Perfect for feeding a mixed-diet crowd!

Table of Contents

• What’s In Classic Green Bean Casserole?
• About This Tested & Perfected Recipe
• Fresh Green Been Casserole Ingredients
• Adaptations & Variations
• How to Make Green Bean Casserole
• Tips for Success
• How to Store Green Bean Casserole
• Make-Ahead Notes
• More Holiday Sides

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Reviews & Comments

What’s In Classic Green Bean Casserole?

Classic green bean casserole – the kind mom and grandma used to make – likely consisted of canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and a hefty sprinkling of crunchy fried onions.

It was delicious! But this homemade version of green bean casserole is SO much better. Sure, I’m biased, but I truly think you’ll agree!

About This Tested & Perfected Recipe

I worked on this Fresh Green Bean Casserole recipe for three years, testing it every November until I felt it was perfect enough to share. If it finds its way to your Thanksgiving table this year, I’d be honored! And I hope you and your family love it as much as we do.

We start out with butter or a good quality vegan butter (Miyokos is my faaaave these days). Diced onions, earthy mushrooms, and thyme cook down into a deliciously scented situation, then a pour of dry sherry adds a punch of savory goodness.

Flour is stirred in, and then veggie broth and milk – along with a touch of soy sauce for another hit of flavor (it’s a weird ingredient, but trust me!)

The sauce thickens and bubbles and is absolutely perfect for coating the fresh green beans.

The crispy fried onions are where the homemade situation stops (sorry) – they’re straight from a grocery store container. I think they’re amazing just the way they are, but you can totally go with homemade if you’re feeling industrious.

I like the looks of this recipe here for homemade French fried onions (it does call for buttermilk but if you’re making a vegan version of this casserole, you can make it vegan by making your own buttermilk with your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk + vinegar).

Fresh Green Been Casserole Ingredients

• Fresh green beans – Select firm (not shriveled) fresh green beans. You’ll want one and a half pounds of fresh beans, with the ends trimmed off and the beans cut into 3-4 inch pieces.
• Butter – Use your favorite unsalted butter or vegan butter.
• Onion – I like to use plain ol’ yellow onion, but red or white will work, too.
• Mushrooms – I really like how cremini mushrooms look and taste in this healthy green bean casserole, but you can swap in white button mushrooms if you prefer. It’ll work either way.
• Thyme – I like to use dried thyme in this green bean casserole because fresh thyme is sometimes harder to come by in later fall. But if you have fresh, just use about a teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves.
• Salt & pepper
• Sherry – You’ll want a dry sherry. It pairs so well with the mushrooms and thyme and really highlights those savory flavors. Note that if you use cooking sherry instead of dry sherry, cooking sherry already has a lot of salt added in. So I’d leave the salt out then taste the sauce and add any if necessary.
• Vegetable broth – Grab your favorite store bought brand or go homemade! I love to save my vegetable scraps and make veggie broth from scratch.
• Milk – Use 2% or whole dairy milk, or a plant-based milk like unsweetened oat milk or almond milk.
• Soy sauce – I know it seems like a weird ingredient for Green Bean Casserole! But it adds a nice little touch of umami flavor that REALLY works here. Think of it as your secret ingredient!
• Crispy fried onions – Use your favorite store-bought brand.

Adaptations & Variations

• Dairy-Free & Vegan Green Bean Casserole: If you’re a green bean casserole lover but have to shy away because of the dairy situation, it’s your lucky day! Just use vegan butter and almond milk or another unsweetened plant-based milk (oat milk is also great).
• No-Mushroom Green Bean Casserole: Not a fan of mushrooms? No problem! Just leave them out, or if you want to add some more veggies and flavor, you can sauté a bit of celery and even some diced carrots with the onion instead.

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

First, you’ll want to blanch your green beans. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a couple of generous pinches of salt, then add the beans and boil for about 5 minutes.

If you’re making the casserole right away, you can strain the beans into a colander and set aside. But if the beans are going to be sitting for a while or you’re prepping for a make-ahead situation, dunk the beans into an ice bath first. Fill a large bowl full of cold water and add a handful of ice cubes. Transfer beans to the bowl and let sit for a minute or two until cold. Drain water. Your fresh green beans are ready to be casserolified (that should totally be a word)!

Make your sauce, then toss the cooked green beans in the sauce.

Then, you’ll transfer the beans and sauce to a casserole dish, top generously with crispy onions, cover with foil, and bake.

THEN! You’ll remove the foil and bake for a bit more. Gotta get those onions nice and perfectly crispy.

Tips for Success

• JUST blanch the green beans – don’t overcook them. You don’t want soggy, overcooked beans in your casserole.
• Remove the foil for the last few minutes of cooking. This will help the onion topping get nice and perfectly crispy.

How to Store Green Bean Casserole

Cover the leftover cooled casserole with foil or plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave in 30 second increments or in the oven until completely warmed through.

Make-Ahead Notes

Looking to make green bean casserole ahead of the big day? Smart! Here are my tips for make-ahead success:

• You can assemble this casserole up to 3 days ahead of time. Prepare it up to the point of pouring the beans and cream sauce into your casserole dish, but do NOT top with the French fried onions, because they’ll get soggy if they hang out on the casserole in the fridge. Then, tightly cover the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. When it’s time to bake it, pull it out of the fridge, top with fried onions, and bake as directed.
• When prepping ahead, shock your green beans. After cooking your beans, dunk them into an ice bath (just fill a large bowl full of cold water and add a handful of ice cubes). Transfer your cooked beans to the bowl of water and let sit in there for a minute or two until cold. This stops the cooking so that the beans won’t be overcooked in your casserole. Then just drain the water and your fresh green beans are ready to go.

More Holiday Sides

• Easy Green Beans Almondine
• Buttery Herb Stuffing
• Lemon Garlic Kale Salad
• Vegetarian Onion Gravy
• Mushroom Gravy
• Herbed Wild Rice Quinoa Stuffing
• Butternut Squash Pasta Bake
• Fluffy Dinner Rolls

Print

Fresh Green Bean Casserole (Without Cream Soup)

The is creamy baked classic, with its iconic crispy french-fried onion topping, is SO delicious! Crisp green beans in a creamy sauce, topped with crunchy onions. Yum! Vegetarian as written, and easily made non-dairy or vegan.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword fresh green bean casserole, fresh green beans in green bean casserole, green bean casserole without soup

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 6

Calories 167kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2 pounds fresh green beans about 6 cups, trimmed and cut into 3-4 inch pieces
• 4 + 1 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
• 1/2 small yellow onion, diced small about 1/2 cup
• 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, diced small about 2 cups / I go with a 1/2-inch dice or smaller
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 and 1/2 cups crispy fried onions*

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cook the green beans

• Set a large pot 1/2 full of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Add a couple of generous pinches of salt and then the trimmed and cut green beans. Return to a boil and cook until tender, 5 minutes for beans with a bit of a bite, 6 minutes for beans that are more cooked. If you're cooking the casserole right away, you can strain the beans into a colander and set aside. If the beans are going to be sitting for a while and/or you're prepping for a make-ahead situation, dunk the beans into an ice bath first to stop them from overcooking. Fill a large bowl full of cold water and add a handful of ice cubes. Transfer beans to the bowl and let sit for a minute or two until cold. Drain water.

Make the sauce

• Set a large saute pan or a stock pot over medium-low heat. Add 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of the vegan butter. When melted, add the onion, mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and mushrooms are tender and much of the liquid from the mushrooms has cooked off, about 5 minutes.
• Add the sherry and cook, stirring constantly, until evaporated, about 1 minute.
• Add the flour and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. If the flour begins to really stick to the bottom of the pan, add a splash of the vegetable broth to help loosen it and keep it from burning.
• Slowly pour in the vegetable broth and then the almond milk and soy sauce, stirring constantly, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thickened and bubbling. Remove the sauce from the heat.

Assemble the casserole

• Stir the green beans into the sauce, tossing until coated. Taste green bean mixture and add more salt and pepper, if desired.
• Pour the green bean and sauce mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle crispy onions evenly over the top. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegan butter then drizzle over the top of the onions.

Bake the casserole

• Cover with foil and bake until bubbling, 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the crispy onions are toasty and golden, about 5 more minutes. Remove from oven and serve!

Notes

* I like plain ol’ French’s for the crispy onions. Be sure and check your label for non-vegan ingredients. 

Vegan & Dairy Free Option

Just two easy changes make this recipe completely vegan and dairy-free. 

• Swap the butter for vegan butter. I love Miyokos unsalted butter for this recipe.
• Swap the milk for an unsweetened plant-based milk. I like unsweetened almond milk or oat milk for this recipe. 

Recipe update 9/11/2024: Updated recipe from a fully vegan green bean casserole to instead reflect using butter and milk that contain dairy, with easy swaps for making it fully dairy-free/vegan. Both versions are delicious!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 355mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 32IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

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