101 best vegan recipes

20 VEGETABLE SIDE DISHES

Searching for a healthy vegetable side dish to pair with your next meal? These quick and easy recipes are made with simple, wholesome ingredients and packed with flavor. If you’re wondering, “What vegetable sides should I make for dinner?” you’re in the right place! Whether you’re looking to switch up your usual side dishes on a busy weeknight, add more veggies to your diet, or sneak some onto your kids’ plates at family dinner, I’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered over 20 of our best and most popular vegetable side dishes—all vegetarian, gluten-free, and with plenty of vegan options (or easy adaptations to make them vegan!).

Oven Roasted Vegetables: A versatile and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with almost any main course. Customize it with your favorite veggies!


Crispy Smashed Potatoes: Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these smashed potatoes are an easy and flavorful addition to any meal.

Honey Roasted Carrots: Sweet, savory, and salty, these honey roasted carrots are so delicious everyone will be asking for seconds.

Pesto Asparagus: Take sautéed asparagus to the next level with this quick and healthy side dish that’s vegan and gluten-free.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes: These crispy, tender baby potatoes are loaded with garlic and Parmesan flavor and ready in just 30 minutes.

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash: A festive and flavorful side dish, perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday feast.

Sautéed Garlic Green Beans: Vibrant, buttery, and garlicky, these green beans are ready in just 10 minutes.

Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin: Indulge in rich and creamy layers of cheesy potatoes—the ultimate comfort food for holidays or special occasions.

Air Fryer Vegetables: Quick, healthy, and delicious, these air fryer veggies make the perfect vegan side dish in under 15 minutes.

The Best and Creamiest Mashed Potatoes: These velvety mashed potatoes are buttery, smooth, and simply melt in your mouth.

Creamed Spinach: Rich, creamy, and perfect for fall, this classic side dish is easy to make ahead and ideal for holiday dinners.

Roasted Spring Vegetables: Celebrate the season with this simple sheet pan side dish featuring fresh spring produce.

Air Fryer Asparagus: Crispy on the outside and tender inside, this asparagus dish is ready in just 6 minutes with minimal oil.

Herb-Roasted Sweet Potatoes: A flavorful, healthy side dish that’s perfect for holiday tables or weeknight dinners.

Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter: These show-stopping potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and infused with garlic butter.

Roasted Beets: A simple yet nutritious side dish made with just four ingredients and bursting with natural flavor.

Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Caramelized to perfection, these sprouts tossed in balsamic and honey are a holiday favorite.

Easy Roasted Cauliflower: A quick, flavorful, and vegan-friendly side dish that’s simple to prepare and delicious to enjoy.

Roasted Carrots: Slightly crispy on the outside and tender inside, these roasted carrots are a healthy and delicious addition to any meal.

Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms: This simple sheet pan recipe combines garlic, asparagus, and mushrooms for a flavorful vegan side.


15 EASY LUNCH IDEAS FOR 1 YEAR OLDS

These toddler lunch ideas are perfect for when you’re looking to pack a nutritious meal for your one-year-old, whether it’s for home, daycare, or preschool. Whether your baby is just starting to eat solids or is already an experienced little eater, these lunch box ideas will inspire you to create healthy, fun meals!

LUNCH IDEAS FOR 1-YEAR-OLDS

Coming up with lunch ideas for 1-year-olds can be tricky! It’s tough to predict how hungry they’ll be, which foods they’ll enjoy, how they’ll handle different textures, and simply what to serve. To make it easier, this list provides simple yet nutritious lunch ideas that are perfect for home or daycare.

FOOD FOR 1-YEAR-OLDS

At one year old, toddlers are in a transition phase: they’re able to eat more than babies, but still can’t handle all the foods that older toddlers and kids can. Their appetite can vary greatly from day to day, so these ideas are designed with flexibility in mind. They offer a mix of easy-to-pack meals, plus a variety of textures and flavors to keep things interesting and balanced.

LUNCHBOX IDEAS FOR 1-YEAR-OLDS AT DAYCARE

Any of these lunch ideas can be packed for daycare or preschool, or even for a meal on the go. If you’re looking for a lunchbox or thermos that works for your needs, I’ve got a few recommendations to help you find the best fit.

Tip: Always adjust these lunch ideas to suit your toddler’s chewing abilities, preferences, and any allergies. If you see something that isn’t cut or served the way your toddler needs it, feel free to adapt it. I’ve provided visuals to help guide you, but you may need to make changes based on what works best for your child.

EASY SNACK BOX

Muffin lunches are a favorite of mine because they allow me to prepare the main component in advance and simply add a few easy sides. This one includes fresh blackberries, freeze-dried strawberries, O cereal, and Vegan Banana Muffins. Remember, not every lunch needs to have every food group—just do your best with what you have!

PESTO PASTA AND PEAS WITH GRAPES AND FRUIT LEATHER

Store-bought or homemade pesto is a quick and nutritious pasta sauce, especially when paired with peas, making it both flavorful and kid-friendly. Add halved grapes and fruit leather for an easy and fun lunch.

CARROT CAKE MUFFINS WITH COTTAGE CHEESE

Muffins like my Carrot Cake Muffins and Roasted Carrot Fries make for a great lunch option. Both are tasty cold or slightly warm, making them perfect for home or packed lunches. If you’re sending cottage cheese to daycare, don’t forget a spoon!

EASY BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH

Pair Veggie Muffins with hard-cooked eggs and berries for a super simple, make-ahead lunch that’s perfect for toddlers.

CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATO BOWLS

This easy lunch pairs quickly cooked chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and zucchini. It’s simple to prepare and can easily be adjusted for an adult’s meal too!

VEGGIE GRILLED CHEESE, CORN, AND APPLESAUCE

Sneak some spinach into a grilled cheese for a nutritional boost. You can use the filling from my Spinach Quesadillas on bread, preparing it like a regular grilled cheese. Serve with warm frozen corn and an applesauce pouch.

BROCCOLI PESTO PASTA WITH EASY SIDES

Blend broccoli right into pasta sauce for an easy way to serve this veggie to toddlers. Pair with fun pasta shapes, like stars, and simple sides like puffs, berries, and thawed frozen veggies.

EASY FINGER FOODS LUNCH

A combination of eggs, roasted butternut squash, fruit, and avocado makes for a simple and healthy lunch. I often prep the squash and eggs ahead of time and just warm them briefly before serving or packing. You can also rub a little lime or lemon juice on the avocado to prevent browning.

MEATBALLS, PASTA, AND FRUIT

My Chicken Meatballs with Sweet Potato are a soft and easy-to-chew option for a toddler. Pair them with pasta or another grain and fruit for a complete meal.

SOFT ROASTED CHICKPEA LUNCH

Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas paired with diced cheese, kiwi, and crackers make for a super simple, finger-friendly lunch for your one-year-old.

PIZZA QUESADILLAS

Create an easy pizza-inspired lunch by using tortillas, which are soft and easy for toddlers to chew. Add pizza sauce for flavor and veggies for a healthy twist. Cut into strips or cubes for easier chewing. Pair with berries for a delicious meal.

EASY HUMMUS LUNCH BOX

Dips are a great way to get kids interested in new foods. For this lunch, pair hummus with bread strips, thinly sliced pepperoni, sautéed green beans, mini animal crackers, and fruit.

FREEZABLE PB&J

Freezable PB&J sandwiches are a lifesaver when you’re in need of a quick and easy lunch. They thaw in the lunchbox and streamline packing. You can substitute sunflower seed butter for an allergy-friendly option.

ZUCCHINI FRITTERS AND TOMATOES

Zucchini fritters are a great make-ahead lunch, especially when zucchini is in season. Serve them diced with a dipping sauce like ranch, ketchup, salsa, or BBQ sauce for a fun and nutritious meal.

PESTO PIZZA

Make a quick pesto pizza using store-bought dough or homemade. Top it with pesto, cut into strips or cubes for easy chewing, and pair with matchstick apples and cucumber slices for a well-rounded lunch.

CONCLUSION

Variety is key when it comes to feeding toddlers. These 15 ideas are just a starting point. By introducing a wide range of flavors, textures, and colors, you’ll help your child develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy mealtimes together!