Quick and Easy Recipes You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

Watch any cooking competition, and you’ll appreciate all the amazing meals a skilled chef can put together in 30 minutes or less.

So, what’s the secret?

Working with food efficiently — whether you’re a professional or a home cook — is all about understanding how long it takes to prep, cook, and finish different elements on the plate. And although there are plenty of ways to speed up the cooking process: preheat the oven, sauté in a smaller pan, use smaller cuts, etc., some dishes are just quick and easy to prepare, regardless of your technique.

We can’t tell you how to boil water faster (try using a lid), but we can offer a list of our favorite plant-based meals that you can whip up in 30 minutes or less.

Aloo Gobi

Don’t wait for takeout, you can make this recipe for aloo gobi, a classic Indian dish, in 30 minutes or less. A rich spice mixture of coriander, cumin, mustard seed, and red pepper makes the mixture of cooked cauliflower and potatoes aromatic and delicious.

Apple Basil Panini

This recipe for apple basil paninis is tart, sweet, herbaceous and satisfying. The refreshing slice of apple pairs nicely with the fresh basil and salty non-dairy cheese. So easy to make, you’ve got lunch ready for the whole family in less than five minutes!

Artichoke Panzanella Salad

Panzanella is a simple bread salad that’s as satisfying as it is simple. All you need to do for this artichoke Panzanella salad is some (mildly) stale leftover bread, tomatoes, cucumber, artichoke hearts, and a drizzle of homemade dinner. Simple and refreshing.

Asian Noodle Bowl with Spicy Almond Sauce

A spin of peanut noodles, this Asian noodle bowl with spicy almond sauce is nuttier and brighter than what you’d get at your local takeout spot. Pops of lime juice, chile sauce, and scallion make this a well-rounded recipe that can be prepared at a moment’s notice.

Berry Breakfast Couscous

Impress your friends and family with this simple berry breakfast couscous. In ten minutes or less, you can have a pot full of fragrant couscous seasoned with fruit juice, dried berries, mint, and walnuts.

Chickpea-Salad Niçoise Sandwiches

Perfect for picnics, these chickpea niçoise sandwiches get their unique flavor profile from a combination of tarragon vinaigrette, fresh shallot, and olive tapenade. Use some fresh slices of sour dough as the base of the sandwich and lunch is all set.

Hummus Club Sandwich

You don’t need to turn on your stove to make these hummus club sandwiches. Slices of fresh green apple, tomato, and red onion layered on top of a bed of spinach and a big shmear of hummus (purchased or homemade).

Kung Pao Tempeh Stir-Fry

Once all the vegetables are prepped, this recipe for kung pao tempeh stir-fry takes only a few minutes to cook and assemble. The meaty texture of tempeh serves as the perfect foil to the tangy, sweet-and-sour kung pao sauce.

Mushroom Tofu Scramble

Watch out, eggs, tofu is coming for your spot at the breakfast table. Add some white button or cremini mushrooms and spices to this tofu mushroom scramble, and you’ve got a protein-packed morning meal that will keep you full until lunch time.

Click here for more Meatless Monday recipes. When posting pictures of recipes to your social media network, tag @MeatlessMonday use #MeatlessMonday to show the plant-based community your creation.