Published: by Addison LaBonte · This post may contain affiliate links.
This collection of high-calorie vegan recipes features flavorful meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you're looking to gain or maintain weight on a vegan diet, you're sure to find some tasty dishes to suit your needs.
Whether you’re new to a vegan diet or have been eating vegan for a while, it’s important to ensure your nutritional needs are met.
This includes making sure that you’re eating enough calories each day.
Many new to plant-based eating experience weight loss, sometimes unintentionally, due to eliminating high-calorie foods from their diet such as meat, dairy and other animal products.
According to Medical News Today, women typically need 1600-2400 calories daily and men need between 2000-3000 per day depending on age, height, activity level, and other factors.
It’s important to discuss your individual situation with your healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to determine your calorie needs and goals.
One way that I make sure I am eating enough each day is by including healthy fats such as nut butters, avocados, olive oil, etc. in my meals.
My favorite way to start the day is by eating a satisfying breakfast such as loaded avocado toast, tofu scramble with veggies and a side of roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes, or overnight oats topped with both fruit and nuts or nut butters, and seeds such as flax or chia.
If you’re a smoothie lover like me, adding peanut butter, almond butter, hemp seeds, or vegan protein powder is a great way to increase the calorie content of your favorite smoothies.
Sandwiches and wraps paired with a side salad or cup of soup are a winning combination for lunch.
Chickpea salad on a sandwich or wrap is a great option and happens to be one of my favorite lunches because it can be made so many ways and enjoyed with a variety of toppings.
For dinner, I love to fill my plate with a decent amount of whole grains such as brown rice or quinoa and pair it with some tofu/tempeh, beans, and/or hummus as well as a generous helping of veggies and top it all off with some roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds or toasted sesame seeds.
I also find legume-based pastas such as chickpea or lentil to provide a hearty meal when enjoyed with my favorite meat alternatives and nut-based cheeses or sauces.
There are so many tasty and satisfying ways to increase your daily calorie intake on a vegan diet whether you are looking to either gain weight or maintain it.
This collection features some great high-calorie vegan meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to get you started.
High-Calorie Vegan Breakfast Recipes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
These easy overnight oats are made with cacao powder and peanut butter and are sweetened with maple syrup. They're great topped with bananas, dark chocolate chips, or even more PB for a tasty start to your morning.
Check out this recipe
Weight Gain Chocolate Smoothie by Clean Eating Kitchen
This chocolate smoothie uses full fat coconut milk and has lots of calories and protein. Keep it vegan-friendly by using a vegan protein powder.
Vegan Cinnamon Pop Tarts by Savor the Spoonful
This homemade recipe for pop tarts features a homemade gluten-free crust, a brown sugar cinnamon filling, and a sweet cinnamon icing.
Weight Gain Apple Cinnamon Smoothie by Healthy with a Chance of Sprinkles
This high-calorie smoothie features simple ingredients and no added sugar for a quick and easy breakfast that's great for when you're on the go.
Vegan Breakfast Burrito by Plant.Well
When it comes to hearty breakfasts, this loaded burrito is a winner. Packed with tofu, black beans, potatoes, avocados, and peppers, it's the perfect way to start your day.
Mango Banana Smoothie Bowl by Two City Vegans
This smoothie brings some tropical flair to your morning meal with the flavors of mango, banana, coconut, and passion fruit paired with blueberries and granola.
Vegan Snickers Overnight Oats by Health My Lifestyle
These overnight oats feature all the flavors of the popular Snickers candy bar with better-for-you ingredients in a hearty breakfast form.
High-Calorie Vegan Meals for Lunch
Chickpea Salad with Olives and Walnuts
This easy lunch combines chickpeas, olives, and walnuts and is perfect for enjoying on your favorite bread or wrap.
Check out this recipe
Quinoa Veggie Wraps by Fit as a Mama Bear
This gluten-free quinoa wrap features a homemade dressing and is perfect for lunch with a side salad or cup of soup.
Chickpea Salad with Cucumbers and Tomatoes by All Nutritious
This chickpea salad with cucumbers and tomatoes is full of flavor, high in protein, and perfect for meal prep.
Buffalo Soy Curl Sub by A Plantiful Path
This delicous lunch sandwich combines the spicy flavor of Buffalo sauce with the coolness of a homemade vegan ranch dressing that's easy to make with a combination of tofu/cashew mayo and soy milk.
Vegan Sloppy Joe Sliders by The Wimpy Vegetarian
A popular sandwich goes vegan in this sloppy Joe recipe with coleslaw that's perfect for a hearty and tasty lunch.
Mediterranean Falafel Bowl with Rice by Cadry's Kitchen
This flavorful Mediterranean bowl is packed with rice, falafel, hummus, and a salad topped with a homemade tahini dressing. Perfect for meal prep for lunch but also great for dinner.
Coronation Chickpea Sandwich by Somebody Feed Seb
This tasty sandwich is a veganized version of the British classic coronation chicken sandwich and features a flavorful curried chickpea filling.
High-Calorie Vegan Recipes for Dinner
Vegan Hamburger Helper by Rescue Dog Kitchen
A childhood favorite goes vegan in this flavor-packed "hamburger" helper recipe made with meatless ground, pasta and dairy-free cheese.
Vegan Cheeseburger Wraps by Make it Dairy Free
Take your vegan burger game to the next level with these cheeseburger wraps that the whole family will love. Serve with a side of BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Vegan Creamy Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta by Resplendent Kitchen
This tasty baked pasta dish features roasted tomatoes, garlic, olives, and a creamy sauce made with vegan cream cheese and ricotta.
Vegan Beef Stew by Vegan Punks
This flavorful, rich, and hearty stew with plenty of protein makes for a comforting and satisfying supper.
Vegan Tikka Masala by Vegan on Board
This tasty vegan tikka masala features marinated roasted veggies and tofu and is perfect with a side of rice for a hearty and satisfying dinner.
Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta by Good Food Baddie
This 30-minute pasta dish is packed with Cajun flavor and features colorful peppers, mushrooms and a creamy cashew-based sauce.
Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon Pie by The Vegan Larder
Mushrooms are the star of this indulgent savory pie that's pure vegan comfort food.
Vegan Hummus Pasta with Green Veggies by Nutriciously
This protein-packed soba noodle dish features a bright vibrant color thanks to green veggies and a tasty green hummus sauce.
Vegan Red Beans and Rice by From the Comfort of My Bowl
This hearty Louisiana-style red beans and rice features red kidney beans and vegan sausages and is loaded with Cajun flavor.
Vegan Crispy Tofu Noodle Bowl by Pook's Pantry
This noodle bowl features crispy marinated tofu and is packed with veggies and herbs for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Spicy Vegan Sausages with Peppers and Rice by XO&So
This vegan dish features yellow and red peppers, vegan sausage, and rice in a flavorful sauce for a hearty midweek meal.
Creamy Vegan Pasta Indian Style by Desi~licious RD
This hearty Indian-style penne pasta dish features a flavor-packed creamy sauce made from cashews and roasted vegetables.
Tasty Tomato Vegan Risotto by Splash of Taste
This creamy vegan risotto is bursting with tomato-y flavor and features both cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes.
Creamy Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff by Rainbow Plant Life
This comforting pasta dish is a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike for its rich, creamy, and umami flavor.
Thai Eggplant Curry by Season and Thyme
This spicy curry dish features Thai eggplant, onion, red bell pepper, and creamy coconut milk for a hearty and flavorful dinner that's perfect served with rice.
Vegan Mushroom Lasagna by Lavender and Macarons
This vegan lasagna is full of flavor and boasts 21 grams of protein per serving for a satisfying meal for the whole family.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta by Our Plant-Based World
In this hearty and flavorful dish, bucatini pasta is tossed with a homemade sun-dried tomato pesto for a quick and easy meal.
Crispy Air Fried Avocado Tacos by Evergreen Kitchen
Air Fried avocado, refried beans, and pickled red onions star in these tasty tacos that can be made with either corn or flour tortillas and topped with an easy chipotle mayo.
Vegan Pilaf with Sweet Potato by Forkful of Plants
This flavorful pilaf features brown rice, sweet potato, chickpeas, and walnuts for a hearty dish that's great for meal prep.
Vegan Toad in the Hole by The Real Meal Deal
This vegan version of the classic British comfort food dish is made with meatless sausages and an onion gravy and can be made as a casserole or in a muffin tin.
Thai Peanut Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Chickpeas by Crumbs and Caramel
These stuffed sweet potatoes feature an easy cabbage slaw, tasty Thai peanut sauce, and roasted crispy chickpeas for an easy and flavorful meal.
Creamy Lemon Tahini Pasta with Mushrooms by The Daily Dish
This pasta dish is full of flavor and features roasted mushrooms and chestnuts, spinach, and a creamy tahini sauce.
Sweet Potato, Chickpeas and Spinach Curry by My Plantiful Cooking
This 30-minute one-pot curry is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make. Perfect served with rice or naan.
More Vegan Recipe Collections
- 50 Vegan Tofu Recipes
- 27 Vegan Easter Side Dishes
- 55 Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
- 30+ Vegan Sandwich Recipes
- 20+ Oat Flour Recipes
- 22 High-Protein Recipes
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