Vegan Dinner Ideas for Under $10

Vegan and vegetarian dishes do not have to be expensive. After taking part in a 21 Day Vegan Challenge earlier this year, I was able to learn how to eat in a healthier manner on the same food budget that I used when eating a non-vegan/vegetarian meal. Here are 3 vegan dinner ideas that will feed a family of 4 for under $10.

Vegan Dinner Under $10 #1- Very Vegan Eggplant Pasta

Basics of this dish include fresh eggplant $3 (in season), whole wheat linguine $1, pasta sauce $2, mushrooms $.75, and green pepper $1.00. Total cost for this meal is between $7 and $9, depending on whether you have to buy breadcrumbs.This recipe went over well with everyone in my home. My 9 year old son loved it and at first had no idea he was eating eggplant. Once he was told that the recipe had eggplant, he still asked for more.

Vegan Dinner Under $10 #2- Burrito's and Spanish Rice

Burrito's are one of the easiest dishes to turn vegan. All you have to do is substitute the beef with refried beans. Whole wheat tortilla shells are available at almost any grocery store and cost about the same as corn and flour tortilla's. The most expensive part of this vegan dinner will be the cost of vegan cheese but even that has become reasonably priced. I highly recommend Daiya's Vegan Cheddar cheese which retails at 1/2lb for $5.30 at Vegan Essentials. Here is a run down of the costs for a Burrito and Rice vegan dinner: Tortilla shells $2, Refried Beans $1.50, Vegan Cheese $2 (you won't use a half pound of it!), Lettuce & Tomato $2.50, and Spanish Rice $1.50 for a total of $9.50.

Vegan Dinner Under $10 #3- Vegan Pizza

Even vegan's like pizza. One of the hardest things for a new vegan is not being able to have a cheese pizza but now there are many options to make a pizza into a delicious dish that a vegan can love. You can by frozen vegan pizza's or make your own for under $10. All you need to make your own is fresh pizza dough (refrigerated) which you can get at Trader Joe's for $1.99, pasta sauce $2, mushrooms, peppers and fresh tomatoes $3. Saute the mushrooms, peppers and tomatoes in olive oil with Italian herb seasoning while making the pizza crust according to the package. Use a spoon to place the sauce on the crust after it is cooked then add sauteed veggies to the top. You can use any veggies you like and you won't miss the cheese. Or you can make a vegan cheese pizza by using Daiya Vegan Mozzarella cheese. For a great frozen vegan pizza that is already made for you, I recommend Rossini's Gourmet Vegan Cheese Pizza which costs $7.95 through Vegan Essentials.