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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    37 Best High-Calorie Vegan Recipes

    Published: Mar 31, 2022 by Sherri Hall · This post may contain affiliate links.

    collage of four recipes in the roundup with text title overlay.

    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.

    collage of four recipes in the roundup with text title overlay.

    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
    close-up overhead view looking into mason jar of overnight oats topped with extra peanut butter and chocolate chips
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    two weight gain chocolate smoothies in mason jars.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of vegan pop tarts on parchment paper.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead shot of apple cinnamon weight gain smoothie.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    vegan breakfast burrito cut in half on a white plate.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead shot of mango smoothie bowl.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead shot of Snickers overnight oats with spoon of peanuts next to it.

    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
    front view of chickpea salad on a sandwich with lettuce and microgreens
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    holding a half of a quinoa veggie wrap.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    close-up of chickpea salad in a glass dish.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    Buffalo soy curl sub on a white plate with tortilla chips.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of vegan sloppy Joe sliders on a wooden board.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    close-up overhead shot of falafel bowl.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    close-up half of chickpea sandwich on a wooden board.

    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.
    Check out this recipe
    serving of vegan hamburger helper in a white bowl.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    front view of three halves of vegan cheeseburger wrap on a white plate.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of pasta with roasted tomatoes in a bowl with fork in it.
    Vegan Beef Stew by Vegan Punks
    This flavorful, rich, and hearty stew with plenty of protein makes for a comforting and satisfying supper.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of vegan beef stew with a biscuit.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of vegan tikka masala with rice in a white bowl.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of Cajun pasta with two wooden spoons in it.
    Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon Pie by The Vegan Larder
    Mushrooms are the star of this indulgent savory pie that's pure vegan comfort food.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of mushroom bourguignon with side dishes around it.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of two bowls of hummus pasta with a spoon in one of them.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of red beans and rice in a white bowl.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of tofu noodle bowl with chopsticks.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of rice with sausage and peppers in a dish with spoon in it.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    Indian style pasta in a dish with a fork in it.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    front view of serving of tomato risotto on a plate.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of vegan stroganoff in a dish.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of Thai eggplant curry in a bowl with right side cut off.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    front view of vegan mushroom lasagna on a plate.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of pasta in white crock with a fork and spoon in it.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of three air fried avocado tacos on a plate.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of vegan pilaf with sweet potatoes in a white bowl with two spoons.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of vegan toad in the hole in baking dish after cooking.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    Thai peanut sweet potatoes on a plate with fork and knife on side.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead of tahini pasta in a skillet.
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead shot of sweet potato chickpea curry with rice in a white bowl.

    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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    About Sherri

    Founder, Author, Recipe Developer, & Photographer

    With a lifelong passion for cooking, I specialize in creating easy meatless meals that are omnivore-approved!

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