Some days, summoning the energy to make dinner is like asking yourself to climb Mount Everest with weights attached to your ankles.
It seems impossible thanks to your chronic illness.
And yet it must be done (the making dinner part – not climbing Mount Everest).
For you have a mini you (or you’s) that must be fed. And you, too.
And maybe others, depending on the occasion or your living situation.
But you don’t want to spend money on takeout.
And you don’t want to go the cereal for dinner route (though a fool-proof winner, always).
That leaves you with actual cooking to do. Albeit minimal, because you’re tired as fuck.
You need super quick and easy dinners you can whip up with what’s already in your pantry.
I’ve had many tired, low-energy evenings where I didn’t want to cook much but wanted something do-able myself and kids would enjoy eating and that’s healthier than sugary cereal.
This post is a mini-collection of those something recipes and their links.
Most recipes on this list are vegan, though some are inspired from recipes with meat.
I include links to the original author when possible (some I’ve been making for so long, yet I can’t remember who makes it).
11 quick and easy dinners for vegan moms with Fibromyalgia
Here are 11 quick and easy meals for vegan moms with Fibromyalgia:
- taco casserole
- baked grilled cheese
- instant pot tomato soup
- BBQ seitan ribs
- cheesy roll ups
- quesadillas
- sheet pan pancakes
- chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese
- fried rice
- chicken alfredo pasta
- club sandwich
You can use vegan cheeses from brands like Follow Your Heart, Better Goods or Daiya.
Impossible and textured vegetable protein (TVP) are great meat replacements.
1. Taco casserole
I love an easy taco casserole dish because it’s chock full of nutritious veggies like beans, corn, and peppers and you can use canned goods so you’re literally throwing it in the skillet (for like 5 minutes) and into the oven for 25. Swap or add any ingredients easily.
If I want to add a vegan meaty protein, I’ll choose Impossible Ground or some textured vegetable protein (TVP).
Depending on how many mouths you have to feed, you can easily have leftovers for lunch or freeze for later for another zero energy day.
Just look up a taco casserole recipe and customize to your liking. You can’t really go wrong with this one.
2. Baked grilled cheese
Baking your grilled cheese instead of stove topping them results in a just-as-delicious, slightly-more-crunchy cheesy sandwich. It’s incredibly easy to smack on some butter or mayo, build them, and bake ‘em.
I like to pair grilled cheese with soul-soothing tomato soup. Who doesn’t?
Recipe by: Vseward Chef-V on Food.com
3. Instant Pot tomato soup
This homemade tomato soup hits the spot every time. I like it because there’s little prep work involved (just chopping and sauteing onions, but you can skip all that with frozen onions). Just dump everything in the Pot and walk away.
You won’t be away for long though, because from prep to table it takes just 20 minutes or so.
Recipe by: Megan Gilmore in The Fresh and Healthy Instand Pot Cookbook
4. BBQ seitan ribs
BBQ is a beloved sauce for good reason: it’s fucking delicious.
These BBQ ribs are easy to put together and hits all those comfort cravings. Paired with mashed potatoes and a (frozen!) veggie, and you’re in heaven.
The only ingredient you may not have on hand is vital wheat gluten, which if you’re vegan – I highly recommend you do! You can make “wheat meat” with gluten.
Recipe by: Susan V from Fatfreevegan.com
5. Cheesy roll ups
Homemade cheesy rolls ups – just like at Taco Bell. Only vegan, because you can stuff them with whatever non-dairy cheese you prefer, like Daiya or Follow Your Heart. (Find them at Walmart, Target, Hannaford’s, etc.) My kiddo enjoys these.
Just smack a few pieces of cheese on a tortilla, microwave for several 15-second intervals, roll, and you’re in business.
Recipe by: You Say Potatoes
6. Quesadillas
Don’t forget about the easy, ever so delicious quesadilla. You can use just cheese, but why not add in some ground vegan beef or TVP? Yum.
7. Sheet pan pancakes
I wish I discovered these sooner!
Super easy, versatile, and cheap, sheet pan pancakes can be whipped up and on the table in less than 30 minutes. Seriously. You can walk away from the stove with these bad boys in the oven, and you’d never know they were skillet-made.
Your kids will gobble these up, so save a few sweet squares for yourself.
Recipe by: It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
8. Chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese
Sounds semi complicated, but I promise you, you could make this dish in little time with minimal effort.
Boil your macaroni, heat up some Morining Star bacon in the microwave, saute veggie chicken (like Daring) on the stove, and mix it all together.
Oh, and use this mouth-watering vegan ranch by Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen.
Recipe by: Follow Your Heart
9. Fried rice
Fried rice is another quick dish you can make with little time or effort. Be sure to make your rice a few hours before dinner so that it has enough time to cool (warm rice becomes mushy when fried).
The best rice I make happens when I prep the rice the day before in my Instant Pot. Also, use butter to fry the rice over oil for a more true fried taste.
Just use rice, or add in frozen veggies, vegan chicken, and vegan eggs (like Just).
Recipe by: Gimme Some Oven (I found the butter and cold rice tricks here)
10. Chicken alfredo pasta
Alfredo makes the world go round. Vegan alfredo makes the whole universe explode.
Make this alfredo sauce the next time you fry up some chicken and pasta for an authentic Italian restaurant taste. With no nuts or cauliflower, this recipe is different and 1000% better than so many others on the internet.
Recipe by: Nora Cooks
I’ll make a batch of sauce and freeze some for next time.
11. Club sandwich
Traditionally not very vegan, a club sandwich can be made in minutes with ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. Bread, mustard, lettuce, tomato…just pick up some vegan mayo, vegan cheese, and vegan sliced deli meat and you’re good to go.
Recipe by: Spend With Pennies
Your takeaway
Now you have 11 vegan quick and easy dinners that are perfect for when you’re low on energy yet want to make something healthier than cereal.
You may be a vegan mom with Fibromyalgia, but you can still make a great dinner!
What are your go-to dinners for when you’re dead ass tired? Share below in the comments.
