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5 Easy Plant-Based Recipes that Make You Look Like a Professional Chef

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at USC chapter.

I have created five recipes that take #MeatlessMondays to the next level. You won’t forget to lick your plate.

Chickpea Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic, but what about spaghetti and deliciously healthy, better-for-you, meatless meatballs? Below is one of the best recipes I have ever made. And I’m sharing it with the world. Please don’t take this lightly. 

Recipes
@TheActiveElena (Shana de Urioste)

Ingredients:

1 carrot

2 celery sticks

1/3 cup of cassava flour

1 can of chickpeas

1-2 garlic cloves

2-4 tablespoons dried basil

Salt n’ peppa

*For avocado pesto recipe, click here*

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F

Blend all ingredients in a food processor 

Bake for 40 minutes, flipping halfway

See… even my dog wanted some.

Recipes
@TheActiveElena (Shana de Urioste)

Mac N’ Cashew Cheese

Recipes
@TheActiveElena (Shana de Urioste)

That’s right! This healthy, vegan Mac ‘n’ cheese is made out of cashews. It is so easy and simple to make. Here is the recipe: 

Ingredients for cheese:

1 cup of soaked cashews 

1 cup of water

4 tablespoons of nutritional yeast

1/2 lemon juice

Salt n’ peppa

Ingredients for noodle salad:

Spiralized zucchini, carrots, and sweet potato; kelp noodles; and chopped lettuce

Bean pasta (I like Banza chickpea pasta)

OR 

Pasta of your choice

Directions:

After soaking the cashews overnight (or boiling them in hot water for 10 minutes), blend all cheese ingredients. 

Mix with pasta and enjoy.

#SpoonTip: If you want to thicken the cheese, heat on stovetop for a few minutes. 

Sweet Potato Fries 

I love fries. Who doesn’t love fries? But I finally found fries that make my taste buds dance and give me long-lasting energy.

Recipes
@TheActiveElena (Shana de Urioste)

Ingredients:

1-2 sweet potatoes

1 tablespoon coconut oil 

Salt n’ peppa

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F

Cut potatoes into fry shapes (see picture)

Drizzle with coconut oil, salt, and pepper

Put in oven for around 30 minutes. 

*For full recipe, click HERE.*

Beyond Meat Burgers

Beyond Meat Burgers makes The Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage made out of pea-protein. They have an abundance of protein per serving, and they even BLEED like real meat. 

Recipes
@TheActiveElena (Shana de Urioste)

They taste amazing on their own or in a bun (my hard-core, meat-eating family really enjoys them!). 

Recipes
@TheActiveElena (Shana de Urioste)

As for the Beyond Meat sausage, I put it on my pizza. It became so crispy in the oven and tasted delicious.

Siete Foods Tortillas

I love these tortillas because they are so versatile. Almost every morning for breakfast, I make myself one. 

Recipes
@TheActiveElena (Shana de Urioste)

Below is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 to 2 Siete Flour tortillas (I like the cassava flour flavor)

1 slice of Trader Joe’s goat cheese

Vegetables

Directions:

Put tortilla in a pan with goat cheese on it.

Cover the pan so that the cheese can become ooey-gooey and melty.

*For my full review on all Siete Foods products, click HERE*

Ohhhhh… did you want dessert? BONUS TIME!

Nuttzo

Besides mixed nut-butters, Nuttzo also has plant-based protein bars that are sweet and delicious. They taste like a spoonful of crunchy nut butter and creamy honey that melt in your mouth.

Kitchfix

Kitchfix has grain-free granola that is perfect because it is only slightly sweet. This means you can add some crunch to your salad, like so:

… or just eat Kitch Fix by the mouthful. Get these goodies at your local Whole Foods or Sprouts.

Now you have 5 recipes for every day this week. And 2 desserts. BAM. You’re welcome.

As a child, I struggled with my health and with this, I discovered how food and exercise can help heal my body. My goal is to inspire others to live an active and healthy lifestyle too! By eating healthy and delicious foods, you will gain the motivation to be active and adventurous. And by being active, you will have the energy to fulfill your purpose in life... and to eat more healthy foods. I also love to travel:) I have a fitness, nutrition, and travel YouTube, Website, and Instagram called The Active Elena, where you can find those deliciously healthy recipes, unique fitness tips, and fun travel diaries!