Recipes for Dinner
Here is a collection of recipes I have either created or adapted along the way as I reinvented the way I eat and cook to whole food plant-based.
These dinner recipes are whole food plant-based and accommodate your pantry as well as your pocketbook.
Now let’s get cooking! ~Donna
How to Choose and Cook Lentils
Lentils are one of those quiet pantry staples that don’t ask for much — yet give a lot in return. They’re affordable, protein-rich, and deeply satisfying. It isn’t always clear…
Creamy Pasta e Cavolo – Plant-Based Pasta and Cabbage
This is my plant-based, Irish-inspired, Italian reinvented version of a comfort classic: Creamy Pasta e Cavolo (pasta and cabbage). I’ve added shredded potatoes to the sauce for extra naturally creaminess…
Plant-Based Pasta e Piselli | Easy Italian Pasta and Peas
This Plant-Based Pasta e Piselli is a simple and nourishing Italian comfort dish. It is made with pasta, sweet green peas, and aromatic onion and garlic. Oil-free and dairy-free, it…
Dairy-Free Asparagus Risotto | Easy Rice Cooker Recipe
Looking for a creamy, comforting dairy-free asparagus risotto without butter, cheese, or constant stirring? You’re in the right place. This simple rice cooker method makes it easy to achieve the…
Sneaky Veggie Pasta Sauce for Toddlers (Healthy, Oil-Free & So Creamy)
Picky-eater approved · Freezer-friendly · No oil · No added sugar If you’re a parent or grandparent trying to get little ones to eat their vegetables, you already know this…
WFPB Cucina Povera Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie Rustica)
This WFPB Cucina Povera Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie Rustica) channels the heart of cucina povera. It embodies the simple, resourceful home cooking that nourished generations. Made with pantry staples,…
Pasta e Lenticchie con Maltagliati (Pasta and Lentils)
There’s something magical about a bowl of pasta e lenticchie — humble, hearty, and deeply satisfying. This classic Italian stew is everything I love about cucina povera cooking: simple ingredients,…
Crispy Baked Herb-Crusted Tofu Marsala (WFPB)
Crispy Baked Herb-Crusted Tofu Marsala is a delicious, twist on the beloved Italian-American classic. Traditionally made with breaded and fried chicken, this version swaps in tender tofu. It provides a…
5-Minute No-Cook Pizza Sauce (Easy, Fresh & Authentic Flavor)
This 5-Minute No-Cook, Easy & Healthy Tomato Pizza Sauce is my go-to for homemade pizza nights. It’s bright, deeply flavorful, and made with simple pantry ingredients—no stovetop cooking required. Restaurant…
2-Hour Pizza Dough
Make perfect homemade pizza in just 2 hours with this easy, flavorful pizza dough recipe. This dough uses a blend of wheat and all-purpose flours. It includes rapid-rise yeast and…
Hearty Roasted Pumpkin and Black Bean Chili
Fall is the season of cozy sweaters, golden leaves, and comforting bowls of chili. This whole-food, plant-based Hearty Roasted Pumpkin and Black Bean Chili is a flavor-packed dish. It combines…
Creamy Pumpkin Black Bean Chili (Vegan, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, High-Protein)
Anti-inflammatory · Antioxidants · Autoimmune · Desserts · Snacks Every fall, I stock up on pumpkin puree—not just for pie but for savory dishes like this chili. This whole-food, plant-based Creamy Pumpkin Black Bean Chili is hearty, thick,…
Baby Potato, Broccoli, and Oat Mini Pancakes
Your little one will love these Baby Potato, Broccoli, and Oat Mini Pancakes! Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and packed with plant-powered goodness. Blending steamed baby potatoes, lightly cooked…
Best Baked Tofu Parmesan
This is the Best Baked Tofu Parmesan with Pistachio Pesto and Dairy-Free Mozzarella. It is my plant-based take on the beloved Italian-American favorite. Traditionally, this dish is made with breaded…
Healthy Homemade Spinach Pasta with Semolina Flour
Healthy Homemade Beet Pasta with just 2 Ingredients, no oil, and no eggs. It is fresher than store-bought alternatives. I like to roast the beets before pureeing, but you can…
Caponata (Oil-Free)
Sicilian caponata is a vibrant, sweet-and-savory eggplant dish. It is traditionally drenched in olive oil. But what if you could enjoy all the rich, tangy flavors without it? My oil-free…
Pappa al Pomodoro Soup
This isn’t your childhood Campbell’s tomato soup. Pappa al Pomodoro (Italian Bread and Tomato Soup) was particularly popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was romanticized in Italian…
Healthy Homemade Beet Pasta (2 Ingredients, No Oil, No Eggs)
Healthy Homemade Beet Pasta with just 2 Ingredients, no oil, and no eggs. It is fresher than store-bought alternatives. I like to roast the beets before pureeing, but you can…
Ultimate Italian Stuffed Shells with Tofu Ricotta
Italian cuisine has long been celebrated for its rich flavors and comforting dishes. My Ultimate Italian Stuffed Shells with Tofu Ricotta brings all the traditional goodness into the realm of…
30 Minutes | Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | California Balsamic Vinegars | Instagram | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe
Perfectly Roasted Cabbage Steaks
These delicious and healthy Perfectly Roasted Cabbage Steaks, using my Caraway Seasoning Mix, promises to transform humble cabbage into a show-stopping centerpiece for any meal. Let me show you how…
30 Minutes | Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | Instagram | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Sunday Supper
Wholesome Zucchini Spice Oatmeal Cookies
My Wholesome Zucchini Spice Oatmeal Cookies to are a nutritious, delicious, gluten free, and plant-based way to kick off your day. These yummy cookies are not only plant-based, but free…
30 Minutes | Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | Instagram | Italian | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Sunday Supper
Classic Italian Marinara Sauce (Oil-Free, Rich & Authentic Flavor)
This oil-free, dairy-free version for my classic Italian marinara sauce keeps everything you love about traditional marinara—rich tomato depth, garlic warmth, and Italian herbs—without the added oils or heaviness. Grocery…
30 Minutes | Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | California Balsamic Vinegars | Instagram | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Salad Dressing and Sauces
Lime Avocado Creme (No Dairy, No Oil)
Lime Avocado Crème, a lusciously creamy condiment that’s completely dairy-free and oil-free. This zesty creation combines the smooth richness of ripe avocados with the tangy plant-based plain yogurt and brightness…
30 Minutes | Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | California Balsamic Vinegars | Instagram | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe
Whole Food Plant Based Healthy Crunchy Slaw
This delicious and Whole Food Plant Based Healthy Crunchy Slaw promises to transform humble cabbage into a show-stopping addition for any meal. Bursting with vibrant colors and textures, this slaw…
Deconstructed Crispy Eggplant Bake (WFPB, Oil-Free, Dairy-Free)
Deconstructed Crispy Eggplant Bake (WFPB, Oil-Free, Dairy-Free) is slices of tender, oven-crisped eggplant layered with a vibrant tomato sauce and crumble topping without the fuss of assembling a traditional eggplant…
Italian Artichoke Casserole (Sformato di Carciofi)
Here is an amazing Vegan Italian Artichoke Casserole (Sformato di Carciofi). It adheres to a Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB) diet, without the use of oil or eggs. It is guilt-free,…
30 Minutes | Antioxidants | California Balsamic Vinegars | Instagram | Italian | Lower High Blood Pressure | Lunch | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Sides
Italian White Beans and Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce (WFPB Dairy-Free No Oil)
Italian White Bean and Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce (Fagioli in Crema di Pomodori Secchi) captures the essence of Tuscan cuisine. It offers a burst of flavors. This version is free from…
30 Minutes | Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | Instagram | Italian | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe
Italian “Sauzage” Spice Seasoning Mix
This delicious and healthy Italian “Sausage” Spice Seasoning Mix for Vegetable Steaks makes it easy to add a burst of deliciousness to your main course dishes. Add a splash of…
Carabaccia – Tuscan Red Onion WFPB Soup
Carabaccia is a traditional Tuscan onion soup. When I found this recipe, I became obsessed with it. It is a culinary masterpiece that captures the essence of simplicity and rustic…
30 Minutes | Antioxidants | Instagram | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Sides
Low Fat Velvety Vegan Bliss Cheese Sauce (No Dairy, No Nuts, No Oil)
This Low Fat Velvety Vegan Bliss Cheese Sauce recipe was crafted for those of us seeking an option that excludes oil, dairy and nuts. It is also free of oil…
Roasted Acorn Squash and Quinoa with Miso Maple Sauce
Roasted Acorn Squash and Quinoa with Miso Maple Sauce has a delicious and well-balanced flavor profile. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of acorn squash and the caramelization that occurs…
Overnight Golden Sourdough Biscuits (Vegan)
These Overnight Golden Sourdough Biscuits Vegan are pure joy for biscuit lovers. The biscuit magic comes from the use of vegan buttermilk & activated sourdough starter. This is an easy…
Healthy Homemade Spinach Pasta (Tipo 00 Flour, No Oil, No Eggs)
Healthy Homemade Spinach Pasta (No Oil, No Eggs) is fresher than store-bought alternatives. You can use fresh or frozen spinach. Make the pasta dough right before cooking. This preserves the…
Healthy Easy Sourdough Crackers
These Healthy Easy Sourdough Discard Crackers are incredibly fun to make and are such a treat to have on hand. Making sourdough discard crackers is an easy, practical, and creative…
Italian Meatless Meatballs
This Italian Meatless Meatball recipe is a labor of love. I tried all the grocery store freezer brands. I searched high and low for a recipe at all the most…
Cauliflower Wheat Gnocchi
Cauliflower Wheat Gnocchi combines cauliflower and wheat flour as primary ingredients. This recipe is a spin-off of the traditional potato gnocchi I have made for years and the Trader Joes…
Walnut Porcini Creamless Sauce
Walnuts and mushrooms are an earthy pairing that you usually find in Vegan restaurants served as “taco meat”. In this recipe, we make a “cream” sauce by combining them with…
Limone Pepe Orzo (No Dairy, No Oil)
Limone Pepe Orzo is an upscaled version of a childhood favorite dish, orzo and butter. My research found several recipes, all loaded with butter and parmesan cheese. This is my…
Healthy Tuscan Bread Soup (Pancotto or Ribollita)
Tuscan Bread soup, also known as “pancotto” or “ribollita” in Italian cuisine, is a hearty and flavorful dish that makes use of stale bread. What a perfect way to use…
30 Minutes | Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | Instagram | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe
Easy, Thick, and Creamy Vegan Tofu Mayonnaise
Indulge in the delightful goodness of this easy, thick, and creamy Vegan Tofu Mayonnaise — a plant-based alternative that effortlessly captures the rich and velvety texture of traditional mayo. Grocery…
30 Minutes | Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | Instagram | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe
Caraway Seasoning Mix for Vegetable Steaks
This delicious and healthy Caraway Seasoning Mix for Vegetable Steaks makes it easy to add a burst of deliciousness to your main course dishes. Add a splash of warmed balsamic…
30 Minutes | Antioxidants | Favorite | Instagram | Italian | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Sunday Supper
Healthy Pumpkin Vodka Sauce with Pasta
This Healthy Pumpkin Vodka Sauce for pasta is great. Use it when you are just not ready to let go of pumpkin season. However, it is also a great go-to…
WFPB Cauliflower Wing Bites (Vegan)
Cauliflower Wing Bites are a great way to get your chicken wing fix living whole food plant-based. I lived most of my life in Rochester, NY and the Anchor Bar…
Instagram | Italian | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Soup | Sunday Supper
WFPB Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Vegan)
It has finally turned towards cooler weather and there is nothing more comforting than a bowl of WFPB Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Vegan). There are as many versions of this…
Orecchiette with Broccolini and Mushrooms
This Orecchiette with Broccolini and Mushrooms dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It’s ideal during the busy holiday season or a crazed work week. It just takes five…
30 Minutes | Antioxidants | Instagram | Italian | Lower High Blood Pressure | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Sides
Best WFPB Italian Alfredo Sauce (No Dairy)
If you’ve been missing Alfredo sauce since adopting a whole food, plant‑based lifestyle, this recipe may change everything. After going WFPB in 2019, traditional cheese and cream were no longer…
30 Minutes | Antioxidants | Instagram | Italian | Lower High Blood Pressure | Lunch | Main Course | Post | Recipe | Sides
Italian Beans and Greens (WFPB No Oil)
Growing up in an Italian family, we used escarole as our greens. In fact, it wasn’t until my 20’s I realized that escarole could be eaten as part of a…
Italian Beet Tomato Marinara Sauce
You read that right! Italian Beet Tomato Marinara Sauce. I added a beet to my marinara sauce. The beet really elevated my prized traditional tomato sauce into a richer and…
Panzanella Tuscan Summer Bread Salad
My WFPB version of Panzanella Tuscan Summer Bread Salad is more than a recipe. It’s now a memory. It’s a forever passion. It’s a celebration of summer produce. I rediscovered…
Rice Cooker Brown Rice & Black Beans (Easy, Hands-Off Meal)
This oil-free brown rice and black beans recipe is the ultimate no-fail, hands-off meal. If you’ve ever ended up with undercooked rice or mushy grains, this method fixes that—your rice…
WFPB Pasta e Ceci Estiva (Pasta and Chickpea Summer Soup)
This is my WFPB version of Pasta e Ceci Estiva (Pasta and Chickpea Summer Soup). It is an iconic Italian dish. It goes all the way back to the Roman…
Healthy Tuscan Tomato Basil Bisque Soup
A creamy dairy-free Tuscan Tomato Basil Bisque is the perfect comfort food throughout the year. This is a quick, easy, and both oil and dairy-free healthy version of Tuscan Tomato…
Easy Sunday Supper Eggplant Calzones
It is WFPB Italian Sunday Supper! Last night I fell asleep dreaming of eggplant and pizza. I woke up with an idea for an easy eggplant calzone. Grocery List Add-Ins…
Creamy Vegan Mushroom Pasta (Easy Dairy-Free, Oil-Free Boscaiola)
This creamy vegan mushroom pasta is a dairy-free, oil-free twist on Italian Pasta alla Boscaiola. Made with mushrooms and a rich vodka sauce using a plant-based creamy milk like cashew,…
Beet Black Bean Burger
I love a good beet burgers. When I visit a new restaurant, I always check the menu. If there is a beet burger, they all know I will order it…
Grilled Peach Spinach with a Honey Miso Mustard Dressing
Grilling peaches is great to amp up their peachiness when they are hard, not ripe, or are low on the sweetness scale. Don’t feel like dealing the grill? No problem…
Roasted Cauliflower Farro Salad
Roasted Cauliflower Farro Salad is a delightful blend of nutty farro grains, tender roasted cauliflower florets, and a medley of vibrant vegetables. The roasted cauliflower adds a satisfying depth…
Baked Beet Falafel
The first time I had beet falafel was at Spread & Co. in Austin. It is located next door to Kerbey Lane Cafe in the Oakmont neighborhood. Sadly it was…
Blueberry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Looking to take your grilled summer veggies to the next level? This Blueberry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce with molasses is the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. It’s rich, sticky,…
Eggplant Tacos
First had these amazing Grilled Eggplant Tacos at Backstreet Café in Houston, TX from their vegetarian menu. OFF THE CHARTS CRAZY DELIS! I had to remake them at home. They…
Oil Free Nut Free Carrot Top Basil Pesto
You just found the best oil and nut free pesto that uses up those nutrient rich carrot tops. I use this as a vegetable dip or in a pasta dish…
Beet Mushroom Burgers – Hearty, Vegan & Fiber-Packed
If you’re craving a hearty and flavorful plant-based burger, try these Beet Mushroom Burgers. They are colorful and about to become your new favorite. Packed with earthy beets, savory mushrooms,…