If you hate doing dishes, these 3 vegan recipes are your new best friend

I don’t know about you, but some days the idea of cooking sounds great—until I remember the pile of dirty dishes that follows. Pots, pans, cutting boards, knives, spatulas… it adds up fast.

But here’s the thing: eating well doesn’t have to mean chaining yourself to the sink. Over the years, I’ve experimented with recipes that give maximum flavor while creating minimal cleanup. And honestly?

Those are the meals I find myself coming back to again and again.

So if you’re someone who avoids cooking because you dread the mess, let me introduce you to three vegan recipes that are quick, satisfying, and—most importantly—don’t leave your kitchen looking like a war zone.

1. One-pan smoky chickpea stew

Picture this: you’ve had a long day, you’re hungry, and the last thing you want is to spend half the night scrubbing pots. That’s when this stew comes in. Everything cooks in a single pan, and it tastes like it simmered for hours.

I usually start with a drizzle of olive oil in a deep skillet, toss in some chopped onion and garlic, and let them soften. Then I add canned chickpeas, smoked paprika, cumin, and a pinch of chili flakes. For depth, I pour in a can of fire-roasted tomatoes and a splash of vegetable broth. Let it bubble away for 15 minutes, and you’ve got dinner.

What I love about this dish is how customizable it is. Some nights I’ll throw in spinach at the end for extra greens, other times I’ll serve it over rice or crusty bread. Either way, the cleanup is literally one pan and a cutting board.

As nutritionist Dr. Neal Barnard has noted, “Legumes like chickpeas are nutrient powerhouses—rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants—while being incredibly versatile in plant-based cooking.” That’s science backing up your lazy-night dinner choice.

2. Sheet-pan miso-glazed tofu and veggies

If you haven’t fallen in love with sheet-pan dinners yet, you’re missing out. They’re the ultimate lazy cook’s hack: chop, toss, roast, and eat. That’s it.

Here’s how I do it. I cube up a block of firm tofu and toss it in a quick marinade of white miso, soy sauce, maple syrup, and sesame oil. While that soaks for a few minutes, I chop whatever veggies I’ve got lying around—broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, it all works.

Everything goes on a lined baking sheet (parchment paper is your best friend here). Roast at 400°F for about 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through. What comes out is caramelized, savory-sweet tofu with perfectly roasted veggies.

The best part? You don’t even need serving dishes. Just scoop straight from the tray onto your plate. Less fuss, more flavor.

This recipe also reminds me of something I read in The Blue Zones Kitchen—cultures that live the longest tend to keep meals simple and plant-focused. This is exactly that: clean ingredients, cooked together, with hardly any cleanup.

3. Blender creamy tomato pasta

I’ve mentioned before how a high-speed blender can be the unsung hero of a vegan kitchen. This pasta recipe proves it.

While your pasta boils, you whip up the sauce in the blender: a can of tomatoes, a handful of cashews (soaked if you don’t have a strong blender), garlic, nutritional yeast, a dash of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Blend until silky smooth, then pour it back into the warm pot of pasta. Done.

The cashews give it that rich, creamy texture without dairy, and the blender does all the heavy lifting.

Cleanup? Just one pot and a blender jar.

As chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz once said, “Vegan cooking isn’t about deprivation—it’s about making food that’s simple, nourishing, and satisfying.” This dish nails all three.

Why this matters

Sure, you could order takeout or microwave something frozen. But there’s something deeply grounding about cooking for yourself—even when it’s quick and easy. The meals above aren’t just about saving time or avoiding dishes. They’re about making plant-based eating feel accessible on even your busiest days.

Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes the simplest meals are the ones we end up loving most. And when they also save us from a mountain of dishes? That’s a win-win in my book.

So the next time you’re tempted to skip cooking because of the mess, remember: all you need is a single pan, a sheet tray, or a blender. Your future self (the one who doesn’t have to scrub pots) will thank you.