11 Plant-Based Recipes for a Compassionate Easter Celebration
As we approach Easter, we look forward to celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Easter Sunday is a sacred day, filled with hope and the reminder of Jesus’s saving grace in our lives.
On the greatest Sunday of the year, we can align our actions with Jesus’s message of peace, love, and respect for all of God’s creation. Choosing plant-based foods is a great way to do this, as we reject the suffering of God’s creatures while turning towards options that represent compassion and mindfulness.
We’ve rounded up a selection of delicious and easy plant-based recipes for your Easter brunch or dinner. Peruse suggestions from the volunteers on our Advisory Board and Board, as well as a few tried-and-true bonus suggestions!
Brunch Staples
A One-of-a-Kind Banana Bread
Recipe: Domestic Gothess’s Easy Vegan Banana Bread
“My family has Easter brunch, and for me, brunch is not complete without banana bread. I’ve tried many recipes over the years, and the best one I’ve ever made is from Domestic Gothess. I’m not a scientist, but I think the secret is apple cider vinegar.”
- Liz Cabrera Holtz, SFIA Board
Delicious Cinnamon Rolls That Couldn’t Be Easier
Item: Immaculate Baking’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
“My favorite Easter meal is brunch! We usually make a tofu quiche, vegan sausage, and cinnamon rolls. My husband adapted a family recipe for the cinnamon rolls (using soy milk and plant butter in lieu of the dairy), but these premade ones are nearly as good and much faster.”
- Jessica Almy, SFIA Advisory Board
Starters and Sides
A Quick and Delish Seven-Layer Dip
Recipe: Sweet Simple Vegan’s 7-Layer Dip
“I love this recipe because you always have the ingredients in your house along with a bag of chips, and with three boys who are constantly hungry, it’s a quick and delish recipe!”
- Shelby Bobosky, SFIA Board
Photo credit: Sweet Simple Vegan
A Versatile and Healthy Quinoa Salad
Recipe: My Darling Vegan’s Vegan Quinoa Salad
“I love this vegan quinoa salad because it's hearty enough to be a main but goes perfectly as a side dish too. The ingredients are simple which makes it easy to sub in different veggies to make it your own or adapt to what's in season. I like to make it a day ahead so the flavors can meld.”
- Theresa Wylie, SFIA Advisory Board
Easy, Cheesy-Flavored Scalloped Potatoes
Recipe: Plant-Based on a Budget’s Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
“These scalloped potatoes are so easy to whip together, look great, and taste even better. I’ve made these for holiday gatherings, and they’re always a hit! I like to add a little extra nutritional yeast to up the cheesy flavor.”
-Kristin Dunn, SFIA Board
Main Dishes
A Hearty and Filling Shepherd’s Pie
Recipe: Nora Cooks’ Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
SFIA Advisory Board member Daniel Mascarenhas, SJ, shares that Nora Cooks’ lentil shepherd’s pie is his recipe of choice for Easter and describes it as "warm, filling, brightly colored and celebratory.”
A Smoky, Sweet and Easy Ham Style Roast
Item: Tofurky’s Plant-Based Ham Style Roast with Amber Ale Glaze
“I absolutely love the Tofurky ham roast with fresh, grilled pineapple. It's smoky, sweet, and tangy with the perfect texture. And while leftovers are rare in my house, it's also amazing the day after Easter sliced thin in a sandwich with soft white bread and mustard.”
- Tom Linney, SFIA Board
A Stunning Vegan Wellington
Recipe: Nora Cooks’ Vegan Wellington
Bonus: This vegan beef wellington from Nora Cooks is hearty, delicious, and a stunning addition to any holiday table. Wrapped in puff pastry, it combines lentils and plant-based meat with a delicious blend of herbs.
Desserts
The Best Apple Crisp
Recipe: Minimalist Baker’s The Best Vegan Apple Crisp
Minimalist Baker has a wide array of easy, delicious, crowd-pleasing recipes. Their Apple Crisp is a delicious alternative to an apple pie with a great blend of texture and flavor.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Easter Eggs
Recipe: Minimalist Baker’s Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Eggs
Leave it to Minimalist Baker to come up with a delish vegan dupe of a much-loved Easter candy. Their peanut butter and chocolate eggs are easy to make, and you decide on the peanut butter-to-chocolate ratio.
Fruit Salad
You can’t go wrong with a fruit salad! Keep things healthy, light, and bright using a combination of your favorite fruits. Consider visiting a local farmer’s market to pick up the produce while supporting local farmers.
