7 Cheap and Easy Plant-Based ‘Struggle Meals’ Anyone Can Make

Are you feeling anxiety or stress over grocery prices right now? If so, you’re not alone. In August, a study from the Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that “53 percent of adults report that grocery expenses are a major source of stress.” In other words, if rising grocery costs are weighing on you, you’re firmly in the majority.

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The current economic climate has inspired people to share their own “struggle meals” on social media. These are basically simple, affordable dishes made with whatever is on hand. While many rely on ultra-processed standbys like Hamburger Helper or packaged ramen, it’s absolutely possible to make quick, cheap, plant-based struggle meals using whole food pantry staples, too.

10 vegan recipe ideas for the next time you need a struggle meal

Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite plant-based struggle meal recipes. The best part? You likely already have most of the ingredients in your fridge or pantry.

Micah Siva

1 Creamy Vegan Tomato Hummus Pasta

This simple recipe comes together with just a handful of ingredients, including tomatoes (you could use fresh or canned), garlic, hummus, and a bit of oil (it calls for olive oil, but any budget-friendly option works), plus cooked pasta. You just toss everything into a pan and bake. That’s it. It couldn’t be easier, and it’s surprisingly nutritious, too.
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Okonomi Kitchen

2 Cold Tofu With Spicy Chili Sauce

Saving money shouldn’t mean sacrificing flavor. Tofu is often far cheaper than meat or even many meat alternatives, and it’s easy to turn it into something delicious with pantry staples like soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame seeds. The best part? This recipe comes together in less than five minutes.
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Hannah Sunderani

3 Easy Vegan Tofu Egg Salad

Another great thing about tofu is how versatile it is. Mash it with a little mustard, mayonnaise, turmeric, and black salt to create a quick tofu egg salad, then sandwich it between two slices of bread for an easy, satisfying meal.
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Barb Musick

4 Easy, Cheesy Vegan French Bread Pizza

Craving pizza? Skip the takeout, or even the frozen aisle, and make a simple French bread pizza at home. Just slice the bread, slather it with tomato sauce and your favorite veggies, and bake. If you’ve got vegan cheese on hand, feel free to add it, but it’s far from essential. Marinara was the original pizza, after all.
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Hannah Kaminsky

5Weeknight Veggie Tofu Scramble

We couldn’t resist adding another tofu recipe. This plant-based staple is not only affordable and versatile—it’s also packed with protein. While most people think of tofu scramble as a breakfast dish, it makes a quick and tasty dinner too, especially when you toss in your favorite vegetables.
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Andrea Soranidis

6 Two-Step Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Grab a can of chickpeas and you’re already halfway to making these two-step vegan chickpea tuna salad sandwiches. Mash the chickpeas with celery, onions, capers, and a bit of mayonnaise, then spread the mixture between two slices of bread. You can add nori if you want a fishier flavor, but it’s completely optional. This recipe is quick, simple, and nutritious.
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Katy Beskow 

7 Four-Ingredient Vegan Banana Pancakes

Pancakes can be a super cheap, super simple way to start (or end) the day. This recipe proves you can whip up a delicious batch with just sunflower oil, a banana, rolled oats, and soy milk. Yep, that’s really all you need.
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