7 Plant-Based Meals You and Your Partner Will Love
FOOD & HOME
7 Plant-Based Meals You and Your Partner Will Love
BY: Tanya Flink
Not all couples are necessarily food compatible. You may love each other, enjoy the same activities, and share the same values, but come mealtime, your plant-based tendencies clash with their stubborn craving for meat. It’s time to find a few go-to dishes you both will look forward to—nourishing, plant-based meals that will satisfy your efforts to eat cleaner while not depriving your partner. With Valentine’s Day in mind, we’ve rounded up a collection of seven date night-worthy plant-based meals that you and your partner will love.
1. “Beef” Lasagna Roll-ups
Lasagna may sound heavy, but this massive casserole is transformed into a rich and attractive date night entrée by forming it into individual noodle roll-ups. You still get the velvety bechamel sauce and the satisfying chew of Ground “Beef,” it just happens to be made entirely of clean, plant-based ingredients. This hands-on recipe is also fun to make together. Might as well extend dinner into a cute couple activity.
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2. FRESH HERB AND “BEEF” ORECCHIETTE
Pasta is a classic Valentine’s Day dish, but the shape of the pasta is critical to your dinner experience. Avoid long noodles, particularly if the relationship is new. Very few can slurp up spaghetti or bucatini with grace or charm. Orecchiette is the perfect pick—not only do the little concave shells hold onto sauce and our plant-based Ground “Beef,” they’re also spoonable. No need to slurp or stab slippery noodles with a fork—this tasty plant-based meal goes down easy.
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3. MINI PHYLLO CHICK’N POT PIES
These miniature plant-based renditions of a comforting classic are both elegant and rustic. They’re great for an appetizer or even an entrée when paired with a filling kale Caesar salad. If you have plans on Valentine’s Day, make these a day or two ahead and freeze them so you can simply pop them into the oven when you and your partner are ready to share a romantic plant-based meal together.
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4. BUFFALO CHICK’N PIZZA
Pizza may not be the most sophisticated food, but it’s universally loved. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be fussy—sometimes it's best to enjoy your favorite foods with your favorite person. Buffalo sauce keeps this pizza interesting while our Abbot’s Butcher plant-based Chick’n adds plenty of protein and a craveable chew to this saucy pie. If you both are in for a little cheesy fun (pun intended), shape the dough into a heart before piling on the toppings.
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5. CHICK’N AND QUINOA STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Individual servings never fail when it comes to date night—particularly if it’s a new relationship and you’re not quite at the comfortable stage of taking food off one another’s plate. This cozy plant-based meal is refined yet satiating. Packed with seasoned quinoa and our savory Chick’n, both of you will leave the table perfectly contented. Pro tip: don’t skip the pomegranate seed topping—it adds a refreshing brightness and pleasant contrast to this hearty dish.
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6. “CHORIZO” AND POTATO ENCHILADAS
This plant-based meal morphs meat and potatoes into a composed entrée. While complex in flavor, the recipe is easy to make. It’s perfect for date night and for the couple that craves a little heat, but it may soon become a go-to weekday meal.
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7. CHICK’N PESTO GALETTE
The beauty of a galette is in its rustic nature. While impressive, this plant-based meal is simple to prepare and a joy to share with a loved one. All you need are a few store-bought ingredients to pull together an enticing Valentine’s Day dinner. Serve with a simple salad and finish the experience with lovely dairy-free chocolate mousse.
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For more recipe inspiration and other lifestyle tips, check out the other posts in Our Journal.