How to Make Your Easter Dinner Indulgent and Vegan

Who doesn’t LOVE a good Easter dinner?!?! I sure do!! Not only do I love all of the delicious food and wine BUT I can’t get enough of quality time with my family. I freakin LOVE big family dinners!! Just the other day I was cruising Pinterest looking for some awesome vegan side dishes and main course substitutes to bring to our family dinner this year … and boy did I ever find some goodies and I wanted to share them with you today! The best part about these is they’re ALL indulgent recipes, comfort food if you will … just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you just have to eat ONLY salad!! LOL!!

When I host a dinner I like to have lots of snacks out for my guests so they can nibble while chatting and sipping on their wine … it also keeps their hunger at bay while I’m putting the finishing touches on dinner! Typically I like to have sliced veggies, pickles, olives, cheese and crackers, you know … the staples that everyone enjoys! Buuuut this year I REALLY want to give this Cashew-Macadamia Nut cheese a try and thankfully Erin Ireland shared her recipe with us JUST in time!!

Cashew Macadamia Nut Cheese by Erin Ireland

Oh, and back to the WINE … did you know that not all wine was vegan?? I actually had NO idea until I came across this blog on Erin Ireland’s website!! If you want some handy tips on how to select a vegan wine, this is worth the read!

Anyways, back to the FOOD!! Let’s start out with the main course replacements … if you’re like me and want to find alternatives to the typical turkey/duck/chicken main course then your going to love these ideas! Check out this Vegan Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie … it looks so damn good and it screams comfort food!! Or how about the Spring Vegetable Pot Pie?? Hellloooo!! If you’re looking for an option that’s indulgent but on the healthier side of the spectrum, take a look at the stuffed butternut squash recipe below!!

Vegan Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie by The Full Helping

Spring Vegetable Pot Pie by Feasting at Home

Stuffed Butternut Squash with Quinoa, Cranberries, and Kale by Well Plated

And how about these delicious looking Empanadas!!! OMG … these could be used as a main OR a side, depending on how big you made them!! Lol!!

Vegan Empanadas by Tasty Mediterraneo

Roasted veg is ALWAYS a go-to when it comes to sides to accompany a main course. I love to toss my fave veg in a little olive oil, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper and get it in the oven for a good roast. I love veg but I also like to spruce it up when I can and I found that a good aioli does the trick … and guess what?? I came across a Vegan Garlic Aioli recipe!!! Eeepppp!!! This is a must try and I have to say, I was surprised at what the secret ingredient was … want to know?? Of course you do … it’s CHICKPEA WATER!!! Apparently, chickpea water is a fantastic alternative to eggs!! How about that?!?!

Vegan Garlic Aioli by Lauren Caris Cooks

What would an Easter dinner be like without CARROT CAKE?! I’m dying over this ridiculously CUTE Vegan carrot cake recipe … check out the decorations on top … yup, those are REAL freakin carrots!! Are you kidding me?! Love it!!

Vegan Carrot Cake by Wallflower Kitchen

Are you and your family doing an Easter brunch instead?? If so … promise me you’ll make these Vegan Carrot Cake pancakes … top them with a little bit of vegan butter and you are good to go!! Mmmm … now I’m craving pancakes!!

Carrot Cake Pancakes by I Love Vegan

There you have it!! I’m seriously in love with all of these vegan ideas and I can’t wait to give them a try … did any of them stand out to you?? Or better yet, which ones are you incorporating into YOUR Easter dinner this year?? Let me know in the comments section below!!

HOPPY COOKING!!!

xo

Jilly