Vegan Latest

Sunday, March 29, 2026

13 vegan casserole ideas that get all the recipe requests

From twocityvegans.com

I like how casseroles leave time for fun instead of fuss. It’s nice when a dish doubles as both the main event and a memory. Having choices like these makes things easier when you want to share something good. One of these could be just what you need.

Vegan French Toast Casserole

Waking up to the wonderful smell drifting from the oven, this Vegan French Toast Casserole makes mornings feel special. Toasty edges and a warm, soft centre have everyone hovering nearby, waiting for that first slice. The classic comfort is all there, but you’ll find out how this plant-based version disappears just as fast as the old favourite.

After serving a dish like this, I always hear people talk about how it takes their breakfast to another level. It’s not just for fancy brunches, either. Sometimes you want a meal that feels familiar but fits your everyday life. Whoever gets the last piece knows it’s been a good morning. Leftovers rarely last until the next day.
Get the Recipe: Vegan French Toast Casserole

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole

Brunches become a little more exciting whenever this Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole appears on the table. The unique use of an air fryer gives it a golden, inviting top, which adds something unexpected to a classic recipe. There’s some fun in seeing how everyone reacts to the creative twist.

Placing this casserole on the table instantly brings out questions about what makes it so different. It’s truly enjoyable anytime, not just for holidays, and the sweet potatoes offer a naturally vibrant colour that makes each serving look amazing. There’s a good chance people will request the recipe as soon as they’ve had a taste.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole

Vegan Tater Tot Casserole

Any time I serve this Vegan Tater Tot Casserole, I can’t help but look forward to the way friends and family reach for seconds. Those crispy little tots on top invite everyone to dig in, no matter how old they are. The first bite usually brings up memories of childhood dinners with a grown-up, animal-free update.

Bringing this dish to casual potlucks or laid-back nights always gets the crowd talking. There’s something about a meal that feels both familiar and brand new, all at once. Even people who don’t usually eat plant-based meals will want to know how it came together so quickly.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Tater Tot Casserole

Breakfast Casserole

For mornings when you want something a little more special, this Breakfast Casserole keeps it easy but never boring. There’s no rush to wake up early because you know something warm and filling is waiting. The best part is how it brings everyone together at the table, ready to start the day on the right note.

It’s especially great for weekends or surprise visits, since it works for any occasion. The inviting look makes it hard to resist, and there’s a certain comfort knowing that everyone can enjoy it, no matter their lifestyle. This is one go-to recipe every plant-based breakfast fan should try at least once.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Casserole

Vegan Enchilada Casserole

One thing about this Vegan Enchilada Casserole is that it never stays on the table for long. The bold flavours and hearty layers stand out right away, but the real magic is how quickly it disappears during dinner gatherings. Everyone starts wondering what gives it such a strong flavour until the final serving is gone.

Serving it up feels just as good as eating it, since it works well for many kinds of eaters. There’s a certain excitement in watching how much people enjoy something that feels both simple and a little unexpected. This one often becomes a favourite people remember long after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Enchilada Casserole

Vegan Corn Casserole

People see something familiar in this Vegan Corn Casserole, yet there’s still a pleasant surprise after the first spoonful. The golden, bakery-style top hides a soft, comforting centre, making it perfect as either a side or a main dish. At shared meals, someone usually wonders what gives it such a standout flavour.

It brings a touch of home wherever it appears. Whether you’re hosting or simply sharing a meal, this dish creates warm memories and makes even simple dinners feel a little more special. Even those unsure about vegan food often enjoy it before the evening ends.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Corn Casserole

Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Bringing this Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole to the table will have everyone looking twice. Comfort is built right in, but the blend of green and gold makes it bright and lively on any dinner spread. It fits in perfectly with potlucks, weeknight meals, or as a centrepiece when you want something both familiar and a bit unexpected.

There’s a certain cheer that comes from serving a dish that works for all kinds of eaters. Each spoonful delivers a balance of softness and a little bit of bite that keeps you going back for more. If you need an easy, reliable vegan option, this one should be on your must-try list.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Vegan Squash Casserole

With bright colour and gentle flavour, this Vegan Squash Casserole easily earns its place at any meal. Many people are pleasantly surprised by how comforting it feels, especially considering how straightforward vegan cooking can be. Smooth and soft inside with a lightly crisp finish, it balances casual family dinners and bigger celebrations.

The reason this dish works so well comes down to its simplicity. Since plant-based casseroles sometimes get overlooked, this one usually stands out after the first bite. It’s a good reminder of how easy it is to turn familiar vegetables into something people remember long after dinner ends.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Squash Casserole

Vegan Hashbrown Casserole

Scooping into this Vegan Hashbrown Casserole brings a little nostalgia every time. Golden and inviting on top, the first serving gets people wondering what makes it different from other casseroles they’ve tried. The familiar texture draws in both new and long-time fans of plant-based meals.

It’s perfect for days when easy comfort food is exactly what you want, and nothing about it feels complicated. Bringing this to potlucks or shared meals works well, since more than one person will likely want to know how it was made before finishing their first helping.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Hashbrown Casserole

Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Not every vegan casserole gets a crowd talking, but this Vegan Green Bean Casserole always seems to spark interest. The way it pairs a creamy inside with a gently toasted top makes the whole dish feel timeless. Pouring it into the centre of the table signals that something special is about to happen.

People might expect a classic, but this version delivers so much more. There’s a hint of comfort with every bite, so it’s easy to see why it’s often the first empty dish at plant-based get-togethers. Friends and family will want to know your secret.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

Serving up this Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole brings out smiles from even the pickiest eaters. There’s a rich, gentle sweetness that stands out without being overwhelming, making it a favourite year-round. Every spoonful feels like a treat, and its vibrant colour makes it as inviting as it is tasty.

Whether it’s for a weekday dinner or a celebration, this dish fits right in and quickly becomes a requested favourite. People love the surprising way it balances tradition with something new. If you’re looking to impress a crowd with plant-based comfort, this one does the job beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

Vegetable Casserole

Any gathering feels a bit more relaxed when this Vegetable Casserole appears on the table. The colourful mix and homey texture fit easily into almost any kind of meal. You can spot the excitement when people line up for a serving, wondering about the blend of flavours inside.

It’s one of those meals people remember long after the last bite. There’s something fulfilling about bringing a vegan option that stands out simply because it tastes so good. If you hope for leftovers, making an extra dish might be the safer choice because this one goes quickly.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Casserole

Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole

Finding a vegan dish that wins over fans isn’t always easy, but this Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole does the trick. There’s a playful mix of flavours and textures that makes it more interesting than your average veggie dish. Every forkful feels hearty without being heavy, perfect for anyone who craves something special.

Offering this at a dinner is a smart way to make new believers in plant-based cooking. Even those who claim they don’t love Brussels sprouts usually change their mind after one try. It’s the kind of dish that gets remembered, and requested again and again.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole

https://twocityvegans.com/

Children and teenagers more open to meat free diets – but struggle to maintain it

From news.exeter.ac.uk

Lots of children and teenagers are open to a vegetarian or vegan diet and cut out meat but then struggle to keep it up, according to a new study from the University of Exeter.

The study, published in Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations, found childhood and adolescence are key windows for reducing meat consumption as children and teenagers are far more open to giving up meat than adults. This offers a promising opportunity for supporting healthier and more sustainable diets in future generations, but there are still several practical barriers standing in the way.

Lead researcher Dr Luke McGuire from the University of Exeter said: “There’s a growing shift towards plant-based eating, but many adults still struggle to change their behaviour and view eating meat as natural, normal, and necessary. This makes dietary change among adults challenging, but research shows children place a similar moral value on animal lives as on human lives and are less likely than adults to view eating meat as morally acceptable.

“We therefore wanted to understand whether these beliefs are related to behaviours and what makes young people consider vegetarian or vegan diets and found many are motivated by moral, environmental, and emotional factors.

“Research has shown vegetarian or vegan diets are safe for children and can be beneficial to their health, if done correctly. It means with the right support from parents and schools – and improvements in the convenience and appeal of plant-based foods – childhood could represent a powerful opportunity to encourage healthier and more sustainable eating habits.”

Researchers surveyed more than 1,000 UK young adults aged 18 to 26 years old, asking whether they had ever thought about giving up meat while growing up. Around half (48.5 per cent) of all participants said they had considered stopping eating meat before finishing secondary school, with these thoughts first occurring aged 11 on average. Of those who considered it, about half (50.4 per cent) actually tried to stop eating meat, ranging from a few days to several years.

However, the study found that most young people eventually returned to eating meat, with practical barriers such as taste, convenience, social pressure, and fitting in with family routines among the common reasons. Researchers also found parental support was the strongest factor in whether young people successfully maintained a meat-free diet – but parents were often more supportive of their child returning to eating meat than of their initial attempt to give it up.

The study found two key reasons why young people reduced meat consumption. The first was disgust at learning that meat came from animals, an insight which often prompted an interest among young children in avoiding meat. Meanwhile, older children and teenagers were more likely to be motivated by health or environmental concerns, reflecting rising awareness of global sustainability issues among younger generations. Participants also described “meat epiphany moments,” when learning about food systems prompted them to re-evaluate what they ate.

Co-author Professor Natalia Lawrence from the University of Exeter said: “Our findings suggest childhood and adolescence are natural periods for encouraging plant-based eating. However, for children and young people to successfully stop eating meat they need parental engagement and support.

“Part of the issue is offering more accessible and appealing plant-based options for families. Stronger food education in schools, alongside wider public messaging – like the recent ‘Bang In Some Beans’ campaign – highlight how an individual’s dietary choices contribute to health, environmental, and animal welfare goals.”

The paper titled ‘Early attempts to stop eating meat: Prevalence, predictors and outcomes among UK youth’ is published in Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations.

The study was funded in part by a grant from Children & Young People’s Wellbeing @ Exeter. More info on Bang In Some Beans: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/bang-in-some-beans

https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-health-and-life-sciences/children-and-teenagers-more-open-to-meat-free-diets-but-struggle-to-maintain-it/

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Global Shift To Plant-Based Diets Could Revolutionize Farming And Reduce Labour

From plantbasednews.org

The food system urgently needs to move away from animal products, but supporting agricultural workers will be essential

A global shift towards plant-based diets could help to reshape the agricultural sector, revolutionize farming, and reduce labour costs, according to new research.

Transitioning away from high-impact, resource-intensive meat and dairy in favour of “healthy and sustainable food systems” based on plant foods could lead to “substantial changes” in the amount and distribution of agricultural labour worldwide.

Researchers from the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute (ECI) examined how a changing food system will impact farmers and agricultural workers.

The team included Marco Springmann, senior researcher at the ECI; Professor Michael Obersteiner, director of the ECI; Yiorgos Vittis, an agricultural and food economist; and Professor Charles Godfray, director of the Oxford Martin School.

The Lancet Planetary Health journal published their paper last year. They noted that, while climate crisis mitigation requires “major changes in diets and food systems”, ensuring workers receive adequate support requires swift intervention.

Compared with business-as-usual estimates of food demand in 2030, widespread flexitarian and pescetarian diets could lead to a five percent reduction in labour, while vegetarian and vegan diets could lead to a 22 to 28 percent reduction.

“Dietary change doesn’t just affect our health and the planet – it also has a big impact on people’s livelihoods,” said Springmann. “Moving away from meat-heavy diets reduces the need for labour in animal production but increases demand in horticulture and food services.”

Researchers have examined how a changing food system will impact agricultural workers - Media Credit: Adobe Stock

Consistent strategies and support needed for ‘just transitions’

The current meat-focused food system is both unsustainable and unhealthy, and intersects with various labour issues experienced by workers in the meat industry.

However, retraining, redeployment, and investment in the production of plant-based foods will be essential for supporting farm workers and rural communities if the food system changes for the better and emphasizes plants over meat and dairy.

“Consistent strategies and political support will be needed to enable just transitions both into and out of agricultural labour,” said Springmann.

https://plantbasednews.org/news/plant-based-diets-could-revolutionize-farming/

Gaining muscle on a vegan diet: 7 essential nutrients for building your strength

From veganfoodandliving.com

Is gaining muscle on a vegan diet easy, or even possible? Yes! We explore the essential vitamins and minerals for building and maintaining muscle, and how you can get them from plant-based sources

Can a vegan really succeed at building muscle? If you’ve ever seen Patrik Baboumian, you’ll know the answer is a resounding yes.

In fact, a healthy vegan diet can actually improve how your muscles work. When you eat plant foods that are naturally low in saturated fats and high in antioxidants and fibre, your blood vessels are healthier. They contract and relax more quickly and efficiently, regulating blood flow more precisely.

Research suggests that a wholesome vegan diet can lower levels of systemic inflammation, which is essential for muscle recovery. While physical activity causes natural micro-damage to muscle tissue, the phenols and polyunsaturated fats found in plants help to limit this damage and speed up your recovery time. Furthermore, the natural nitrates found in vegetables can widen blood vessels, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach your muscles during a workout.

Whether you are focused on gaining muscle on a vegan diet or simply aiming to maintain muscle function, these are the seven essential nutrients you’ll need.

1. Protein: The key to muscle repair

Muscles suffer a series of micro tears during the day simply as a result of your activity. This damage is in constant need of speedy and efficient repair, so, for muscle maintenance, you need to supply your body with the materials – or ‘building blocks’ – it needs to patch up those tears. For this, your body needs protein.

During digestion, protein is broken down into amino acids, which are the various types of ‘building blocks’ that are used for maintaining and gaining muscle mass. Contrary to popular belief, vegans can get all the essential amino acids with the right foods.

All plants contain protein. Certain foods contain more than others, such as pulses (soya, chickpeas, beans and lentils), wholegrains (oats, wholemeal bread and pasta, quinoa), nuts and seeds, for example. The only vegan-friendly foods that may not contain at least a little protein are extracts, such as oil or sugar.

It’s not difficult to get enough vegan protein from everyday foods alone. A regular, moderately active person doesn’t need to worry about their protein intake if each meal contains one of the foods listed above – that’s how easy it is.

Only if you specifically want to gain muscle on a vegan diet should you increase your intake. Online calculators are available, but a dietician or trainer will be able to help you figure out the optimal protein target for you, based on your body composition, activity levels, and goals.

Generally, consuming protein evenly throughout the day, rather than a large protein dose in one meal, is better, because that way your muscles have a steady supply of amino acids to work with. You’re also more likely to get your protein from a variety of different plant sources, helping your body to produce more of the different amino acids it needs.

2. Carbohydrates: Muscles’ main fuel

Carbs are not the enemy; our bodies are built to use carbohydrates as our main source of energy. When carbs are digested, they release glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream, and glucose is the primary fuel needed by every single cell in your body.

Muscles store glucose in a special form called glycogen – an energy reserve used during exercise or prolonged physical activity. For muscles to be at their best, they need a good supply of healthy carbohydrates to fuel activity and to replenish energy stores.

The best sources for fuelling vegan muscle growth include wholegrains, starchy veg (sweet potatoes, root veg, squashes and pumpkins, peas and corn) and fruit, both fresh and dried.

3. Omega-3: For muscle care

There’s some evidence that omega-3s can improve muscle function and support muscle gain. Because they’re anti-inflammatory and also supply building material to cell membranes, they can aid faster muscle recovery. This makes them a vital component for anyone building muscle on a vegan diet.

The best sources are flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts and rapeseed oil. You can also opt for a supplement made from microalgae.

4. Magnesium: To prevent cramps

Magnesium is essential for muscle function. If you’re running low, you may experience muscle cramps because magnesium helps muscles relax. For those focused on vegan muscle building, maintaining steady magnesium levels ensures that your training isn’t interrupted by avoidable tension or spasms.

Luckily, a healthy vegan diet is rich in magnesium, with the best sources being green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, oats, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, pulses, bananas, apricots, apples, prunes and cocoa powder.

5. Calcium: For muscle signalling

It’s not only important for bones and teeth; calcium is also essential for muscle function. This mineral helps muscles to contract and is also required for nerve signal transmission. Without sufficient calcium, muscles are more prone to cramping, fatigue, and spasms.

Among the best vegan sources of calcium are green leafy veggies (kale, broccoli, spring greens), sesame seeds and tahini, almonds, chia seeds, tofu (calcium-set varieties, specifically), tempeh, beans, dried figs, fortified plant-based milk, fortified vegan breakfast cereals, wholemeal bread and even butternut squash.

6. B vitamins: Energy converters

Avocados are a great source of B vitamins (if not the easiest snack to eat during a work out). Photo © luismolinero/Adobe Stock

When it comes to muscle performance, B vitamins play a big role. Your body needs them to convert nutrients into energy, and they are essential for the manufacture of red blood cells that carry oxygen to your muscles.

It’s possible to get a sufficient amount of all B vitamins, except for B12, from a plant-based diet, so it’s not too tricky for a vegan to fuel their muscle-building efforts.

Ideal vegan sources of B vitamins include wholegrains, fortified breakfast cereals, wheat germ, nutritional yeast, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds (including tahini), leafy greens, corn, avocados, mushrooms, nuts, pulses and acorn squash.

For vitamin B12, you need a supplement to get an adequate intake. Aim for at least 50 micrograms daily or 2,000 micrograms weekly, although a daily supplement is better.

7. Vitamin D: Essential for maintenance

Vitamin D is important for healthy muscle function, as a deficiency can lead to the loss of muscle mass and impaired muscle metabolism.

Our main supply of vitamin D comes from sunlight acting on our skin. This means that you probably produce enough vitamin D when exposed to natural sunlight, unless you spend your days indoors or always protect your skin. However, regardless of diet, we all need to supplement vitamin D during the dark winter months as our skin can’t make enough from sunlight alone. The recommended daily dose is 10 micrograms or 400 IU (international units).

Building and maintaining muscles beyond your vegan diet

It’s not just about what you eat; muscles need stimulation to be at their best. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to start lifting weights (though, it doesn’t hurt – or, not for too long in any case). Just engage in some type of daily physical activity.

Even for those who don’t plan to partake in competitive sports, muscles support your body in virtually any position and any movement. They stabilise joints and enable you to perform essential tasks. Stronger muscles also help prevent injuries and can reduce your risk of osteoporosis.

As we age, we’re more prone to losing muscle mass, but it’s not inevitable – exercise or an active lifestyle can keep your muscles in good shape and is excellent for bone health, too.