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6 Plant-Based Recipes for Your Earth Day Menu

02.03.23

For decades, Earth Day has been a way to promote eco-friendly practices and raise environmental awareness.

Plant-based cooking helps embody the spirit of Earth Day. Whether you’re hosting an event or cooking for one, we’ve assembled some delicious Earth Day recipes that are sure to delight everyone.

1. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

What’s more comforting than mac and cheese? Perhaps this dish that includes butternut squash. This Earth Day recipe combines Pacific Foods Organic Coconut Unsweetened Original Beverage, rotini pasta, nutritional yeast and Pacific Foods Organic Vegetable Broth for a slightly sweet and savory flavor.

The “cheese” factor comes from the butternut squash and the nutritional yeast. Together, they produce a creamy texture and a nutty, pumpkin-like taste. This dish is also bright and fresh-tasting thanks to the medley of lemon juice, cumin and garlic. Plus, you get a playful crunch with sunflower seeds. Adults and children alike will be begging for second helpings!

View the full recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

2.  Vegan Rigatoni Bake

Are you cooking for a large group of people this Earth Day? Then make it easy with this plant-based rigatoni bake. You need only seven ingredients, and it’s a great Earth Day recipe to cook with friends.

The best part is Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Tomato Basil Soup does most of the work for you by providing a flavorful base that’s ready to go. Simply cook the pasta before mixing everything together in a pan and baking it in the oven.

Vegan bread crumbs and cherry tomatoes boost this dish by adding flavor and texture. Top it off with basil, and you can even sprinkle some vegan cheese on top. Since it’s a one-pan meal, you won’t have to bother with a jumble of serving dishes. It’s easy to carry and place on the picnic table if you’re celebrating Earth Day outdoors.

View the full recipe: Vegan Rigatoni Bake

3. Mushroom Pasta With Spring Peas in Cream Sauce

Bring some color to the table with this delectable plant-based dish. It encapsulates the spirit of Earth Day with a delightful medley of veggies, including spring peas, kale and mushrooms. You’ll cleverly infuse the orecchiette pasta with a subtle mushroom flavor by cooking it in Pacific Foods Organic Mushroom Broth.

For a creamy, white plant-based sauce, you simply whisk garlic, gluten-free flour and Pacific Foods Organic Almond Original Beverage together. With so many flavors and textures, this recipe is bound to impress. 

View the full recipe: Mushroom Pasta with Spring Peas in Cream Sauce

4. Roasted Cauliflower Bowls With Creamy Coconut Dressing

If you have a little extra time, try this nutrient-rich bowl that bursts with color and flavor. Roasted asparagus, cauliflower and carrots nestle on top of nutty quinoa and fresh salad greens.

The uniting factor of this dish is the sauce. Orange juice, maple syrup, tahini paste and Pacific Foods Organic Coconut Original Beverage are blended to produce a refreshing, vibrant flavor. Drizzle it on top of your veggies, and don’t forget to sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for a garnish. 

View the full recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Bowls With Creamy Coconut Dressing

5. Lemon Tahini Dressing on a Kale Salad

This Earth Day recipe is definitely one to save on your Pinterest board, as you’ll keep coming back to it. It incorporates a mountain of scrumptious, fresh veggies with a light, tangy dressing that dances on your tongue.

Green and purple kale, shredded red cabbage, carrots and mint leaves provide a fresh, crunchy texture. You also get a hint of creamy goodness with sliced avocado. But the showstopper is the dressing, which enhances the flavor of the vegetables.

A few tablespoons of Pacific Foods Cashew Original Plant-Based Beverage are combined with lemon juice, brown rice vinegar, tahini paste, salt and sesame oil. While this recipe calls for honey in the dressing mixture, you can use maple syrup instead to make it completely plant based.

View the full recipe: Lemon Tahini Dressing on a Kale Salad

6. Whole Roasted Rainbow Carrots With Carrot Top Pesto

Pesto is a plant-based gift that keeps on giving. It’s packed with herby flavor, and you can use it in a variety of dishes. Add it to sandwiches, pasta, pizza, salads or any number of veggies.

We mention its many uses upfront as this recipe is more of a side dish than a main course. You may want to create a big batch to mix in with your other Earth Day recipes, depending on your plans.

But if you only use pesto on these rainbow carrots, you won’t be disappointed. That’s because this pesto overflows with zesty flavor. Carrot top leaves, garlic, pine nuts, basil leaves, parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, red pepper flakes and dashes of sea salt and pepper produce a rich, appetizing taste that will invigorate your senses.

Want to make this recipe completely plant-based? Go ahead and omit the parmesan cheese. Or, you can always replace the parmesan cheese with a vegan substitute.

View the full recipe: Whole Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto

Celebrate the Planet With Plant-Based Foods You Can Trust

Earth Day recipes focus on supporting the well-being of the environment and your body at the same time. Whether you’re just starting to explore plant-based options or seeking new ideas, Pacific Foods has a range of plant-based and organic foods to support your journey.

From stocks and broths to soups and beverages, there’s no limit to what you can do with plant-based recipes. To add some wholesome ingredients to your pantry, shop our products today.