Cooking for two has its own special charm—no giant pots, no endless leftovers, just the right amount of deliciousness to share. If you’re vegan or eager to explore plant-based meals, finding recipes tailored for two can feel like searching for a unicorn.
That’s why today, I’m sharing what I believe is the best vegan recipe book for two—and to give you a taste, I’ll be featuring one of my favorite recipes inspired by small-batch vegan cookbooks: Chickpea & Spinach Creamy Skillet.
This dish balances comfort and nutrition and can be whipped up in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just testing the waters, this recipe will show how easy and satisfying vegan cooking for two can be.
Get ready for a cozy, flavor-packed meal that won’t leave you with a mountain of dishes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless reasons to adore this Chickpea & Spinach Creamy Skillet, especially when you’re cooking for two. Here’s why this dish is about to become your weeknight go-to:
- Perfect Portioning: Designed for two, so you won’t be left with piles of leftovers or waste.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings or lazy weekends.
- Nutrient-Dense: Packed with protein from chickpeas, iron from spinach, and healthy fats from coconut milk.
- Minimal Cleanup: Made in a single skillet to keep things simple.
- Customizable: Great base for adding your favorite veggies or swapping in different greens.
“A healthy home-cooked meal doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming—this recipe proves you can nourish and delight in under half an hour!”
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need for this easy, creamy vegan skillet meal for two:
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed | 1 (15 oz) can |
Baby spinach, fresh | 3 cups (about 2.5 oz) |
Coconut milk, full-fat | 1/2 cup |
Olive oil | 1 tbsp |
Yellow onion, diced | 1/2 medium |
Garlic cloves, minced | 2 |
Cherry tomatoes, halved | 1 cup |
Ground cumin | 1/2 tsp |
Smoked paprika | 1/4 tsp |
Salt | 1/2 tsp (or to taste) |
Cracked black pepper | To taste |
Lemon juice, fresh | 1 tbsp |
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) | For garnish |
Equipment
- Large nonstick skillet or sauté pan
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Can opener
- Colander (for rinsing chickpeas)
- Serving bowls
Instructions
- Prep the veggies: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, halve the cherry tomatoes, and roughly chop the parsley if using. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
- Heat the skillet: Place your skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn!
- Cook the tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften and release their juices.
- Add chickpeas: Toss in the drained chickpeas. Stir to combine and cook for another 2 minutes so the chickpeas soak up the flavors.
- Pour in coconut milk: Reduce the heat to low and pour in the coconut milk. Stir well and let everything simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add the spinach: Pile in the fresh spinach. Stir gently until wilted, about 2 minutes. Don’t worry if it seems like a lot—it will cook down quickly!
- Season and finish: Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Spoon into serving bowls and top with chopped parsley. Serve hot, with warm crusty bread or over your favorite whole grain.
Tips & Variations
- Switch up the greens: Try baby kale or Swiss chard in place of spinach for a different flavor and texture.
- Add heat: For a spicy kick, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Bulk it up: Serve over quinoa, brown rice, or even mashed potatoes for a heartier meal.
- Make it cheesy: Stir in a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a subtle cheesy flavor.
- Meal prep tip: Double the recipe and save half for lunch the next day—this dish reheats beautifully!
“Don’t be afraid to get creative—this recipe is a fantastic base for whatever veggies you have on hand.”
Nutrition Facts
Here’s an approximate nutrition breakdown for one serving (recipe serves two):
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 375 |
Protein | 12g |
Carbohydrates | 40g |
Fiber | 10g |
Fat | 16g |
Saturated Fat | 6g |
Sodium | 600mg |
Iron | 5mg |
Vitamin C | 20mg |
Note: These values are estimates and may vary depending on exact ingredients used.
Serving Suggestions
- With crusty bread: Serve with toasted baguette or whole grain rolls to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Over grains: This skillet is delicious over brown rice, farro, or couscous for an extra-filling dinner.
- With a side salad: Pair with a simple arugula salad drizzled with lemon and olive oil.
- As a wrap: Cool slightly, then spoon into a whole wheat wrap with extra greens and sliced avocado.
“Pairing this dish with a fresh salad or hearty grain makes it a complete meal for two that’s both satisfying and nourishing.”
Conclusion
Cooking vegan for two doesn’t have to be an endless repetition of salads or stir-fries. With the right inspiration—like the recipes you’ll find in the best vegan recipe book for two—you can enjoy a wide array of dishes that are simple, flavorful, and perfectly portioned.
This Chickpea & Spinach Creamy Skillet is just one example of the delicious, fuss-free meals you can create. Whether you’re celebrating a cozy date night, meal-prepping for the week, or simply nourishing yourself and a loved one, this recipe delivers on all fronts.
If you’re hungry for more vegan inspiration, check out some of my other favorites like the hearty Costco Vegan Mushroom Stew Recipe, the comfort-packed Collard Green Casserole Recipes, or explore creative sides in the Choko Recipes collection.
Happy cooking, and remember: great meals are best when shared—especially when they’re vegan and made for two!
📖 Recipe Card: Chickpea & Spinach Coconut Curry
Description: A creamy, flavorful vegan curry perfect for two. Quick to make and packed with plant-based protein.
Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT30M
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 200ml coconut milk
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté until soft.
- Stir in garlic and curry powder; cook for 1 minute.
- Add chickpeas, coconut milk, and diced tomato.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Nutrition: Calories: 410 kcal | Protein: 13 g | Fat: 22 g | Carbs: 38 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Chickpea & Spinach Coconut Curry”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A creamy, flavorful vegan curry perfect for two. Quick to make and packed with plant-based protein.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT30M”, “recipeYield”: “2 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 tablespoon coconut oil”, “1 small onion, diced”, “2 garlic cloves, minced”, “1 tablespoon curry powder”, “1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed”, “200ml coconut milk”, “2 cups baby spinach”, “1 medium tomato, diced”, “1 teaspoon salt”, “1/2 teaspoon black pepper”, “1 teaspoon lemon juice”, “Fresh cilantro, for garnish”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add onion and saut\u00e9 until soft.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in garlic and curry powder; cook for 1 minute.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chickpeas, coconut milk, and diced tomato.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add spinach and cook until wilted.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “410 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “13 g”, “fatContent”: “22 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “38 g”}}