FOOD AGAIN!!!!!!

Ok let's try some healthy stuff. My brother, a Salvation Army officer, despite a busy schedule has radically altered his diet to mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. He has cut out dairy and red meat, shifting to almond milk. Even on a visit here helping with a community meal consisting of Red Lobster food, he stuck with an apple and a banana for a snack. He has shed 40 lbs on his new diet. If I were to make changes on a limited budget what would be the least expensive, easiest to prepare semi vegan item to go to?
 
In general, you don't need tons of meat, and by weight, fruits and veggies are going to be cheaper anyway.

But I am a huge fan of lentils. They are cheap: $1 for a 1-pound bag. They are faster to cook than beans, and they are versatile.

Here are some I make fairly frequently:

Lentil spaghetti - Makes a TON. You get a complete protein if you can find brown rice pasta for cheap, but around here it's pretty expensive. So I usually use wheat pasta unless I've been out of town/near a Trader Joe's.

Honey Baked Lentils - Doesn't look too pretty but it tastes quite good. I'd recommend brown instead of white rice.

Lentil Tacos - The toppings can add up, but still cheaper than "regular" tacos. And really tasty. We haven't made meat tacos at home ever since we found this recipe.

Edited to add: I brought this up on another forum and someone suggested wraps with hummus and veggies. Are you keen on hummus? The same person suggested stir-fry (since it's easy with frozen veggies) and adding hummus to the sauce to thicken it up and add protein. Interesting concept I never would have thought to try.

Also, my MIL (Tek's mom :)) shared with me a recipe early in our marriage where basically you cook an onion and some garlic in some oil, add some chicken broth and a couple of cans of cannellini beans, salt & pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to taste, simmer, and toss with broken angel hair pasta. She called it "Italian peasant food." :)

You can sneak pureed cannellini beans into a lot of things. You can put it in guacamole in place of some of the avocado. I put it in mac & cheese for my daughter sometimes.

Also check into different ethnic cuisines since there are a lot of Asian dishes without meat. Or some Mexican dishes with black or pinto beans instead of meat.

Maybe look into a Pinterest account because there's tons of stuff like this on there.
 
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Sorry I am getting to be a poor cook but a my try one of those. I did try, and enjoy, a
Veggie Burger.

I did cheat a little, I put a little low cal ranch dressing on it. I was following the simple directive at the cookout, if it ain't here I ain't running inside to get it, so no mayo on table. Low cal ranch dressing is an acceptable substitute.
 
You've got it, boss.

I'm gonna start things off with an extra fresh, extra large flour tortilla. Next, I'll lay down a nice bed of perfectly seasoned rice and black beans. It'll be time for your meat of choice. I prefer carnitas, so I'll be adding a hearty helping of that to this growing kingdom of Mexican delight. After that, we'll add some peppers, corn, hot sauce, and lettuce. Finish it off with some sour cream and fresh avocado. Roll that beauty up, and it's time to enjoy.

...and now I'm hungry.
 
Omnomnom. Love me some good chile relleno. When I lived in the Portland, OR area, there was a local chain of Mexican restaurants that sold chile relleno burritos. I now really want one. Thanks. :P
 
You can even get a vegan salad at taco bell.

Back to your original question (at least on this page)...

Beans - add more beans - cheapest way to get more vegan. Black beans...pinto...kidney. You can make a three bean chili and never miss the meat. Beans in your salad...beans and rice...beans as a side for your veggies is better than rice or potatoes.
 
Beans am, are, is good. I have most available, just been too busy to fix 'em.
 
My wife makes a mean stuffed 'bella cap. To bad I cant eat them.. =/

Vegan sausage crumbles
Sauteed Onions
Bread crumbs
Melted Daiya Motz cheese on top

Makes a good Pizza too, lol
 
Spaghetti‎, with or without meatballs. I would even accept some vegetarian wanna be veggie meatball if that is your choice.
 
I like meatballs, but if my spaghetti is meaty, I like the meat in the sauce. But that is more because it's what I grew up with. I think meatballs are tasty when they are given to me. I just don't generally choose them myself.
 
Typically we make a meat sauce for our spaghetti. I like meatballs in a brown gravy with mushrooms.
 
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