22 Earth Day Recipes That Celebrate the Planet (Taste Amazing Too)

Earth Day calls for more than just reusable bags—it’s a great excuse to rethink what’s on your plate, too. These 22 recipes highlight seasonal produce, smart swaps, and plant-forward ideas that do right by the planet. Whether you’re hosting a spring gathering or just making dinner, these meals are simple, satisfying, and Earth Day-ready. Because when food’s good for the earth, it usually tastes pretty great too.

Greek Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad in a brown bowl, garnished with pita bread. — Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Greek Quinoa Salad is a great way to highlight fresh produce while keeping things simple and hearty. With protein-packed quinoa and crisp vegetables, it’s a smart choice for Earth Day when you’re thinking about food that respects the planet. It comes together quickly and tastes even better after a short chill in the fridge. It’s the kind of bowl that feels like it came straight from the garden.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad

Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach

A baked dish of zucchini lasagna with a golden-brown cheese topping. A wooden spatula lifts a square piece, revealing layers of zucchini, cheese, and spinach. The casserole dish is partly cut, showing more servings. Garnished with herbs. — Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach is a comfort dish that skips the meat without skipping the flavor. It’s a strong Earth Day pick thanks to its use of seasonal squash and leafy greens layered into a baked pasta. You can make it ahead and bake when you’re ready, making prep simple and low-stress. It’s a dish that proves vegetables know how to steal the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach

Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Spinach Lasagna Rolls bring all the feel of traditional lasagna in a neater, plant-forward package. They’re perfect for Earth Day because they swap meat for spinach and ricotta without missing a beat. You can make a tray ahead of time and pop it in the oven when it’s time to eat. They roll up like a surprise and disappear just as fast.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad is fast, flexible, and perfect for making the most of what’s already in your fridge. With couscous as the base and a handful of chopped vegetables, it’s a low-waste meal that suits Earth Day perfectly. It comes together in under 30 minutes and stores well for days. This one makes eating with the planet in mind feel effortless.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Stuffed shells in a cast iron skillet. — Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta is an easy meatless main that doesn’t skimp on comfort. It’s packed with greens and cheese, making it a strong choice for Earth Day when plant-based meals take the lead. You can prep it in the morning and bake it right before dinner. These shells show just how good a baked dish can be with nothing but vegetables and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks with Tahini

A roasted cabbage steak is served on a pink plate. It is topped with a creamy sauce, pumpkin seeds, and chopped green onions. The cabbage is browned and slightly charred at the edges. — Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks with Tahini. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks with Tahini show how one head of cabbage can stretch into a full-flavored Earth Day meal. The air fryer keeps it quick and efficient, while the tahini adds creamy depth without any dairy. It’s a great way to turn humble vegetables into something bold. Once you start slicing cabbage this way, you won’t stop.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks with Tahini

Summer Orzo Salad

Summer orzo pasta salad in a while serving bowl on a whitewashed background next to a bowl of green beans. — Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Summer Orzo Salad is fast, fresh, and packed with crunchy veggies, making it a light choice for Earth Day lunch or dinner. It’s meat-free but filling thanks to the pasta and bright vinaigrette. Everything gets tossed together in one bowl, which also keeps cleanup easy. It’s a salad that earns its spot at any table, any season.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad brings crisp texture and fresh flavor to your Earth Day spread without relying on heavy ingredients. It uses raw Brussels, a little acid, and a handful of pantry basics for something unexpected and refreshing. It holds up well in the fridge, so it’s good for prepping early. It’s proof you don’t need heat to make greens sing.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus Asparagus Couscous is light, fast, and a great way to make the most of seasonal spring vegetables. Asparagus takes the spotlight in this Earth Day option, backed up by bright citrus and quick-cooking couscous. It works as a side or a main if you’re keeping things simple. You’ll want to keep this one in rotation even after April.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad puts a fun spin on Earth Day eating by swapping pasta for spiralized veggies. Tossed in a quick vinaigrette with a few crisp add-ins, it’s light but still satisfying. You can prep it in minutes and keep it chilled until it’s time to serve. It’s the kind of dish that’s as refreshing as a walk outside.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs

Kebabs on a plate with a lemon wedge. — Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs offer a grill-friendly Earth Day option that’s all plant-based and full of spice. They hold together well and are easy to pair with salads or grains for a full meal. You can make them ahead and throw them on the grill or skillet at the last minute. These kebabs bring the flavor without the footprint.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan makes kale tender and easier to eat, while still keeping the greens front and center. It’s a great Earth Day dish because it highlights seasonal leafy greens in a way that’s approachable and easy to prep. A little lemon juice and olive oil go a long way in softening the texture. It’s a salad that proves kale doesn’t have to be complicated.
Get the Recipe: Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

A plate of pasta with mushrooms and sprigs of dill. — Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel is hearty and comforting, without leaning on meat to do the work. It brings together vegetables, herbs, and baked pasta in a dish that feels special enough for Earth Day. It works well as a main or side and is simple enough for a weeknight. This is the kind of baked dish that hits all the right notes.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Two bowls of butternut squash soup on a wooden table. — Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings feels cozy without being heavy, and it’s made almost entirely from vegetables. Perfect for Earth Day, this one-pot meal keeps waste low and flavor high. The dumplings add a bit of fun and texture without adding extra dishes. It’s soup that feels like a celebration of spring roots.
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad is crisp, bold, and comes together in minutes—exactly the kind of Earth Day dish that’s light on resources. Cucumbers take center stage here, with a spicy-sweet dressing that clings to every bite. It’s best served cold and stays crunchy even after sitting. This one brings serious crunch to the table with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad is a flavorful way to build a satisfying meatless dish that’s perfect for Earth Day. With roasted vegetables, dried fruit, and spices, it balances sweet and savory without needing much else. It packs well for lunch or picnics and only gets better as it sits. One bite and you’ll want to keep it on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame

A bowl of salad containing leafy greens, fresh herbs, sliced onions, and black sesame seeds on a light surface. Another dish with similar contents is partially visible to the side. There are scattered herbs around the bowl. — Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame uses fresh ingredients to create something bright and balanced. It’s a great Earth Day pick thanks to the focus on crisp lettuce and natural flavor boosters like herbs and citrus. It takes under 15 minutes to prep and plate. This salad might be simple, but it knows how to stand out.
Get the Recipe: Little Gem Salad with Herbs, Maple, Lime, and Sesame

Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad

A close-up of a dish featuring rice, sliced cucumbers, herbs, and pieces of a pink ingredient, possibly grapefruit. A spoon is lifting a portion from the plate. The background shows a small bowl with a yellow interior. — Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad combines texture and freshness in a way that’s perfect for an Earth Day spread. Leftover rice gets pan-crisped and tossed with cucumbers, making it a great no-waste dish. A splash of vinegar ties it all together. It’s the kind of dish where the crunch keeps you coming back.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Overhead view of olivier salad with two egg halves. — Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Russian Potato Salad brings together boiled vegetables and peas in a creamy base that’s rich without being heavy. For Earth Day, it’s a smart use of pantry staples and fridge basics in a way that feels nostalgic and filling. It holds up well in the fridge and is easy to scoop and serve. This one’s a crowd-pleaser with old-school charm.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

An overhead shot of a wooden serving bowl filled with salad next to cornbread on a cutting board. — Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad keeps things grounded with tangy pulled chicken and crisp slaw, served chilled for a no-oven meal. For Earth Day, it’s an easy way to repurpose leftovers or prep ahead for low-energy cooking. It works great on its own or stuffed into wraps. One bite has all the comfort of a backyard cookout with none of the mess.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad is a simple chopped mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions with a lemony dressing that makes everything pop. It’s one of the easiest Earth Day recipes to make, and it shows how a few ingredients can go a long way. Serve it as a side or pile it onto grilled flatbreads. It’s bright, crisp, and exactly what spring tastes like.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli makes a great Earth Day project that turns pantry staples and squash into something memorable. This recipe cuts out the processed ingredients and puts seasonal veggies front and center. It takes a little more effort, but the results feel homemade in the best way. They’re the kind of bites that make a spring dinner feel extra thoughtful.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli