By Lisa Esile, MS,
At Forks Over Knives, we’re passionate about bringing you delicious whole-food, plant-based recipes to support your health and well-being, and what a year it’s been, with hundreds of new recipes added to the site. With 2025 right around the corner, we’re looking back at the most popular new recipes of 2024.
Shoutout to Carleigh Bodrug, whose simply delicious Dreamy Zucchini Breakfast Cookies took top honors. Be sure to check them out along with this year’s other fan-favorites, which include soups, pasta, a classic Indian dish, a festive pumpkin loaf that’s lusciously moist, and an oil-free bean salad from Dreena Burton that one reviewer describes as good enough for dessert.
We hope you’ve enjoyed trying new recipes this year, that success outnumbered flops (we all have them), that your collection of personal favorites is growing, and that you’re excited for another year of happy, healthy cooking!
Dreamy Zucchini Breakfast Cookies
Carleigh Bodrug’s zucchini cookies are indeed dreamy and came out on top, with lots of shares and happy reviewers. We think they’re a winner, too. The recipe calls for equal parts shredded zucchini and rolled oats and uses almond butter for richness. And as a major bonus, they’re out of the oven, ready to munch, in just 20 minutes!
“I made a batch for my grandkids and only got one as the others were all devoured, so I made another batch at home because they are so tasty and also guilt-free!” —Carolyn
“I made a batch for my grandkids and only got one as the others were all devoured, so I made another batch at home because they are so tasty and also guilt-free!” —Carolyn
Dreena Burton’s Easy 3-Bean Salad
Dreena Burton does it again with this crowd-pleasing, simple-to-make three-bean salad. While most bean salads are dripping in oil, this crave-worthy salad features apple slices tossed in lemon juice and a light Dijon vinaigrette for extra brightness. Dreena suggests using a combination of chickpeas, kidney beans, and black beans.
“This salad is so good I eat it for dessert!” —Linda
“This salad is so good I eat it for dessert!” —Linda
Vegan Pastitsio with Lentils (Greek Lasagna)
Our most popular baked entree of the year goes to Chef Darshana Thacker Wendel’s lentil pastitsio. This whole-food, plant-based take on Greece’s answer to lasagna is comfort food at its finest. Layers of cinnamon- and nutmeg-infused lentils and whole grain penne sit among a cheesy vegan potato sauce. Serve with a fresh side salad, and you’ve got a standout main the whole family will enjoy.
“This is a very delicious dish. I am going to make it again for Thanksgiving dinner.” —NK
“This is a very delicious dish. I am going to make it again for Thanksgiving dinner.” —NK
Vegetable Tikka Masala
If you’ve got a hankering for Indian food, this vegetarian tikka masala from Linda Tyler is a must-try. Blended cashews make the warmly spiced tomato sauce rich and creamy. Red pepper flakes (or Kashmiri chili powder) add a kick to the sauce; dial them up or down to suit your spice tolerance (or leave them out completely if serving it to kids). Throw in some veggies and serve over brown rice for an easy, flavor-packed meal.
“If I could rate it a 10, I would. The ingredients in the recipe were perfect. The cashew milk over the sauce was amazing. This Vegetable Tikka Masala tasted better than the Indian restaurant.” —Alma
“If I could rate it a 10, I would. The ingredients in the recipe were perfect. The cashew milk over the sauce was amazing. This Vegetable Tikka Masala tasted better than the Indian restaurant.” —Alma
Creamy Zucchini and Potato Soup with Lemon
Easy enough to make any day of the week but fancy enough to serve guests, it’s no surprise this blended potato, leek, and zucchini soup made our best-of-2024 list. Cannellini beans provide a velvety texture, while lemon zest and juice add brightness. Garnish with pepitas, lemon zest, and grated zucchini for a top-notch family meal.
“My family loved this soup, it is excellent. It is hard to believe that it's so healthy. It's super creamy, and the pumpkin seeds give it a nice crunch.” —Joyce
“My family loved this soup, it is excellent. It is hard to believe that it's so healthy. It's super creamy, and the pumpkin seeds give it a nice crunch.” —Joyce
Linguine with Mushroom Pesto
Ready in 25 minutes, this restaurant-quality linguine is low in fat, full of flavor, and ideal for a busy weeknight when you’re ravenous but short on time. The chunky pesto sauce features sautéed mushrooms, basil, walnuts, and garlic and has a rich umami flavor that coats every inch of the hearty whole wheat linguine. Serve with lemon-dressed arugula and cannellini beans.
“Delicious! Made as written, we loved it and will make often.” —Julie
“Delicious! Made as written, we loved it and will make often.” —Julie
Pumpkin Spice Bread
Moist, golden, and made with everyday ingredients, this festive loaf from Isa Chandra Moskowitz is one to bookmark. Raisins and walnuts are delicious add-ins, but feel free to leave them out if they’re not your thing. With just 30 minutes of active preparation time, what’s not to love!
“I love this pumpkin bread. It's delicious, easy to make, and a fun treat for the holidays!” —Ann
“I love this pumpkin bread. It's delicious, easy to make, and a fun treat for the holidays!” —Ann
Pinto Bean and Hominy Soup
This simple stew, which features chewy hominy and creamy pinto beans in a savory broth, is a must-make. The recipe can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop. (See the recipe intro for stovetop instructions.) Top with a spoonful of homemade Tofu Sour Cream for a nourishing family meal.
“Surprisingly delicious and filling. The broth is nicely seasoned. If you like it spicier, go for it.” —Janie
“Surprisingly delicious and filling. The broth is nicely seasoned. If you like it spicier, go for it.” —Janie
Chipotle-Lime Black Bean and Jackfruit Burgers
Jackfruit adds a meaty texture to these hearty black bean and corn burgers, while panko breadcrumbs help bind them without making them heavy. Don’t skip the chipotle-lime sauce: You’ll need some of it to flavor the patty, and the rest is divine drizzled over the top.
“I usually find that veggie burgers are too much work for the results. These are the best burgers we’ve ever had and well worth the time to make. They even freeze well. A keeper!” —Trisha
“I usually find that veggie burgers are too much work for the results. These are the best burgers we’ve ever had and well worth the time to make. They even freeze well. A keeper!” —Trisha
French Onion Gnocchi Soup
Store-bought whole wheat gnocchi is a minimally processed ingredient that makes life so much easier. In this recipe, French onion soup, featuring caramelized onions and a hint of thyme, is started on the stovetop and then baked in the oven to create a melt-in-your-mouth savory broth studded with pillowy gnocchi and just the right amount of navy beans.
“This is easily one of my favorite soups I've made… My husband adores it, too. Such a satisfying meal! We've already added it to the recipe rotation.” —Lydia
“This is easily one of my favorite soups I've made… My husband adores it, too. Such a satisfying meal! We've already added it to the recipe rotation.” —Lydia
About the Author
About the Author
Lisa Esile, MS
As an author, Do Nothing meditation instructor, and wellness coach, Lisa Esile combines her love for food and nutrition with her mental health background and delights in helping people find a stress-free way to make lasting lifestyle changes. Esile has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is the co-author/illustrator of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life. Learn more at lisaesile.com.
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