Delicious & Easy Vegetable Mole Sheet Pan Meal for Healthy Meal Prep

Discover the ultimate plant-based weeknight dinner or healthy meal prep solution with this flavorful Vegetable Mole Sheet Pan Meal. Featuring tender roasted vegetables and chickpeas generously coated in a rich, no-sugar-added mole sauce made with unsweetened cacao powder, this recipe is perfect for cozy winter evenings or nutritious lunches throughout the week.

Happy New Year, friends! As we step into a fresh year, I hope you all had a wonderfully restorative holiday season and a truly happy start to the new year.

It always feels like we have *so* much time off, and then in a blink, it flies by, doesn’t it? Our Christmas was spent immersed in the warmth of my family in Virginia. The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day was a delightful blur of all my favorite activities. We explored a new Maryland vineyard, embraced the challenge of indoor rock climbing, hiked through the scenic beauty of Harper’s Ferry, and savored an exquisite dining experience at the Fancy Radish in DC.

I genuinely relished those quiet, reflective days suspended between 2022 and 2023. It was a unique period where I felt purely present, existing in the space between the past’s memories and the future’s promises. Yesterday, I deepened this sense of presence by attending an intention-setting yoga workshop, where I filled my journal with thoughts and aspirations amidst mindful asana practice, calming meditation, and invigorating breath work.

This girl has some significant intentions for the new year, embracing the prospect of big, exciting changes. And what better way to anchor oneself for the journey ahead than with a fully stocked fridge? After the workshop, I dove into a massive meal prep session, because truly, nothing makes me feel more calm, collected, and ready to take on the week than a refrigerator brimming with delicious, healthy food.

Lately, this Vegetable Mole Sheet Pan Meal has become my go-to for cozy, nourishing winter meal prep. It’s an incredibly satisfying and fuss-free dish that perfectly embodies comfort food while keeping things light and wholesome. This plant-based delight features tender chickpeas and an array of roasted vegetables, all generously coated in a rich and flavorful mole sauce, uniquely crafted with unsweetened cacao powder. It’s a wonderful way to introduce diverse flavors and nutrient-dense ingredients into your weekly routine, making healthy eating both easy and enjoyable.

Crafting Your Easy Roasted Vegetable & Chickpea Sheet Pan Meal

This recipe shines in its simplicity and the minimal cleanup it requires, thanks to the magic of sheet pan cooking. It’s all about bringing together wholesome ingredients and letting the oven do most of the work to create a delicious, well-balanced meal. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare the roasted component of this delightful dish:

• Cauliflower: Breaks down beautifully in the oven, offering a tender texture and mild flavor that absorbs the spices well.
• Sweet Potato: Adds a natural sweetness and vibrant color, along with a host of vitamins and fiber. Their creaminess is a lovely contrast to the mole.
• Red Onion: Caramelizes as it roasts, providing a savory depth and aromatic sweetness.
• Chickpeas: The protein powerhouse of this dish! Roasted chickpeas become delightfully crispy on the outside and tender within, offering a fantastic texture.
• Avocado Oil: A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, perfect for roasting vegetables to golden perfection.
• Himalayan Sea Salt: Essential for seasoning, bringing out the natural flavors of the vegetables.
• Dried Thyme: Lends an earthy, aromatic note that complements the robust flavors of the mole sauce.

With these simple ingredients, you’re well on your way to a satisfying and nutritious meal!

Simple Steps for Roasting Your Vegetable Sheet Pan Medley

The beauty of a sheet pan meal lies in its straightforward preparation. Follow these easy steps to achieve perfectly roasted vegetables and chickpeas:

First, preheat your oven to a robust 400°F (about 200°C). While the oven heats, prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. This simple step prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze – a true win for meal prep!

Next, arrange the prepped cauliflower florets, cubed sweet potato, thickly sliced red onion, and drained and rinsed chickpeas evenly across the parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle everything generously with avocado oil, ensuring all the vegetables and chickpeas are lightly coated. This helps them crisp up and develop a beautiful golden-brown color.

Season your medley with a good sprinkle of Himalayan sea salt and the aromatic dried thyme. Toss everything gently with your hands to ensure the seasonings are distributed evenly. Place the sheet pan into your preheated oven and let the magic happen! Roast the vegetables for approximately 30-35 minutes. To ensure consistent cooking and beautiful browning, remember to stir the vegetables occasionally – about halfway through the cooking time is ideal.

Feel free to customize this sheet pan meal with other vegetables you have on hand. Carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms would also roast wonderfully alongside the existing ingredients, adding even more variety and nutrients to your dish. This flexibility makes it an incredibly adaptable recipe for using up leftover produce!

Ingredients for a Rich & Wholesome Vegan Mole Sauce

The star of this dish is undoubtedly the incredible mole sauce – a complex, smoky, and subtly sweet condiment that transforms simple roasted vegetables into an extraordinary meal. My version is vegan, packed with flavor, and uses unsweetened cacao for a healthier twist. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients you’ll need to create this luscious sauce:

• Avocado Oil: Used for sautéing the aromatics, providing a healthy fat base.
• Small Onion: Forms the aromatic foundation, lending a savory sweetness when cooked.
• Garlic: Adds pungent depth, a cornerstone of nearly all savory sauces.
• Chili Powder: Brings warmth, a hint of spice, and the characteristic red hue to the mole.
• Cumin: Earthy and robust, it’s a classic spice in Mexican-inspired cuisine.
• Cinnamon: Provides a surprising, subtle warmth and aromatic complexity, a signature of traditional mole.
• Coriander: Offers a bright, citrusy note that balances the richer flavors.
• Himalayan Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance all the flavors.
• Vegetable Broth: The liquid base for the sauce, adding savory flavor and helping achieve the perfect consistency.
• Almond Butter: Contributes to the sauce’s creaminess and richness, while also adding healthy fats and protein. It helps thicken the sauce naturally.
• Raisins: A crucial ingredient for adding natural sweetness and depth, eliminating the need for added sugars. They plump up and blend seamlessly into the sauce.
• Navitas Organics Raw Cacao Powder: This unsweetened cacao is the secret ingredient for a truly authentic (and healthy) mole flavor. It offers a deep, earthy chocolate note without any added sugar, making the sauce incredibly rich and antioxidant-packed.

Together, these ingredients create a symphony of flavors that will truly elevate your sheet pan meal!

Creating a Wholesome, No-Sugar-Added Chocolate Mole Sauce

While your vibrant vegetables are roasting in the oven, it’s the perfect time to bring your incredible mole sauce to life. If you’ve never had mole sauce before, prepare yourself for a truly unique and delightful culinary experience!

Imagine a creamy, savory, subtly spiced “chocolate gravy” that beautifully complements your roasted eats. Yes, you read that right – cacao is indeed an integral flavor profile in traditional mole sauce, creating an intriguing balance with the warmth and spiciness of chili powder. This combination results in a distinctively rich and complex sauce that is a cornerstone of traditional Mexican cuisine.

My particular version is crafted to be wonderfully thick, luxuriously rich, and incredibly creamy. More than just delicious, it’s also packed with healthy fats from the almond butter, plant-based protein, and potent antioxidants from the raw cacao powder, making it a superfood-powered condiment!

To begin, place a medium saucepan over medium heat on your stovetop. Once the pan is warm, add the avocado oil, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté these aromatics for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes beautifully translucent and fragrant. This step builds the foundational flavors of your sauce.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, Himalayan sea salt, and black pepper. This spice blend is key to the mole’s complex character. Once the onion is translucent, reduce the heat to low and stir in your seasoning mix. Cook the spices for just 1 minute, allowing their aromas to bloom. This brief toasting enhances their flavor. Then, deglaze the pan with a splash of vegetable broth, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom – these bits are pure flavor!

Achieving the Perfect Vegan Chocolate Mole Sauce Texture

Now, for the magical transformation! Carefully transfer the cooked onion and seasoning mixture from the saucepan into a large food processor or a high-speed blender. To this, add the creamy almond butter, sweet raisins, the star Navitas Organics Raw Cacao Powder, and the remaining vegetable broth.

I specifically chose Navitas Organics Raw Cacao Powder for this recipe because it delivers an incredibly intriguing hint of rich cacao without any added sugar. Their organic cacao powder is not only packed with vital nutrients but also offers a deep, chocolatey flavor that extends far beyond just desserts, proving its versatility in savory dishes like this mole. The raw nature of the cacao means you’re getting maximum antioxidant benefits, making this sauce as nutritious as it is delicious.

Process the mixture until it is absolutely smooth and creamy. This may take a few minutes, depending on your appliance. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated and you achieve that luxurious, velvety texture. The goal is a sauce that’s free of any lumps or grainy bits.

Once blended to perfection, pour the silky smooth sauce back into the same saucepan you used earlier. This clever move saves you from washing extra dishes – a small victory in any kitchen! Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes. This simmering period is crucial; it allows the flavors to meld and deepen, and the sauce to thicken to its ideal rich and bubbling consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible, a testament to the layers of flavor developing in your homemade mole.

Serving & Storing Your Delicious Vegetable Mole Sheet Pan Meal

This Vegetable Mole Sheet Pan Meal is truly a versatile and cozy plant-based dinner, perfectly suited for the cooler winter months or as a fantastic staple for your weekly meal prep. The combination of tender roasted vegetables, hearty chickpeas, and the rich, aromatic mole sauce makes for a satisfying and complete meal.

To serve this delightful dish, simply plate a generous portion of the beautifully roasted vegetables and chickpeas. You can enjoy them solo, allowing the vibrant flavors to shine through on their own, or serve them over a bed of fluffy rice or protein-rich quinoa for an even more substantial meal. Both rice and quinoa absorb the mole sauce wonderfully, adding another layer of texture and flavor.

The key is to liberally top everything with a generous amount of the warm, bubbling mole sauce. Don’t be shy – the sauce is what ties all the elements together into a cohesive, flavorful experience! For an extra touch of freshness and a pop of color, I love to add a light sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves on top before serving. The herbaceous notes of the thyme beautifully complement the earthy, chocolatey depth of the mole.

One of the best features of this meal is how well it stores and reheats, making it a meal prep champion. Any leftover roasted vegetables and mole sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to one week. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious! Enjoy the convenience and incredible taste for days to come!

More Delicious & Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Meals to Try

If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and flavor of this Vegetable Mole Sheet Pan Meal, you’re in for a treat! Sheet pan recipes are a fantastic way to enjoy healthy, plant-based meals with minimal cleanup. Here are some other favorite vegan sheet pan creations you might enjoy adding to your meal rotation:

• 1-Pan Chickpea Ratatouille

• “Cheezy” Chickpea Sheet Pan Meal

• Sweet Potato & Chickpea Bake

• Vegetable Mole Sheet Pan Meal

• BBQ Tempeh Sheet Pan Meal

• Teriyaki Sheet Pan Meal

• 1-Pan Butternut & Chickpea Bake

• Tofu Sheet Pan Meal

Each of these recipes offers a unique flavor profile and makes healthy eating incredibly accessible and enjoyable!

I Want to Hear From You!

Your feedback means the world to me! If you decide to make this incredibly flavorful Vegetable Mole Sheet Pan Meal recipe, please don’t hesitate to let me know how it turned out. I love hearing about your culinary adventures and how these recipes fit into your life.

Be sure to leave me a comment below with your thoughts, a star rating, and a review. Your valuable feedback is instrumental in helping me create even more delicious and inspiring plant-based recipes for you all.

And of course, give me a shout on Instagram! Use the hashtag #floraandvino to share your beautiful creations. I love seeing how you bring these dishes to life in your own kitchens!

For more plant-based meal inspiration, check out my Pinterest page. You’ll find countless recipes like this one, perfect for pinning and saving for later.

Loved this post and eager for more wholesome, delicious recipes? Head over to my homepage and subscribe to my newsletter to get new recipes and updates delivered right to your inbox. Let’s make healthy eating a delicious journey together!

XO Lauren

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