Whether you’re a vegetarian, trying to eat less meat, or just looking to switch up your meal rotation, you’ll love these 21 meatless meals!
From pasta and soups to salads and tacos, this list has something (or many somethings) for everyone.
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Delicious & Healthy Meatless Meals
Is anyone else craving meatless meals as we enter the new year? I always find myself reaching for more plant-based meals in January, probably because December is a bit meat heavy in our family.
The good news is that meatless meals can be just as flavorful, filling, and comforting as meals with meat, and they are good way to get creative and mix up your usual routine, too.
You definitely won’t miss the meat with these favorites I’ve rounded up for you today!
I’ve separated the vegetarian meals from the vegan meals to make this list easier to navigate. First up are non-vegan – but still vegetarian – meals.
Vegetarian Recipes
These soba noodles with veggies feature a creamy peanut sauce that’s absolutely delectable. It’s one of our favorite dishes for family gatherings!
Serve with bbq tofu for extra protein if desired.
Veggie Pesto Pasta with Broccoli
This creamy pesto pasta with broccoli and chickpeas is a tasty, easy, and healthy weeknight meal! Features a homemade walnut basil pesto sauce, too.
The protein in this dish comes from chickpeas, which are my absolute favorite bean – great texture and so easy if you buy them canned. Just pop open the can, rinse, and enjoy!
This sriracha tofu and veggie stir fry features a delectable sauce with spicy, sweet, and salty flavors all in one. Serve with rice noodles if desired!
Instant Pot Mushroom Farro Risotto
This Instant Pot farro risotto with mushrooms is creamy and delicious, and quicker than traditional risotto!
Plus, it’s loaded with veggies for a nourishing variation on the comfort classic.
This quinoa chickpea salad with feta is simple and refreshing. It’s a perfect healthy lunch that’s great for meal prep, too!
Goat Cheese Frittata with Spinach
Who says eggs are only for breakfast? This flavorful spinach frittata with goat cheese is a delicious meatless meal for brunch, lunch or dinner!
Baked Portobello Mushrooms with Feta
These stuffed portobello mushrooms can be enjoyed as a meatless main dish, side dish, or even as a sandwich (pictured above)!
They’re full of flavor, filling, and totally delicious.
This is a super old recipe from my early blogging days (2010!) that got a photo update recently. I had forgotten how yummy they were – Matt and I both enjoyed them, and he’s usually a big meat guy!
Fall Harvest Salad with Watermelon
This watermelon salad is packed with all the fall flavors, from pecans to butternut squash. Plus, it has an amazing apple cider dijon vinaigrette you definitely don’t want to miss out on!
Grain salad bowls are my absolute favorite for lunches but they make a yummy and easy dinner, too. It would also work well as a meal prep dish to eat on all week!
Veggie Breakfast Tacos with Avocado Crema
These healthy breakfast tacos are so dang good, and shockingly easy to make. Drizzled with avocado crema, they’re even more irresistible!
Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
If you’re craving Mexican food, these veggie enchiladas are the perfect meatless dish! They’re so comforting, and the whole family will love them.
This is another super old recipe from the archives that has been a family favorite for nearly a decade now!
This zesty Italian pasta salad is super flavorful, nutritious, and easy to make.
Perfect for packed lunches – just save the creamy Italian dressing on the side until you’re ready to eat!
Vegan Recipes
The recipes below are fully vegan, and totally crave-worthy. Of course, if you aren’t vegan, you can always add cheese (or your desired form of dairy) if you prefer!
Craving tacos but don’t want all that grease? Ditch the meat and try these jackfruit tacos.
You might be surprised how similar they taste (and look) to typical carnitas tacos!
This vegetable soup is packed with a variety of tasty veggies and flavors.
Plus, it’s super easy to make and versatile, so you can use up whichever veggies are left in your vegetable drawer! It’s a great nourishing winter meal.
Baked Sesame Tofu with Veggies
All you need is a sheet pan to make this baked tofu with ginger soy glaze.
Just cook the veggies alongside the tofu and serve over brown rice. Yum!
Thai Curry with Sweet Potatoes
Thai curry is one of the best dishes ever, and this vegan version with sweet potatoes and lentils is a winner!
So flavorful, creamy, comforting, and nutritious all at once.
This grain salad makes the perfect lunch, plus it’s vegan (unless you decide to add some cheese). Use your favorite salsa as the dressing!
These black bean veggie burgers feature pureed pumpkin for a unique (and delicious) flavor combo.
But that doesn’t mean they’re just for autumn – they can be made any time of year!
Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These stuffed sweet potatoes are so easy to make, and super quick if you use the microwave hack for cooking your sweet potatoes (instructions included)!
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Bolognese With Lentils
This vegan lentil bolognese with spaghetti squash is the ultimate healthy comfort meal on a cold night.
And because it’s made in the Instant Pot, it takes way less time to cook than it normally would!
Who doesn’t love chili? This vegan version puts sweet potato and hearty lentils front and center for a filling, tasty dinner.
This is another really old blog favorite – and a bonus is that the recipe makes a lot so you can freeze some for later, too!
This Instant Pot tortellini soup with vegetables is equal parts comforting and nutritious. It’s a hearty, healthy pasta soup that’s easy to make and easy to love.
The recipe also includes instructions for cooking on the stovetop, so there’s no need for an Instant Pot if you don’t have one!
I hope you love these meatless meals as much as we do!
What’s a vegetarian or vegan recipe you love? Let me know in the comments!
