Our 15 Best Meatless Dinner Ideas
Skipping the meat doesn't mean you have to skip flavor in these delicious vegetarian dinners. Mix up a batch of hearty black bean burgers, bake rice-stuffed bell peppers, or layer up a spinach lasagna. No matter which of these 15 recipes you choose, there's something for everyone in the family to love in this collection of meatless main dishes.
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Brown Rice Buddha Bowl
Grain bowls are easy to customize with your favorite veggies and proteins, and this Asian-inspired version is no different. Tofu, chickpeas, veggies, and rice all stack together before getting a drizzle of tangy sesame dressing.
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Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Forget frozen veggie burgers. All you need are a handful of ingredients to create these crave-worthy black bean burgers. If you like your patties extra firm, many reviewers suggest using two eggs instead of one.
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Crazy Creamy Chickpea Curry
Heavy spices are balanced out with rich coconut milk in this vegan-friendly dish. "The recipe is great," says Feleesa. "I made double the recipe so that my family of four adults could have it for the workweek. They loved it!"
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Chef John's Shakshuka
This one-pot dinner packs in plenty of veggies and protein thanks to the eggs. If you're serving heat-sensitive palates, dial back on the jalapeƱo and cayenne.
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Pad Thai with Tofu
Recreate your takeout favorite at home with this easy pad Thai recipe. Don't skip the tamarind concentrate; it's worth searching for in Asian or Indian grocery stores because of its distinct tangy flavor.Ā
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Artichoke Spinach Lasagna
"I have made this recipe now several times, and it always comes out perfect," says LauraKKH. "Even people who hate spinach love this recipe."
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Addictive Sweet Potato Burritos
Dress up your basic bean burrito with the addition of roasted sweet potatoes. This recipe makes a big batch of 12, but leftovers are perfect for freezing and reheating in the microwave.
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Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling
Great for lunch or dinner, this sandwich filling features mashed chickpeas with mayo, herbs, and chopped veggies. Serve on a hearty slice of sourdough, or stuff into a pita.
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Spinach Enchiladas
Two types of cheese ā ricotta and Monterey Jack ā are featured in this ultra creamy recipe. Even spinach haters will be tempted to try a bite.
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Stuffed Peppers My Way
"I love these, and make them about 3 times each month," says Post-It Poet. "My vegetarian husband loves these as well."
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California Grilled Veggie Sandwich
This isn't your average veggie sandwich. Zucchini, squash, bell peppers, and onions are all grilled to perfection, before being tucked into focaccia bread with a tangy garlic mayo.Ā
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Vegan Potato Soup
For when you just need an easy and comforting dish for dinner, this vegan potato soup will check all the boxes. If you like a chunky soup, set aside a few scoops of vegetables before the purƩeing step.
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Red Lentil Curry
"This is a rich and hearty lentil curry, great as a main meal rather than as a side dish like the more traditional Indian dhal," says recipe creator Emma Maher. "Don't let the ingredient list faze you, this really is an easy dish to make."
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Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions (Mujadarrah)
"This may sound like a plain recipe, but believe me, it's wonderful," says recipe creator Melissa Mueller. "It is an easy-to-make Middle Eastern comfort food that combines lentils, rice and delicious fried onions."
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Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili
Black and kidney beans pair up with chickpeas for this hearty plant-based chili. Set up a toppings bars ā with favorites like cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa ā to everyone in the family can dress up their bowl of chili.Ā