Welcome to this list of 40 easy meatless meals rich in protein and with maximum flavor.
We’ve collected our favorite soups, pasta, stews, and salads. Expect plenty of taste, chewy texture, creamy sauces, and fulfilling plant–based ingredients.
Tasting meatless meals can be exciting for seasoned vegetarians and curious omnivores.
Whether seeking to reduce your carbon footprint, explore new protein sources, or add more plant–based variety to your diet, these meals cater to diverse dietary preferences.
So, let’s dive into a world of flavors, textures, and aromas, proving meatless doesn’t mean flavorless. Instead, it means a vibrant, fulfilling, and sustainable culinary experience.
Meatless meals video
Our 40 best Meat-free Meals
1. Orange tofu
Orange tofu is an easy vegetarian substitute for orange chicken.
Make it in less than 30 minutes for an Asian-inspiredeveryday dinner that is healthier and better than takeaway.
2. Tofu pizzaiola
These easy tofu cutlets in marinara sauceare a simple yet tasty pan-fried recipe, ready in 20 minutes.
Serve them with white rice, crusty bread, or focaccia on the side to sop up the sauce leftovers.
3. Lentil loaf
Lentil loaf is a family-friendly recipefor those who want toeat less meatbut are not necessarily vegan.
Our vegetarian meatloaf combines lentils with vegetables,herbs,spices,cheese, andeggto make a meat-free alternative that istasty and satisfying.
4. Tofu Cacciatore
We might use tofu instead of chicken, but this caciatore isrich, earthy, meaty,and packed with rich tomato flavor.
Chewy and jerky-like, you’ve never had tofu like this before.
5. Lentil chili
With this meat-free chili, you can expect ahearty, satisfying, and high-protein mealthat is easy to make with pantry staples.
Ingredients like lentils, black beans, onions, peppers, and tomatoesmeld with a blend of aromatic spices to create a dish with comforting flavors.
6. Lemon tofu cutlets
An Italian recipe for lemon chicken inspires this lemon tofu.
We replaced the chicken fillet with tofu slices, resulting in a delicious meal that can beprepared in 15 minutes.
7. Vegetarian Meatballs
With thesevegetarian meatballs,you can have meatballs without the meat.
This recipe isquick and easyto make with straightforward ingredients. It’scozy, delicious,and with a rich marinara sauce.
8. Fried tofu
Fried tofuis one of the easiest ways to cook it in a pan; you can serve it on a bed of white rice, salad, or kale quinoa bowl.
Our vegetarian, vegan-friendly recipe is tasty, and you can make it in less than20 minuteswith simple ingredients.
9. Hummus Pasta
Make this 20–minute vegetarian dinner with homemade or store-bought hummus and quick sautèed mushrooms.
The combination of creamy hummus and charred mushrooms makes a satiating meatless meal.
10. Microwave stuffed sweet potato
Microwave sweet potatoisready in 5 minutes, is healthy, and is delicious.
Eat itas is, or load the potato with a colorful toppingwith beans and grains – it’s a veggie-packed andmeat-free main dish.
11. Kung Pao tofu
Try this delicious Chinese-inspired Kung Pao dish inless than 30 minutesand get plenty of plant–based protein, sticky sauce, and fresh veggies.
It’s a colorful and vegetarian alternative to kung pao chicken with delicious Asian flavors.
12. Lentil curry
One of our favorite meatless dinners is thiseasy lentil curry, whichyou can make in one pot with simple ingredients in30 minutes.
Serve with white rice, fresh parsley, and a dollop of yogurt for a comforting and creamy meal and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
13. Mushroom Alfredo
Thistasty mushroom Alfredo is aneasy 15-minute vegetarian meal with an irresistiblycreamy and smoothsauce andsautéed mushrooms.
Serve it with an easy side salad for added greens and crisp; it’s a perfect weeknight idea!
14. Lentil bolognese
Here’s an easy lentil bolognese with simple ingredients rich in taste and meaty texture.
You can make it for aneveryday dinnerormeal prep, as it keeps in the fridge for several days.
15. Pasta e fa*gioli
Pasta and beans is aneasyandcomfortingmealwithsimple ingredientsand Italian flavor that will please everyone around your table, kids and adults alike.
Serve it with a slice of toasted bread or bruschetta for an authentic and cozy dinner.
16. Chickpea pasta salad with avocado
This chickpea pasta salad is aquick and wholesomedish made with fresh and nutritious ingredients in less than 20 minutes.
A creamy mustard dressing gives a glossy and tangy coating, making this pasta a meal-prep favorite.
17. Creamy Cauliflower Alfredo
You’ll love thisveggie–packedAlfredobecause it’sa million times lighterthan the original Alfredo, but it’s still tasty, fulfilling, and ready in30minutes.
Serve it with a sprinkle of parsley and a quick salad for extra greens.
18. Red pepper pasta
Here’s a 20-minute vegetarian pasta recipe that is simple and made with minimal effortfor aneveryday dinner.
It’s creamy, nutritious, and delicious, with hidden veggies (roasted peppers) that please even the pickiest eaters.
19. Cauliflower pasta
Try this white and refreshing vegetarian cauliflower pasta with fresh herbs and pine nuts.
Roasted cauliflower floretsmeet delicious garlic and olive oil sauce, plenty of fresh parsley, and lemon zest, a light and wholesome dinner idea.
20. Butternut squash pasta
This butternut squash pastais creamy, restaurant-worthy, and with a velvety smooth sauce.
It’s quick and straightforward; you can make itany day of the week, either as a vegan or vegetarian dinner.
21. Lentil pasta
Meatless and delicious pasta is not a problem with this Italian lentil pasta.
It’s a perfect main dish for dinner,is kids-friendlyand contains all the macros to keep you healthy and satiated.
22. Stuffed bell peppers
Our stuffed peppers recipe is inspired byMediterranean,Levantine, and Middle-Eastern flavors, especially from ourlentil mujaddara.
We make a meat-free filling that mixeslentils,rice,freshherbs, andfragrantspices.
23. Vegan mushroom pasta
Try this restaurant-worthy pasta with jerky-like mushrooms and authentic Italian flavor.
Vegan mushroom pastais a delicious recipe with a few ingredients in about 20 minutes.
24. Tofu curry
Making a delicioustofu curryis an excellent way to eat meatless.
Here, we’ll show you how to put this Indian-inspired meal together inless than 30 minutesand make thebest everyday vegan curry.
25. Easy chickpea curry
Here’s a fun and delicious way to cook with chickpeas in one pot.
Chickpea curry is aneasy and plant-based curryyou can make withsimple ingredients inabout 30 minutes.
26. Tuscan bean stew
This Italian bean stew is a comforting and tomato-packed dinner favorite.
It’s anexcellent recipefor a quickweeknight meal, ready in just over 30 minutes, and great as ameal prep recipe.
27. Lentil vegetable soup
We love thiswholesome lentil vegetable soup because you can make it withlittle effort,simple pantry staples,in one pot, and withlittle hands-on time.
The lentils make the dish nutritious and fulfilling, withtexture,protein,iron, and heart andgut-healthy fiber.
28. Asian-style tofu soup
Here’s a tofu soup that is quick, tasty, and with seasonal vegetables.
You canmake it in 30 minutes with simple ingredients, seasonal veggies, and noodles.
29. Pasta e Ceci
You’ll love this pasta with chickpeas; it’s easy to make inone potin 30 minuteswith simple and affordablepantry staples.
Sprinkle with parmesan or dairy-free parmesan for an Italian vegetarian or vegan dinner.
30. Chickpea soup
This rustic chickpea soup iseasy to make, with minimal effort and a fewsimple and affordable ingredients.
It tastes like home, it’s cozy, and it’ll transport you to the Italian countryside bite for bite.
31. Lentil soup
This red lentil soup guarantees a hearty, meatless meal with plenty of plant-based protein.
It’s perfect forautumn or winterweeknight dinners as it’seasy to makewith a fewpantry staples, and it only needs to simmer for about20 minutes.
32. Tuscan soup
You can make this plant-based soup from scratch inless than 45 minutesand store it in the refrigerator for several days.
If you love comforting and rustic Italian flavor, this Tuscan bean soup must go on your recipe list.
33. African peanut stew
This African peanut stew recipe iswithout meat; we use chickpeas for aneasy 30-minute high-protein vegetarian meal.
It’s excellent for a creamy weeknight dinner with rice and fresh lime and convenient for meal prep.
34. Mashed chickpea tuna
You can make this mashed chickpea tunain 10 minutes, with simple ingredients andwithout cooking.
It’s an easy, fun, and tasty recipe that uses mashed chickpeas and a few other simple ingredients torecreate the texture and flavorof tuna salad.
35. Falafel
Falafelis an easy and sandwich-friendly recipe you can make as a meal-prep-friendly meal.
Cook it in an air fryer for a quick and lighter vegetarian meal, and serve it with pita bread and hummus.
36. Avocado-tahini toast
This is thecreamiest,most delicious avocado spreadto eat in sandwiches and on toast orserve as a dip.
Top the toast with chickpeas or tomatoes for a colorful and vibrant lunch idea.
37. Chickpea Frittata
There are no eggs or tofu in this chickpea frittata, but plenty of flavors and roasted zucchini.
Quick to make, it cooks for 8 minutes on a pan or 18 minutes in the oven; it’s an easy and fast lunch idea.
38. Aloo Gobi
The Indian cuisine is a fantastic source of inspiration for meatless meal ideas.
This cauliflower and potato curry is one of our favorite dishes, a satisfying and healthy dinner or side dish idea served with garlic-brushed Naan.
39. Tofu salad
Thistofu saladis crunchy and wholesome and perfect for a quicklunch.
It’s low in calories, packed with flavor, and satiating to eat (the creamy tahini dressing is a must-try).
40. Chickpea salad
We end this meatless meal collection with a quick and healthy plant–based dish.
Thischickpea saladis a quick, tasty, and nutritious main dish. Make it in 15 minuteswith fresh ingredients and acreamymustard dressing.
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40 Easy Meatless Meals
By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 6 votes
Fried tofu cutlets in tomato sauce is a 20-minute dinner idea with plenty of plant-based protein.
Browse through this list of favorite meatless meals, such as soups, pasta, stews, and salads. Expect plenty of flavor, chewy texture, rich sauces, and 100% plant-based ingredients!
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Servings: 2 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American Italian
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces firm tofu
- 1½ cups tomato puree or passata
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Drain the tofu from its water andpat it dry. Next,cut the tofu into ¼-inch thin slices.
Fry it on anon-stick panon medium heat with adrizzle of olivefor5 minutes on each side.
Season it with apinch of saltandpepper.
Addtomato puree,dried oregano,thinly sliced garlic, and the remainingsaltandpepper.
Spread the sauceand simmer on low heat for about5 to 10 minutesuntil the tomato passata becomes a tasty pizzaiola sauce.
Serve thisItalian-inspired tofuin a pizzaiola sauceas a main dishwithsautéed or microwaved spinachand somecrusty breadon the side to scoop up the delicious pizzaiola sauce.
Notes
Nutrition information is for 1 portion of tofu out of 2, without the bread and the spinach.
Nutrition
Calories: 244kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Potassium: 913mg, Dietary Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 1048IU, Vitamin B6: 0.3mg, Vitamin C: 22mg, Vitamin E: 5mg, Vitamin K: 27µg, Calcium: 225mg, Folate: 28µg, Iron: 6mg, Manganese: 1mg, Magnesium: 54mg, Zinc: 1mg
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Hi! We are Nico & Louise
Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.
Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.
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2 Comments
Good recipes! I have a new one for you guys too try out! its called lentil gravy… Ingredients- Lentils, Mushrooms, Shallots, Mustard sauce, Tomato sauce, Water, Corn flour or corn starch too thicken. That’s it I think. we normally serve with mashed potato and a fried egg u try it and perfect the recipe!Reply
Hi Stevie,
That’s a wonderful idea! I’ve put the recipe on our testing schedule, Thanks very much for your input 💪
All the best, Louise
Reply