40 Easy Meatless Meals A Flavorful And Protein Rich Collection

We’ve collected our favorite soups, pasta, stews, and salads. Expect plenty of taste, chewy texture, creamy sauces, and fulfilling plant–based ingredients.

More easy meatless meals

For many more 30-minute meal ideas, check out our 30-minute meal category page. These meals cater to diverse dietary preferences, whether seeking to reduce your carbon footprint, explore new protein sources, or add more plant–based variety. 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. Make it in less than 30 minutes for an Asian-inspired everyday dinner that is healthier and better than takeaway.

2. Broccoli pasta

Broccoli pasta is an easy pasta recipe with tender broccoli florets mashed into a delicious sauce with olive oil, garlic, chili, parmesan, and basil. This Italian-inspired dish is easy to make in less than 30 minutes.

3. Lentil loaf

Lentil loaf is a family-friendly recipe for those who want to eat less meat but are not necessarily vegan. Our vegetarian meatloaf combines lentils with vegetables, herbs, spices, cheese, and egg to create a tasty, satisfying, meat-free alternative. This meatless casserole dish features tender eggplant slices surrounded by flavorful tomato sauce, melty mozzarella, and tasty parmesan cheese.

5. Lentil chili

With our meat-free chili, you can expect a hearty, satisfying, and high-protein meal that is easy to make with pantry staples. Ingredients like lentils, black beans, onions, peppers, and tomatoes meld with a blend of aromatic spices to create a dish with comforting flavors.

6. Stuffed eggplant

Stuffed eggplant is made with tender roasted eggplant boats filled with a bold, earthy, and meaty lentil filling. Our recipe is easy to make with affordable pantry staples, and we are sure that the whole family will love this meatless meal.

7. Vegetarian Meatballs

With these vegetarian meatballs, you can have meatballs without the meat. This recipe is quick and easy to make with straightforward ingredients. It’s cozy, delicious, and with a rich marinara sauce. Our tasty vegetarian, vegan-friendly recipe uses simple ingredients and can be made in less than 20 minutes.

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. Black bean salad

Black bean salad is an easy, meat-free recipe that combines simple vegetables with a refreshing and zesty cilantro lime dressing to bring out the flavors. Expect an irresistible combination of textures. Crispy bell pepper, creamy sweet potatoes, velvety avocado, tender black beans, corn, and a juicy dressing.

11. Kung Pao tofu

Try this delicious Chinese-inspired Kung Pao dish in less than 30 minutes and 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. Serve with white rice, fresh parsley, and a dollop of yogurt for a comforting and creamy meal guaranteed to please a crowd.

13. Mushroom Alfredo

This tasty mushroom Alfredo is an easy 15-minute vegetarian meal with an irresistibly creamy and smooth sauce and sautéed 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 that are rich in taste and have a meaty texture. You can make it for an everyday dinner or meal prep, as it keeps in the fridge for several days.

15. Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta and beans is an easy and comforting meal with simple ingredients and 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. A creamy mustard dressing gives a glossy and tangy coating, making this pasta a meal-prep favorite.

17. Black bean burger

Next on our list is a savory black bean patty flecked with crumbled feta cheese, which offers a hearty vegetarian alternative. Cooked to perfection, the burger boasts a crisp exterior and a creamy, protein–rich interior.

18. Red pepper pasta

Here’s a 20-minute vegetarian pasta recipe that is simple and made with minimal effort for an everyday dinner. It’s creamy, nutritious, and delicious, with hidden veggies (roasted peppers) that please even the pickiest eaters. You can expect a vegetarian soup with bold and rich flavor, earthy and aromatic notes, and a creamy and chunky texture.

20. Tomato tofu

Tofu with Italian pizzaiola sauce is a simple yet delicious pan-fried tofu recipe ready in 20 minutes. It’s a perfect meatless weeknight dinner. We make it with pantry staples such as tomato puree, dried oregano, and garlic; the whole family will love it.

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-friendly, and contains all the macros to keep you healthy and satiated.

22. Stuffed bell peppers

Our stuffed peppers recipe is inspired by Mediterranean, Levantine, and Middle Eastern flavors, especially those of our lentil mujaddara. We make a meat-free filling that mixes lentils, rice, fresh herbs, and fragrant spices. Vegan mushroom pasta is a delicious recipe with a few ingredients in about 20 minutes.

24. Tofu curry

Making a delicious tofu curry is an excellent way to eat meatless. Here, we’ll show you how to put this Indian-inspired meal together in less than 30 minutes and make the best everyday vegan curry.

25. Easy chickpea curry

Here’s a fun and delicious way to cook with chickpeas in one pot. Chickpea curry is an easy and plant-based curry you can make with simple ingredients in about 30 minutes.

26. Tuscan bean stew

This Italian bean stew is a comforting and tomato-packed dinner favorite. It’s an excellent recipe for a quick weeknight meal, ready in just over 30 minutes, and great as a meal prep recipe. The lentils make the dish nutritious and fulfilling, providing texture, protein, iron, and heart—and gut-healthy fiber.

28. Asian-style tofu soup

Here’s a tofu soup that is quick and tasty with seasonal vegetables. You can make 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 in one pot in 30 minutes with simple and affordable pantry staples. Sprinkle with parmesan or dairy-free parmesan for an Italian vegetarian or vegan dinner.

30. Chickpea soup

This rustic chickpea soup is easy to make, with minimal effort and a few simple 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 for autumn or winter weeknight dinners. It’s easy to make with a few pantry staples, and it only needs to simmer for about 20 minutes. If you love comforting and rustic Italian flavors, this Tuscan bean soup must go on your recipe list.

33. African peanut stew

This African peanut stew recipe is without meat; we use chickpeas for an easy 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 tuna in 10 minutes, with simple ingredients and without cooking. It’s an easy, fun, and tasty recipe that uses mashed chickpeas and a few other simple ingredients to recreate the texture and flavor of tuna salad.

35. Falafel

Falafel is 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. It’s a colorful, bright, and nutritious recipe that will please anyone looking for a vegetarian salad idea.

37. Chickpea Frittata

There are no eggs or tofu in this chickpea frittata, but plenty of flavors and roasted zucchini. It’s quick to make and 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. It’s a satisfying and healthy dinner or side dish served with garlic-brushed Naan.

39. Tofu salad

This tofu salad is crunchy and wholesome and perfect for a quick lunch. 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. This chickpea salad is a quick, tasty, and nutritious main dish. It takes 15 minutes to make and uses fresh ingredients and a creamy mustard dressing.

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Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients. Easy right? Comment * Name Email Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me when Louise or Nico reply to my comment.

Δ Tak fordi du gav dig tid til at skrive en kommentar her ❤️ K.h. Louise That’s a wonderful idea! I’ve put the recipe on our testing schedule, Thanks very much for your input 💪 All the best, Louise Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.