16 Vegetarian Recipes Meat Lovers Can’t Say No To
Meatless meals can be great for your physical and financial health. Even if you don’t eat a vegetarian diet all of the time, incorporating some meatless meals into your week is a good thing. Having a selection of amazing meat-free recipes up your sleeve ensures that you have something everyone is comfortable eating when you are serving a crowd. These tasty vegetarian dishes can be served as stand-alone meals, or as side dishes for meat-based dinners.
1. Vegetable Egg Foo Young
Vegetable egg foo young is the perfect light dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You could also serve it as a side to a heartier meal if you like. Bean sprouts, carrots, peas, green onions, and eggs all come together with a delicious gravy that everyone will love.
2. Avocado Pasta
Everyone loves pasta, and this avocado pasta is a delicious, healthy reason why. It’s an alternative to using sauce with meat in it, but it can still be enjoyed as a side dish to a meat-based main course. Leftovers can be packed up and taken for lunch the next day.
3. Homemade Mac And Cheese
This homemade mac and cheese recipe is a great way to give the kids what they want and still feel good about the quality of what they (or you!) are eating. This is a decadent, creamy recipe that won’t disappoint. It’s great on its own or served with a side of chicken, pork, or beef. Kids will definitely love this homemade version.
4. Mushroom Tacos
Enjoy a Mexican-inspired meal with these loaded Mushroom Tacos. They’re the perfect vegetarian alternative to traditional tacos, and you might not even realize they’re meat-free. Of course, you can add meat for meat eaters. It’s the best of both worlds, and leftover filling can be mixed with rice for a delicious salad the next day.
5. Tuscan Pasta Salad
If you’ve got pasta lovers in the family, this Tuscan pasta salad is a great change of pace. Serve it with a green salad and some garlic bread to round out the meal. It’s hearty, tasty, and definitely filling, and leftovers make a great lunch the next day. Serve this with or without meat mixed in, or serve it as a vegetarian side to a meat course.
6. Chickpea Quinoa Salad
This chickpea quinoa salad is a great way to enjoy chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans). It’s a fiber-rich salad that packs great flavor thanks to a generous helping of fresh basil. It’s a wonderful spring and summer salad that has complete protein as it is but can also be paired with any other meat-based protein.
7. Vegan Lentil Soup
This lentil soup has a good dose of plant-based protein. High in protein and fiber, lentils are versatile and can be used in soups, salads, and stews. this particular soup can also be served with some rice mixed in. Either brown rice or wild rice would be particularly good with this. If you want to add meat, try warming up a kielbasa sausage to serve with this.
8. Quinoa Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
A complete protein source, quinoa is a versatile grain that can be used as a base for creating delicious mixed salads or as a side dish on its own with a pat of butter and some salt. Try using it to stuff spaghetti squash in this quinoa stuffed spaghetti squash recipe. The quinoa has all nine essential amino acids, so it’s a plant-based complete protein that everyone will love. The trick with quinoa is to rinse it really well before you cook it to remove any bitter flavors.
9. Chickpea Tofu
While tofu is usually made from soybeans, this Chickpea Tofu recipe is a great option for people who don’t enjoy soy. It’s a unique ingredient that you can use as a base for tacos, wraps, noodle dishes, pasta, soups, and even cheesecakes.
10. Mediterranean Zucchini Boats
Zucchini boats are delicious side dishes for any main course you serve. They have wonderful flavors that pair well with chicken, fish, pork, or beef. You can get creative with the stuffing or follow the recipe to the letter, but either way, everyone will ask for seconds.
11. Bombay Potatoes
These delicious Bombay potatoes make an excellent meal on their own or served over rice. You can use them to mix with shredded chicken if you want meat, or just serve them as is on the side of a meat-based course. These are packed with delicious flavor and plenty of fiber too.
12. Blueberry Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a good source of protein and can be added to salads, used as a topping or a filling in lasagna, or eaten on its own. Try this Blueberry Cottage Cheese for a quick snack or breakfast. This makes a wonderful, light, and healthy dessert as well. Especially with a little bit of honey drizzled over the top.
13. Buttered Black Beans
Black beans are not only a good source of protein but also high in fiber. They can be used in soups, stews, or made into vegetarian burgers. Try this recipe for buttered black beans for a delicious side dish. You can also mix this with rice and a little bit of extra butter to make a more well-rounded vegetarian meal.
14. Spicy Roasted Almonds
Snack on these spicy roasted almonds or add them to recipes like salads or stir-fries. While usually known for their healthy fats, almonds also provide a decent amount of protein. These are delicious chopped up and served with chicken or fish as a topping, or you can mix these into a grain salad for some extra crunch and spice.
15. Seitan Brisket With Barbecue Glaze
Made from wheat gluten, seitan is a popular meat substitute with a meat-like texture. It can be used in various dishes like stir-fries and sandwiches or as a filling for wraps. You can even make a brisket out of it, like this seitan brisket with barbecue glaze.
16. Air Fryer Corn Fritters
These easy-to-make corn fritters are made in your air fryer and give you a delicious, tender corn fritter with a crispy outside that can be served with grilled meats, vegetables, and more. These are loaded with cheddar cheese, giving them an amazing flavor that comforts you as it fills you up.
More From The Gracious Pantry
Interested in starting a vegan or plant-based diet? Here’s how to do it with ease. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming to start a plant-based diet. This simple guide walks you through some key points and helps you get started in this new way of eating effortlessly.
