You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (2024)

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (1)

Make nutrient-dense veggies the star of your dinner tonight! From Mexican-inspired black bean and pepper fajitas to Mediterranean zucchini boats, these meatless meals may be missing meat, but they never skimp on flavor. With heaping portions and lots of fresh herbs and spices, these meatless dinner ideas will have even the most voracious carnivore in your family reaching for seconds (and maybe even thirds).

And if you're skipping meat on Fridays for Lent this year, these ideas will make it super easy to plot out your Lent meal planning. Take a break from all that delivery pizza and try out something a little more nutritious and filling.

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1

Grilled Squash Garlic Bread

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (2)

Grilled zucchini and summer squash, a smear of ricotta and a squeeze of lemon atop crunchy ciabatta– can you think of anything you'd rather sink your teeth into?

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RELATED: 80+ Vegetarian Recipes That Will Make You Want to Eat Meat-Free

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2

Sweet Potato Kale Frittata

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (3)

This egg dish makes use of filling, nutrient-dense veggies like sweet potatoes and kale. Frittatas work well for any meal of the day, so save whatever you don't eat and have the leftovers for breakfast the next day!

Get the recipe here.

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3

Spiced Tomato Soup with Flatbread

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (4)

Cozy up on a cold evening with a warm bowl of this tomato soup, made with jalapeños and grated ginger. Dunk pita flatbread smothered in herbed butter and coconut oil for maximum satisfaction.

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4

Caponata Flatbread

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (5)

Who can say no to pizza? This flatbread makes use of veggies like eggplants, tomatoes, and red peppers mixed with capers, all atop a generous layer of ricotta cheese.

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5

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Meaty bites of cauliflower are complimented by the bittersweet pops of dried cranberry in this hearty arugula salad.

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6

Scrambled Egg Tacos

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (7)

Breakfast for dinner, anyone? These corn tacos are filled with velvety scrambled eggs, black beans and sautéed spinach. Even the biggest carnivore at the table will find themselves reaching for seconds... and thirds!

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7

Spaghetti with Grilled Green Beans and Mushrooms

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (8)

If you can't resist a heaping plate of pasta, take solace in the fact that you're not alone! Use whole wheat spaghetti for this dish, which is filled with fresh veggies and topped with a sprinkle of grated parmesan.

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8

Cheesy Shells and Greens

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (9)

Nothing hits the spot better than a warm bowl of mac and cheese. Mix spinach into this creamy dish for a helping of always-needed nutrients to create a balance between indulgent and healthy.

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9

Potsticker Stir-Fry

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (10)

This speedy recipe utilizes frozen veggie potstickers from your local supermarket. Sauté snap peas and carrots with chili, garlic, and ginger after heating the potstickers in a pan. Mix together with a honey-soy sauce blend and enjoy.

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10

Squash Toasts

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (11)

Behold the perfect winter side dish! The creamy texture of the mashed squash and soft ricotta are balanced by the hard crunch of the toasted slices of crispy baguettes in this recipe.

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11

Corn and Zucchini Fritters

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (12)

These fritters are delicious and so easy to make: Just grate the zucchini and combine with corn, assorted spices, and a beaten egg to make little veggie patties ready for frying.

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12

Pineapple and Black Bean Fajitas

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (13)

When you're craving Mexican cuisine, these fajitas will be sure to hit the spot. The bright flavors of the cilantro and pineapple combined with the sweetness of the sautéed red peppers will surely have you reaching for seconds.

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13

Butternut Squash Stew

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (14)

This slow-cooker meal fits perfectly into your busy life. Just add the Moroccan-inspired ingredients and let your crockpot work its magic for a few hours while reveling in the heady aroma.

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14

Beans and Greens with Lemon-Parmesan Polenta

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (15)

Balance this creamy polenta dish, topped with escarole and white beans, with lemon zest and fresh thyme for extra brightness.

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15

Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Shells

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (16)

Give pasta night an upgrade with these cheesy stuffed shells. The secret to making these Italian bombshells? Using the slow-cooker to get them to the height of gooey goodness.

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16

Vegetarian Fried Rice

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (17)

Put down that takeout menu! This veggie fried rice is quick and so easy to make — just cook your veggies of choice in a skillet with sesame oil and mix with long-grain rice.

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17

Kale and Chickpea Soup

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (18)

Do you believe us when we say you can have this soup on the table in only 25 minutes? This chickpea soup, made with Tuscan kale and tomato puree, gets little bursts of flavor from its secret ingredient: crushed fennel seeds.

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18

Watercress Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (19)

This light, flavorful salad is packed with all kinds of greens — and powerful flavor! If spice isn't your thing, feel free to nix the jalapeños.

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19

Kale Pesto Pasta

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (20)

This kale pesto sauce is so yummy, you might want to make extra to jar and keep in your fridge for quick access in the future. Pulse kale, basil, olive oil, and toasted almonds together in a food processor to create this bright, nutty sauce.

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20

Pear and Walnut Salad

You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (21)

The secret to creating a depth of flavor in this crunchy salad is adding a sprinkle of apple pie spice to your walnuts before tossing together with the rest of the ingredients and lemony dressing.

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You Won't Miss Eating Meat with These 25 Meatless Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best food for non-meat eaters? ›

27 Delicious And Healthy Meals With No Meat
  • Light Swiss Chard Frittata. ...
  • Broccoli Quinoa Burgers. ...
  • Hearty Chickpea Stew with Pesto. ...
  • Slow Cooker Whole Wheat Pasta e fa*gioli Soup. ...
  • Quinoa Fried Rice. ...
  • Spinach Lentil Soup. ...
  • Curry Grilled Vegetables with Chickpeas and Creamy Polenta. ...
  • 15 Minute Mushroom Stroganoff. amuse-your-bouche.com.
Sep 20, 2014

What is the point of meatless Monday? ›

Meatless Monday is a movement that encourages people to reduce their meat consumption one day a week for their personal health and the health of our planet. By starting each week with meatless Monday, the founders claim that people will be more likely to eat more plant-based foods throughout the week.

What to eat when you don't want meat? ›

Beans, peas and lentils can be added to casseroles, soups and salads. Vegetarian refried beans can be used instead of meat in burritos and tacos. Tofu can be added tostir-fry dishes.

What do you lack when you stop eating meat? ›

Furthermore, it's important to note that vegan, vegetarian, or mostly plant-based diets can lack nutrients predominantly found in animal foods. Plant-based diets that are not well planned may not provide enough vitamin B12, zinc, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, among other nutrients ( 6 , 7 ).

What can I replace eating meat with? ›

Protein rich plant foods

Some whole foods, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and mushrooms, contain protein or have a meaty texture and can work well as meat substitutes. Food manufacturers often include these types of food in their vegetarian and vegan products.

Can you eat eggs on Meatless Monday? ›

Can my Meatless Monday include cheese or eggs? It's your choice whether to include cheese or eggs, but we encourage you to investigate plant-based options for your Monday meals. Their variety is endless and you're sure to find some delectable new choices in our recipes section.

Are eggs considered meatless? ›

Well, the short answer is yes! Unless they are vegan (meaning they don't eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products which are derived from animals), some vegetarians do eat eggs and belong to a group known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians which according to the Vegetarian Society is the most common type of meatless diet.

Are meatless days healthy? ›

And because meat is a calorie-dense food, participating in Meatless Mondays makes it easier to lose or manage weight, greatly improving your overall health. Additionally, eating more fruits and vegetables means you get vitamins, minerals, and fiber that you won't find in meat.

What happens if you suddenly stop eating meat? ›

You may feel tired and weak if you cut meat out of your diet. That's because you're missing an important source of protein and iron, both of which give you energy. The body absorbs more iron from meat than other foods, but it's not your only choice.

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

Will I lose weight if I stop eating meat? ›

Most people consider their meals incomplete without meat. However, it affects your health and environment. Cutting down on meat has benefits such as weight loss and reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases, but it depends on what meatless alternatives you eat and what type of meat you eat.

What diet is it when you don't eat meat? ›

A vegetarian is someone who follows a vegetarian diet—they don't eat meat of any kind (beef, chicken, fish—no animal flesh at all). The word vegan typically refers to someone who doesn't eat or use any products from animals—vegans don't eat meat or dairy, and they often don't eat other animal-derived foods like honey.

What am I missing if I don't eat meat? ›

However, our bodies still need the nutrients they can get from animal products, such as meat, poultry, and fish.
  • Vitamin B12. This vitamin maintains the normal functioning of the brain, development of red blood cells, and blood flow throughout the body. ...
  • Iron. ...
  • Omega 3. ...
  • Vitamin D. ...
  • If you go vegan.
Jan 7, 2021

What should I eat when going meatless? ›

Eggs and dairy products are good sources, and you don't need to eat large amounts to meet your protein needs. Eating a variety of plant-based foods throughout the day also can provide enough protein. Plant sources include soy products and meat substitutes, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

What are 4 alternatives to meat? ›

Meat alternatives are growing in popularity
  • Tofu. Tofu is the classic meat alternative and has been one of the basic sources of nutrition in Asia for centuries. ...
  • Soy protein. ...
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Seitan/wheat protein. ...
  • Lupin protein. ...
  • Green spelt. ...
  • Oat flakes. ...
  • Black beans.
Nov 11, 2019

Can you lose by not eating meat? ›

The research, which reviewed previous studies and was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, showed particpants who cut meat out of their diets lost around 10lbs on average without monitoring their calorie intake or increasing the amount they exercised.

What supplements should non meat-eaters take? ›

8 Supplements Every Plant-Based Eater Should Consider
  • Protein. ...
  • Iron. ...
  • Vitamin B12. ...
  • Calcium. ...
  • Omega-3s. ...
  • Vitamin D3. ...
  • Catch-all greens. ...
  • Multivitamin.
Jun 29, 2021

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