20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (2024)

    These meatless meals are still filling and flavorful.

    by Hannah LoewentheilBuzzFeed Staff

    Whether you're giving up meat entirely or just trying to cut back, these filling and satisfying recipes will help. (P.S.: Even meat lovers will love these vegetarian meals.)

    Choosing Chia / Via choosingchia.com

    Cauliflower florets get battered in almond milk and flour, baked in the oven, and tossed in a sauce made of sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, soy sauce, lime juice, and garlic. Get the recipe for bang bang cauliflower here.

    2. Meatless Chickpea Meatloaf

    20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (2)

    Keeping the Peas / Via keepingthepeas.com

    This meatless loaf is made with chickpeas, pepper, onion, breadcrumbs, and lots of herbs and spices. It's baked in the oven and then topped with a sweet and tangy tomato maple glaze. Get the recipe for meatless chickpea meatloaf here.

    Choosing Chia / Via choosingchia.com

    Roasted cauliflower gets coated in a sauce made with onion, garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo, and spices so that it's a little sweet, a little spicy, and super tender. Get the recipe for roasted cauliflower tinga tacos here.

    Went There 8 This / Via wenthere8this.com

    Thanks to a sauce of gochujang, soy sauce, and honey, these cauliflower wings turn out spicy and crispy on the outside but melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. Get the recipe for oven baked spicy Korean cauliflower wings here.

    Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Via crunchycreamysweet.com

    Veggies are covered in a decadent mushroom gravy and served with a side of fluffy mashed potatoes in this vegetarian take on a class comfort food. Get the recipe for vegetarian shepherd's pie here.

    Nora Cooks / Via noracooks.com

    Once cooked, jackfruit has a consistency that is very similar to pulled meat. Make it with barbecue sauce and throw it on a bun, and you've got the perfect meatless alternative for a pulled pork sandwich. Get the recipe for Instant Pot pulled BBQ jackfruit here.

    7. Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna

    20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (3)

    Simply Recipes / Via simplyrecipes.com

    Loaded with shiitake and cremini mushrooms, spinach, ricotta and mozzarella, you certainly won't miss the meat when you bite into this rich lasagna. Get the recipe for mushroom and spinach lasagna here.

    Build Your Bite / Via buildyourbite.com

    The best thing about this crowd-pleasing recipe is that it comes together in one pot. Toss garlic, onions, beans, noodles, stewed tomatoes, and spices into a Dutch oven and let everything simmer until it's ready to serve. Get the recipe for one pot vegetarian chili mac here.

    Lexi's Clean Kitchen / Via lexiscleankitchen.com

    Looking for a way to get the kids excited about eating vegetables? This cheesy and indulgent spaghetti squash recipe is a no-brainer. Get the recipe for spinach artichoke spaghetti squash here.

    10. Mushroom Alfredo Pasta Bake

    20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (4)

    Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com

    You don't need any meat to whip up a seriously satisfying and comforting pasta bake. Case in point: This cheesy, creamy mushroom and penne dish. Get the recipe for mushroom alfredo pasta bake here.

    Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com

    Making restaurant-style enchiladas at home is way simpler than it sounds. Just prepare the black bean filling on the stove, wrap it up in tortillas, drizzle the enchiladas with cheese and sauce, and bake them in the oven. Get the recipe for vegetarian black bean enchiladas here.

    Love and Good Stuff / Via loveandgoodstuff.com

    You can get creative and add any of your favorite vegetables or ramen toppings to this miso-based soup. We love adding nori, shiitake mushrooms, and even rice cakes. Get the recipe for 15-minute miso ramen here.

    Love and Good Stuff / Via loveandgoodstuff.com, Love and Good Stuff / Via loveandgoodstuff.com

    This beefless take on a quintessential winter comfort food is made with mushrooms and other veggies cooked in butter, tomato paste, red wine, and vegetable stock. Serve it over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or polenta for a filling meal. Get the recipe for mushroom Bourguignon here.

    14. Thai Coconut Soup (Tom Kha)

    20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (5)

    A Sassy Spoon / Via asassyspoon.com

    This Thai-inspired soup gets its creamy and rich flavor from coconut milk, ground ginger, and cilantro. You can always add tofu if you want more protein. Get the recipe for Thai coconut soup here.

    15. Sheet Pan Eggplant Parmesan

    20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (6)

    The Two Bite Club / Via thetwobiteclub.com

    If you like chicken Parmesan, you'll love this veggie-based version that still boasts all the same flavors. This recipe comes together on a sheet pan, so you can forget about cleaning all those pots and pans. Get the recipe for sheet pan eggplant Parmesan here.

    Simply Delicious Food / Via simply-delicious-food.com

    This vegetarian pot pie is loaded with veggies like cauliflower, potato, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, leeks, and spinach. It still tastes seriously satisfying and filling, even without the chicken. Get the recipe for creamy vegetarian pot pie here.

    17. Vegetarian Stuffed Shells

    20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (7)

    Strawberry Blondie Kitchen / Via strawberryblondiekitchen.com

    These stuffed shells have a secret: Hidden in this pasta dish are tons of vegetables, including carrots, zucchini, onion, and spinach. Get the recipe for vegetarian stuffed shells here.

    Midwest Foodie Blog / Via midwestfoodieblog.com

    You could order takeout tonight, or you could whip up this homemade take on the Chinese favorite, which comes together in no time. Get the recipe for 15-minute veggie lo mein here.

    Cooktoria / Via cooktoria.com

    These meatless balls are made with sautéed mushrooms, onion, quick cook oats, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and a whole bunch of spices. Bake them until golden brown in the oven, then serve with your favorite pasta and sauce. Get the recipe for mushroom meatballs here.

    20. Shiitake Bok Choy Soba Noodle Bowl

    20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (8)

    A House in the Hills / Via ahouseinthehills.com

    You can adjust this recipe to include whatever vegetables you like best, from broccoli and baby corn to pea shoots and sweet potato. Just toss the veggies in a wok with cooked soba noodles and the garlic ginger sauce and stir it all together. Get the recipe for shiitake and bok choy soba noodle bowls here.

    20 Easy And Hearty Meatless Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the best food for non meat eaters? ›

    Eat beans, pulses, eggs and other sources of protein

    Pulses are particularly important for people who don't get protein by eating meat, fish or dairy products. Other non-dairy sources of protein include eggs and meat alternatives, such as tofu, mycoprotein (such as Quorn), textured vegetable protein and tempeh.

    What can I make to eat without meat? ›

    30 Quick Dinners With No Meat
    • Quick Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese. ...
    • Honey-Lime Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Corn Tacos. ...
    • Easy Vegetable Lo Mein. ...
    • Easy Double Bean Burgers With Avocado Basil Cream. ...
    • Black Pepper Stir-Fried Noodles. ...
    • Roasted Vegetable Salad With Garlic Dressing and Toasted Pepitas.
    Oct 16, 2014

    What to cook for someone who doesn t like meat? ›

    Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers

    A combination of sweet potatoes, quinoa, and red lentils makes these meatless patties taste and feel similar to classic hamburgers. Serve them on buns with your favorite toppings.

    What is the 21 days no meat diet? ›

    It involves a 21 day ad libitum food intake period, devoid of animal products and preservatives, and inclusive of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of the Daniel Fast to improve markers of metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk.

    What are the benefits of no longer eating meat? ›

    And people who don't eat meat, called vegetarians, generally eat fewer calories and less fat. They also tend to weigh less. And they have a lower risk of heart disease than nonvegetarians do. Research shows that people who eat red meat are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke or diabetes.

    Can you live off not eating meat? ›

    While a plant-based diet can definitely be nutritionally complete, transitioning from eating meat may require some added effort to avoid a shortage of calories, protein, and micronutrients. If you go meat free, Levy-Wollins recommends regular doctor visits and lab work to monitor nutritional needs and any deficiencies.

    What are three foods that can be eaten without cooking? ›

    What can I eat?
    • raw fruits and raw vegetables.
    • dried fruits and vegetables.
    • freshly made fruit and vegetable juices.
    • soaked and sprouted beans, other legumes, and grains.
    • raw nuts and seeds.
    • raw nut butters, such as peanut butter and almond butter.
    • nut milks, including almond milk.
    • coconut milk.

    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 tastes like meat but is not meat? ›

    Many vegetarian dishes can mimic the taste and texture of meat or seafood but don't contain any meat or seafood. Here are a few examples: Vegetarian "chicken" or "beef" made from soy or wheat protein, such as seitan or tofu, can be prepared in various ways to mimic the texture of meat.

    What do you call someone who barely eats meat? ›

    A flexitarian diet, also called a semi-vegetarian diet, is one that is centered on plant foods with limited or occasional inclusion of meat. For example, a flexitarian might eat meat only some days each week.

    What is a person who doesn't eat meat called? ›

    Vegetarians don't eat meat for a range of health, environmental, ethical, religious or economic reasons. There are many different types of vegetarianism. A well-planned vegetarian diet can meet nutritional needs during all stages of life.

    What is the most famous vegetarian dish? ›

    Originating in the Middle East, falafel is one the most popular vegetarian foods in the world! As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction! However, the origin of these beloved patties is rather controversial.

    What is the best dinner for night? ›

    Here are some healthy dinner ideas:
    • Grilled chicken or fish with roasted vegetables and quinoa or brown rice.
    • Vegetable stir-fry with tofu or shrimp and served with whole wheat noodles or brown rice.
    • Black bean and sweet potato tacos with a side of mixed greens.
    • Lentil and vegetable soup with a side of whole wheat bread.
    Jan 23, 2023

    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.

    What nutrients do you lack if you don't eat meat? ›

    Intake and status of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and bone turnover markers were generally lower in plant-based dietary patterns compared to meat-eaters. Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density.

    How can I maintain my weight without eating meat? ›

    High-protein vegetarian foods include beans, nuts, seeds, lentils, eggs, dairy products, and soy foods (such as tempeh, tofu, and edamame). Opting for complex carbs. These fullness-boosting foods include whole grains, starchy vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Watching your portions of high-calorie foods.

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