Just because it's meatless doesn't mean it's not yummy.😋
Whether you live in a vegetarian or vegan household, or you just want to cut back on your meat intake (maybe you're incorporating Meatless Monday into your routine!), these meatless recipes will be perfect for you to whip up a quick and delicious meal for the whole family.
From veggie bibimbap to mushroom tacos tomeatless pasta recipes, we have a boatload of meal ideas for you. Let's get cooking!
Jessica In The Kitchen / Via jessicainthekitchen.com
A riff on the Chinese takeout classic, this saucy orange tofu is actually deceptively easy to make. Thanks to your handy air fryer, it gets crunchy on the outside while remaining chewy on the inside. Add this as a protein to a noodle or salad dish, or enjoy on its own.
Recipe: Crispy Orange Air Fryer Tofu
Recipe Tin Eats / Via recipetineats.com
You could always bake these homemade falafel in the oven, but for the ultimate crispy exterior, frying them in oil is the way to go. Add these to a garlic pita and enjoy with tzatziki sauce for a yummy Mediterranean meal.
Recipe: Crispy Falafel
7. Meatless Sloppy Joes
Tasty / Via tasty.co
Meatless recipes that traditionally call for meat can be tricky, but these vegetarian sloppy joes are packed with flavor and nutrition. Made with tofu and mixed veggies, the mix is yummy and full of fiber.
Recipe:Meatless Sloppy Joes
8. Easy Chickpea Curry (Channa Masala)
Tasty / Via tasty.co
This delicious chickpea curry is a classic Indian dish that's both simple to make and packed with flavor. It's made with soft and tender chickpeas, lots of spices, and a yummy tomato sauce. We recommend serving over rice!
9. Sofritas Burrito Bowl
Tasty / Via tasty.co
Craving Chipotle for dinner but don't want to leave the house? Then we've got the copycat recipe for you — our version of sofritas comes together with a medley of spices and soy sauce. All you have to do is break apart extra firm tofu, mix in soy sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne, and cook until browned. You can serve it in a bowl with rice or lettuce, or even use it as a taco filling.
Recipe:Sofritas Burrito Bowl
10. Baked Quesadillas
A Couple Cooks / Via acouplecooks.com
This recipe is so filling yet so delicious, that you'll be grabbing seconds or thirds even when you're beyond full. This dish is totally vegetarian — and you can add vegan taco meat if you're looking for a direct meat substitute. It's jam-packed with cheese, black beans, green onion, and pico de gallo, so you probably won't even miss it.
Recipe:Baked Quesadillas
11. Mushroom Pasta with Parmesan
A Couple Cooks / Via acouplecooks.com
This dish will give you something to *cheese* about. On top of the heaps of parmesan, the recipe calls for short noodles, and we totally agree. Ifcasarecce (the twisty noodles) aren't your thing, then penne is always a great alternative. Similarly, you can also change up the recipe to incorporate your favorite type of mushroom — or do a mix of a few!
Recipe:Mushroom Pasta with Parmesan
12. Pesto Potato and Burrata Pizza
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
This recipe is so simple yet so delicious. Has burrata ever been bad on anything? Combine burrata with sliced potatoes, basil, lemon zest — and of course pizza dough — and it'll quickly become your favorite pizza.
13. Vegan Eggplant Bolognese
The Kitchn / Via thekitchn.com
Pasta is always a safe choice when you're trying to go meatless. This dish is packed with vegetables, mainly the star of the show, eggplant (the recipe calls for a whole pound!). Use penne or rigatoni for best results.
Recipe:Vegan Eggplant Bolognese
How To Feed A Loon / Via howtofeedaloon.com, How To Feed a Loon / Via howtofeedaloon.com
In under two hours, this soup could be yours. Most of the time is dedicated to roasting the tomatoes, but if you can also roast them 24 hours in advance if you just want tot come home to a warm bowl of tomato soup. Pair with grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort food meal.
Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup
15. Instant Pot Mushroom and Spinach Risotto
Courtney/ Love and Good Stuff / Via loveandgoodstuff.com
Forget about all the stove-top stirring and let your Instant Pot turn arborio rice into creamy, indulgent risotto, loaded with savory spinach and mushrooms and topped with Parmesan cheese.
Tasty / Via tasty.co
Even in the summer, there's nothing better than a hearty bowl of curry noodle soup to keep your family pleasantly delighted with this meatless dinner.
Recipe: Curry Noodle Soup
17. Cacio e Pepe
Tasty / Via tasty.co
You can't go wrong with a delicious pasta with cheese and pepper! This is a classic meatless pasta—so no substitutions, just pure deliciousness! Plus, this recipe cranks out four servings, so you can either make it a dinner party or make leftovers.
Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
The Twin Cooking Project / Via thetwincookingproject.net
This 10-minute peanut sauce made with creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, and garlic is pretty much life changing. Don't have rice noodles on hand? Use spaghetti, udon, or even instant ramen noodles.
19. Spicy Vegetable Ramen Bowls
Peas and Crayons / Via peasandcrayons.com
The base of this spicy, creamy ramen soup starts with sesame oil, dried mushrooms, garlic, vegetable broth, tomato pasta, Sriracha, and soy sauce. Just add ramen noodles and garnish with any of your favorite toppings from jammy eggs to wilted bok choy.
Recipe: Spicy Vegetable Ramen Bowls
Tasty / Via tasty.co
Looking for a dinner that's super satisfying and works perfectly as leftovers? This one's for you. Orzo is simmered in vegetable broth, shallots, garlic, and sage to create the delicious flavor your family will love.
21. Pad Thai Spaghetti Squash
Tasty / Via tasty.co
Spaghetti squash is low-key magical—you can get noodles from a vegetable! If you're not the biggest fan of squash, this recipe is guaranteed to change your mind instantly. Add some tofu or egg for some meatless protein.
Recipe: Pad Thai Spaghetti Squash
22. Vegetable Bibimbap
Love and Lemons / Via loveandlemons.com
This Korean rice dish is made with a handful of fresh and pickled vegetables and a runny fried egg. Get creative and use whatever is in your kitchen.
Recipe: Vegetable Bibimbap
A Saucy Kitchen / Via asaucykitchen.com
You won't miss the ground beef when it comes to this savory lentil-packed tomato sauce. It comes together in one pan in about 20 minutes. Just toss it with your favorite cooked pasta and enjoy.
Recipe: 20-Minute Lentil Bolognese
Cafe Delites / Via cafedelites.com
When it's cold outside, nothing hits the spot like tortellini soup. And best of all, this recipe comes together entirely in the slow cooker, so you can set it, forget it, and wait for dinner time.
25. One-Pot Vegan Swedish "Meatball" Pasta
Tasty / Via tasty.co
Who says you need pork, beef, or turkey to enjoy a good meatball? These vegan Swedish "meatballs" will have you questioning if you would ever want to eat meatballs that aren't vegan ever again.
Our Happy Mess / Via ourhappymess.com
Stuff these bell peppers with your favorite grain (quinoa, rice, or even couscous), sautéed onions, lots of spices, diced tomatoes, and a healthy serving of shredded cheese.
Tasty / Via tasty.co
This hearty summer vegetable minestrone soup is filled to the brim with plenty of filling vegetables that even the kids in your family will love because they're just too tasty.
Recipe: Summer Vegetable Minestrone Soup
The Wanderlust Kitchen / Via thewanderlustkitchen.com
This one-skillet recipe comes together with pantry ingredients you might already have on hand. Grab some canned white beans, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, and marinated artichoke hearts, and you're halfway to dinner.
29. Caprese Spaghetti Squash
Tasty / Via tasty.co
A meatless Mediterranean meal! Stuffed with garlic, onion, cherry tomato, and mozzarella then topped with fresh basil, this pasta substitute may be low carb, but it's still totally satisfying. Even better, you can make it in under an hour.
Recipe: Caprese Spaghetti Squash
30. Slow Cooker Coconut Curry
Tasty / Via tasty.co
A true dump meal, just toss some veggies, coconut milk, quinoa, tomatoes, and spices into the slow cooker. When dinner time comes around, it's ready to eat.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Coconut Curry
Tasty / Via tasty.co
This BBQ jackfruit pizza is the perfect BBQ chicken alternative that'll satisfy every hungry mouth in your household.
Recipe: Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Pizza
Tastes Better From Scratch / Via tastesbetterfromscratch.com
You won't even miss the meat when you cut into these rich and creamy tortillas, which are filled with a spiced mixture of rice, sweet potatoes, and black beans — then topped with red enchilada sauce.
Recipe: Veggie Enchiladas
Eating Bird Food / Via eatingbirdfood.com
Who needs chicken parm when you could have eggplant parm? Seriously, thiis dish is so delicious you'l be wondering why you haven't been making it this whole time. Plus, you'll be shocked that this crispy eggplant — breaded, then baked from start to finish — isn't fried in oil.
Recipe: Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com, Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest
Cauliflower is my all-time favorite substitute for recipes that are traditionally made with chicken. This Chinese-inspired dish is no exception. Cauliflower gets roasted in the oven until crispy, then tossed in a thick and spicy sauce on the stove top.
Recipe: Kung Pao Cauliflower
Tasty / Via tasty.co
Lasagna is one of the ultimate comfort foods, and this recipe is guaranteed to bring even the biggest carnivores comfort. These little lasagna roll-ups are not only pretty cute, but also satisfying, decked in layers of cheese. In under an hour, they could be yours!
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
If you've never made pot stickers from scratch, it's actually quite easy and a fun family dinner or date night idea. Start with store-bought dumpling wrappers and fill them with a mixture of veggies, ginger, chives, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Recipe: Homemade Vegetable Pot Stickers
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
Curry is one of my go-to vegetarian meals. It's good for you and filling, and you can customize it with any of your favorite vegetables.
Recipe: Creamy Thai Sweet Potato Curry
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
Add some tofu for extra protein if you're feeling hungry, but this sweet-meets-savory Thai noodle dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
39. Vegetarian Mapo Tofu
Healthy Nibbles and Bits / Via healthynibblesandbits.com
Mapo tofu is often made with ground pork, but this version is totally vegetarian. Thanks to chili bean sauce, Sichuan peppercorns, and Korean red chili, it's super spicy and will warm you right up on chilly fall nights.
Recipe: Vegetarian Mapo Tofu
Full of Plants / Via fullofplants.com, Full Of Plants / Via fullofplants.com
If you don't follow a vegan diet, you can make this vegetable-based tikka masala with half-and-half or full-fat yogurt for extra creaminess.
41. Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Spend With Pennies / Via spendwithpennies.com
You can shave lots of time off this recipe by using canned lentils and your favorite canned tomato sauce. You can even skip boiling and mashing the potatoes if you use the frozen kind.
Recipe: Lentil Shepherd's Pie
42. Parmesan Polenta with Roasted Vegetables
Family Style Food / Via familystylefood.com
Whatever veggies you have on hand, toss them into the oven and roast them until just charred and tender. Serve on top of polenta for a satisfying fall meal.
The Recipe Critic / Via therecipecritic.com
Dredged in milk, panko, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder, these cauliflower florets boast a crunchy exterior and a nice kick. Just don't forget the blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Recipe: Baked Buffalo Cauliflower
Diethood / Via diethood.com
These plant-based meatballs are light and fluffy on the inside with a crunchy outside. Serve them on top of your favorite pasta tossed with your go-to sauce.
Recipe: Ricotta Zucchini "Meatballs"
Vanilla and Bean / Via vanillaandbean.com
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.
Recipe: Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers
46. Crispy and Crunchy Tofu Nuggets
Jessica In The Kitchen / Via jessicainthekitchen.com
Battered in milk (or nut milk), flour, bread crumbs, and lots of spices, then baked in the oven for about 25 minutes, these vegetarian nuggets might permanently change your opinion about tofu.
Recipe: Crispy and Crunchy Tofu Nuggets
Butter Your Biscuit / Via butteryourbiscuit.com
Turn your average weeknight into a pizza party. Instead of pizza dough, I love using store-bought naan and adding toppings for a quick and easy family-friendly meal.
Family Style Food / Via familystylefood.com
This veggie-packed lasagna takes advantage of fall's best produce, like mushrooms, leeks, kale, and squash. It's easy enough to make on a weeknight but special enough to save for date night or your next dinner party.
Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
Rainbow Plant Life / Via rainbowplantlife.com
"Gremolata" is basically a fancy word for a simple mix of garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs. Sprinkled on top of this white bean soup with a drizzle of good olive oil, it takes your meal to the next level.
50. Easy Chickpea Curry (Channa Masala)
Tasty / Via tasty.co
This savory and indulgent chickpea curry is the perfect recipe to satisfy anyone's tastebuds!
51. Spicy Mango Tempeh
Yup It's Vegan / Via yupitsvegan.com
This spicy mango tempeh is sweet, tangy, and easy to make!
Recipe:Spicy Mango Tempeh
52. Porcini + Portobello Mushroom Bourguignon over Smashed Potatoes
The Chubby Vegetarian / Via thechubbyvegetarian.com
This meatless version of a French classic — beouf bourguignon — is the perfect dish to make for the entire family.
Recipe:Porcini + Portobello Mushroom Bourguignon over Smashed Potatoes
What are some of your favorite meatless recipes? Feel free to leave them in the comments below.
This article contains content previously curated by Hannah Loewentheil. It was compiled by Salimah McCullough.