"One of our editors’ 5-year-old son said it all when he asked for more vegetarian meals last year: “I love animals and don’t want them to get hurt… but they also taste so good.” So while swapping to a totally vegetarian or vegan diet might be way out of the question (especially when dino chicken nuggets are the only thing on the menu right now), we know that the meat industry is a little shady and definitely not helping our climate crisis.
We could all stand to eat more plant-forward, both for our bodies and the planet. Here are some of our favorite plant-based meals to spark your creativity for all of the #MeatlessMondays (and any day of the week, really) you have ahead of you. The Earth will thank you for it, even if it’s just one meal a week—hey, she gets it; she’s a mother, too. Read on for 30 vegetarian meals to add into your family meal rotation.
Soup Recipes
1. Plant-Based Cauliflower Soup
This creamy and delicious soup is perfect to prep on Sunday, throw in some Tupperware, and have a hearty dinner ready to eat all week long.
2. 4-Ingredient Potato Soup
Who doesn’t love a dinner that’s literally less than five ingredients? This potato soup is beyond easy to throw together, and once again, can be tossed in the fridge and enjoyed all week long.
Pizza, Pasta & Noodle Recipes
3. Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Using a cauliflower crust for pizza is one of the best ways to sneak in a hearty serving of vegetables for your little ones, and they’ll never even be able to tell! Finish it off with vegan cheese and any other toppings of your choice.
4. Bruschetta Pizza Baguette
For a pizza on the heartier side, little hands are going to love tearing into this extra gooey mozzarella pizza baguette. While this recipe calls for vegan cheese, you can always swap in the real deal too.
5. Sheet Pan Gnocchi
This is such a clever way to bring a delightfully crispy dimension to gnocchi, and it’s a breezy recipe that will let you generously tackle the rest of your Sunday plans. Feel free to swap in whatever fresh veggies your little ones are willing to eat!
6. Avocado Pasta
Have big Sunday happenings with the fam, but still want to serve up a fabulous home-cooked meal? This creamy dreamy pasta alternative to pesto will be ready in under 30 minutes and leave everyone full and satisfied.
7. Homemade Cauliflower Gnocchi
If you’re a fan of the cult favorite Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi, give this super simple recipe a go with a delicious homemade vodka sauce (also vegan, of course).
8. Easy Tofu Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of those fantastic, protein-packed meals that’s got just the right amount of flavor you can feel, without being overly spicy or exotic.
9. Vegan Pasta Puttanesca
Great as a side dish or just on its own, this classic pasta recipe will easily become a new dinner favorite due to its simple ingredients and super tasty end result.
10. Vegetable Lo Mein
Chop up some vegetables, cook your noodles, and whip up a quick sauce for this yummy lo mein that is great on it’s own or with fried rice and a vegan chicken or beef.
11. Spicy Vegan Mac & Cheese
C’mon, what kid doesn’t love mac & cheese? This plant-based recipe is just as delicious as your typical Kraft moment, just without the dairy overflow and added preservatives.
12. Vegan Butternut Squash Carbonara with Coconut Bacon and Crispy Sage
If you want to cook up something a little more fancy for dinner this week, look no further than this amazing vegan carbonara that’s so savory and creamy you would never even know it’s plant-based.
Casserole-Style Recipes
13. Eggplant Parmesan
Even if you’re not Italian, Sunday’s the perfect day to bring the bit of extra TLC to the kitchen for a mouthwatering Italian-inspired meal whose leftovers will keep on giving as you start your week.
14. Bean and Aubergine Casserole
If you’re in the mood for something warm and filling, try out this casserole that also is super easy to make in a large batch and eat as leftovers throughout the week.
Burger and Sandwich Recipes
15. Vegan Chicken Pesto Panini
This vegan crispy chicken pesto panini will turn into the lunch or dinner of your kids’ dreams. Plus, they take less than 20 minutes to make, so they’re ideal for a busy day where you don’t have a ton of time to be in the kitchen.
16. Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Creamy Avocado Pesto
Even if you have a family full of fans of biting into a juicy actual burger, these creative burgers take on such a yummy persona in their own right that it would be like comparing apples to oranges. Plus you can freeze any leftover patties for a future easy meal solution.
17. Vegan Sloppy Joes
There’s nothing quite as nostalgic and comforting as eating a sloppy joe, and this vegan version surely won’t disappoint.
18. Spicy Tofu Burgers
These tofu burgers are seriously giving beef burgers a huge run for their money. With a ton of rich spices balanced out by crisp veggies and a toasty brioche bun, your family may never turn back to meat again.
Vegetable-Centered Recipes
19. Savory Zucchini Waffles
Waffles for dinner? Absolutely! Especially when you pair these golden ones with nourishing add-ons like a creamy homemade hummus or Greek yogurt tzatziki sauce.
20. Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Buffalo cauliflower wings make for the best fan-favorite appetizer, simple side dish, or even just a quick snack. It’s another way to get your kiddos to easily meet their daily veggie servings!
21. Loaded Sweet Potatoes with Tabbouleh
Sweet potatoes are incredibly quick and easy to cook, then just finish it off with any and all of the delicious toppings of your choice as well as a refreshing tabbouleh salad to balance out the rich flavors.
Bowl Recipes
22. Vegan Thai Red Curry with Tofu
Curry is one of the best meals to prep in a large quantity and have ready to scoop into bowls over rice for a few nights’ worth of family dinners. This amazing tofu and veggie recipe is a perfect option for the job.
23. Vegan Burrito Bowl
Chipotle who? You’ll never look back after trying these plant-based burrito bowls that are backed with tons of protein and even more flavor.
24. Plant Power Balance Bowls
It’s super easy to throw together a power bowl with any extra veggies and protein you have lying around—they’re completely customizable and provide a balanced and filling meal.
25. Lebanese Mujadara
With only three main ingredients—lentils, rice, and onions—you’ll be amazed at the unique, tasty, and wonderfully healthy creation they bring to your bowl. Hint: part of the secret is in the caramelized onions!
26. Green Goddess Fig Bowls
Over the past couple of years, green goddess has seriously become the dressing of all dressings, so go for this homemade one on top of a sweet and savory bowl to see what all the hype is really about.
27. Superfood Bibimbap with Crispy Tofu
Stocking up on ingredients for these bowls on Sundays will leave you with appetizing and super healthy lunches and dinners for the whole week ahead.
Tortilla-Based Recipes
28. Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
When you pair together sweet potatoes and black beans, something magical seems to happen. And when they’re tucked into a scrumptious Sunday enchilada full of flavorful fun, all the better!
29. BBQ Bean Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
This is a perfect recipe to serve at a spring or summer if you’ll be serving any vegan or vegetarian guests! The smokiness of the beans and sweetness of the pineapple will be an absolute hit.
30. Spanish Tortilla
Okay, technically it doesn’t have tortilla in it… but this classic ‘tortilla’ from Spain is definitely a winner if your family enjoys eggs. Layered with potato, egg, and onion and skillet-fried to perfection, it goes well with all kinds of sauces, including the paprika-poppin’ pimenton aioli included with this recipe.
