35+ Vegetarian Meals Even Meat Eaters Will Love

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By Taylor Stinson | Rate Recipe | Posted: 04/17/23 | Updated: 06/26/23

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These Healthy Vegetarian Meals are a great way to eat more plant-based – you'll want to make them all the time, Meatless Mondays or not!

35+ Vegetarian Meals Even Meat Eaters Will Love - The Girl on Bloor (1)

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How to Make Tasty Vegetarian Dinners

You don’t need meat to make a delicious meal! There are plenty of amazing recipes out there that are fully vegetarian. With the right spices, ingredients and plant-based proteins, you can make a dish that’s so tasty, you won’t even notice that the meat is missing. Are you into meal prepping? Try these vegetarian meal prep recipes!

The Best Vegetarian Protein Sources

One thing to keep in mind when you're cooking vegetarian meals is to make sure you get enough protein! Here's a breakdown of some of my favourite vegetarian protein sources.

Tofu and tempeh: between 16.9 and 21.8 grams per 1/2 cup serving
Lentils: 18 grams per 1 cup serving
Quinoa: 8.1 grams per 1 cup serving
Chickpeas: 7.3 grams per per 1/2 cup serving
Edamame: 16 grams per 1 cup serving
Black beans: 8 grams per 1/2 cup serving
Hemp hearts: 9.5 grams per 3 tbsp serving
Chia seeds: 2 grams per 1 tbsp serving
Almonds: 7 grams per 1/4 cup serving
Nutritional yeast: 8 grams per 2 tbsp serving

Vegetarian Staples

Whether you've been wanting to try out Meatless Mondays or you're fully vegetarian, these staple dishes are the perfect base for a vegetarian meal! Learn to make them in a variety of ways and your choices are endless. You can decide to prepare them as a side or as a complete meal for even more flexibility.

How to Make Cauliflower Rice {5 Ways}

40 minutes minutes

Learn how to make Cauliflower Rice 5 Ways! Choose from chili lime, ham & pineapple, Mediterranean, curried and garlic sesame seasonings.

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5 Easy Rice Recipes to Spice Up Dinner

40 minutes minutes

These 5 Easy Rice Recipes can be made in a rice cooker with few ingredients – try fried, cilantro lime, tomato basil, mushroom or coconut.

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How to Cook Sweet Potatoes {3 Ways!}

1 hour hour

Learn the best ways to cook sweet potatoes with these 3 delicious and easy recipes! Try them mashed, fully loaded or baked in the oven.

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1 hour hour

These 5 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes are full of protein! Choose from five flavours: southwest, curried, Mediterranean, caprese or green goddess.

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Easy Instant Pot Lentils {10 Minutes!} via Eating Instantly

Here’s how to cook Instant Pot lentils – whether you’re cooking red or green lentils, they’re so easy to make in the pressure cooker!

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Instant Pot Pinto Beans {No Soak + Ways to Use Them} via Eating Instantly

Making pinto beans in the Instant Pot is so easy! Learn how to make them (no soaking required) and healthy meal ideas.

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Instant Pot Farro {+Farro Bowl} via Eating Instantly

This Instant Pot Farro is super easy and comes together in just 15 minutes. Use the superfood grain to make a healthy and nutritious bowl!

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Vegetarian Rice Dishes & Bowls

These vegetarian rice dishes and meal prep bowls are amazing! They use a variety of proteins, like legumes or tofu, to make a delicious and satisfying meal. They're proof that eating vegetarian doesn't have to be boring!

Chana Masala {Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, Stovetop}

30 minutes minutes

Chana Masala is a delicious vegan chickpea curry made from pantry staples. Make it in the Instant Pot, slow cooker or stovetop.

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Build Your Own Buddha Bowl {Vegan}

45 minutes minutes

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl with delicious fresh veggies that are roasted on a sheet pan. You’ll love the homemade tahini dressing!

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Ginger Sesame Tofu Stir Fry

40 minutes minutes

ThisGinger Sesame Tofu Stir Fry is coated in a deliciously sticky sauce – plus, I'll show you the secret to getting that perfect crispy tofu!

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Slow Cooker Lentil Curry

4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

This Slow Cooker Lentil Curry with butternut squash, spinach and coconut milk is a delicious vegan recipe – serve with rice for a full meal!

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Slow Cooker Peanut Stew {Gluten-Free + Vegan}

4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

This Slow Cooker Peanut Stew is a hearty dish made with chickpeas, sweet potatoes and peanut butter. It's also gluten-free and vegan!

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Carribean Inspired BBQ Tofu Bowl {Vegetarian}

45 minutes minutes

This BBQ Tofu Bowl is full of Caribbean flavours and fresh veggies – it’s inspired by one of my favourite restaurants, One Love Vegetarian.

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Summer Buddha Bowls with Turmeric Chickpeas

50 minutes minutes

These vegan Summer Buddha Bowls with Turmeric Chickpeas, marinated tofu and quinoa are just as delicious as they are nutritious!

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15 minutes minutes

These 15 Minute Spicy Noodles are a lifesaver when you don't know what to make for dinner! They're fast, easy and made with pantry staples.

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Vegetarian Soups & Chilis

These hearty vegetarian soups and chilis are so comforting! They're all high in protein and fibre and they're packed with flavour. They'll fill you up when it's cold and dreary.

The Best DIY Instant Noodles

35 minutes minutes

These healthy homemade instant noodles are an easy and delicious vegetarian lunch idea! Prep them in mason jars then just add water!

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Instant Pot Turmeric Lentil Soup {Vegan}

40 minutes minutes

This Instant Pot Turmeric Lentil Soup is a vibrant vegan soup made with immunity-boosting turmeric that's ready in just 20 minutes.

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Creamy Coconut Carrot Ginger Soup {Vegan}

45 minutes minutes

This vegan Creamy Coconut Carrot Ginger Soup is so flavourful! You'll love it topped with easy homemade croutons or crispy chickpeas.

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The Best Crockpot Vegetable Soup

8 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

This Crockpot Vegetable Soup is so delicious! It's made easily in the slow cooker with fire roasted tomatoes, lentils, and a mix of veggies.

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Creamy Portobello Mushroom Soup

30 minutes minutes

ThisCreamy Portobello Mushroom Soup with white beans is the ultimate comfort food, and it's high in fibre. You'll love this delicious vegetarian soup!

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30-Minute Tortellini Minestrone Soup

30 minutes minutes

This Tortellini Minestrone Soup is a comforting and high-fibre recipe that's ready in less than 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights!

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Instant Pot Taco Soup (Vegetarian + Gluten Free!)

30 minutes minutes

This Instant Pot Taco Soup is a great option for busy weeknights with all your favourite taco toppings and gluten-free chickpea noodles.

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Crock Pot Vegetarian Lentil Chili

8 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

This Crock Pot Vegetarian Lentil Chili with sweet potatoesis a healthy spin on comfort food – it's the perfect hands-off dump dinner!

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Vegetarian Pastas

Pasta's one of my favourite dishes to make vegetarian. These pastas come together so easily with a mix of different vegetables. Pair them with a side salad to get even more vegetables in!

Super Easy Mini Vegetable Lasagna Cups

35 minutes minutes

These Super Easy Mini Vegetable Lasagna Cups are such a cute individual serving-sized version of everyone’s favourite comfort food.

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30 minutes minutes

This One Pot Pasta Primavera is a 30-minute dinner that's packed with fresh vegetables and an easy creamy parmesan sauce.

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Creamy Mushroom Pasta {Best Ever!!!}

45 minutes minutes

This Creamy Mushroom Pasta is a one pot wonder! It's an easy vegetarian dinner with the perfect parmesan cream sauce.

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Brown Butter Sage Butternut Squash Gnocchi

1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

This Brown Butter Sage Butternut Squash Gnocchi is a delicious twist on a classic made with homemade gnocchi, kale and caramelized onions.

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CreamiestSlow Cooker Mac and Cheese

2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

The secret to the CreamiestSlow Cooker Mac and Cheese is evaporated milk – it's ultra creamy and velvety, and cooks on low in one pot!

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White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese

35 minutes minutes

ThisWhite Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheeseis super creamy and made on the stovetop with truffle oil, white cheddar and Swiss cheese.

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55 minutes minutes

ThisFreezer-Friendly Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese is a delicious, fall-inspired twist on everyone's favourite comfort food – it's made with roasted veggies for extra nutritional value!

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Vegetarian Salads & Sandwiches

This wouldn't be a good vegetarian meal round up if I didn't include salads! These salads are great for meal prepping and will definitely fill you up thanks to their hearty ingredients. I also included two go-to sandwich recipes that make excellent lunches!

The Best Veggie Mason Jar Salad {Two Ways!}

30 minutes minutes

This Veggie Mason Jar Salad is packed with protein, with a yummy hummus base for an extra layer of flavour – try making it one of two ways!

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The BEST Arugula Salad

45 minutes minutes

Inspired by Aroma Espresso Bar, this is the BEST Arugula Salad – it features lentils, sweet potatoes, and lemon-olive oil dressing. You can meal prep it, too!

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Chickpea Quinoa Power Salad {Gluten Free}

45 minutes minutes

This Chickpea Quinoa Power Salad with Jalapeno Dressingis a delicious rainbow slaw with diced mango and chili lime chickpeas!

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The Best Kale Salad on the Internet

50 minutes minutes

This Kale Salad is the best meal prep lunch! It's got protein with lentils and halloumi cheese, lots of veggies and a tasty dressing.

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Mediterranean Chickpea Salad {Meal Prep}

15 minutes minutes

These Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Jars with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes are the perfect plant-based lunch and are great for meal prep!

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Chickpea Salad Wrap {with Sweet Potato and Avocado}

35 minutes minutes

These curried Chickpea Salad Wraps with sweet potato and avocado are the perfect grab and go lunch, and easily made vegetarian!

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Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich

25 minutes minutes

This Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a delicious and healthy lunch idea filled with yummy green veggies and two types of cheese!

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35+ Vegetarian Meals Even Meat Eaters Will Love - The Girl on Bloor (40)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of being a vegetarian?

There are lots of benefits of being a vegetarian. It can lower your blood pressure, improve your heart health, reduce your risk of diabetes and promote bone health.

What is plant-based protein?

Plant-based protein is any source of protein that comes from plants with no animal products or meat. Some of the best sources of plant-based protein are tofu, lentils, beans, nutritional yeast and hemp seeds.

What's the difference between a vegan and vegetarian diet?

A vegetarian diet excludes all meat while a vegan diet excludes meat and any animal products, including milk or dairy.

35+ Vegetarian Meals Even Meat Eaters Will Love

These Healthy Vegetarian Meals are a great way to eat more plant-based – you'll want to make them all the time, Meatless Mondays or not!Customize this easy Buddha Bowl recipe to suit your tastes.

5 from 1 vote

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Servings: 4

Calories: 502kcal

Author: Taylor Stinson

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

▢ 1 tbsp olive oil

Protein Sources

▢ 1 can chickpeas
▢ 1 block extra-firm tofu see optional marinade below
▢ 1 cup store bought falafels
▢ 1 cup edamame

Vegetables

▢ 1 medium-sized sweet potato, chopped into small cubes
▢ 1 cup mushrooms, sliced in half
▢ 1 cup broccoli florets
▢ 1 cup cauliflower florets
▢ 1 cup red onion, sliced

Quinoa

▢ 1 cup quinoa
▢ 2 cup water
▢ 1 tsp olive oil

Extras

▢ 1/2 cup roasted red pepper
▢ 1 avocado, sliced
▢ 2 tbsp nuts and seeds
▢ 2 tbsp shredded coconut

Tahini Dressing

▢ 1/4 cup 1/4cuptahini
▢ 1/4 cup water
▢ 1 tbsp lemon juice
▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
▢ 1 pinch salt & pepper

Tofu Marinade

▢ 1/2 cup 1/2cuptamari or soy sauce
▢ 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
▢ 1/4 cup water
▢ 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 F. Add parchment to a sheet pan, then drizzle sweet potato, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower and red onion with olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked.
Meanwhile, cook quinoa with water and olive oil in a rice cooker or on the stovetop, and stir dressing ingredients together (you may need to use a blender or an immersion blender if the tahini is hard to stir)
During this time, you can also prepare the rest of the ingredients, including cutting tofu into cubes (if using tofu) and marinating in the ingredients listed above.
Serve roasted vegetables over quinoa and alongside proteins and extras of choice. Drizzle with tahini dressing, then serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Store these bowls in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or eat them cold.

This is a basic template of a buddha bowl and is based on this Build Your Own Buddha Bowl recipe.

Mix up the toppings and add in different veggies – it’s a great way to clear out your fridge!

Nutrition

Calories: 502kcal (25%)Carbohydrates: 56g (19%)Protein: 22g (44%)Fat: 24g (37%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Sodium: 236mg (10%)Potassium: 1118mg (32%)Fiber: 13g (54%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 4587IU (92%)Vitamin C: 59mg (72%)Calcium: 153mg (15%)Iron: 6mg (33%)

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Created by Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!

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Did you make this recipe or want to share your thoughts? Make sure to leave your review below and tag me on Instagram #thegirlonbloor so I can check it out!

35+ Vegetarian Meals Even Meat Eaters Will Love - The Girl on Bloor (2024)

Free Dinner Prep Challenge

How to Make Tasty Vegetarian Dinners

The Best Vegetarian Protein Sources

Vegetarian Staples

How to Make Cauliflower Rice {5 Ways}

5 Easy Rice Recipes to Spice Up Dinner

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes {3 Ways!}

Easy Instant Pot Lentils {10 Minutes!} via Eating Instantly

Instant Pot Pinto Beans {No Soak + Ways to Use Them} via Eating Instantly

Instant Pot Farro {+Farro Bowl} via Eating Instantly

Vegetarian Rice Dishes & Bowls

Chana Masala {Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, Stovetop}

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl {Vegan}

Ginger Sesame Tofu Stir Fry

Slow Cooker Lentil Curry

Slow Cooker Peanut Stew {Gluten-Free + Vegan}

Carribean Inspired BBQ Tofu Bowl {Vegetarian}

Summer Buddha Bowls with Turmeric Chickpeas

Vegetarian Soups & Chilis

The Best DIY Instant Noodles

Instant Pot Turmeric Lentil Soup {Vegan}

Creamy Coconut Carrot Ginger Soup {Vegan}

The Best Crockpot Vegetable Soup

Creamy Portobello Mushroom Soup

30-Minute Tortellini Minestrone Soup

Instant Pot Taco Soup (Vegetarian + Gluten Free!)

Crock Pot Vegetarian Lentil Chili

Vegetarian Pastas

Super Easy Mini Vegetable Lasagna Cups

Creamy Mushroom Pasta {Best Ever!!!}

Brown Butter Sage Butternut Squash Gnocchi

CreamiestSlow Cooker Mac and Cheese

White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese

Vegetarian Salads & Sandwiches

The Best Veggie Mason Jar Salad {Two Ways!}

The BEST Arugula Salad

Chickpea Quinoa Power Salad {Gluten Free}

The Best Kale Salad on the Internet

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad {Meal Prep}

Chickpea Salad Wrap {with Sweet Potato and Avocado}

Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Make healthy eating easy! Join our Dinner Prep Pro app.

Frequently Asked Questions

35+ Vegetarian Meals Even Meat Eaters Will Love

Ingredients

Protein Sources

Vegetables

Quinoa

Extras

Tahini Dressing

Tofu Marinade

Instructions

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Created by Taylor Stinson

Reader Interactions

Share With Me!

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