Sharing a collection of meatless meals and recipe ideas that are healthy, delicious and mediterranean diet inspired and perfect for the whole family.
Why Go Meatless?
Choosing to incorporate more meatless meals into your weekly routine can be beneficial for numerous ways, including –
- increasing your fruit and vegetable intake
- reducing intake of red meat
- saving money at the grocery store
- adding more fiber filled foods like fruits, veggies and whole grains into your meals
- expanding your horizons by trying new foods and having fun in the kitchen
The Mediterranean Diet includes many recipes that are filling, delicious and don’t contain any meat. It’s a great way to celebrate food by trying new spices, cooking techniques or ingredients.
Tips for Making Meatless Meals
When I first told my husband that we were loosely going Meatless on Mondays, he rolled his eyes and said he’d be too hungry. Fast forward almost two years later and our meatless meals have become some of his absolute favorite dinners.
I’ve picked up a few tips over time to create meals that are not only delicious but filling and hearty without using any meat –
- Make veggies the star of the dish – not only are they full of filling fiber but they offer so many great flavors and color
- Beans and lentils are an amazing substitute for meat because they are filling and add a dense texture to many dishes
- Mushrooms can offer a texture that is similar to meat and make great additions to things like veggie burgers, soups or tacos
- Play around with spices and herbs to add strong flavors
Meatless Meals and Recipe Ideas
I asked some of my dietitian friends for their favorite healthy meatless meal ideas and this list is fantastic!
Check out the recipes below for vegetarian meal inspiration.
Beans & Lentils
Mexican Black Bean Lasagna by Melissa Traub
Loaded Veggie Nachos with Homemade Tortilla Chips by Nutrition Hungry
Brussels Sprout, Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tostadas by Being Nutritious
Roasted Chickpea Cauliflower Sandwiches by Bucket List Tummy
Bharazi (Vegan Coconut Curry) by Desi-licious RD
Roasted Cauliflower and White Bean Tacos by Jenny Shea Rawn
Instant Pot Chickpea Curry with Cashews by Chelsea Dishes
Sun-dried Tomato & Parmesan Polenta with Crispy Chickpeas by My Millennial Kitchen
Healthy Crock Pot Cincinnati Chili by Being Nutritious
Hearty Lentil Marinara Sauce by Healthy Inspiration
Weeknight Cauliflower Curry from It’s a Veg World After All
Plant-Based Lentil Nuggets with Sweet & Sour Sauce by Wholly Plants
Vegetarian Chili with Red Lentils by Healthy Ideas Place
Crunchy Lentil Tacos with Avocado Feta Guacamole by EA Stewart
Mushrooms
Apple, Leek and Mushroom Stuffing by The Domestic Dietitian
Portabella Mushroom Sheet Pan Fajitas by Kiss in the Kitchen
Mediterranean Quesadillas by Dietitian Jenn
Hungarian Mushroom Soup by The Domestic Dietitian
Eggplant
Baingan Bharta (Indian Eggplant) by Desi-licious RD
Baked Eggplant Parmesan by The Domestic Dietitian
Deconstructed Eggplant Parmesan Pasta by The Domestic Dietitian
Sweet Potatoes
Mediterranean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes by Being Nutritious
Sweet Potato Hash & Eggs by Colleen Christensen Nutrition
Good to the last little bean Sweet Potato Nachos by Live Best
Tofu and Tempeh
Quick Plant Based Tacos by Being Nutritious
Vegan Sushi Bowl with Sweet Soy Ginger Sauce by Lettuce Veg Out
Sheet Pan Garlic Tofu & Brussels Sprouts by Emily Kyle Nutrition
Skillet Tempeh with Caramelized Onions by Being Nutritious
Tempeh Shepherd’s Pie by Dietitian Jenn
Salads
Vegan Mediterranean Vegetable Salad with Prunes by Amy Gorin Nutrition
Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad by Meals with Maggie
Vegan Power Bowl with Maple-Dijon Dressing by Amy Gorin Nutrition
UnSeaSir Chickpea Salad Wrap by The Better Nutrition Program
Easy Bean Salad by The Domestic Dietitian
Soups
Latin Black Bean Soup by The Domestic Dietitian
Instant Pot French Onion Soup by Laurel Ann Nutrition
1-Pot, 2-Step, 3 Bean Soup by Wholly Plants
Stuffed Pepper Soup by HOORAH to Health
Cozy Red Lentil Soup in the Instant Pot by Chelsea Dishes
French Lentil Stew by The Domestic Dietitian
Mason Jar Vegetarian Ramen Soup by The Domestic Dietitian
Pizza & Finger Foods
Mediterranean Pizza
Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza with Homemade Ranch by Kara Lydon Nutrition
Homemade Veggie Nuggets by Little Spoons & Spice
Mediterranean Pizza with Homemade Dough by The Domestic Dietitian
One Pot Dishes
Mediterranean Plant Protein Power Bowl by The Domestic Dietitian
One Pot Moroccan Quinoa by Dishing Out Health
One Pot Spinach & Mushroom Four Cheese Ravioli by Beautiful Eats & Things
Shakshuka for One by Laurel Ann Nutrition
One Pot Loaded Veggie Pasta by The Oregon Dietitian
One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta by Live Best
Burgers
Bomb Beet Burgers by Wholly Plants
Buffalo Chickpea Veggie Burgers by Kara Lydon Nutrition
Plant Based Sloppy Joe’s by Ashley’s Apron
Flaxseed Quinoa & White Bean Burgers with Pesto by Jessica Ivey
Pasta
Vegan Pumpkin Rose Penne by Lettuce Veg Out
The Easiest Healthy Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese by Bucket List Tummy
Veggie-Loaded Whole Wheat Pasta Bake by Beautiful Eats & Things
Vegetarian Sheet Pan Dinner with Roasted Gnocchi by Dietitian Jenn
Creamy Tomato Chickpea Pasta with Spinach by Jessica Ivey
WOW!! What an fantastic collection. We have been trying to go meatless during the week so this is perfect for us. And with the winter looming in Aus, soups are perfect for us. Love the plant based collection too!
Thanks so much Amy, hope you find some recipes you like