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50 Meatless Dinner Ideas for Every Day of the Week

50 Meatless Dinner Ideas for Every Day of the Week

From fresh summer vegetables to plant-based burgers and meatballs, you’ll have a fun dinner every day of the week with these 50 meatless dinner ideas!

There’s no denying that meat is delicious, but even the best meat dishes need a little help from sweet & savory veggies, intense sauces, and the perfect combination of herbs and spices.

There is a world of flavor to be discovered by going meat-free once in a while and letting the other ingredients shine.

It’s time to give the supporting cast their well-deserved spotlight.

It’s really more about the preparation than the ingredients. 

You might be surprised with how much flavor roasted tomatoes or seared mushrooms can give you if you cook them right.

Take a leap with us and unlock a world of flavor with these 50 meatless dinner ideas!

Air Fryer Fajitas are great for a weeknight dinner.

This 30-minute meal is so easy to make using an air fryer.

If you’re looking for something baked, try out Lasagna Stuffed Mushrooms.

We think you’ll love the Asian flavors of #49.

Table of Contents

1. Italian Cabbage

Let’s get this list going with a simple Italian Cabbage recipe. 

This sweet and smoky one-pot dish is great for a quick dinner.

You can add beans to this recipe to make it an inexpensive but filling meal.

Mushrooms are all the “meat” you need for this recipe.

These flavorful fungi give the dish meaty umami that goes well with the deep flavor of the caramelized onions.

The creases of this bowtie-shaped pasta are great for catching the rich cream sauce.

Did you know that there are at least 120 varieties of quinoa?

We bet you can use any one of them in this hearty casserole.

Their fluffy texture pairs well with the satisfying crunch of the broccoli.

This tasty dish comes together in no time.

Fresh guacamole, beans, and cheese are simply assembled on top of a tostada shell.

Perfect for a busy weeknight!

You won’t miss out on the classic meatloaf with this recipe.

The lentils have a soft but firm texture that is so similar to meat.

It has a savory taste from the onions, garlic, and seasonings.

This recipe is deliciously loaded with sauce. 

The pasta shells are stuffed with spinach and silky smooth ricotta cheese.

They are placed on a bed of marinara sauce and then baked to perfection.

Vegetables are the star in this cheesy meatless recipe.

The fresh vegetables are roasted before they are filled into soft corn tortillas, giving them a nice sweet, toasty flavor.

The rolls are baked until they are covered in a blanket of melted cheese.

You can’t go wrong with cheese and egg balls.

This Italian dish is so good covered in tomato sauce.

It works as a starter or as a main dish.

Looking for something with a Mediterranean flair? 

This one’s for you!

Zucchini “boats” are the ideal vessel for vegetables and cheese.

When baked in an oven, this dish has a pleasant roasted flavor.

We’re coconuts about this lentil dish.

Curry is packed full of flavor from a mix of herbs and spices.

Coconut milk gives it a subtle sweetness, mellowing the spice while still keeping a little kick.

You’ll love this zucchini recipe!

Perfectly seasoned with herbs and parmesan cheese, you’ll be surprised that it’s meat-free.

The zucchini and breadcrumbs mix make for a filling meal that’s so delicious with tomato sauce.

This recipe is a baked potato overload!

It’s bursting with gooey cheesy goodness and the freshness of the broccoli.

You can have it as a side dish or as the star of your weeknight dinner.

Sweet, savory, and hearty, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make.

The sun-dried tomatoes give the beans and leafy greens all the umami they need.

Great for an easy dinner!

This beautiful dish has so many textures and flavors.

Pineapple and honey give this dish a nice sweet brightness. 

The bright vegetables are so picture-perfect on top of fluffy white rice.

Breakfast food for dinner? 

Count us in!

The spinach and mushroom duo gives this dish a light, meaty flavor.

This satisfying dish is done in 20 minutes and is easier to make than an omelet.

Craving Mexican food?

Check out this recipe!

Cauliflower has a mild sweetness that turns beautifully roasted in an oven.

Topped with shredded cheese, this dish is a tasty treat.

This dish is Chinese takeout on another level!

Tofu soaks up the sweet, spicy, and fragrant kung pao sauce, making it a versatile meat alternative. 

The peanuts give this dish a nice nutty crunch.

Looking for a new air fryer recipe? 

Try these flavorful fajitas!

Portobello mushrooms, onions, and peppers are cooked in an air fryer and wrapped in a soft tortilla.

After half an hour, you’re in for a magical meal!

This dish adds a unique spin to the usual lasagna.

The pasta rolls are filled with a blend of eggs, cottage and parmesan cheese, and thyme.

Add a dash of your favorite herbs and spices to make this dish your own.

This chili is perfect for the winter chill!

Dark beer adds so much richness to the beans.

Pair it with toast to mop up the flavor.

Make your life even more colorful with this vibrant veggie stir-fry!

Broccoli and mushroom are best buds in giving flavor to dishes.

For some kick, add red pepper flakes.

This recipe is cabbage done right!

Or is it done rice?

Sweet and crunchy cabbage makes for a satisfying meal. 

The Indian spices give it a little heat and a lot of colors.

Think sloppy joes are all about the meat? 

You’re in for a surprise!

This American comfort food is great without meat, too.

Beans and tomatoes give us the sweet taste and meaty bite we love.

This dish is a veggie twist on chicken parmigiana with all the decadence.

Fresh cauliflower is cut into thick, steak-like pieces.

This ensures that it is well-covered with sauce and melted cheese when baked.

This recipe is as easy as putting ingredients in a pot.

Slow cooking softens the veggies and gives them time to absorb the curry spices.

You can cook a big batch, and you’re good for another meal!

Just 15 minutes of prep and let the oven do the rest!

This recipe uses a sheet pan to evenly roast portobello, asparagus, and chickpeas.

Feel free to use your favorite hearty vegetables.

This recipe is a 20-minute wonder!

Cauliflower has a delicate flavor that’s good at picking up the flavor of soy sauce and olive oil.

Mushroom and spinach make this a wholesome meal.

More yummy broccoli recipes are coming your way!

Brown rice has a slightly nutty flavor and a nice chewy texture. 

Melted cheddar cheese adds excitement to this dish.

Taste the rainbow with this colorful burrito bowl!

This recipe is great for a weeknight dinner or a casual party.

The tangy sour cream and greek yogurt dressing bring this simple veggie dish together.

This recipe might be your next favorite.

 Roasting the bell peppers brings out their sweetness and a nice toasted flavor.

You can take your pick of vegetable filling and stuff them with cheese!

Nothing says meat-free like a dazzling green dish!

Basil pesto brightens the dish and imparts a beautiful color.

Penne pasta is great, but you can use anything that’s good for thick sauces.

This recipe looks like classic risotto, but it’s orzotto.

Orzo is pasta shaped like rice grains. 

It’s an excellent choice for this creamy, smooth dish.

This is a no-meat chorizo recipe even chorizo lovers will love.

Pick the ingredients up with nachos, and you’ve got a fun party snack.

Lime crema adds a zesty touch to this flavorful dish.

These enchiladas are baked, not fried!

The chunky filling is made with beans and cheese—a yummy combination of sweet, salty, and creamy.

Enchilada sauce adds a deep umami flavor to this dish.

Lasagna stuffed with cheese and spinach? 

Count us in!

Cottage cheese has a unique texture and is slightly salty.

You can mix it up by using arugula or other greens.

Going meat-free is just a “hop” away using this smoky recipe.

Hoppin John is a Southern American gem that features beans as its star.

It gets a ton of flavor from tomatoes and spices.

This next recipe packs a punch.

Vodka makes the tomato and cream cheese sauce rich and velvety. 

Sriracha gives this dish the perfect amount of heat.

How can you make this meaty, saucy dish without meat? 

Mushrooms!

Sauté mushrooms until they’re nicely browned for maximum flavor.

They taste, smell, and even look like meat.

Wow your dinner guests with this simple recipe.

Tomatoes and zucchini add a subtle sweetness to this dish. 

It’s so satisfying with the rice filling, and you can serve it as a wholesome dinner!

Turn leftovers into a mouthwatering vegetable galette.

The recipe calls for swiss chard, mushrooms, parsley, and thyme for a crisp, herby dish.

You can definitely use any veggies you have on hand!

Looking for a veggie meatball recipe? 

You won’t tell the difference with this one.

Beans and quinoa give it a firm texture that is so close to real meat.

This burger is all veggie goodness.

The fresh avocado filling adds a buttery taste and a smooth texture.

Garnish with pickled onions for a bright crunch!

Let Mediterranean flavors shine in this recipe.

Roasting the chickpeas gives this bowl a layer of nutty, toasted flavors.

With the couscous, this dish makes for a wonderful meal.

This meatless recipe is loaded with sauce and more sauce.

Portobello mushrooms are stuffed with rich marinara sauce and smooth ricotta cheese.

The tasty package gets deliciously brown in the oven.

Love Shepherd’s pie? 

You’ll enjoy this fresh vegetable spin!

Silky smooth mashed potatoes are topped on the lentils, which get cooked in a savory sauce.

The oven heat adds a roasted flavor to the tater top.

Goulash is a Hungarian vegetable and pasta stew seasoned with paprika and other warm spices.

This recipe uses plant-based meat, but that’s completely optional.

The rich tomato sauce coats the pasta like a dream.

If you like pizza pockets, you’ll love this calzone recipe.

Golden brown pizza crust with a creamy spinach filling—yum!

Swap ricotta for mozzarella for that cheese pull.

You can make this dish in an air fryer.

The eggs are poured all over the veggies to bind them all together, and off to the oven, it goes.

After 30 minutes, you’ve got dinner.

Turn those instant ramen noodles into your next go-to with this recipe.

This dish is so flavorful with soy and oyster sauce.

You can add tofu to make it more filling.

You’ll be singing On the Bayou with this dish.

Fire-roasted tomatoes have a charred flavor that pairs well with their sweetness.

The rice and veggies are spiced with a dose of Cajun seasoning.

The bottom line

Whether you’re a fan of Meatless Monday or just looking for something different, these meatless dinners can give you all the excitement and flavor of a meaty dish and more.

There are unlimited flavor options out there for us to try.

So, take a peek at our list and enjoy the amazing flavors of meat-free dishes.

Best Meatless Dinner Ideas

Best Meatless Dinner Ideas

From fresh summer vegetables to plant-based burgers and meatballs, you’ll have a fun dinner every day of the week with these 50 meatless dinner ideas!

Ingredients

  • Italian Cabbage
  • Farfalle With Spinach, Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions
  • Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
  • Vegetarian Tostadas
  • Vegan Lentil Loaf
  • Spinach Stuffed Shells
  • Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas
  • Cacio E Uova
  • Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Quinoa
  • Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry
  • Zucchini "Meatballs"
  • Broccoli Cheese Baked Potatoes
  • Tuscan White Bean Skillet
  • Cashew Veggie Stir-Fry
  • Mushroom Spinach Frittata
  • Cheesy Cauliflower Nachos
  • Kung Pao Tofu
  • Air Fryer Fajitas
  • Meatless Lasagna Roll-Ups
  • Vegan Chili
  • Broccoli & Mushroom Stir-Fry
  • Cabbage Rice With Indian Spices
  • Meatless Sloppy Joes
  • Cauliflower Parmigiana
  • Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry
  • Portobello & Chickpea Sheet-Pan Dinner
  • Mushroom Spinach Cauliflower Rice
  • Broccoli Cheddar Brown Rice Skillet
  • Quinoa Black Bean Burrito Bowl
  • Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
  • Zucchini Pesto Pasta
  • Lemon Basil Orzotto
  • Vegetarian Chorizo Nachos With Lime Crema
  • Black Bean & Cheese Enchiladas
  • Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
  • Vegan Hoppin John
  • Vodka Pasta
  • Vegetarian Bolognese With Mushrooms
  • Greek Meatless Stuffed Cabbage Rolls With Rice
  • Swiss Chard & Wild Mushroom Galette
  • Vegan Meatballs
  • Black Bean Burgers
  • Roasted Chickpea Couscous Bowls
  • Lasagna Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Lentil Shepherd's Pie
  • Vegan Goulash
  • Ricotta Spinach Calzones
  • Crustless Vegetable Quiche
  • Vegetable Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry
  • Vegetarian Jambalaya

Instructions

  1. Scroll for your favorite recipe from our list of Meatless Dinner Ideas.
  2. Pick out the ingredients needed for the dish.
  3. Cook then enjoy immediately!

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