Photo By: Renee Comet
Photo By: Renee Comet
Photo By: Matt
Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher
Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher
Photo By: Matt Armendariz©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt
Photo By: Matt Armendariz
Photo By: Matt Armendariz
Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher
Photo By: Renee Comet
Photo By: Tara Donne
Photo By: Renee Comet©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz
Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher
Photo By:Matt Armendariz
Photo By: Renee Comet©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher
Photo By: Tara Donne
Photo By: Con Poulos
Photo By: KATE MATHIS
Photo By: Antonis Achilleos
Powerhouse Plant-Based Meals
Whether you’re a full-time vegetarian or simply interested in swapping some of your regular meals with veggie-forward ones, you already know that going meatless is about a whole lot more than just cutting out animal proteins. Sure, you can easily pile your plate high with veggies and call it a meal—but you’ll likely be hungry again before long. Luckily, it’s easy to put a satisfying dinner on your plate (even if you’re skipping meat) as long as you incorporate some plant-based proteins, healthy fats and hearty, fiber-rich vegetables. That’s where these recipes come in. From vegetarian casseroles and pasta dishes to mains made with meat alternatives like tofu, each one is packed with ingredients that are sure to fill you up—and keep you fueled for hours. Just take this quick and easy dinner, for example. The tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfect for soaking up the warm chili sauce. Served with good-for-you green beans and steamed rice or noodles it’s a filling and flavorful meal—that isn’t missing a single thing.
Get the Recipe:Air Fryer Chili-Garlic Tofu with Green Beans
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Tahini
Whether you want a vegan-friendly main course for an upcoming dinner party, or a new method for cooking one of your favorite veggies, this cauliflower fits the bill. Inspired by Eyal Shani’s world-famous whole roasted baby cauliflower served at his Miznon restaurants, we seasoned a head with cumin and coriander for a subtle hint of spice, then made a nutty tahini sauce for drizzling over the top. Fresh green herbs and tart ruby pomegranate seeds add a pop of color and flavor to this impressive dish.
Get the Recipe:Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Tahini
Braised Chipotle Sweet Potatoes
This super-easy weeknight dinner shows once and for all that braising isn’t just for meat! Spicy, tender sweet potatoes simmer in a delicious sauce with stewed carrot pieces and slightly crisp kale. Perfect for vegans and carnivores alike, it’s served with a sprinkle of crisp radish sticks and cilantro for a fresh finish.
Get the Recipe:Braised Chipotle Sweet Potatoes
Healthy Vegetable and Couscous Stuffed Peppers
This dish looks particularly vibrant when you use a combination of sweet yellow, red and orange bell peppers. Pick the largest ones you can find, with the flattest, most stable bottoms so they remain standing once they’re stuffed and baked in the tomato sauce. These peppers are delicious hot out of the oven or served Mediterranean-style at room temperature.
Get the Recipe:Healthy Vegetable and Couscous Stuffed Peppers
Cauliflower Parmesan
This delicious, hearty cauliflower parm doesn’t skimp on the flavor and will satisfy everyone, from vegetarians to the most die-hard carnivore. Serve with pasta for a stick-to-your-ribs dinner without the meat.
Get the Recipe:Cauliflower Parmesan
Crispy Fried Tofu Sandwich
This fried tofu sandwich is so phenomenal, it just might unite vegans and meat eaters once and for all. The tofu gets soaked in a seasoned pickle brine (if you know, you know), then blanketed in a sweet mustard glaze and battered with a savory flour mixture. After a quick fry, the crispy patty is ready to get stacked on a bun with shredded lettuce, dill pickles and a fast and delicious vegan Buffalo mayo. The key here is freezing the tofu overnight, which creates a sturdy sponge-like structure that’s ready to soak up tons of flavor. It’s a simple hack that will rocket your tofu game to the next level!
Get the Recipe:Crispy Fried Tofu Sandwich
Vegetarian Enchiladas
These easy-to-make enchiladas are filled with beans, spinach and cheese. Serve them with rice on the side for a hearty and satisfying supper.
Get the Recipe:Vegetarian Enchiladas
Barbecue Mushroom Pizza
The key to this meatless version of BBQ chicken pizza is to get the mushrooms nicely browned and crisp before adding the BBQ sauce. Be sure to cook them undisturbed for the first five minutes to initiate the browning. This will keep the mushrooms from being soggy and will create a meaty, crispy topping for the pizza.
Get the Recipe:Barbecue Mushroom Pizza
Vegetarian Whole Stuffed Cabbage
While this hearty and satisfying stuffed cabbage actually comes together in a souffle dish, it’s basically like an impressive casserole, if you ask us. Layers of mushrooms, brown rice, marinara sauce and cabbage combine in a large-format version of cabbage rolls, without the need to fill and roll individual leaves. At the table, it slices up perfectly into a main dish showstopper.
Get the Recipe:Vegetarian Whole Stuffed Cabbage
Kung Pao Cauliflower
Forget chicken: This sweet and spicy vegetarian dish proves once more that cauliflower is king. Originally from Sichuan province but popular in other parts of China, as well as in Chinese-American restaurants, kung pao chicken is traditionally a stir-fry. Here, the cauliflower is deep-fried for a light and crispy texture that pairs perfectly with the dish’s signature chiles and peanuts.
Get the Recipe:Kung Pao Cauliflower
Nut Meat Tacos with Pickled Red Onions
These simple meatless tacos with nuts and sundried tomatoes are a unique twist on the classic weeknight meal, but still deliver traditional taco flavor with spicy chili powder and smoky paprika . Top with pickled red onions, cotija cheese and fresh cilantro for a dish you and your family will love.
Get the Recipe:Nut Meat Tacos with Pickled Red Onions
Modern Shepherd’s Pie
This shepherd’s pie is made using beans and lentils as the protein, infused with herbs and a little chili heat, in a smooth gravy sauce, topped with fluffy sea salt and olive oil mashed potatoes. It has all the flavor you’re craving, without the meat.
Get the Recipe:Modern Shepherd’s Pie
Sweet Potato Lasagna
Sweet potatoes sub in for lasagna noodles in this twist on the classic, while spinach adds a pop of color (and plenty of nutrition). The result is a hearty and satisfying main dish that just happens to be vegetarian and gluten-free too!
Get the Recipe:Sweet Potato Lasagna
Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Minestrone
This vegetable-packed minestrone relies on flavorful dried cannellini beans, which benefit from the long cooking time of a slow cooker (and no soaking is required!).
Get the Recipe:Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Minestrone
Vegetarian Pot Pie
Get a hearty pot pie on the table in under an hour? It’s possible! Use store-bought puff pastry or pie dough to save yourself some time without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe:Vegetarian Pot Pie
Rigatoni with Vegetable Bolognese
Bolognese sauce is a pasta staple, so we love this recipe that puts a vegetarian spin on the classic. Assorted mushrooms take the place of meat, and they add a rich, hearty texture to the flavorful tomato sauce.
Get the Recipe:Rigatoni with Vegetable Bolognese
Vegan Chickpea Crab Cakes
All the flavors are here (Old Bay, lemon and that distinct brininess) but there’s no crab in sight with these cakes. Instead, chickpeas stand in for shellfish, and they are just as satisfying.
Get the Recipe:Vegan Chickpea Crab Cakes
Chipotle-Inspired Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
This homemade take on Chipotle’s sofritas is made from crumbled tofu simmered in a spicy poblano sauce. It’s not just for vegetarians—even the meat lovers in your life will find this dish hard to resist. We serve the mixture in bowl form with brown rice, black beans, pico de gallo and lettuce, but it’s also great as a taco or burrito filling.
Get the Recipe:Chipotle-Inspired Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
Vegetarian Skillet Chili Topped with Cornbread
A hearty chili made with butternut squash and fluffy cornbread come together in this single-skillet meal. Serve with extra sour cream and pickled jalapenos on the side for topping.
Get the Recipe:Vegetarian Skillet Chili Topped with Cornbread
Vegetarian Chicken-Fried Portobello Mushroom Steaks
You don’t have to miss out on a classic blue-plate special any longer. Our mushroom version has the exact same breading used for chicken-fried steak (it works great), and we fry it until it’s golden and crispy. Be generous with our flavor-packed veggie gravy (you can make it ahead and freeze it for up to a month).
Get the Recipe:Vegetarian Chicken-Fried Portobello Mushroom Steaks
Curried Cauliflower and Chickpea Dump Dinner
Skip cooking a big pot of rice and throw the ingredients into a casserole dish instead for an easy dump-dinner meal. The basmati rice and chickpeas absorb all the delicious flavors of ginger, garlic, curry powder and coconut milk. Finish with a quick drizzle of yogurt along with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges for a simple and complete meal that pulls from Indian pulao.
Get the Recipe:Curried Cauliflower and Chickpea Dump Dinner
Spaghetti and No-Meat Balls
These “meatballs” aren’t made with meat at all, but a combination of mushrooms, breadcrumbs, tofu and spices—made to taste just like the real thing.
Get the Recipe:Spaghetti and No-Meat Balls
Skillet Eggs with Squash
Bring out the skillet for this one-pot dish filled with comforting flavors—and some serious breakfast-for-dinner vibes.
Get the Recipe:Skillet Eggs With Squash
Meatless Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy
Vegetarians can now enjoy this classic comfort dish. Starring tofu and eggplants, this meatless meatloaf is as satisfying as the original. Finish it off with a rich mushroom gravy.
Get the Recipe:Meatless Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy
Vegetable Paella
This vegetarian-friendly spin on the classic Spanish dish does not disappoint. Filled with fennel, artichokes, eggplant, rice and more, there’s truly something for everyone.
Get the Recipe:Vegetable Paella
Whole Cauliflower Wellington
Herb-butter roasted cauliflower in a golden puff pastry blanket—what’s not to love about that? Cut into thick, steak-like slices, this is the perfect main dish for vegetarians and cauliflower lovers alike.
Get the Recipe:Whole Cauliflower Wellington
Tofu-Vegetable Stir-Fry
This substantial stir-fry is full of satisfying ingredients. Serve over fluffy rice and top with a soy-based sauce.
Get the Recipe:Tofu-Vegetable Stir-Fry
Sheet Pan Vegetarian Chili with Cheesy Cornbread Biscuits
Our favorite kitchen hack when the temperature starts dropping? Making chili on a sheet pan instead of standing over the stovetop. In this meat-free version, sweet potatoes and cauliflower are broiled with spices and bulked up with black beans and canned tomatoes. Topped with from-scratch cornbread biscuits studded with corn and cheese, this one-pan dinner hits every note.
Get the Recipe:Sheet Pan Vegetarian Chili with Cheesy Cornbread Biscuits
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