15 Plant-Based Recipes for a Vegetarian Feast

Article posted in: Diet & Nutrition
plant-based

Maybe you only eat vegetarian. Maybe you want to participate in Meatless Mondays. Maybe you’re just looking for ways to lighten up your favorite meals. These plant-based recipes fit all those bills—plus, with their hearty and tasty ingredients, they are sure to please your palate, fill your belly and keep your body energized.

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Here are 15 delicious plant-based recipes for a vegetarian feast:

1. Chipotle Tofu Breakfast Burrito

breakfast burrito

Why have a good morning when you can have a delicious one! It starts with sautéed peppers and onions and sweet cherry tomatoes. Mix the veggies with crumbles of tofu coated in a flavorful combo of tomato paste, cumin, chili pepper and garlic powder. Then nestle it all into a soft tortilla. One bite will give your taste buds the wake-up call they crave.

2. Veggie Power Bowl

plant-based

More filling than salad or soup and so simple to make! Toss arugula with oil and lemon pepper to create the base of your power bowl. Top the zippy greens with protein-packed quinoa, cubes of creamy butternut squash, colorful bell peppers and wedges of red onion. Add a dollop or two of hummus and finish with a healthy sprinkle of pumpkin seeds for added fiber and satisfying crunch.

3. Jackfruit Crab Cakes

jackfruit

If you haven’t yet heard of jackfruit, let us introduce you to this fascinating plant. It has a sweet taste and meaty texture that closely resembles shredded chicken or pork. It makes an awesome plant-based meat alternative in this classic summer dish. Small pieces of jackfruit serve as the “crab,” which is mixed with peppers, onions, Dijon mustard, old bay seasoning and panko bread crumbs. The mixture is formed into cakes and baked to golden perfection.

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4. Chickpea Dumpling Stew

plant-based

The list of ingredients is long. However, one sip of this stew makes all that prep worth the effort. The broth is simmered with a medley of veggies, such as carrots, parsnips and potatoes and flavored with seasoning, like thyme, sage and bay leaves. The chickpeas add protein and filling fiber. The homemade dumplings are made with healthy whole wheat flour and chives. This recipe yields many servings—perfect for reheating leftovers when you need a quick lunch or dinner.

5. Chunky Veggie Chili

plant-based

No need for ground meat when you’ve got beans, corn, tomatoes and zucchini—plus an awesome mix of Mexican spices to zest up this satisfying meal. Top your warm bowl with shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips and a handful of chopped cilantro to add a little crunch and freshness to each spoonful.

6. Garlic Soy Sheet Pan Tofu

plant-based

Calling all tofu fans! Treat your favorite protein to this tasty glaze before baking. It’s made with garlic, soy sauce, honey, fresh ginger and the juice and zest of an orange for a hint of bright citrus. Serve the tofu cubes with a side of sugar-snap peas sprinkled with red pepper flakes, scallions and sesame seeds for a perfect mix of Asian flavors.

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7. Southwestern Spaghetti Bowl

Southwest Spaghetti Squash Bowl

Strands of squash twisted around black beans, chopped bell peppers, diced tomatoes, corn, olives and cilantro. All dressed in lime juice and served in a scooped-out squash “bowl”, this recipe makes for a dish that’s both gorgeous and delicious. Skip the shredded chicken to go meatless, but feel free to top the nutritious meal with shredded cheddar cheese before digging in.

8. Mega Beet Burger

plant-based

Mega flavor, mega filling—without a morsel of meat. Here’s how: Combine beets, walnuts, lentils, oats, garlic, onions and a “flax” egg (made from flaxseed meal and water) to make the patty. A touch of cinnamon adds a surprise flavor. A slather of homemade honey goat cheese spread takes this veggie burger to another level of delicious. Serve with fresh baby spinach on a toasty whole wheat bun.

9. Instant Pot Italian Lentils

plant-based

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, this recipe may convince you to get one. That’s because you can toss a whole mess of ingredients into this awesome kitchen tool, hit a few buttons and voila! You have a warm, healthy dish ready in 20, with minimal effort. We threw in onions, garlic, cans of tomatoes, seasonings and of course, lentils to make this delicious plant-based meal.

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10. Tofu Stir Fry with Tahini Soy Sauce

plant-based

The magic is in the sauce. Savory tahini (made from ground, toasted sesame seeds), soy sauce, garlic, ginger and a little corn starch create a flavorful blend that’s soaks into the brown noodles, vibrant veggies and tofu cubes. Top your plant-based bowl with peanuts for extra crunch and sprinkle on sriracha for some heat.

11. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

BBQ Jackfruit

It’s the kind of sweet and savory sandwich you’d get from a roadside barbecue shack—except much (much) healthier. Shredded jackfruit stands in for pork. It’s coated in a homemade barbecue sauce that includes maple syrup, molasses, tomato sauce, Worcestershire and spices. The slaw on top is made from a mix of cabbage, green onions and vinegar dressing. You get familiar tang and texture of a BBQ sandwich in every bite—minus the saturated fat (and the guilt).

12. Veggie Paella

plant-based

The vegetables are plentiful: asparagus, artichoke, tomatoes, red peppers and peas. The brown rice is super satisfying. The pinch of saffron adds beautiful color. This is one vibrant veggie dish that’s packed with vitamins and sized perfect to feed the whole family.

13. Cauliflower Sweet Potato Soup

plant-based

Nothing warms your bones and fills your belly better on a chilly day than a piping hot bowl of soup. This cauliflower and sweet potato combo offers a version that’s high in vitamin C, low in calories and loaded with health-boosting nutrients. The powerhouse veggies simmer in a broth with garlic, onions, paprika, coriander, cumin and ginger to create a flavorful plant-based side to your lunch or dinner.

14. Vegetarian Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles

Vegetarian Meatballs

Step aside beef and pork: lentils and mushrooms are joining forces to create a no-meat meatball that pays homage to the classic combo in flavor and texture. Serve with zucchini “spaghetti” and marinara sauce for an inspired, plant-based twist on an Italian dish.

15. Tofu Taco Bowl

plant-based

Taco Tuesday meets Meatless Monday with this dish—thanks to the tofu providing a perfect protein-loaded stand-in for standard beef or chicken. The tofu cubes are coated in lime juice and zest, rolled in jalapeno and seasoned with south-of-the-border spices before tossing in a skillet until golden brown and crispy. When the bowl is layered—flavored rice on the bottom, then tofu, sautéed peppers, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and avocado on top—you have a meal that’s as beautiful as it is nutritious.

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