Looking for delicious inspiration for your Meatless Monday recipes? Here are 52 dinner recipes to try, one for every Monday of the year!
One way to dip your toe in the waters of plant-based eating is to try eating vegetarian for just one day a week. Fortunately, there’s a name for that…Meatless Monday!
What is Meatless Monday?
As the name suggest, Meatless Monday is simply a day where you don’t eat meat!
Meatless Monday has its roots in World War I, when people were encouraged to voluntarily ration staple foods to prevent shortages. It relaunched in 2003 at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with the goal of reducing meat consumption by 15% to improve public health and the planet!
But why Monday? Studies suggest that Monday’s are a great time to start a new diet or lifestyle change – to “reset” and create a healthy tone for the week.
Does Meatless Monday Make a Difference?
“But it’s only one day per week! Can it really make a difference?” Yes. Meatless Monday makes a difference in so many ways.
Eating meatless for just one day per week can save the lives of up to 29 animals. It reduces your carbon footprint significantly. It can improve your health. And of course, it helps you expand your usual recipe repertoire (i.e. even more delicious food to try)!
What can you eat on Meatless Monday?
Well…not meat! This includes beef, pork, lamb, goat, chicken, and turkey. Most people also choose not to eat fish on Meatless Monday.
You can eat eggs, cheese, milk, and dairy – though we would encourage you to seek out a local farm or market to find these. The taste is often better and the animals producing these ingredients are less apt to have been subjected to factory farming.
Need inspiration? Here are 52 vegetarian dinners perfect for inspiring your Meatless Mondays! We’ve broken them down by month to help you cook with the season. (Need something specific? Here are vegetarian dinners for meat eaters, for kids, and for a low budget).
1
January: Easy Chickpea Pot Pie
Warm up your winter Meatless Monday with this pot pie! It’s creamy and veggie-filled with a buttery, flaky crust that’s sure to satisfy cravings. It’s the perfect warm and hearty dish.
2
January: Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry
This Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry recipe is an easy, flexible Thai curry recipe that transforms boring weeknight dinner into an exciting meal!
3
January: Vegan Nachos with BBQ "Pulled Pork" and Queso
Sometimes you just need nachos for dinner, ya know? These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ “pulled pork” and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off.
4
January: Easy Kimchi Ramen Hack
This easy kimchi ramen hack takes a regular packet of instant ramen and transforms it into something that’s packed with veggies and lots of flavor. It’s a quick and easy instant ramen hack.
5
January: Chickpea Tikka Masala
Another cozy dinner perfect for winter! This Chickpea Tikka Masala recipe is an easy dinner to whip up when the Indian food cravings hit (plus, it’s vegan).
6
February:Vegetable Baked Ziti
This vegetable-packed vegetarian Baked Ziti is the ultimate weeknight dinner. With sautéed veggies and spinach ricotta, it’s a healthy comfort food you’ll feel good about diving into.
7
February:Shakshuka
Who says we can't have breakfast for dinner? This 1-dish, easy shakshuka recipe is a traditional North African mealthat’s incredibly easy to make and packed with flavor!
8
February:Tempeh Vegan Burrito Bowl
A flavor packed (and easy to make) vegan burrito bowl with tempeh taco meat and copycat Chipotle cauliflower rice!
9
February: Roasted Chickpea Gyros
This is a reader favorite for meat-eaters trying to do Meatless Monday! It's an easy vegetarian dinner for feeding everyone on busy weeknights!
10
March:Kimchi Bibimbap
Kimchi bibimbap is a traditional Korean dish made with kimchi, mushrooms, roasted veggies, and a delicious gochujang sauce. This dish is kind of like a Buddha bowl and only requires 30 minutes to make!
11
March:Enchilada Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Need a healthy vegetarian dinner outside of your usual routine? These Enchilada Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are flavored with a quick homemade enchilada sauce and baked to bubbly, cheesy perfection.
12
March:Sticky Garlic Cauliflower
This Sticky Garlic Cauliflower tastes just like the sticky garlic chicken from your favorite Chinese takeout place, but totally vegetarian (and WAY delicious!)
13
March: Buffalo Tempeh Sandwiches
These Buffalo Tempeh Sandwiches are stuffed with crispy baked tempeh buffalo tenders, provolone cheese, and ranch dressing!
14
March:Roasted Chickpea Stuffed Avocados
Spicy roasted chickpeas, creamy avocado, and tangy garlic yogurt sauce make this flavorful nutrition powerhouse stuffed avocados!
15
April:Asparagus Pizza with Burrata and Arugula
Spring means ASPARAGUS! This Asparagus Pizza with burrata and arugula is a simple yet downright delicious flatbread to whip up on pizza night. Creamy burrata piled with tender asparagus, fresh arugula, and lemon!
16
April:Mushroom Carnitas Tacos
Mushroom Carnitas Tacos are made with oyster mushrooms, pickled onions, and a delicious cilantro sauce. These gourmet tacos are packed with delicious vegetarian carnitas flavor and are ready in just 35 minutes!
17
April:Vegan Burritos with Taco Meat and Queso
These Vegan Burritos have it all: easy tempeh taco meat, smoky queso cheese sauce, and Chipotle copycat cauliflower rice!
18
April: Kimchi Tempeh Tacos
Looking for an easy, Asian-inspired taco recipe sure to please your tastebuds and leave your stomach feeling nice and full? These Kimchi Tempeh Tacos will do just that. They’re totally delicious and require just 20 minutes!
19
May:Huevos Rancheros
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo season in style with this hearty Meatless Monday dinner contender. This authentic Huevos Rancheros recipe is an easy, healthy Mexican dish made with black beans, Pico de Gallo, and more!
20
May:Almond Crusted Baked Tofu Nuggets
Here's how I discovered that you can use groundalmondsas a breading for crunchy, filling, packed-with-protein baked tofu nuggets.
21
May:Portobello Mushroom Gyros
These vegetarian Portobello Mushroom Gyros are seasoned with Mediterranean spices, sauteed to meaty perfection, and drizzled with creamy tzatziki.
22
May: Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos
These Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with quick slaw and avocado cream sauce are a quick and delicious way to load up on veggies this Taco Tuesday!
23
June:Oyster Mushroom Philly Cheesesteak
This vegetarian Philly Cheesesteak transforms oyster mushrooms into the perfect substitute for beef! With sautéed peppers and onions and loads of melted cheese, this is the best meatless cheesesteak.
24
June:Vegetable Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Use that fresh summer produce to try something new...spring rolls! This veggie-packed Vietnamese Spring Rolls recipe is a fresh and delicious Asian-inspired dinner that is served with the best almond coconut dipping sauce!
25
June:Vegetarian Moussaka
Got eggplant? Make moussaka this Monday! With roasted eggplant, seasoned ground tempeh, and creamy bechamel sauce, this vegetarian moussaka recipe is Greek comfort food at its best!
26
June: 15 Minute Buddha Bowls
This 15 Minute Buddha Bowls recipe, with healthy grains, chickpeas, fruit, and avocado, is a balanced, healthy meal that comes together in no time!
27
July:Carrot Hot Dogs
No July is complete without fresh-off-the-grill hotdogs. Now in meatless form. These Carrot Hot Dogs don’t just look like the BBQ classic, they actually taste like it too! A smoky, sweet marinade brings carrots to life, turning them into grillable vegan hot dogs!
28
July:Veggie Pizza
This classic Veggie Pizza recipe is loaded with colorful roasted vegetables. Vegetarian pizza night just got an upgrade!
29
July:Ratatouille (Tian Provençal)
Throw all that fresh summer produce into a pan (and look fancy as heck doing it). This one-pan Ratatouille (Tian Provençal) is piled high with vegetables and filled with mouth-watering flavor. It’s a modern take on the classic French recipe that only requires 15 minutes of prep time!
30
July: Vegan Tuna Sushi Bowl
This Vegan Tuna Sushi Bowl has plant-based tuna made with tomatoes, and all the fixings of your favorite poke bowls (including the spicy mayo)!
31
August:Soyrizo Tacos with Adobo Crème
These Soyrizo Tacos are stuffed with homemade vegan chorizo and quick-pickled red cabbage topped off with a smoky adobo crème.
32
August:Eggplant Lasagna
Ready to make a delicious vegetable-based lasagna? Try this easy vegetarian eggplant lasagna recipe (it’s totally grain and gluten-free)!
33
This Sweet Potato and Spinach Quinoa Breakfast Skillet is a veggie-packed, delicious, and filling breakfast that comes together in less than 30 minutes!
34
August:Portobello Mushroom Burgers
With melted sharp cheddar, the perfectly meaty texture, and best-ever Fancy Sauce, these pan-fried Portobello Mushroom Burgers are the vegetarian recipe that’ll have you craving mushrooms for dinner.
35
August: Corn and Pulled Mushroom Vegetarian Tacos
This vegetarian pulled “pork” mushroom tacos are loaded with adobo-spiced pulled mushrooms (which have the same texture and taste like pulled pork) and a fresh corn ceviche that adds sweet crunch. Best vegetarian taco recipe of all time? Quite possibly.
36
September: Easy Mushroom Risotto
For a dinner that breaks from your usual routine while also being a flavorful classic, give this Easy Mushroom Risotto recipe a try! Packed with wild mushrooms, wine, and cheese… what more could you want from a dinner?
37
September:Fall Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
This simple fall salad packs in the tastiest ingredients of the season and is drizzled with a creamy pomegranate balsamic vinaigrette!
38
September:Baked General Tso's Cauliflower
I’m not exaggerating when I say that this Baked General Tso’s Cauliflower tastes better than the Chinese takeout we all know and love (but without the frying or meat!)
39
September:Goat Cheese Pizza with Mushrooms and White Sauce
This Goat Cheese Pizza recipe has mushrooms, creamy white sauce, and loads of cheese. Pizza Friday just stepped it up a notch!
40
October:Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowls with Yum Sauce
For a vibrant yet easy vegan dinner, these Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowls do the trick, packed with colorfully delicious flavors and drizzled with creamy, protein-packed Yum Sauce!
41
October:Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
When the mac and cheese cravings hit, this lightened up Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe will do the trick (and it’s ready on the stove in under 30 minutes!)
42
October:Pumpkin Soup with Smoky Roasted Chickpeas
This pumpkin soup is topped with smoky roasted chickpeas and fresh thyme, making it the ultimate cozy autumn recipe for busyweeknights!
43
October:Roasted Beet and Chickpea Tacos
In need of some vegetarian taco inspiration? These Beet and Chickpea Tacos are simple to make and packed with so much flavor (plus, they keep you full for hours!)
44
October: Tempeh Chili Meal Prep
This vegetarian chili will warm your bones with delicious plant-based protein this winter (and in under 30 minutes!) Withtempeh, veggies, beans, and a blend of spices, this is a simple chili that you would never believe is meatless.
45
November:Sweet Potato Gnocchi
The Meatless Monday recipe is bound to be a fall favorite. This Sweet Potato Gnocchi recipe is an autumn-inspired take on gnocchi. Fluffy, tender, and melt in your mouth with a buttery sage and rosemary sauce.
46
November:Ultimate Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Wow your guests with this Ultimate Whole Roasted Cauliflower! Slathered in whipped feta and drizzled with herb sauce, this is a statement-making dish you’re really going to love.
47
November:Roasted Butternut Chickpea Hummus Wraps
Spicy, savory flavor all wrapped up in warm flatbreads is the name of the game with theseRoasted Butternut Chickpea Hummus Wraps! Quick weeknight dinners never tasted so good.
48
November: Sweet Potato Fettuccine in Gorgonzola Sauce
This Sweet Potato Fettuccine recipe is tossed in gorgonzola and cranberries to create a decadent, gluten-free pasta dish that’s full of flavor.
49
December: Kimchi Udon Noodles
For a perfect Korean dish sure to fill your belly with comfort and delight, try kimchi udon noodles! This 20 minute recipe requires just 9 ingredients and is incredibly easy to prepare.
50
December:Vegetarian Lasagna
This vegetarian lasagna is made using classic, authentic ingredients like veggies, marinara, and bechamel. It only requires 15 minutes of prep time and is a real treat!
51
December:Easy Chana Dal Recipe
Ready to enjoy the cozy flavor and filling nutritional benefits of this easy chana dal recipe? Learn how to make this tasty, delicious Indian/Pakistani-inspired recipe.
52
December:Beet Pesto Pizza with Goat Cheese and Kale
Close out the year with...pizza! Step up your pizza game with this Beet Pesto Pizza with Goat Cheese and Kale, a decadent yet healthy pizza that’s packed with nutritious flavor.
Meatless Monday Recipe: Chickpea Gyros
5 from 2 votes
Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Cook: 17 minutes minutes
Total: 27 minutes minutes
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories:
Servings: 4 servings
Print Rate
Hungry for some inspiration for your Meatless Monday recipes? Try these Roasted Chickpea Gyros!
Ingredients
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 pita flatbreads
- 1 cup tzatziki
- ¼ red onion cut into strips
- 2 lettuce leaves roughly chopped
- 1 tomato sliced
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Pat dry chickpeas with paper towel, removing any skins that may come off. Gently toss chickpeas with oil, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Roast: Spread chickpeas onto a greased rimmed baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, until lightly browned but not hard.
Assemble: Spread some tzatziki onto one side of the pita, then sprinkle in ¼ of the chickpeas and add veggies. Fold in half and enjoy!
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