16 Meat-Free Dishes That Pack All the Flavor (Without the Meat)
Who says you need meat to make a meal satisfying? These dishes are proof that veggies, grains, and plant-based proteins can deliver just as much flavor—sometimes even more. From hearty comfort foods to light and fresh favorites, these recipes show off the best of meat-free cooking. Here are 16 meat-free dishes that are so delicious, you won’t miss the meat at all.
SMOKY EGGPLANT VEGAN CHILI
This Smoky Eggplant Vegan Chili is simple comfort food at its best. My plant based chili is simple to cook from scratch, meat free, yet hearty enough for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or just bored of ground beef, this gluten and dairy free ‘chile non carne’ is the perfect midweek meal!
Cozy Vegetarian Pot Pie
This vegetarian pot pie is crazy delicious, with a flaky pot pie crust and a savory filling of veggies and Parmesan. Here’s how to make pot pie.
Vegetarian and Vegan Mixed Vegetable Paella
Vegetarian paella may seem odd, but it lends itself perfectly to being a vegetable-based dinner, my version features artichokes and fennel.
Hearts of Palm Cakes (Vegetarian Crab Cakes)
Hearts of Palm Cakes are a simple and crunchy cake served with delicious garlic aioli. Perfect as an appetizer or vegetarian entrée, these vegetarian crab cakes will blow your mind!
Vegetarian Potato Goulash Recipe
Make this wholesome Austrian potato goulash your own by adding sour cream, or skip the diary and make it vegan. This is a one-pot & gluten-free meatless goulash recipe.
Easy Vegetarian Tofu katsu Curry
Tofu katsu curry, a delicious and simple vegetarian take on a modern Japanese classic, featuring crispy tofu & a homemade simple sauce.
Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili
I’m a suck for sweet potato recipes and homemade chili is one of my all time favorite cool weather comfort foods. This easy vegetarian sweet potato chili features sweet potatoes and squash as the stars and packs all the same classic chili flavors, minus the meat.
Vegetarian Cobb Salad
This Vegetarian Cobb Salad replaces the meat with smoked tofu for a super easy riff on a classic recipe. Chopped veggies, hard boiled eggs, and crumbled blue cheese are topped with a red wine vinaigrette for a delicious and nourishing chopped salad.
Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake
This Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake is easy, healthy, and delicious! Gnocchi gets tossed in a pan together with fresh vegetables, capers, and ricotta and then baked in the oven to bubbly perfection. Easily made vegan or gluten-free, baked gnocchi is a meal the whole family will love!
Vegetarian Breakfast Bowl with Hummus
This healthy, savory breakfast bowl is a great make ahead recipe perfect for busy weekday mornings. Made with quinoa, kale and roasted butternut squash all topped off with a boiled egg.
Healthy Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos with Egg
These easy Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos are a healthy, freezer-friendly option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Made in one pan, loaded with veggies, scrambled eggs, and whole wheat tortillas, these are great for meal prep and make-ahead meals.
Vegetarian Borscht Recipe
Vegetarian Borscht is a delicious vegetable stew with a signature deep red color. Made with beets, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and more, it is often served with sour cream, dill and hard boiled eggs.
Cheesy Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
A blend of three cheeses is paired with aromatic garlic, onion, and herbs in this easy vegetarian stuffed mushrooms appetizer recipe.
Vegetarian Lasagna with Ricotta
This vegetarian lasagna recipe is a total crowd pleaser! The easy spinach and ricotta cheese filling is classic and creamy.
One-Pan Vegetarian Burrito Bowls
Easy one-pan Vegetarian Burrito Bowls made with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and other healthy veggies. A perfect meal prep recipe that’s completely plant-based and gluten-free, these vegan burrito bowls are a hit with the whole family.
Vegetarian Ramen
This Vegetarian Ramen is going to rock your world! Learn the secret to creating a super-rich and creamy broth with soy milk, miso, sesame seeds, and spicy chili bean sauce. Make it vegan by skipping the ramen egg!
