63 Amazing Meatless Monday Recipes
Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure with these best 63 Meatless Monday Recipes! From savory lentil burgers topped with fresh crunchy coleslaw to creamy cashew alfredo served over a bed of silky pasta, these dishes will satisfy everyone’s taste buds and keep the whole family coming back for more.
63 Meatless Meals
I love talking to vegan-curious people about the many delicious foods that vegans and vegetarians can eat because we all know that we need to eat more vegetables. Most folks don’t realize the wide variety of meals they can eat that contain zero meat, dairy, or eggs.
My family is completely plant-based and we enjoy dishes like cauliflower tacos with cilantro lime sauce, vegan pad Thai, and stuffed portobello mushrooms.
By eating more meat-free meals, you can benefit your personal health and create a positive impact on the environment.
The list below contains some of my family’s favorite meatless meals that I know you’re going to love. Serve them to your whole family and see how delicious healthy eating can be!
What is Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is an international campaign that encourages people to abstain from consuming meat on Mondays. It was started in Britain back in 2009 and has spread worldwide and gained a lot of attention in recent years.
It promotes the idea of dedicating one day of the week to plant-based eating, emphasizing the benefits of reducing meat consumption for personal health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.
By going meatless on Mondays, you can explore a variety of delicious vegetarian and vegan meals, contribute to a more sustainable food system, and make a positive impact on your own well-being and the planet.
It is actually a great way to toe-dip into the plant-based lifestyle and, we’re hoping you will like it so much that you’ll add 2, 4, and even 6 more days a week on your way to becoming completely vegan in time. We have this great plant-based starter guide to help you do just that!
Is eating plant-based expensive?
Eating meatless meals is a great way to cut expenses at the grocery store. Meat, milk, cheese, and eggs are very expensive, and prices continue to rise. Rice, beans, and vegetables tend to cost much less, especially if you’re eating close to the plant and not buying a lot of processed vegan foods.
For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!
Frequently Asked Questions
Try recipes with protein-rich ingredients like this easy chickpea tuna salad, tofu vegetable stir-fry, or our quinoa bean salad. These meals are filling and provide all the protein needed for a satisfying dinner.
Kid-friendly meatless options include veggie pasta with marinara, veggie burgers, and dairy-free mac and cheese. You can also make dishes fun by adding a variety of colorful veggies and letting kids pick their toppings.
Meatless Monday recipes often feature high-fiber, low-calorie vegetables and plant-based proteins, which can support weight loss by keeping you full longer. Pairing plant-based meals with a balanced diet can aid in healthy weight management.
Here are the Meatless Monday recipes
Meatless Monday is a simple and achievable way for individuals, families, and even institutions to make a positive impact. It’s an opportunity to broaden our culinary horizons, improve our health through diet, and take an active role in preserving the environment.
Whether you’re a committed vegan, a vegetarian, or simply someone looking to make a small change, participating in Meatless Monday is a meaningful step towards a more sustainable and compassionate world.
It is time to indulge in these delicious recipes and experience the mouthwatering joy of Meatless Mondays. Let’s savor every bite!
60+ Meatless Monday Recipes
These Meatless Monday recipes are bound to become instant family favorites, captivating taste buds and satisfying even the most picky eaters. From kids to adults, everyone will love the delicious flavors, vibrant colors, and wholesome ingredients, making the whole family happy.
These Vegan Black Bean Burgers are so popular because the patties are firm and can even be cooked on the grill without falling through.
Believe it or not, chili can be made healthy without loads of saturated fat and calories with this amazing Crockpot Vegan Chili that even has meat-eaters licking their lips.
When we are going to a family gathering and need to take a dish or two, this Vegan Meat Loaf is always my first go-to. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, you can bet it will be on the menu.
This vegan spaghetti & meatball dish is the perfect comfort food. Not only is it healthy and delicious, but it can also be frozen and kept on hand for any time you like.
Healthy meals just don’t get any easier than with these easy veggie wraps layered with hummus or mayo and piled high with fresh veggies like lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, and anything else you can think of.
This amazing vegan BBQ made with soy curls is so delicious and perfect for summertime festivities and the Fourth of July because it delivers a smoky, savory flavor that rivals traditional BBQ, pleasing both vegans and meat-eaters!
My family absolutely loves pizza, and I love the fact that it can be made healthy and in minutes!
Veggie Kabobs are so easy to make, and they are a huge crowd pleaser at summer barbecues or any time of year!
Tired? Don't feel like cooking? This chickpea vegan salad with avocado takes less than 10 minutes and only requires a bowl and fork to prepare. No kidding! Protein-packed and delicious!
Easy homemade vegan mac chili is made with wholesome ingredients like beans, whole grain pasta, and lots of veggies with warm spices. It simple to make and can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
I love soup for so many reasons! Not only is it easy to make and super filling, but it reheats and freezes well too. This barley vegetable soup recipe is also super healthy and loaded with wholesome ingredients. It can be a one-pot recipe for the stovetop or even made in a slow cooker.
This quinoa chickpea salad is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that make it only delicious but also beautiful and filling.
This Kale Quinoa Salad with Orange Miso Dressing is crazy delicious and so easy to make. An amazing nutrition powerhouse salad of kale, quinoa, mandarin oranges, and so much more!
Easy, filling, and inexpensive, these veggie Lentil Sloppy Joes are a quick meal that keeps you full for hours and reheats well for lunch the next day.
Taco night will never be the same with these delicious Cauliflower Tacos that are simple to make and happen to be vegetarian, vegan, and even gluten-free. They are absolutely delicious!
This sweet and tangy crockpot vegan bbq is out-of-this-world! Perfect for summer outdoor gatherings or any time of the year. Serve with slaw, corn on the cob, or air fried potato wedges.
This Vegan Pad Thai is so much better than takeout, with a nut-free sauce and a fresher take on ingredients. It's from OG vegan cookbook author, Dreena Burton, and is absolutely delicious!
Lasagna is such a hearty and filling meal, and it feeds a pretty big crowd! It takes a little bit of work but is so worth the effort. I remember when I used to do in-home cooking lessons, this vegan lasagna is one recipe that always received the best reviews.
This delightfully messy vegan meatball sandwich is great for dinner, parties, and game-day food. It’s such a versatile meatless marinara sandwich, even kids love it!
These cauliflower wings are lip-smacking delicious! Terrific for game day or any day for that matter. We even eat them as a main dish.
These Garden Spring Rolls are one of our favorite recipes. Add a big bowl of steamed rice, and we've got dinner!
This oil and dairy-free version of the traditional American hash brown casserole is delicious and hearty-healthy. With potatoes, onions, red bell peppers, creamy vegan cheese sauce, and smoked paprika, there is no skimping on taste. No artery-clogging butter and eggs either! Vegan Breakfast Casserole is amazing!
I believe my love of creamy potato soup developed in childhood. It's a deep-rooted comfort food for me. Even now, it doesn't have to be cold outside. We eat it year round.
French onion soup is a classic and gets its flavor from deeply caramelized onions. This vegan version has every bit of the flavor, with only a fraction of the fat. Topped with sourdough bread and vegan mozzarella, I think you are going to be amazed by its incredibly warm texture and taste.
This delicious Chickpea Burger is hearty and packed with flavor. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a dollop of my homemade vegan mayo.
Delicious, healthy baked potatoes stuffed and seasoned with your favorite taco toppings! It's time for a fiesta!
Falafels are one of the most widely recognized foods from the Middle East, and with good reason. These deliciously nutty and herby chickpea patties are fabulous on pita sandwiches, salads, and so much more!
This gravy tastes like the stuff I grew up eating on my mashed potatoes as a kid, but it happens to be vegan and has zero artery clogging saturated animal fat.
Mexican Stuffed Peppers are an amazingly flavorful main dish at my house. Loaded with rice, beans, veggies, and warm seasonings, they are hearty and perfect for family dinners and even entertaining guests.
This super simple vegetable stir fry can be on the table in about 40 minutes. It's amazingly peanuty and the rice noodles make it completely gluten-free.
Hands down, this is the best vegan potato recipe you'll ever try. These loaded potatoes are the perfect snack or appetizer for family and social gatherings or game day. Not only do they make a beautiful display, but they also taste AMAZING!
Piled high with perfectly sauteed spinach, shallots, and fire-roasted tomatoes, these portobello stuffed mushrooms are packed with flavor and absolutely delicious!
These fresh vegan tacos are loaded with beans, salsa, crispy veggies, and drizzled with creamy cheese sauce. They are a rainbow of color and deliciously satisfying!
This mouth-watering vegan shepherd’s pie is packed with chunky vegetables, savory sauce, and fluffy mashed potatoes. Believe me, it’s going to be a hit!
Instant Pot Soup is hearty, healthy, and bursting with flavor. The whole recipe is made in one pot, so clean up is a breeze.
I make this delicious Avocado Sandwich frequently when time is rushed and we need a quick healthy meal. It's made with fresh avocado, juicy tomato, crunchy purple onion, flavorful spices, and my homemade vegan spicy mayo (aka special sauce) all piled high on toasted sourdough bread.
This vegan potato salad is excellent for family gatherings and picnics. No one will ever realize it's a low-fat, healthier vegan version. I promise, if my family can't tell, yours won't either.
These simple 15-minute Veggie Bowl Recipes are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner in a hurry. Different variations can even be prepared ahead of time to eat throughout the week when you don’t have time to meal plan.
African Peanut Sweet Potato Stew is one of my personal favorite recipes of all time! We make it regularly. The flavors are simply amazing, like a party in your mouth. If you only try one recipe, let this be the one. I'm serious!
This White Bean Chili satisfies the craving for chili but cuts out all of the unhealthy ingredients found in many other chili recipes. Loaded with chunks of sweet potatoes, tender white beans, celery, onions, and spices, this dish is sure to keep you full for hours.
These air-fried potato wedges make a perfect side dish because they are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. They are vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and deliciously healthy!
This cashew-based vegan alfredo sauce has a rich creamy flavor that is delicious on pasta, baked potatoes, and even roasted vegetables. Amazingly, it can be made in only 10-minutes flat!
The perfect side dish for any meal, these Crispy Roasted Potatoes and Carrots are completely oil-free and can be cooked in either your oven or air fryer.
This fabulous Chickpea Tuna Salad recipe is from Cathy Fisher with Straight Up Food. Made with chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and seasonings, this vegan tuna is going to delight your taste buds!
These cheesy vegan mashed potatoes are going to rock your world. They are warm, creamy, healthy, and amazingly delicious. Serve them for any meal of the day and they will be a huge hit with everyone!
These Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms are a fabulous side dish or appetizer for any occasion. This is a simple and savory recipe that's a snap to assemble and a real crowd-pleaser dish.
Creamy, rich, and hearty, this delicious Vegan Mushroom Soup is healthy and bursting with flavor!
This Vegan Miso Ramen Japanese Soup is flavored with miso broth and a mix of vegetables like cabbage, green onions, and corn served over a bed of delicious ramen noodles. It is hearty enough to be a complete meal all by itself and it happens to be plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan.
Thick, juicy, tender, and hearty, these are the ribeyes of veggie burgers! Grilled or baked in the oven, you can't go wrong with Portobello mushroom burgers.
When we are going to a social gathering and I really want to make a big statement about how good eating healthy and plant-based can be, these Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a dish I love to make.
This is a delicious classic! But with no dairy, and a fraction of the fat. Colorful, crunchy, creamy. No one will ever realize it's actually healthy!
Making Vegan Cashew Queso has never been easier than with this delicious 4 ingredient recipe that takes less than 5 minutes to make in your blender or food processor. Here we go!
No meat? No problem! This vegan black bean chili recipe has all the taste of a hearty chili and can be ready to eat in 15-minutes or less. The convenience of a three-ingredient dish without any greasy pans to clean.
Vegan Chili Cheese Fries are plant-strongly amazing! Crispy oil-free fries, topped with layers of tangy spicy chili and creamy vegan cheese sauce. The ultimate heart-healthy comfort food!
This Mexican Tortilla Soup is bursting with flavor and also happens to be completely vegan and oil-free.
A classic favorite, cheddar broccoli soup was one dish I missed after going dairy-free, so I worked hard to come up with this deliciously satisfying vegan version that is loaded with flavor by the spoonful.
These easy breakfast potatoes make a savory and hearty breakfast that the entire family will enjoy and be begging for more!
This gluten-free vegan mac and cheese dish is one of my favorite dairy-free comfort foods! The cheese sauce can also be used in lots of other recipes and dishes as well.
This creamy vegan stroganoff has a savory mushroom flavor that will remind you of the rich and scrumptious stroganoff recipes you grew up with. Now satisfy your pasta cravings without the guilt!
Are you craving nachos but don't want all the artery clogging fat and cholesterol? Well, it's healthy fiesta time! This protein and fiber-packed nacho option is veggie-loaded and smothered with a creamy vegan cheese sauce that's outta this world! ! Your arteries and taste buds will be screaming, "YES!"
Chef AJ's Vegetable Lasagna Recipe is loaded with spinach, mushrooms, and layers of saucy marinara. It is so delicious, it'll even surprise meat-eaters!
Despite it's name, carrot cake is not usually a healthy option for dessert. That is, until now!
These black bean brownies are fudgy delicious and can be ready in only about 30 minutes!
Healthy chocolate zucchini muffins are made with wholesome ingredients and absolutely no eggs or dairy which makes them completely vegan and delicious!
I hope you enjoyed browsing our list of Meatless Monday recipes and found some inspiration to try new, deliciously healthy plant-based meals! Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, these recipes are perfect for adding more flavor and nutrition to your week. Happy cooking!
More Vegan Meatless Recipes
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…