Easy Meatless Dinner Ideas
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Vegetable sheet pan dinners, bean nachos, and stuffed spaghetti squash are some of our favorite easy meatless dinner ideas. There are so many yummy ways to enjoy vegetables. Meatless meals aren’t as hard to find as you think.
Easy dinner ideas are my bag. I love to get dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. Especially on a busy weeknight when I’m pooped from working all day and have things to do. I also love meals that are 5 ingredients are less. So here are some of my best ideas.
One of my favorite easy meatless dinner ideas is bean nachos. Just throw some chips on a sheet tray and toast them for about 5 minutes on 350. Dump a can or two of your favorite beans (or mix two kinds together) and heat them up with some taco mix. I like to dump and rinse the beans and put them in fresh water. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes.
Put a scoop of chips on everyone’s plate, strain the beans and sprinkle some on top of the chips. Then top as desired. I like shredded cheddar, sour cream, and some diced fresh veggies. My favorites are onions, carrots, and cucumbers, but you can do what you like.
I can’t have tomatoes, but those would be my first choice if I could. And if you like lettuce, you do you. The world is your oyster. Quick, simple, and everyone loves it.
Another great meatless meal idea that comes together in minutes is cheese quesadillas. You can slice up some cheddar cheese thinly, melt some butter in a skillet, lay in a tortilla. I like corn, but you can use flour tortillas if that’s what you like. Top the tortilla with cheese and whatever veggies you like and then another tortilla. Cook until golden brown. Flip and repeat. Cut and serve. So yummy.
Meatless meals
A quick pasta meal can come together in 30 minutes or less. I have a ton of varieties of homemade hamburger helper that you can use meat in or not. I prefer the leave the meat out anyway.
We love to just have a big sheet tray of roasted vegetables for dinner. We do it at least once a week. Everyone says, no meat? Nope, no meat. It’s great for us. These air fried vegetables with garlic bread seasoning mix are my favorite ones since I learned how to make them in the air fryer.
If you don’t have an air fryer, this roasted broccoli recipe works for any veggie. Once you prep the vegetables, you just set them and forget them til dinner. It’s something you don’t have to stand right over. That’s my kind of meal.
You can also make similar veggie meals in a skillet. This sweet potato brussel sprout saute will show you how. It uses bacon, but butter or olive oil is just fine too.
Cook a big ole potato in the microwave (or sweet potato) and stuff it with cottage cheese, a sprinkle of herbs, and some broccoli. That makes a wonderful meal.
I make a delicious meatless chili with this chili seasoning and it is loved by all my meat-loving family. I just take an onion, chop it up, chop a few carrots, shred some zucchini and toss them in a skillet with a little olive oil or butter. Cook until firm tender. Add 4 or so cups of canned beans that are drained and some of the chili seasoning.
Cook that for a few minutes with 8 oz of tomato sauce or chicken stock or both. In just a few minutes you’ll have an intoxicating chili fragrance permeating the house. Everyone will come running.
Check out this stuffed spaghetti squash lasagna for a grain-free and meat-free meal that will delight your family. There’s another recipe for stuffed spaghetti squash with broccoli in this meatless dinner post.
Meatless meals for meat lovers
If you just can’t live without meat, there are ways to trick your senses. Eggplant and mushrooms have a very meaty texture, so try adding those in place of meat for your favorite recipes. I’m not a big fan of making fake food.
Like people who don’t want to eat grains will make fake pancakes or rolls. If your goal is not to eat meat, it’s a frustrating and time-consuming venture to try to make fake burgers or fake steak. It’s fine and there’s nothing wrong with it, but for me, I don’t want to spend that much time. I can just eat a big salad or plate of roasted veggies and be totally satisfied and spend just a few minutes in the kitchen. You do whatever works for you.
Succulent and flavorful black beans are easy to make at home. This Mexican / Cuban style black beans recipe is full of rich and meaty flavors.
These easy Bean Burgers need just 4 ingredients and can be on your table in 15 minutes! They make the perfect lunch or dinner!
Meatless meals kid friendly
Many young children will naturally prefer meatless meals, so I find, as a home daycare provider, that meatless meals go over great with the kids. I do lots of mac and cheese, quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, and stuff like that and they love it.
Kids love any kind of noodles! This simple fettuccine alfredo recipe uses only three ingredients and comes together in a snap. Utilizing traditional Italian cooking techniques, this dish is perfect to throw together for a weeknight dinner.
This One-Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe is a vegetarian meal that the whole family will love! Easy to make in one pot this tex-mex spin on everyone’s favorite pasta dish includes black beans, pantry items, and creamy cheese!
These easy grilled bean and cheese burritos, filled with avocado, beans, cheese, and salsa are sure to be a kid-pleaser.
Easy meatless dinner ideas
This couscous-based meatless meal is so easy. Make the couscous, roast the veggies, and stir together with a little feta cheese.
Greek Pasta with yogurt, garlic and lemon is a super quick and easy dish for weeknights.
This Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla is stuffed with peppers, corn, green chiles, and black beans. This is a filling and healthy dinner option that’s packed with flavor!
Love Greek food? Love Mexican food too? You’re in luck with these delicious crispy halloumi tacos with an easy pineapple mango salsa. The contrast of sweet and salty flavors could be a talking point when you’re next entertaining or serve them for a quick lunch at home.
Olive Garden copycat minestrone soup tastes just like the restaurant version right at home. Warm, filling, and full of veggies, this soup is still incredibly easy to make and only requires the Instant Pot or one large stockpot to make! This recipe can be ready in less than 10 minutes so you can serve it to your hungry family any day of the week! Perfect for meal prep or dinner on even the busiest weeknight.
Emphatically the king of curries – This Thai Massaman curry is a warm, comforting curry that is perfect for any night of the week. You don’t need a lot of time or ingredients to make this a delicious treat the whole family will love. Add additional veggies and make this a complete, wholesome convenient meal you’ll be making over and over again.
Six Ingredient Healthy Celery Soup is a great vegetarian soup perfect for using up abundant amounts of celery. With an ingredient listing loaded with beautiful simple ingredients you will no doubt have on hand, it is perfect as a quick midweek dinner.
This delightful Veggie Chickpea Salad is a plant-based powerhouse! This scrumptious Bean salad is a medley of fresh flavors and perfect texture. It is a hearty and satisfying salad with a delightful taste.
I hope these ideas fueled your creativity and helped you makeover your meatless menus for this week!
