Meet Alex Caspero
Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Plant-Based Chef and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.
Looking for more healthy vegetarian meals? I know I’m always on the hunt for healthy weeknight dinners, and I figured that you likely are as well. These are actual healthy vegetarian dinner ideas, recipes that take roughly 30 minutes from start to finish. That’s about the maximum amount of time I want to put forth for a weeknight meal; so I can spend the rest of the evening hanging with my two men, catching up on housework and relaxing.
There are plenty of healthy vegetarian meals you can choose from here that can easily be incorporated into your weekly dinner rotation. Meatless Mondays just became a whole lot more exciting with these easy vegetarian meals. From hearty, warming lentil chilli to fresh and delicious stir frys, you’ll find something here to try! There is something here for meat lovers and plant based foodies alike!
Enjoy this round-up of 50+ healthy vegetarian meals, that are mostly vegan!
Looking for a healthy, quick chili? Try this vegan and gluten-free lentil chili made with lentils. This recipe also includes directions for the slow-cooker if you prefer to make it in the morning for dinner that night.
Egg salad that tastes and looks like traditional egg salad, but made with tofu! I make a batch of this at least every week, one of my favorite healthy vegetarian meals.
I’m obsessed with the yellow curry, it’s one of my favorite weeknight meals. While I use summer vegetables here, feel free to substitute with any vegetables that are in-season and you have on hand.
This fried rice is perfect for nights when you don’t feel like cooking and need a healthy vegetarian dinner using leftover brown rice. Tofu, bok choy, mushrooms, rice, kimchi and a spicy stir-fry sauce. Vegan and easily gluten-free.
You knew these were going to make an appearance, didn’t you? Hands down these are one of my favorite meals. I love that I can make a big pan of them for dinner one night and then use the leftovers for veggie fajita enchiladas the following night. A must-make (and save.)
The combination of flavors just work here. Butternut squash and other vegetables mixed together with quinoa makes a delicious vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan friendly casserole for the whole family.
Super simple to put together, this one is a healthy weeknight dinner keeper. Potatoes, faux sausage and spinach in a spicy cashew cream sauce.
I love a good curry sauce and this red curry version is perfect for weeknights. Tofu and vegetables simmered in a red curry sauce and served over rice.
Who doesn’t love a good pad thai? Especially one that’s ready in just 15 minutes (or, at the max, 25 minutes depending on your culinary quickness.) Either way, this dish is loved by so many of you.
I’m obsessed with these crunchy veggie bowls, they’ve got everything I want for a quick dinner: brown rice pasta, lots of vegetables, a soft boiled egg for protein and a warm peanut sauce to top things off.
Date night pasta for weeknights. Linguine with a super meaty shiitake wine sauce.
I share this recipe all the time; it’s so unbelievably good- a combination of my two favorite things: pasta and Mexican food.
This healthy vegetarian dinner is so delicious– comfort food at its best! Crispy polenta rounds with mushroom bolognese sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes and easily vegan.
My goodness do I love these tacos. And, I’m in good company. BL has asked for them at least twice in the past few weeks, which is always my litmus test on whether a recipe is good.
Spiralized sweet potatoes tossed with spinach, drenched in peanut sauce, and topped with crunchy peanuts. Increase the protein factor by topping with baked tofu.
Another quick 20-minute dinner. Spinach and garlic tossed with pasta, plus a trick for making silky, restaurant-worthy pasta at home.
For this quick and easy dinner, dump everything onto a sheet pan, toss with homemade stir-fry sauce and bake. That’s it! Add in cooked grains as desired and eat.
These vegan ramen bowls are ready in less than 30 minutes, ramen noodles in a dried mushroom broth with carrots and edamame.
Have you had checca sauce before? It’s a no-cook tomato sauce that’s perfect for quick weeknight meals. I’m pairing this one with spaghetti and hunks of fresh burrata cheese.
If you love spicy food, you’ve gotta try these vegan tofu tinga tacos. They are super easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes.
Sheet pan dinners are one of my favorite quick meal options. This entire dinner is made on the sheet pan: baked tofu and green beans in a spicy soy-based sauce.
A salad and pasta together in one easy meal. Roasted broccoli and cauliflower with pasta, parmesan, lemon and garlic. One of my favorite healthy vegetarian meals!
Everything taste better in taco form. Charred, slightly smoky zucchini, corn and lentils tucked into warm tortillas and topped with a spicy jalapeño sauce.
Hearty and satisfying vegetarian chickpea burgers with a creamy cucumber-dill yogurt sauce. Perfect on their own or paired with a side salad.
Tropical Tofu Tacos with Mango Salsa! Jerk seasoned tofu with quick mango salsa, shredded cabbage and sliced avocado.
It can certainly be challenging to satisfy everyone when feeding a mix of carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians and vegans, but this dinner gets the job done. A hearty mix of vegetables, rice, black eyed peas and plenty of spice.
7 ingredients and ready in just 20 minutes. Homemade sun-dried tomato pesto tossed with rotini. For extra protein, add in a can of white or garbanzo beans.
This Vegetable Cacciatore with Soft Polenta is incredible! All of the flavors of a traditional cacciatore and served over creamy soft polenta. Vegan and gluten free options.
Ready in less than 20 minutes, low-calorie, low-fat, low-carb and DELICIOUS! Plus, Vegan and Gluten-Free.
One pot meals are music to my weeknight dinner making heart. I love recipes that are not only ready in less than 30 minutes, but require only one pan to clean afterwards. As someone who can easily dirty half a dozen dishes for a “weeknight” meal, this dinner is a welcome change.
Oh man, I love this fettuccini. Noodles tossed with arugula pesto, sweet corn and mozzerella balls. Simple to throw together and easily customizable with different pestos.
Feeling too tired to cook dinner? This skillet comes together fast with frozen riced cauliflower and sweet potato, a can of black beans, kale and pantry spices.
Brown rice pasta in a creamy mushroom sauce? Sign me up. I love frozen peas in my pasta and this dish is the perfect balance of sweet, meaty and creamy.
You guys love these easy noodles! Spicy sauce with rice noodles and vegetables. Easier and healthier than Thai takeout!
These vegan bowls are perfect for busy weeknights. Super flavorful Mexican rice with avocados, lettuce, tomatoes and more!
Yup, another burrito bowl! You’ve gotta try these healthy bowls, packed with grilled vegetables, potatoes, halloumi, salsa and guacamole. The perfect gluten-free, vegetarian dinner.
I’m obsessed with this sandwich! Homemade thousand island dressing, swiss cheese, pickled beets, sauerkraut on rye bread. Ready in just 10 minutes!
Are you noticing a theme? This smashed chickpea sandwich with avocado is ready in just 10 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights.
These take a bit longer than 30 minutes to whip up, but the extra effort is worth it. I’m including these because you should make two batches- one for dinner tonight and one to place in the freezer for easy reheating whenever you are too tired to cook.
I’ll say it for the hundredth time, I love a good curry. This version is packed with lentils, potatoes, and frozen mixed vegetables to enjoy with rice and naan. A must-save for weeknight meals.
I love my sweet potato hummus, it’s a nice change of pace from the regular version. Slather leftovers on tortillas with black beans and a little cheese for an easy weeknight dinner.
My friend Rachael is a fantastic cook and this spicy coconut quinoa bowl is one of my favorites, made entirely in the Instant Pot.
Spicy spinach, lentil and mushroom filling with pepperjack cheese. Ready in less than 30 minutes.
Mmmm, these lettuce wraps are so amazing. Roasted chickpeas in a buffalo sauce on lettuce leaves with homemade vegan ranch, avocado and tomatoes.
If you love spicy puttanesca sauce, you’ve gotta try this quick and easy recipe. Made entirely in one pot, with lots of capers, olives and red pepper flakes.
A great lunch, dinner on it’s own or a side dish. Grilled asparagus, grilled onion and tomato and a lemon mint dressing.
Gluten-Free, Vegan Ranch Bowls! These salads bowls are packed with vegetables and ranch-roasted chickpeas! 11g fiber and 12g protein per serving.
Looking for a healthy dinner option? This is it! Perfectly crisp tofu, broccoli and carrots in a sesame-ginger-garlic sauce.
This healthy vegan pasta primavera is a gluten-free, grain-free dish and is so delicious! If you want a healthy, vegetable filled dinner, you’ve gotta try this.
Want a quick weeknight meal!? Try these vegan black bean tacos. Super healthy and delicious.
Dinner is ready in just 15 minutes! Roasted Indian chickpeas with spices, tamarind sauce, yogurt and cilantro.
Garlic breadcrumbs taste just like parmesan in this simple pasta dish! Shredded collards tossed with hot pasta, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes and seasoned bread crumbs. Dinner is ready in just 20 minutes.
I love one-pot vegetable dinners. Throw everything into a pot, and you are done! Loaded with vegetables like peas, spinach and mushrooms in a light cream sauce.
Oh man, these garlic stir-fry noodles are so, so good. Udon noodles tossed with a gingery-garlic sauce and faux-fried tofu. Grab the chopsticks, you’ll want to make this dish.
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