Whether you’re a vegetarian, doing Meatless Monday, or want a meatless meal during the Lenten season, these meat-free dinner ideas are dishes your meat eaters will actually enjoy. They prove that a plant-based meal can be comforting and filling. Think cheesy comfort food, such as stuffed peppers, spinach Alfredo pizza, chili sweet potato fries, and baked eggplant Parmesan. Want something more protein-packed? Try one of the lentil, tofu, or quinoa dishes. Craving soup? There are a few veggie-packed soup recipes to keep everyone satisfied.
Chili Sweet Potato Fries
“Comfort food without all the calories! I was hooked on chili cheese dogs this winter. This is a lighter option with all the flavor. Easy to make too.” – Mindy
Shakshuka
“This is a super easy version that goes together really quickly but has big taste!” – Lori
Three Cheese Stuffed Shells (Meatless)
“I got this recipe from my Italian girlfriend from work. This was actually the first time I tried a jumbo stuffed shell, and I love it so much! The three different cheeses just make it so delicious that you would want to eat more and more of it.” – Connie
My Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
“Seriously, one of my favorite things to make and eat! It’s good for any time of year – picnic in the summer or next to a fire in the winter.” – Vail
Light (Baked Not Fried) Eggplant Parmesan
“Most often, eggplant Parmesan means fried eggplant. I bake mine and try not to add too much cheese.” – Malinda
Roasted Butternut Squash Four Cheese Lasagna
“Rich, warm layers of lightly sweet butternut squash, creamy ricotta, caramelized onions, and vibrant greens nestled between sheets of tender pasta with zesty marinara and mozzarella on top. Call this one serendipity.” – April
Side Dish Stuffed Peppers
“I wanted a festive side dish to go with a fiesta meal. I came up with these stuffed peppers. You can have them as a vegetarian main dish if you like.” – Beverley
Savory Roasted Butternut Squash & Red Pepper Soup
“I love anything with butternut squash. Since it’s finally soup weather I had to make this! It’s very hearty, savory, just a tiny bit sweet, and makes your whole house smell like fall.” – Ashley
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms for Two
“This was a last-minute decision for dinner, and all I had to shop for were a few of the ingredients to match up with what I already had at home. Lots of great veggies and a little cheese. A delicious combination of flavors that anyone can enjoy.An Italian-inspired meal.” – George
Lentil Chili
“I love to make this chili because my kids love it. I can sneak in vegetables and they don’t even know it. You can use any type of beans you want in this recipe. We love to make ours with Northern beans since they are creamier tasting.” – Karina
Spinach Alfredo Pizza
“This is an absolute hit at my house. My family loves CiCi’s, so I tried one of my own.” – Patty
Pam’s Curried Cheddar and Cauliflower Soup
“Made this for supper because I had half a head of cauliflower and wanted to make some soup for this cold day. I made this by guess and by golly, but I have recorded the ingredients as I remember them. It is a simple cheesy sauce soup base with cauliflower.” – Pam
Quinoa and Potato Latkes
“These wonderful little latkes are different in that they have cooked quinoa in them. You can also prepare the quinoa just before making the latkes. We loved them, and I’ll make them again for the Jewish holidays.” – Jo
Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
“Well into the brisk autumn season, we’ll throw a log into the wood stove and cozy up to this rich and creamy soup. As a main dish, it’s great to serve with some southern-style sweet cornbread.” – Cindy
Gluten-Free Vegetarian Potato, Kale, Rice Soup
“This was a recipe I just threw together one day when I was super hungry for a nice pot of warm soup. It came out so much better than I ever expected it to. My dad loved it and ate it every day until it was gone. Chock full of nutrients and protein, it’s sure a winner in my book.” – Renee
Sweet Potato Harira Maghreb
“Harira is a savory tomato and lentil Moroccan soup; it’s known as the national soup of Morocco. It’s served during the month of Ramadan to break the fast at sunset each day and is often served with dates or honey sweets.” – Brenda
Crispy Baked Firecracker Tofu on Coconut Cauliflower Rice
“Bite-sized pieces of crispy tofu in a quick and tasty firecracker sauce that is spicy, sweet, tangy, and salty all on top of a bed of coconut cauliflower rice.” – Kevin