These 23 meatless dinners are so good, even the biggest meat lovers at the table won’t say a word. Each recipe brings big flavor and filling ingredients without needing anything extra. They’re simple, easy to make, and perfect for nights when you want dinner to be stress-free. If you’ve been trying to cook with less meat, this is a good place to start.
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Give dinner a boost with this cheesy and protein-packed quinoa that’s full of flavor. The spinach cooks down soft, and the Parmesan adds just the right amount of richness in every bite. It’s one of those easy to make meatless recipes that tastes like a full meal and keeps you full, too.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Fill up your plate with stuffed pasta shells baked in melty cheese and thick sauce until everything bubbles. The cheese filling is creamy, rich, and satisfying without needing anything else on the side. This is one of those delicious meatless recipes that meat lovers keep going back for.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Brighten up dinner with this creamy risotto that’s packed with soft rice, sweet peas, and a splash of lemon. The Instant Pot makes it fast, but it still tastes like you spent all day stirring. It’s one of those meatless dinner recipes so good, no one will ask where the meat went.
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Simple Marinara Sauce
Keep things easy with this rich tomato sauce made with garlic, herbs, and just a few pantry basics. It works great over pasta, bread, or even roasted vegetables and makes everything taste better. This is one of those delicious meatless recipes that turns a basic dinner into something worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Simple Marinara Sauce
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Shake up your dinner routine with this one-pan quinoa packed with black beans, salsa, and warm spices. It all cooks together fast and soaks up flavor in every bite without needing much effort. This is an easy to make meatless recipe that feels bold, filling, and always hits the spot.
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Cacio e Pepe
Let a few simple ingredients do all the work in this cheesy, peppery pasta that comes together fast. The noodles soak up the creamy sauce and deliver big flavor with just cheese, pepper, and pasta water. It’s one of those meatless dinner recipes so good, no one even misses the meat.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Caprese Panini
Layer up tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil in a crisp, warm sandwich that feels comforting but still quick. The cheese melts perfectly, and the bread gets just the right crunch in every bite. This is a delicious meatless recipe that feels a little fancy but takes hardly any time at all.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Avocado Tomato Salad
Put together a simple bowl of creamy avocado, juicy tomato, and tangy dressing that tastes bright and fresh. It’s filling without feeling heavy and works great for lunch or dinner. This is one of those easy meatless recipes that disappears fast once it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Pizza Dough
Roll out this soft and sturdy dough for pizza night and let everyone build their own topping combo. It holds up to sauce, cheese, and any veggie mix you’ve got lying around. This is a go-to base for fun and filling meatless recipes that everyone can make their own way.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Dough
Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Top your pizza with roasted asparagus and creamy goat cheese for a combo that’s tangy, crisp, and just the right amount of rich. The flavors pop without needing anything extra, and the crust bakes up golden. This is a great meatless dinner recipe for when you want something a little different but still easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Hearts of Palm Salad
Chop up hearts of palm and crunchy veggies for a salad that’s fresh, crisp, and full of flavor with every bite. A sharp dressing pulls it all together and makes it feel like more than just a side. This is one of those meatless recipes that feels light but leaves you satisfied.
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Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Toss together chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives for a bold salad that comes together in no time. A punchy vinaigrette adds a little tang and makes it feel like more than just a bunch of vegetables. This is one of those meatless dinner recipes so good, people ask for it even when other options are on the table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Potato Gnocchi
Soft pillows of gnocchi make this a comforting meal that feels rich without needing any meat. They soak up any sauce you use and cook quickly, which makes dinner feel easy and fun. This is one of those delicious meatless recipes that feels like a treat but doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Vegan Couscous Salad
Toss together couscous and fresh veggies for a bowl that’s light, easy, and works for lunch or dinner. The dressing adds just enough flavor, and it tastes great warm or straight from the fridge. This is one of those easy to make meatless recipes that fits right into busy days.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad
Tomato Tart
Bake up a flaky crust and top it with juicy tomatoes for a tart that looks fancy but takes hardly any effort. The filling stays simple, but the result is golden, rich, and packed with flavor. This is one of those meatless dinner recipes that makes vegetables the main event.
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Calzones
Wrap up warm cheese and veggies inside golden crusts for a dinner that’s fun to eat and easy to make. Each calzone holds in all the flavor and bakes up crispy and melty at the same time. It’s a go-to meatless recipe that even meat eaters ask for again.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Skip the big bake and go for lasagna roll ups that pack all the flavor into smaller, easier bites. Each roll is full of sauce and cheese, and they’re easy to portion out without the mess. This is one of those delicious meatless recipes that makes dinner simple and still feels like comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Use a tortilla as your crust and load it with sauce, cheese, and veggies for a fast and crispy pizza. The air fryer makes it golden and crunchy in minutes with no extra mess. It’s one of those easy to make meatless recipes that’s perfect for nights when you don’t feel like cooking much.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Creamy Pea Pasta
Cook up this pasta with sweet peas and a smooth, creamy sauce that comes together fast. The flavors are simple but rich, and it’s just the kind of dish that makes you feel full and happy. This is one of those meatless dinner recipes so good, no one even notices there’s no meat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Spinach Soufflé
Bake up a light and fluffy spinach dish that’s cheesy, soft in the middle, and easy to get right. It looks fancy but takes simple steps and just a few ingredients. This is one of those meatless recipes that feels impressive but fits right into your weeknight plans.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Soufflé
Harvest Quinoa Salad
Mix roasted vegetables, quinoa, and a little cheese and fruit for a salad that’s sweet, salty, and filling in every bite. It has tons of texture and flavor, so it never feels like just a bowl of grains. This is one of those delicious meatless recipes that keeps showing up again because everyone likes it.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Let the Instant Pot do the work for this thick, hearty soup packed with lentils, vegetables, and warm spices. It cooks fast and keeps well, which makes it great for meal prep or leftovers. This is one of those easy to make meatless recipes that fills you up without making a mess.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Stir together soft pasta, juicy tomatoes, and creamy ricotta for a warm bowl of comfort that’s full of flavor. The cheese melts into the sauce and brings everything together in just the right way. This is one of those meatless dinner recipes that makes skipping takeout feel like an easy choice.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta