I'm The Only Plant-Based Eater In My Family, So I Make These Dinners When I Have To Please Everyone
I'm not not saying these are the way to convert omnivores...😉
If you find yourself flirting with phasing meat out of your diet this year, you're certainly not alone. In fact, nearly 10% of adult Americans now think of themselves as either vegetarian or vegan. That means almost 33 million people in the States alone have taken animal protein off the table, so you'd be far from alone! It’s true, we do have a TON of lists dedicated to weeknight dinners filled with steak, chicken, and seafood, but don’t worry: Vegetarians, we’ve got you too. Whether you’re a lifelong plant-based eater, a curious omnivore, or are just looking for healthy recipe ideas for meatless Mondays, you're guaranteed to love these incredible vegetarian dinners.
Not only are a lot of Americans vegetarian, so is a significant portion of the world's population. The numbers vary, but suffice it to say, many world cuisines put far less of an emphasis on meat, instead focusing on filling, hearty, creative spins on vegetables and plant-based proteins. Check out our Middle Eastern-Mexican fusion green shakshuka, our Jamaican jerk tofu grain bowls, our Indian butter chickpeas, our Vietnamese tofu banh mi, or our Chinese-American-inspired sesame tofu & broccoli to see what we mean.
And if you're craving classic meat-based comfort foods, but want to keep it veg-friendly? Check out our creamy Tuscan white bean skillet, our vegan crunchwrap, our spicy fried “chicken” sandwich, our sesame tofu & broccoli, or our tempeh Buffalo “wings” to see just how good these meatless dupes can be. You could also skip the overt protein altogether, and just rely on meaty vegetables and legumes like eggplant, beans, mushrooms, and cauliflower to fill the void. Try our cauliflower tacos, our BBQ pulled mushrooms, our creamy Tuscan white bean skillet, or our vegan seared "scallops" with succotash. They're so good, we bet you won’t even miss the meat.
Cheesy Asparagus Orzotto
Thanks to its small, versatile shape, orzo is practically made for this creamy, comforting cooking method. Aromatic leeks, grassy asparagus, and sweet peas bring bright, springy vibes to the dish, while rich cream, nutty Parmesan, and just the right amount of butter stirred in at the end make it super-luxe.
Get the Cheesy Asparagus Orzotto recipe.
Marry Me Tofu
We've tossed air-fried tofu in spicy mayo, created a tofu katsu curry, and brushed homemade chipotle sauce onto kebabs for chipotle tofu and pineapple skewers (and the list of tofu recipes goes on!). Because tofu is so versatile, why not give this plant-based protein a Marry Me moment? Pairing our signature creamy, garlicky sauce with crispy tofu was every bit as good as we knew it could be.
Get the Marry Me Tofu recipe.
Indian Butter Chickpeas
Looking for your new favorite way to dress up canned chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you look at a can of beans.
Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.
Miso Mushroom Crispy Rice
This dish is inspired by Momofuku’s Miso Mushroom Rice, but takes cues from Persian tahdig and Spanish paella. Sushi rice is parboiled, tossed with red miso, scallions, and white wine, then cooked in butter until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom. The crispy rice is topped with ginger and garlic-studded crispy mushrooms, drizzled with spicy miso mayo, then topped with sesame seeds and scallions to make for a textural dream of a dinner.
Get the Miso Mushroom Crispy Rice recipe.
Cottage Cheese Alfredo
Wouldn’t it be great to have a big bowl of your favorite creamy pasta with less fat and more protein but with all of the flavor and texture you’re looking for in a good Alfredo? We thought so. This recipe is the answer to your pasta prayers.
Get the Cottage Cheese Alfredo recipe.
Marry Me Chickpeas
Our original Marry Me chicken might be an Internet sensation, but these Marry Me chickpeas are coming for the crown. Chickpeas are tossed in creamy garlic and sun-dried tomato sauce for a simple vegetarian spin on Delish’s favorite dinner.
Get the Marry Me Chickpeas recipe.
Sweet & Sour Tofu
Sweet and sour sauce is a staple across Chinese-American restaurant menus—and for good reason. The combination of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors pairs well with virtually every protein. That’s especially true when it comes to tofu—because it’s mild in flavor, the sweet and sour sauce truly shines (even the tofu haters in your household will ask for seconds).
Get the Sweet & Sour Tofu recipe.
Creamy Lemon-Garlic Butter Beans
Our weeknight comfort food bracket is already pretty stacked (looking at you, sticky sesame chickpeas!), but this creamy butter bean skillet is a serious contender. Swimming in a luscious lemon-garlic sauce flecked with spinach, these butter beans will be a hit at your dinner table any day of the week.
Get the Creamy Lemon-Garlic Butter Beans recipe.
BBQ Pulled Mushrooms
We're loving the pulled mushroom trend at the moment. Chewy, sticky, and satisfyingly meaty without any of the meat, this recipe is so meaty we believe it could convince even the biggest of mushroom haters that these veggie heroes aren't so bad after all. Plus, they're fab for vegetarian BBQ guests.
Get the BBQ Pulled Mushrooms recipe.
Baked Feta Chickpeas
Thought baked feta was over? Think again. Let us introduce you to your next obsession: baked feta chickpeas. Tossed in a fresh garlic-burst cherry tomato sauce and served with slabs of bubbling browned feta, these chickpeas are your weeknight ticket to protein-packed dinnertime bliss.
Get the Baked Feta Chickpeas recipe.
Homemade Falafel
Falafel may be king of Middle Eastern street food, but that doesn’t mean you have to travel to enjoy it. Boasting a crisp, golden-brown exterior and a center that’s soft, tender, and packed with chickpeas and fresh herbs, our homemade recipe hits ALL those classic flavors and vibes.
Get the Homemade Falafel recipe.
Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups
Sweet, sour, and salty, these lettuce cups are ripe for improvisation and can be served with all sorts of accompaniments. Crunchy raw vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots can add heft, and a drizzle of chili oil is a must for spice lovers.
Get the Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups recipe.
Mediterranean White Beans & Greens
A one-skillet recipe like this, made of hearty escarole stewed in a rich tomato sauce with lots of cannellini beans, is exactly what you’re surfing the web for. This can be eaten solo with grated Parmigiano Reggiano on top, mixed into ditalini, or sopped up with a hunk of crusty bread.
Get the Mediterranean White Beans & Greens recipe.
Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Skillet
We're the kind of people that steal the cheesy broccoli out of broccoli cheddar soup, so this broccoli cheddar chickpea skillet is my dream dinner. Steamed broccoli and chickpeas are tossed together in a light cheesy sauce for a protein-filled one-pan meal that’s primed to become a new family favorite.
Get the Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Skillet recipe.
Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos
Tacos always bring party vibes, but when they’re baked until crisp and rimmed with crunchy cheesy frico, it’s an all-out fiesta. Featuring refried black beans inside a crunchy corn tortilla, this cross between a taco and a sheet-pan quesadilla makes every weeknight feel like a celebration.
Spinach & Artichoke White Bean Skillet
It's no secret that we can't get enough of beans, and our newest obsession features iconic spinach and artichoke dip reimagined as a glossy white bean skillet. We love this pantry-friendly recipe because it’s an easy vegetarian dinner with complex flavor and it’s incredibly affordable—the perfect addition to your weeknight rotation!
Get the Spinach & Artichoke White Bean Skillet recipe.
Sesame Tofu & Broccoli
In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’re guaranteed a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
Get the Sesame Tofu & Broccoli recipe.
Chili Crisp Fried Tofu
Chili crisp is the MVP in the flavor bomb pantry, and it’s back to prove it again with this chili crisp fried tofu. Featuring a vibrant spicy-sweet sauce made with just four pantry ingredients, this crispy fried tofu is waiting to make your weeknight dinner a little more exciting.
Get the Chili Crisp Fried Tofu recipe.
Baked Feta Pasta
Obviously roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is going to be amazing. But is it good enough to break TikTok? Our answer, begrudgingly, is yes. It's genius—super easy, but fancy enough for date night. 😍
Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.
Queso Mac & Cheese
Get ready for a fiesta in your mouth with this creamy, spicy mac cheese. This one-pot recipe starts by cooking macaroni, then uses the same pot and pasta water to create a very creamy queso sauce that coats every curly noodle. For an extra kick, finish it off with a crunchy salsa crumble.
Get the Queso Mac & Cheese recipe.
