40 Plant Based Dinner Recipes

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Whether you’re vegan or just looking for healthier dinner options, add a little pizzazz to your meals with these 40 Plant-Based Dinner Recipe ideas guaranteed to satisfy you. Packed with protein, easy to make, and delicious – try some of these out in your weekly meal rotation; you won’t be disappointed! Whether it’s hearty meat-free meatballs, crazy good curries, or you’re favorite comfort foods, you’ll find a cornucopia of healthy weeknight meals below!

A plant-based diet doesn’t have to restrict you from enjoying all your treasured recipes. Sometimes, it’s a simple exchange of ingredients to remove meat from your diet and replace it with nutritious and diet-friendly foods. Let’s start you on the right path to more comforting, satisfying, and easy-to-make plant and vegetable-based dinners the whole family will love.

WHat does plant based mean?

Plant-based foods revolve around vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. They typically eliminate processed ingredients and animal products, including meat, eggs, and dairy.

Swap out a few meals or side dishes a week with plant-forward dinner recipes to balance a whole-food diet with your family’s favorites.

Tips for plant based meals

• Avoid overly processed ingredients. Many plant based and meat free ingredients can be loaded with salt and additives. Seek out whole plant foods that are as close to their natural form as possible. Don’t worry – you can keep your diet clean using these less processed ingredients while still fully satisfying your cravings! 
• Go green and leafy! Try different kinds of green leafy vegetables such as kale, collards, Swiss chard, spinach, and other greens. They are so versatile and add great texture and earthy flavors to your recipes. You can grill, steam, grill, braise, or stir-fry them to keep their nutrients and flavor.
• Give a plant based makeover to some of your family favorites. For example, replace the meat in your favorite chili with beans or lentils, use chickpeas for a hearty stew or filling grain bowl, or make a nutrient-dense vegetable the star of the show, like cauliflower steaks or eggplant lasagna!
• Utilize starches in your recipes. Whole grains, potatoes, pumpkin, legumes, and other foods high in starch provide energy and keep you full longer. Make sure you have those within reach to bulk up meals, if needed.

HOw to include plant based recipes in your meal plan

• Go meatless on Mondays. Pick one day a week to make vegan-prepared meals if you’re not completely plant based and testing the waters. Pick something you’re familiar with that exchanges the meat for veggies, such as a shepherd’s pie with dairy free mashed potatoes and a hearty vegetable filling.
• Prep for the week. If you’re feeling uninspired or worried you won’t stick to vegan recipes, gather the recipes you’re interested in making and prep for them all in one day when you’re feeling motivated. It will put you ahead of the week and make dinners come together quicker.
• Make a hearty salad. Start with a nutrient dense lettuce, add some grains, a few vegetables, and a dressing. There’s so many possibilities for building a plant based dinner around a salad! Try something festive, like a hummus bowl with Mediterranean flavors like olives, red onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

best plant based dinner recipes

It’s easy to swap out dinners for plant-based recipes, and here’s a list of ideas to make it easier. Choose from easy plant-based dinner ideas, pasta dishes, and Lebanese-inspired recipes to soups, stews, burgers, and tacos. You’ll never have to sacrifice your favorite dinners when you have complimentary healthy plant based meals on your side!

Easy plant based dinner ideas

• Crispy Tofu Bites – Add these easy air fryer tofu bites to a salad or pasta, or combine them with some tasty side dishes for a healthy and flavorful meal.
• Cauliflower Chickpea Curry – Easy to make and mild in spice, this curry is a well balanced and healthy meal that’s perfect for the whole family.
• Ratatouille – This classic French recipe is loaded with veggies for a hearty dish that is wonderfully with fresh flavors and nutrient-dense ingredients.
• Meatless Meatballs – Made with chickpeas and walnuts, these meat-free meatballs are full of flavor and delicious with marinara sauce over spaghetti for a comfort meal the whole family will enjoy.
• Curried Red Lentils – This curry recipe has a creamy tomato-based sauce with sweet potatoes and aromatic Indian spices. If you’ve never tried a curry recipe before, this one is a great one to start with!
• Stir Fried Cauliflower Rice – Quick to make and loaded with flavor, this veggie fried rice is a low-carb, gluten-free twist on the classic! Top with baked tofu or crispy chickpeas for a full dinner.
• Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers – Made with plant-based protein, including quinoa and beans, for a healthy, hearty, and delicious meal that vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike will love!
• Lentils Shepherd’s Pie – If you’re looking for a vegetarian-friendly meal, you’ll love this meatless version of the classic comfort dish. Mushrooms and quinoa as the base, and then loaded with colorful vegetables that cook in a rich gravy.

Plant based pasta recipes

• Pumpkin Pesto Kale Pasta – Made with pumpkin seeds and kale, this magical green sauce is fresh, zesty, and flavorful. Substitute a vegan parmesan for a plant based dinner.

• Creamy Bell Pepper Pasta – Pasta made with only 6 ingredients. It’s vegan, simple-to-make & customizable with any protein for an easy weeknight meal.
• Hummus Pasta – A healthy, creamy Mediterranean-inspired pasta recipe! It’s all made in one pot and ready in 15 minutes – perfect for a weeknight meal!
• Cauliflower Alfredo – Creamy, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free homemade Alfredo sauce with less fat & less calories as compared with the original recipe. Toss in some broccoli for more veggies.
• Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes – Quick, easy, and absolutely amazing, this Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is one of my favorite easy weeknight meals and a great way to use up a lot of tomatoes! 
• Creamy Vegan Cashew Tomato Pasta – Lightly caramelized onions and garlic, with just a hint of spice and bright tomatoes, create this beautifully silky cashew pasta sauce.
• Lemon Pasta – This simple but delicious lemon spaghetti is the perfect weeknight meal when you are short on time. So easy to make, but it results in such a fresh and vibrant dish.

Plant based soups & stews

• Chunky Vegetable Stew – This easy Vegetable Stew is so comforting and hearty perfect for a weeknight dinner. Each bite is chock full of chunky veggies in a robust savory broth.
• Eggplant Chickpea Stew – Middle Eastern Eggplant Stew is a rich dish with chickpeas in a zingy harissa tomato base gravy. It’s quick, easy, and ready in just 30 minutes!
• Sweet Potato Chili – This sweet potato chili recipe is packed full of flavor and healthy ingredients. Plus, it’s grain-free, dairy-free, and fuss-free – a perfect bowl of hearty goodness.
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup – Healthy, vegan, and so comforting, this silky smooth butternut squash soup is easy to make, and the coconut milk adds an additional depth of flavor and creaminess.
• Zucchini Orzo Soup – This Orzo soup recipe is full of veggies, including zucchini, carrots, and tomatoes. It’s made with all vegetarian ingredients – perfect for meatless Monday!
• Chickpea Noodle Soup – This Vegetarian Chickpea Noodle Soup is made with a few items and is full of plant-based protein to keep you feeling full for hours – perfect even as a meal!
• Vegetarian Tortilla Soup – Quick to prep and full of bright and zesty Mexican flavors, this tortilla soup is made with quinoa to really fill you up.
• Vegan Corn Chowder – Vegan Corn Chowder is an easy soup recipe made with fresh or frozen corn, potatoes and light coconut milk, then blended to create a rich and creamy texture!

Lebanese Plant based vegetable sides

• Vegan Cauliflower Pita Sandwiches – Filled with roasted cauliflower generously seasoned with bright Mediterranean spices, fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and tahini!
• Lebanese Mujadara – Mujadara is a Middle Eastern lentils and rice recipe made w caramelized and pan-fried onions. You only need three ingredients to make this simple vegan, protein-rich meal!
• Cassava Stew (Yabeh) – This delicious West African yabeh is a cassava, and sweet potato spiced stew that’s hearty, filling, and easy to make. Vegan and gluten-free.
• Lebanese Crispy Falafel – This authentic crispy Lebanese falafel recipe is a popular Middle Eastern dish made with chickpeas, herbs, onion & spices – vegan, gluten-free, and protein-rich.
• Lebanese Crushed Lentil Soup – Learn how to make this authentic healthy Lebanese Crushed Lentil Soup in 30 minutes! Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s vegan, hearty, and so filling!

Plant based tacos and burgers

• Tofu Tacos – Treat your family to these delicious vegan tofu tacos. Served with a crunchy cabbage slaw, they are quick and easy to make for a meat-free dinner option!
• Walnut Tacos – This Vegan Walnut Taco is a great alternative to classic ground beef tacos. Quick and easy to make, these walnut tacos are a delicious and filling meatless recipe!
• Tempeh Tacos – Hello, taco Tuesday! These tempeh tacos are so delicious and easy to make, and they are a great plant based alternative to fish and meat. Perfectly seasoned, they are ready to serve in about 20 minutes. Ideal for your next taco Tuesday!
• Quinoa Burger – A meatless option that even meat-lovers will crave! It’s loaded with plant-based goodness like quinoa and black beans, and each patty has about 10 grams of protein and only 200 calories.
• Chickpea Burger – Get ready for one delicious meat-free burger! This tasty vegetarian chickpea burger is filled with Mediterranean flavor, and it is so simple and easy to make.

Grain and pasta salads

• Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl – This Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl is loaded with roasted vegetables and full of nutrients, fiber, and protein! Gluten-free and vegan!
• Quinoa Buddha Bowl – This vegan Quinoa Buddha Bowl is filled with nourishing roasted sweet potatoes, kale, crispy chickpeas, avocado, and a tangy tahini dressing!
• Mediterranean Hummus Bowl – Easy and quick to make, a Mediterranean hummus bowl is a great healthy, and filling meal. Made with quinoa, fresh vegetables, and homemade hummus.
• Southwest Quinoa Salad – Made with roasted sweet potatoes, corn, and black beans, this Southwest quinoa salad is vegan and gluten-free, and hearty with 28g of protein per serving!
• Chickpea Shawarma – Oven-roasted chickpea shawarma is dairy-free and full of plant-based protein. Prepped and roasted in one pan, it’s an easy weeknight dinner!
• Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad – This avocado pasta salad recipe is fun, healthy, and tasty – the perfect salad to make this summer! Crunchy corn, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes – yum!
• Asian Noodle Salad – This bright and colorful Asian Noodle Salad is a gluten-free vegan meal that’s filled with fresh vegetables and tossed in a spicy creamy nutty dressing.

frequently asked questions

Eat healthy plant-based dinner recipes without sacrificing meals that fill you up and satisfy the tastebuds. Try swapping out one dinner a week for vegan prepared meals that hit all the marks, and your family will love them!

full list of recipes

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipes cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Easy Pantry Meals, Recipes with Canned Beans, 30 Recipes Made Light with Zucchini, and Non Boring Salad Recipes.

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