If you do meatless Monday and are looking for new ideas, here are some delicious and easy meatless Monday recipes to try.
From a creamy and rich saffron risotto to bean-rich vegetarian nachos, to a chickpea and spinach curry there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Let these healthy meatless Monday recipes inspire you to explore plant-based meals. There is something for everyone, from comfort food ideas to recipes for picky eaters and budget-friendly ideas.
Jump to:
- What Is Meatless Monday?
- 📝 Frequently Asked Questions
- What Can You Eat On Meatless Mondays?
- How Do I Start Meatless Monday?
- 50 Meatless Monday Recipes
- Classic Comfort Food
- Affordable Meatless Recipes
- Meatless Dinner Ideas For Picky Eaters
- Meatless Monday Pasta Recipes
- Sheet Pan Meatless Monday Ideas
What Is Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is a global campaign that started in 2003 in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
This campaign encourages cutting out meat one day a week and is based on the idea that it will have a positive effect on health, the environment, and animal welfare.
By choosing to eat plant-based meals on Monday, people can improve their health by eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Eating less meat can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, which are major environmental concerns associated with the production of meat.
📝 Frequently Asked Questions
Eggs are not a meat product and can be used as an ingredient in meatless Monday recipes.
However, some people who follow a meatless Monday diet will include them as a source of protein, and others choose not to due to health, religious or ethical reasons.
So the choice is yours if you want to include eggs in your meatless Monday dishes.
But if your goal is to eliminate all animal products from your diet on this day, don't eat them.
Cheese is a dairy product made from animal milk, and some people will avoid cheese for health, religious or ethical concerns, and others will choose to include cheese on meatless Mondays.
But if your goal is to eliminate all animal products from your diet on this day, don't eat them.
What Can You Eat On Meatless Mondays?
There are many nutritious options you can use when planning your meatless Monday recipes, such as:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and quinoa are rich in fiber and filling.
- Legumes are high in protein and fiber. You could make healthy and filling dishes with beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
- Nuts and seeds are good sources of healthy fats and proteins.
- Plant-based proteins like tofu, tempeh, seitan, and soy-based meat substitutes are all great alternatives to animal protein.
- Plant-based milk like soy, almond, oat, or rice milk are good alternatives for dairy milk.
- Plant-based oils such as olive oil and avocado oil are healthier than animal fats or butter.
- Make meatless versions of your favorite dishes like meatless pasta, veggie burgers, or vegetable stir fry.
- Experiment with different cuisines that are heavily plant-based, like Indian, Mediterranean, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
How Do I Start Meatless Monday?
Starting a meatless Monday diet is easy:
Plan ahead
Take the time and think about the type of meatless dishes you want to make for the day. This will include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Print out recipes, write a shopping list, and have all these ready before Monday.
Get creative
Don't be afraid to experiment with unfamiliar ingredients like plant-based proteins such as beans, tofu, and tempeh. You may be pleasantly surprised at how good these plant-based alternatives can taste.
Get the family involved
Getting the family involved by cooking meatless meals together is a great way to bond and learn new recipes, and it just may encourage picky eaters to eat what they have helped to make.
Keep it simple
Meatless Monday recipes do not have to be complicated. You can make simple meals like; pasta with a thick and rich marinara sauce, a veggie stir fry, or a hearty and filling veggie soup.
Be flexible
Meatless Monday is not a hard and fast rule, and if you slip up and eat meat, don't beat yourself up over it. Just try doing better the next time.
50 Meatless Monday Recipes
Below find easy and delicious meatless recipes, from hearty enchiladas to filling and refreshing salads, these dishes are full of flavor and nutrition.
So whether you're a vegetarian or just looking to add some variety to your meals, give these recipes a try on your next Meatless Monday.
Classic Comfort Food
Not sure where to start with meatless Monday dinner ideas. Why not start with some of these classic comfort foods that can all be made meatless:
1. Mac And Chese
2. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
3. Meatless Mushroom Meatballs
4. Creamy Vegan Potato Soup
5. Vegan Chili With Quinoa and Sweet Potatoes
6. Meatless Dairy Free Lasagna
7. Nachos With Jackfruit And Vegan Queso
8. Gorgonzola Pizza With Pear And Proscuitto
Affordable Meatless Recipes
Eating a meatless diet can be great for your health and reduce your environmental impact, but you might think it can be an expensive way to eat.
Eating meatless can be affordable when you use simple and budget-friendly ingredients.
The following ideas for meatless Monday recipes use plant-based proteins like beans, tofu, and lentils - these are packed with nutrients and are affordable.
9. Hearty Lentil and Vegetable Soup
10. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos
11. Lighter Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
12. Vegetable Fried Rice Without Soy Sauce
13. Pasta e Fagioli
14. Tofu Scramble
15. Vegetable Stir Fry With Noodles
16. Vegan and Bean Enchiladas Laura Schneider
17. Mushroom Pasta With Coconut Milk
18. Vegetable Tofu Skewers
19. Vietnamese Egg Omelette
20. Quinoa Salad
21. Portobello Mushroom Burger
22. Tomato Pulao
23. Vegan Pasta Frittata
Meatless Dinner Ideas For Picky Eaters
There are many meatless meal options for picky eaters, but they should be introduced to meatless meals slowly so they can get used to the new tastes and textures these healthy dishes offer.
You could start by serving them simple meatless dishes or snacks on Mondays and throughout the week to get them to enjoy more plant-based dishes.
Or, you could get sneaky and start with their favorite dishes like burgers, tacos, and pizzas and sneak in more veggies while gradually reducing the meat in these dishes until it is all plant-based.
24. Savory Sweet Potato Muffins
25. Dairy Free Breakfast Casserole
26. Zucchini Pasta With Yogurt Herb Sauce
27. Ham-less Swiss Cheese Sliders
28. Roasted Tomato and Pepper Soup
29. Veggie Macaroni and Cheese
30. Sweet Potato and Kale Quesadillas
31. Dill Pickle Pizza
32. Black Bean Meatballs
33. Hummus Veggie Wrap
34. Simple Caprese Sandwich
Meatless Monday Pasta Recipes
These meatless pasta recipes are delicious and easy to make. They are a great way to add more vegetables to your diet.
These easy vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegan dinner recipes are perfect for a meatless Monday or any day of the week.
They are quick to make, delicious, and versatile, you can make them with different types of pasta, sauces, and veggies, and they are also budget-friendly.
35. Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
36. Pasta Primavera
37. Lobster Mushroom Pasta
38. Creamy Oyster and Mushroom Pasta
39. Italian Penne Rosa Pasta
40. Roasted Red Pepper Gnocchi
41. Creamy Vegan Zucchini Mushroom Pasta
42. Tahini Pasta
43. Lemon Artichoke Pasta
44. Tofu Pasta
45. 20 Minute Spinach Znd Ricotta Pasta
Sheet Pan Meatless Monday Ideas
Sheet pan recipes are an easy and convenient way to whip up delicious and satisfying meatless meals. From roasted vegetables to tofu and more, the options for meatless dinner recipes are endless.
So, next time you are thinking about what to make for dinner on meatless Monday, consider these sheet pan recipe ideas.
46. Sheet Pan Garlic Potatoes And Green Beans
47. Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Vegetables
48. Easy Sheet Pan Vegan Fajitas
49. Sheet Pan Garlic Tofu and Brussel Sprouts
50. Rainbow Roasted Vegetables
I hope you enjoyed this collection of meatless Monday recipes. These recipes are a great starting point, but there are many other options to choose from too.
So if you have any favorites not listed above, feel free to share them in the comments section below.
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