Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
These dinner recipes allow you to pack in the plant-based protein without the beans. With at least 15 grams of protein per serving, these vegetarian dishes can help you feel fuller for longer and improve your digestion. From our five-star Green Goddess Chickpea Bowl to our three-step Creamy Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts, we’re sure you’ll look forward to dinner tonight with these healthy recipes.
01 of 19
Green Goddess Chickpea Bowl
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
This veggie-packed chickpea bowl features hearty chickpeas and quinoa topped with an herby green goddess dressing made creamy with Greek-style yogurt and avocado. It’s a satisfying vegetarian lunch or light dinner that delivers fiber, protein and fresh flavor in every bite.
02 of 19
Chickpea-Eggplant Bowls with Tahini
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
These colorful vegetarian bowls feature smoky roasted eggplant, crisp arugula and creamy tahini, all layered over a bold and nutty roasted red pepper sauce. The sauce and dressing can be prepped ahead, making this dish ideal for a make-ahead-friendly plant-based dinner.
03 of 19
Creamy Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
This Brussels sprouts spaghetti is comfort food at its finest. The pasta simmers directly in broth for a starchy, full-bodied base that gets coated in a creamy Asiago sauce with a subtle kick of red pepper. Brussels sprouts and shallots add caramelized sweetness and earthy depth, while fresh basil brightens the final dish. It’s a one-pan dinner that’s perfect for a weeknight meal when the cozy vibes are calling.
04 of 19
Chickpea Casserole with Spinach & Feta
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This Chickpea Casserole is a cozy, one-pan meal that’s both hearty and wholesome. Tender spinach, nutty chickpeas and brown rice are bound together with a touch of cream cheese and finished with tangy feta. Fresh dill, nutmeg and lemon juice brighten the flavors, while a hint of red pepper adds gentle heat. Baked until bubbling and topped with lemon zest, it’s a dish that feels comforting yet vibrant.
05 of 19
Chickpea Grain Bowl with Feta & Tomatoes
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.
This chickpea-farro grain bowl is a hearty dish that’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber and tons of fresh flavor. Farro, a whole grain with a nutty taste and chewy texture, forms the base and pairs perfectly with tender chickpeas and veggies. If you don’t have farro on hand, you can easily swap in quinoa, brown rice or barley.
06 of 19
Spaghetti with Mushrooms, Spinach & Ricotta
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
This five-ingredient spaghetti is a cozy dish that is both comforting and effortless. Earthy mushrooms, spinach and garlic flavor the pasta alongside whole-milk ricotta that creates a creamy sauce. You can elevate the flavor even more by using wild mushrooms for a deeper savory flavor and finishing with a squeeze of lemon to brighten everything up.
07 of 19
High-Protein Pasta with Peas
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This one-pot pasta with peas is packed with plant-based protein and a healthy dose of fiber. The chickpea pasta is cooked with vibrant green peas and tossed with fragrant basil and a rich pesto sauce for fresh flavor in every bite. Nutty toasted pine nuts provide the perfect crunch, adding depth and texture.
08 of 19
Roasted Veggies with Halloumi & Chickpeas
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This sheet-pan halloumi, chickpea and veggie recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner with easy cleanup. Chickpeas and halloumi provide protein to make this dish filling and satisfying. Roasting everything on the same sheet pan creates crispy, caramelized bites that meld beautifully with the creamy yogurt spread underneath.
09 of 19
Marry Me Lentils
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This Marry Me Lentils recipe is a plant-based twist on the classic Marry Me Chicken, featuring tender lentils simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato and garlic sauce. Packed with protein and fiber, this dish delivers a rich, comforting texture using lentils in place of chicken. We love sopping up the sauce with toasted whole-grain bread, but feel free to pair it with brown rice, quinoa or whole-wheat pasta instead.
10 of 19
Loaded Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
These loaded chickpea-stuffed sweet potatoes are a hearty and nutritious dinner that combines the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the satisfying crunch of crispy chickpeas. The chickpeas, cooked on the stovetop and seasoned to perfection, add a boost of fiber and plant-based protein, making this dish both filling and flavorful.
11 of 19
Roasted Potato Tzatziki Bowls
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christina Daley
Our roasted potato tzatziki bowls are the perfect plant-based dinner, with bright, fresh and creamy flavors in every bite. Crispy, golden roasted potatoes are the centerpiece, accompanied by a tangy, herb-packed tzatziki sauce at the base. Loaded with fresh veggies like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and red onion with a side of chickpeas for added fiber and plant-based protein, these bowls deliver big on flavor and nutrition.
12 of 19
Creamy Caramelized Cauliflower Pasta
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This creamy cauliflower pasta is the ultimate comfort food—rich, velvety and flavorful. With simple ingredients and quick prep, it’s a satisfying dish that feels fancy without the fuss and is the ideal meal for a cozy weeknight dinner. Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of chile flakes to elevate this easy, comforting classic even more!
13 of 19
Bibimbap-Inspired Veggie Bowls
Credit: Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
From dark green spinach to shredded red cabbage, these plant-based bibimbap bowls offer plenty of powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. This delicious combo delivers plenty of vegetables and a wonderful balance of textures and flavors. They’re topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg and a tangy mayonnaise-based drizzle that adds richness and a satisfying creamy element to the dish.
14 of 19
Baked Spinach & Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This inside-out spinach ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food. Cremini mushrooms add a savory note to this easy plant-based dinner. Fresh mozzarella adds creaminess on top. You can swap it out for shredded mozzarella in a pinch or use an Italian cheese blend for a different flavor profile.
15 of 19
Skillet Spinach, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This wild rice and mushroom casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining hearty, wholesome ingredients with rich, savory flavors all in one skillet. The earthiness of the wild rice pairs beautifully with the meaty mushrooms, while fresh spinach adds a burst of color and nutrients. It’s the perfect balance of texture and taste—a cozy, one-pan meal that’s easy to make, which makes it even more comforting on those busy days!
16 of 19
Roasted Broccoli & Kimchi Rice Bowl
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman
This well-rounded kimchi rice bowl is packed with fiber and probiotic foods like kimchi and yogurt to support a healthy gut. Prebiotic foods like edamame and garlic add flavor and additional gut-healthy benefits. Gochugaru is a Korean chile powder with a smoky-sweet flavor and mild heat. You can use a combination of crushed red pepper and paprika in its place.
17 of 19
Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This sweet potato and chickpea bowl will make your gut happy! This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, which support a healthy digestive system. Sorghum (a gluten-free ancient grain) is packed with fiber and essential nutrients that aid digestion and support gut health, and the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle offers a probiotic boost.
18 of 19
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This rich and creamy butternut squash mac and cheese has hints of roasted squash whirled into a cheesy sauce flavored with fresh sage for a delicious plant-based meal any day of the week. We call for pre-chopped butternut squash to keep prep at a minimum, but feel free to chop your own or experiment with another winter squash like honeynut or acorn squash in place of the butternut.
19 of 19
Buffalo Cauliflower Grain Bowl
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This Buffalo cauliflower grain bowl is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Buffalo wings, packing plenty of gut-healthy fiber and plant-based protein. It features a variety of fresh and colorful vegetables on a bed of precooked brown rice to keep prep speedy. Feel free to swap out the rice for another whole grain.
Read the original article on EatingWell
