These Vegetarian Dinners Make It Easy To Up Your Protein Intake

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No shade to meat-eaters, but it’s never been easier to be a vegetarians and get plenty of protein. Here at Delish, we live solidly in the No Mid-Day Grumbles zone, so we make as many of our meals as high in protein as we can. Yes, it’s easy to get in lots of protein if you’re eating chicken, steak, or seafood, it can be less straight-forward if you’re avoiding meat. Whether you’re meatless only on Mondays, are vegetarian for life, or are just looking to add some variety to your high-protein diet, we’ve got you. There are TONS of meatless proteins out there—check out our 23 high-protein vegetarian meals for ideas.

If you’re looking for something to approximate the chew of meat, we recommend looking to tofu, tempeh, or seitan. They’re just as satisfying as their OG counterparts, without the meat. But if you’re not attached to the idea of a “meaty” protein, yet still want that umami flavor and mouthfeel, go for beans or nuts instead. Looking for an extra hearty meal? Try adding high-protein grains like wild rice or quinoa to your meal rotation. Alternatively, subbing out your favorite white rice or pasta for brown rice or whole grains will deliver a small protein boost that’ll add up over time.

Spicy Fried “Chicken” Sandwich

Crunchy, spicy, creamy, and tart—this “chicken“sammie is total bliss. We replicated the flavor of a spicy fried chicken breast with protein-packed tofu, adding cornmeal to the batter for extra crunch. Don’t skip the freezing step; it’s what gives the tofu a more meat-like texture.

Get the Spicy Fried “Chicken” Sandwich recipe.

Buffalo Ranch Chickpea Wraps

These Buffalo ranch chickpea wraps have that Buffalo flavor we love, in a meatless, handheld format that’s easy to take on the go.

Get the Buffalo Ranch Chickpea Wraps recipe.

Tofu Taco Bowls

Loaded with quinoa, black beans, and taco-spiced tofu crumbles all drizzled with a chipotle crema, these bowls are quickly becoming our new taco Tuesday go-to.

Get the Tofu Taco Bowls 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.

Greek Salad Cottage Cheese Bowls

It wouldn’t be a Mediterranean menu without a Greek salad in some form or another—these cottage cheese bowls fit the bill. Packed with protein, nutrient-rich vegetables, and healthy fats (not to mention a whole lot of flavor), they’re the perfect anytime vegetarian meal.

Get the Greek Salad Cottage Cheese Bowls recipe.

Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls

Chickpeas are our current obsession, so when we set out to create this vegetarian dinner (that’s perfect for meal prep), we knew we had to combine them with our other obsession: peanut sauce. Put them together, and you’ve got paradise for dinner.

Get the Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls 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.

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 (like we did post-recipe test), or sopped up with a hunk of crusty bread. These beans are adaptable for whatever you’re feeling, or how much effort you’re willing to put in.

Get the Mediterranean White Beans & Greens 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.

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 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.

Pizza Beans Skillet

Tired, hungry, and running low on groceries? Pizza beans have your back. Featuring simple pantry staples and only 30 minutes of cooking time, this comforting one-pan dinner promises to make any weeknight feel special.

Get the Pizza Beans 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.

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.

Get the Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos recipe.

Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet

Creamy Tuscan anything is a cult classic here at Delish, but this vegetarian version might be our new favorite. Featuring white beans and spinach swimming in a luxurious tomato cream sauce, this hearty skillet dinner is so comforting and satisfying, you’ll never miss the chicken.

Get the Creamy Tuscan Butter White Bean Skillet recipe.

Vegan Crunchwraps

We updated this fast food favorite to be totally vegan—and completely irresistible. Creamy vegan queso dip and meaty lentils make a satisfying filling. A quick spin in a hot skillet adds crunch to every bite.

Get the Vegan Crunchwraps 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.

One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac

Looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner? Our smoky vegetarian chili mac is here to save the day! It all comes together in one pot, and it’s SUPER versatile. Throw in your favorite bean and pasta shape (use whole wheat for extra protein), melt in your favorite cheese, and top with whatever you like! (As long as it’s crunchy—Fritos are classic, but fried onions, tortilla chips, or toasted nut would also do the trick.)

Get the One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac recipe.

Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls

This vegan recipe is a culinary road trip through Jamaica featuring sweet plantains, aromatic rice and beans, and tofu in a jerk marinade. To add a touch of crunch, acidity, and color we top it all off with a simple red cabbage and carrot slaw. Be sure to make extra slaw—you’ll want to put it on everything.

Get the Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls recipe.

Vegetarian Chili

This vegetarian chili is every bit as warm, comforting, and filling as the classic meat-filled version. Three types of beans do the heavy lifting, while warm spices and jalapeño add a little extra heat. Serve it on a cold night with a slice of homemade cornbread.

Get the Vegetarian Chili recipe.

Frittata

Whether you’re arriving home late at night and hungry, throwing together brunch (or lunch!) in a pinch, or trying to get creative with your leftovers, this frittata’s got your back. Follow our guide to ensure a fluffy-centered, crispy-edged frittata each and every time.

Get the Frittata recipe.

Feta Baked Eggs

Remember that baked feta pasta a la TikTok that took the world by storm? Well, now you can have it for breakfast! Introducing: Feta Baked Eggs. There’s no pasta involved, but white beans add a hearty creaminess, and a side of crusty bread or pita is highly encouraged.

Get the Feta Baked Eggs recipe.

Classic Tofu Scramble

Tofu scrambles have been a mainstay of vegan cuisine for decades. These make for a great traditional American breakfast alongside toast and eggplant bacon, but they’re also killer in breakfast burritos, tacos, and sandwiches. You could even put them in fried rice!

Get the Classic Tofu Scramble recipe.

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