50 Easy & Tasty Recipes For Meatless Monday 2024
- Updated on Oct 11, 2022
Are you trying to cook vegetarian recipes once a week? I commend you! But it can be hard to know where to start, so I’ve gathered together some of the best recipes for Meatless Monday, to inspire you!
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Meatless Monday recipes are all about showing you how easy and delicious vegetarian meals can be (but if you need more convincing then you should also check out these vegetarian recipes for beginners!).
The whole concept of meatless Monday is to try eating less meat by only eating meatless recipes once a week.
It can be a gateway to a vegetarian diet, or just a way to reduce your meat consumption and therefore your carbon footprint without committing to full blown vegetarianism.
Or you might just want to do as an excuse to try out some new delicious recipes using ingredients you wouldn’t turn to normally.
Why try recipes for meatless Monday?
Naturally I am a bit biased. This is a vegetarian food blog after all and I fully back vegetarianism for ethical and health related reasons. This is where I do my spiel about the benefits of vegetarianism!
One of the primary factors behind the growing global movement of vegetarianism is the effect of the meat industry on the environment.
Livestock is incredibly energy intensive to produce: the average carbon footprint of beef is 36kg CO2 per kilo of beef. That is 4 times as much as chicken and 10 to 100 times as much as most plant-based foods.
What’s more, raising animals for consumption uses a lot of land and is a large cause of deforestation and the loss of biodiversity.
You need land both to grow crops for the animals to eat, and enough land to raise them on.
What’s the beef with beef?
It takes around 100 times more land to produce 1 calorie of beef or lamb than it does to produce most plant-based alternatives, as you can see in this graph.
That’s not to mention water usage or the ethical concerns around factory farming.
Vegetarianism is not just for the health of the planet. There are also health benefits to vegetarianism for you.
While not all meat is unhealthy (white meat and fish are generally good for you in appropriate portions!), red meat and processed meat contain high levels of saturated fat and salt. Cutting meat out has been proven to have health benefits.
Check out our Free 7-day Meal Plan, to see what vegetarianism can do for your health!
I want to showcase to you some of the best vegetarian dinners, lunches, breakfasts and snacks, to demonstrate how wonderful a vegetarian diet can be! I am sure you’ll find something the whole family will enjoy.
Meatless Monday breakfasts
1. Easy Vegetable Frittata
Bonus: protein packed, gluten-free
This simple vegetable frittata is full of veggie goodness and packed with protein. Give it a go, we dare you!
2. Breakfast Pear Crisp
Bonus: crispy and delicious
Did you know you can have DESSERT for BREAKFAST? And still be HEALTHY!? Try our breakfast pear crisp & see for yourself!
Subscribe to get our FREE 7-Day Vegetarian High Protein Meal Plan for Weight Loss
3. Healthy Protein Baked Oats
Bonus: high fibre, transportable
A healthy high-protein version of those famous Tiktok baked oats. They’ll fill you up and keep you smiling until lunch!
4. Healthy Huevo Rancheros
Bonus: gluten-free, flavorful
Huevos rancheros are a quick and easy traditional mexican breakfast that make a great healthy option for vegetarians.
5. Yogurt Breakfast with Raspberry Compote
Bonus: creamy, high protein
Looking for a healthy way to start the day? Raspberry compote yogurt breakfast – 21g protein & just 303 kcal per serving!
6. Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk
Bonus: filling, nutritious
An insanely healthy chia pudding with almond milk that will give you all the nutrients you need, without any unnecessary calories.
7. Easy Tomato Omelette
Bonus: simple, tasty
Looking for a healthy high protein lunch or breakfast? This tomato omelette is just the trick – 20g protein per serving!
8. The Ultimate Avocado Sandwich
Bonus: hearty, creamy
The Ultimate Avocado Sandwich. A healthy and nutritious sandwich filled with avocado, cheese, tomatoes and rocket for a juicy and unbeatable taste!
9. Low Carb Breakfast Egg Muffins (25 Minutes, Vegetarian)
Bonus: low carb, keto friendly
Looking for a high-protein, low-carb breakfast? Try these breakfast egg muffins – 1 recipe, 4 amazing flavours!
10. Avocado Toast with Cottage Cheese
Bonus: easy, healthy fats
Avocado Toast with a creamy, cheesy twist! Cottage cheese is the perfect partner to mashed avocado and makes lunch healthy and tasty.
Lunches for meatless Monday
11. Vegetarian Mushroom Soup
Bonus: creamy, rich
Vegetarian Mushroom Soup – Quick, Creamy, Delicious. We sort out the myths from the facts to make sure you get a great soup each and every time
12. Speedy Vegan Burrito
Bonus: packed with veggies, transportable
The new vegan burrito is here, paving the way and setting the standard. Mega quick and perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
13. Vegetarian Baked Beans
Bonus: healthy take on the classic, flavorful
Vegetarian Baked Beans. Thick and full flavoured with a moreish tang. Low in calories, ready in 15 minutes and just as good as the ‘original’ from Heinz!
14. Dal Khichdi and Kachumber Salad
Bonus: light, great meal prep
Dal khichdi is a great weight loss dinner! It’s healthy, light but still filling, and a source of complete protein. Try it now!
15. Tomato Shakshuka
Bonus: light, great meal prep
Dal khichdi is a great weight loss dinner! It’s healthy, light but still filling, and a source of complete protein. Try it now!
16. Zucchini (Courgette) Basil Soup
Bonus: light, great meal prep
Dal khichdi is a great weight loss dinner! It’s healthy, light but still filling, and a source of complete protein. Try it now!
17. Scrambled Eggs with Cream Cheese
Bonus: high protein, simple
Level up your scrambled eggs with cream cheese, an easy way to pile on extra protein in a classic dish. A killer breakfast!
18. Mediterranean Rice Bowl
Bonus: full of veggies & whole grains
This Mediterranean rice bowl is perfect for meal prep. Full of wholegrains & veggies, it’s simple, healthy and delicious.
19. Lentil Tabbouleh
Bonus: flavourful, zesty
Looking for an easy tabbouleh recipe? Get a load of our lentil tabbouleh – a protein packed take on the classic dish!
20. Healthy Egg Salad
Bonus: high protein, full of veg
Looking to up your salad game? Try this healthy egg salad recipe with quinoa and beets – the perfect weight loss lunch (much like these other low calorie salad recipes!)!
What to eat for meatless Monday dinner
21. Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Red Pepper Sauce
Bonus: tender, gluten-free
After the perfect cauliflower steak? Try this simple & delicious roasted cauliflower steak with ricotta and pepper sauce!
22. Mexican Bean Stew
Bonus: high protein, high fibre
After a high protein, high fibre, low calorie vegetarian dinner? Our Mexican bean stew is just the ticket! Try it now!
23. Roasted Asparagus and Tomato with Halloumi
Bonus: complete protein, quick to make
After a healthy, quick to make meal? Try our roasted asparagus and tomatoes with halloumi and quinoa. Ready in 30 minutes!
24. Aubergine and Lentil Vegetarian Moussaka
Bonus: creamy, filling
This healthy high protein vegetarian moussaka is a true veggie delight with Greek soul and full of flavour and texture!
25. Creamy Polenta With Mushrooms
Bonus: gluten-free, warming
Enjoy a taste of the Med with our creamy mushroom and sundried tomato polenta – total perfection!
26. Vegan Vegetable Lo Mein
Bonus: simple, full of vegetables
Looking for a speedy noodle dish, packed with vegetables and flavour? The search is over with this easy vegetable lo mein!
27. Weight Loss Tikka Masala
Bonus: light, creamy
The classic curry takes on a new face with our vegan tikka masala. Full of healthy veg and fragrant flavours, this is sure to win your heart!
28. Kale and White Bean Soup
Bonus: warming, fibrous
Fill up and power up on our hot vegetarian kale and white bean soup (and if you like it, you’ll love this vegetarian soups for weight loss!). It’s an absolute pearl for your healthy slim down diet.
29. Quick and Creamy Avocado Pasta
Bonus: speedy, creamy
Quick and creamy Avocado Pasta that’s healthy and vegan. High in fiber, vitamin C, iron and good fats. Easy to make in under 15 minutes.
30. Easy Baked Feta with Veggies
Bonus: one tray dinner, full of veggies
Melted Feta and Veggie Bake. Easy and quick sheet pan dinner. 10 minutes prep time, then for 30 minutes in the oven. High in vitamins A, C and B6, protein and fiber. Up there among my favourite meatless meals.
Snacks for meatless Monday
31. Smashed Cucumber and Edamame (vegan protein snack)
Bonus: light, protein packed
Try this oriental-inspired smashed cucumber and edamame recipe, a quick high-protein snack to have at home or on the go!
32. Homemade Custard Pudding with Strawberries
Bonus: sweet, modest
After a modest but delicious dessert recipe? Try our custard pudding, flavoured with cardamom & topped with strawberries!
33. Gluten Free & Vegan Banana Bread
Bonus: gluten-free, vegan
Love banana bread, but want to make it vegan? Our vegan banana bread recipe is simple made with store-cupboard staples.
34. Tomato Mozzarella Bread
Bonus: simple, high in calcium
Tomato Mozzarella Bread. Easy to make Italian tomato and mozzarella bread. High in calcium and Mediterranean flair. Delicious.
35. Chia Breakfast Pudding
Bonus: prep ahead, filling
Chia breakfast pudding packs a lot of healthy goodness into a small package! Meet tomorrow’s breakfast!
36. Banana Mug Cake
Bonus: super speedy, healthy
Try this yummy mug cake for when you’re in a rush to get that sweet fix. It’s a healthy snack ready in just 6 minutes!
37. Anti Hangover Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich (8 Min, Vegan)
Bonus: filling, tasty
Anti Hangover Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich. Simple to make and refuels those important nutrients and amino acids to have you feeling better in no time.
38. Fluffy Quinoa Egg Muffins
Bonus: high protein, keto friendly
These quinoa egg muffins are incredibly high in protein – and super-quick, too! Perfect any time of the day.
39. No Bake Protein Bars
Bonus: vegan, high protein
Vegan! No Oven needed, no food processor needed! Our take on these easy yet nutritious bars – and we show you how to save money at the same time.
40. Perfect Protein Cookies (protein powder recipe)
Bonus: simple, high protein
These perfect little protein cookies made with protein powder are a great snack for on the go (and if you like the sound of that, you need to give our other high protein cookies a go!). Don’t forget to share!
Ingredients
- 1.7 oz butter (room temperature)
- 2 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp almond milk (up to 4 tbsp depending on the protein powder)
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1.7 oz protein powder (plain or vanilla)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1.4 oz dried cranberries and or raisins (chopped)
Instructions
- In a bowl add the room temp. butter, sugar and vanilla extract. Whip the butter with a hand mixer or a whisk until the butter is creamy, fluffy and pale. About 3-4 minutes.1.7 oz butter, 2 tsp sugar, ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Add the egg and mix until you have a completely incorporated creamy mix, about 2 minutes (if this begins to look slightly curdled, don’t worry).1 large egg
- Add the almond milk, flour, protein powder and salt. If you are using a stand mixer, use the flat beater. If you are using a hand mixer, remove the whisks and use a rubber spatula. Either way, mix just until the solids are evenly incorporated into the cookie dough (30 seconds up to a minute). It’s very important not to overmix, otherwise the cookies will be tough.1 tbsp almond milk, 1 cup all purpose flour, 1.7 oz protein powder, ½ tsp salt
- Once the dough is ready, add the chopped cranberries and evenly spread them into the dough.1.4 oz dried cranberries and or raisins
- Cover and allow to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes up to 2 days.
- Preheat the oven to 180 C.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Divide the cookie dough into 12 portions and form balls. Place on the baking sheet and press with your hands covered with flour or a flat glass covered in flour, until they have a 4.5cm – 5cm diameter.
- Bake for 16-17 minutes, until the base of the cookies is golden brown.
- Take out of the oven and allow to cool.
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
What can you eat on meatless Monday?
Anything vegetarian. Eggs, tofu, beans, veggies like sweet potatoes, bell pepper, tomatoes, fat like butter or olive oil (no lard), cheese…veggie burgers and fake meat alternatives. The clue is in the name really – just don’t eat meat on a Monday!
Do eggs count for meatless Monday?
Eggs can be eaten on Meatless Monday. Most vegetarians do eat eggs, so unless you want your Meatless Monday to focus on vegan meals, then eggs are totally good to go.
What are the rules of meatless Monday?
Don’t eat any meat on a Monday! Simple as that! For your personal health and the health of the planet.
Is meatless Monday healthy?
Yes! The western world consumes far more meat, particularly red meat, than is healthy. Cutting out meat once a week will be good for your health in the long run. Though of course that depends on you cooking yourself healthy meals!
We hope you enjoyed trying out these easy recipes for meatless Mondays! Hope to see you back soon for more amazing veggie recipes!
Dave Bell
I’m not a foodie, although I do love eating. I believe food should serve us and our goals, not hinder. Taking control and responsibility for what I eat is important to me. Lots of veggie protein is my way forward.
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