25 Vegetarian High Protein Dinner Ideas

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Are you looking for ways to incorporate vegetarian high protein dinner meals into your daily post-work rituals with no hassle? This list of recipes gathers up the best options.
If you don’t eat meat or are trying to cut back on it, it’s important to find good sources of protein to curb your hunger and maintain a healthy weight.
We’ve collected easy high protein dinner ideas with a mix of different protein sources to get more protein in (we’ve done the same the vegan protein sources for these vegan high protein dinner recipes). You can really fuel up and get the necessary nutrition by eating super tasty meals.
Vegetarian high protein dinner
What actually is protein? It’s one of the building blocks of every cell of the human body and an important nutrient needed for a healthy and balanced diet.
When it comes to including protein in your vegetarian diet, there are two available sources: animal-based foods (eggs and dairy) and protein-rich plant foods (certain fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds). You’ll find different variations in this recipe compilation.
All these high protein vegetarian dinner recipes provide more than 20 g protein per serving. We’ve also made sure to consider the fat content (less than 25 g overall fat) to include only the healthiest meals.
If you want to start the day with a high-protein breakfast, check out these amazing protein packed vegetarian breakfasts to boost your intake!
Easy high protein dinner ideas worth trying
You should definitely try these vegetarian high protein dinner meals if you want to:
- Lose weight the healthy way. Protein can reduce your appetite and therefore help you eat fewer calories.
- Gain muscle mass and strength. If you’re physically active and need to stay strong while losing weight, a high protein vegetarian diet plan can be very beneficial (it’s also good to keep protein up when you are aiming for healthy weight maintenance).
- Boost metabolism. High protein food can help you burn more calories by improving metabolism. Also check out this article on metabolism booster foods for vegetarians to add to your menu.
- Lower your blood pressure. A review on dietary protein in relation to blood pressure shows that a high-protein diet may help to reduce high blood pressure and risks of cardiovascular disease.
- Improve bone health. Eating protein is a good way to prevent bone loss and fractures among aging adults.
So enriching your diet with vegetarian high protein meals is beneficial in myriad ways. Have fun exploring them!
Don’t forget about our free 7-day vegetarian high protein meal plan where you can find more recipe inspiration and personalise the plan for your exact needs.
Subscribe to get our FREE 7-Day Vegetarian High Protein Meal Plan for Weight Loss
1. Kale and White Bean Soup
Bonus: comforting, high-fiber
458 calories per serving
23 g protein per serving
Fill up and power up on our hot vegetarian kale and white bean soup (then try some of our other vegetarian soups for weight loss!). It’s an absolute pearl for your healthy slim down diet.
2. Lentil Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ThePickyEater
Bonus: nutrient-packed, healthy carbs
318 calories per serving
23 g protein per serving
This lentil pasta recipe is the ultimate easy vegetarian meal that is filled with protein and ready within minutes (check out these other easy vegetarian meals for more like this!)! Red marinara sauce is mixed with tender nutritious vegetables for a wholesome balanced meal that is bold in flavor.
3. Black Bean Burrito Bowl
Bonus: super healthy, nutritious
546 calories per serving
29 g protein per serving
In this healthy burrito bowl we’ve got quinoa, avocado, pineapple, tofu and Adobo sauce for a sizzling taste bud fiesta!
4. Burnt Aubergine Chilli
Ready in: 2 hours 30 minutes (just 30 minutes prep)
Recipe by: GreedyGourmet
Bonus: available ingredients, minimal prep time
546 calories per serving
24.3 g protein per serving
This Burnt Aubergine Chilli is vegan, healthy and easy to prepare – a perfect treat to warm your taste buds. Serve with rice and avo.
5. Easy Baked Feta with Veggies
Bonus: high in vitamins and nutrients
505 calories per serving
23 g protein per serving
Melted Feta and Veggie Bake. Easy and quick. 10 minutes prep time, then for 30 minutes in the oven. High in vitamins A, C and B6, protein and fiber.
6. Easy Red Lentil Dahl
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TheFamilyFoodKitchen
Bonus: gluten-free, dairy-free, make-ahead dish
327 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving
Easy Red Lentil Dahl is a perfect plant based dish – tasty, healthy and ready in under 20 minutes (also makes a good speedy lunch idea). Red lentils are cooked with spices in this traditional Indian favorite, which is packed full of protein.
7. Greek Pitas
Bonus: super easy, delicious
569 calories per serving
26 g protein per serving
Greek Pitas Recipe. Ready in 10 minutes. High in vitamin A, C and iron. Bursting out with delicious ingredients, perfect as a snack or healthy meal.
8. The Bicep Buster
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: quick, protein-packed
647 calories per serving
35 g protein per serving
Time to get those guns on show! This protein-packed baked potato is an absolute protein star – and awesomely tasty to boot! Love it.
9. Soya Chunks & Peas Curry
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: ThisThatMore
Bonus: healthy, provides the many benefits of soya chunks
368 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving
Soya Chunks & Peas Curry is an easy, protein-rich, and healthy recipe. It is made by adding soya chunks (nuggets) with peas in an onion-tomato masala.
10. Stuffed Bell Peppers in Tomato Sauce
Bonus: packed with vitamins and nutrients, very easy
529 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving
Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers baked in a delicious tomato sauce – foolproof instructions and packed with vitamins and nutrients – bring the health back!
11. Lentil Dahl
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: NourishPlate
Bonus: healthy, cheap, gluten-free
107 calories per serving
26 g protein per serving
Simple and delicious lentil dhal made with just a few pantry ingredients. It is healthy and packed with plant-based protein.
12. Heavenly Halloumi Salad
Bonus: versatile, nutritious
474 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving
Full of protein, fiber and loads of other nutrients this halloumi salad will keep you feeling full for hours – and you’ll secretly be looking forward to more!
13. Bean and Pasta Vegetarian Casserole
Bonus: packed with protein, fibre and unsaturated fats
512 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving
A dump and bake dish that will please everyone, this bean and pasta vegetarian casserole makes a perfect healthy dinner.
14. Vegan Jambalaya
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieInspired
Bonus: comforting, packed with plant based protein
406 calories per serving
26 g protein per serving
Packed with plant based protein, lots of veggies, and smoky flavor, this Vegan Jambalaya is hearty and comforting!
15. Spiced Carrot and Red Lentil Soup
Bonus: delicious, filling
534 calories per serving
28 g protein per serving
Red Lentil Soup. Delicious – six ingredients, 30g of protein per bowl. Tasty and high in fiber too.
16. Kidney Bean Chickpea Salad
Bonus: simple, nutritious
483 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving
This simple chickpea salad is the first step to eating better by building powerful eating habits with simple yet delicious ingredients!
17. Vegetarian Mince Chilli
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: AMummyToo
Bonus: packed with veg, nutritious
267 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving
This is honestly the best vegetarian mince chilli! It’s rich, packed with veg and delicious. What’s more, it’s sure to satisfy even the meat-eaters in your family, thanks to the use of Quorn or soya mince.
18. Vegan Tofu Bolognese
Bonus: super healthy and interesting
569 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving
Vegan Bolognese. It was about time we veganized the Italian classic (we do love a good vegan Italian recipe). And we’re proud to say we were successful. Please welcome, the amazing Anti Bolognese!
19. Baked Sesame Ginger Tofu
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes (just 5 minutes prep)
Recipe by: DailyDish
Bonus: filling, family-friendly
438 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving
This baked sesame and ginger tofu recipe is so tasty and simple to make. Crispy baked tofu is coated in a nutty, zesty sauce. Serve over rice or quinoa and sprinkle with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.
20. Black Bean Soup
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: DinnerAtTheZoo
Bonus: simple, nutritious
407 calories per serving
30 g protein per serving
This black bean soup is a zesty blend of beans and vegetables, simmered together to make a thick and hearty meal. Add your favorite toppings and you’ll have an easy and healthy dinner option that’s sure to get rave reviews!
21. Spinach Tomato Quesadilla
Bonus: easy, full of vitamins
399 calories per serving
25 g protein per serving
Spinach Tomato Quesadillas. Easy to make and ready in 15 minutes max. It’s packed full of vitamins K and A, B2 and B6, C, calcium and potassium. Incredible.
22. Picadillo Tostadas with Rice & Peas
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: G-FreeFoodie
Bonus: delicious, gluten-free
542 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving
These Vegan Picadillo Tostadas with Rice and Peas from my friend Kate Ramos are truly delicious! Plus, I’m sharing Kate’s “Magic Spice Mix” that makes virtually all Mexican food better – and it isn’t bad on popcorn either!
23. Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chilli
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: TheRealMealDeal
Bonus: deliciously sweet and spicy
667 calories per serving
28 g protein per serving
A Sweet Potato Vegetarian Chilli is a perfect combination of sweetness and spice and an easy and simple vegan chilli (and if that sounds good, you’re sure to enjoy these baked sweet potato recipes!).
24. Pumpkin Pasta with Spinach & Mushrooms
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: HappyKitchen.Rocks
Bonus: healthy, quick, flavourful
680 calories per serving
25 g protein per serving
Vegan Pumpkin Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms is a delicious and healthy dinner ready in 30-minutes (and if you’re loving the pumpkin vibe, you need to try these pumpkin soup recipes!). Everyone will enjoy this flavorful pumpkin pasta sauce tossed with savory vegetables and whole grain noodles.
25. Vegan Lentil Bolognese
Bonus: healthy, meat and dairy-free
582 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving
Love a good bolognese but trying to eat less meat? Try our healthy, plant-based lentil bolognese – you’ll never look back!
You can try it right away:
Ingredients
- 5 oz wholegrain spaghetti
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ small white onion
- 2 clove garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup basil, fresh (packed and chopped)
- 1 tsp oregano, dried
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 can tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup red or brown lentils (cooked or canned and drained)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp walnuts (chopped)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian parmesan or nutritional yeast
Optional
- 1 carrot
- 1 celery
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of salted boiling water for the pasta.
- Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrot cut into rough chunks and to the food processor. Pulse until the veggies are minced very finely.½ small white onion, 2 clove garlic, 1 celery, 1 carrot
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat add the olive oil, the minced veggies. Cook, stirring often, until the veggies are translucent, have reduced, and browned lightly. Add the oregano and chopped basil leaves, cook until the fragrance of the herbs comes out (about 1 minute). Add the tomato puree, can of diced tomato, lentils, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, bay leaf and 1 cup of water. Mix and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring to avoid sticking at the bottom of the pan.½ tbsp olive oil, ¼ cup basil, fresh, 1 tsp oregano, dried, 1 can tomatoes, diced, 1 cup red or brown lentils, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 bay leaf, 1 cup water, 1 tbsp tomato puree
- Meanwhile, add the pasta to the salted boiling water pot and cook until al dente (8 minutes approx). Drain pasta.5 oz wholegrain spaghetti
- Season bolognese sauce with ½ tsp of salt and 1 tsp sugar. Mix and taste. Add more salt if necessary.½ tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar
- Put the saucepan over medium heat and add walnuts and pasta. Cook and mix everything together until fully incorporated (2-4 minutes). The bolognese sauce should stick to the pasta (shouldn’t be liquidy) and have a nice consistency.2 tbsp walnuts
- Serve lentil bolognese spaghetti and top with some vegetarian parmesan or nutritional yeast and basil leaves.1 tbsp vegetarian parmesan or nutritional yeast
NOTES
Nutrition
Hope you find many vegetarian high protein dinner recipes perfect for your taste and goals. Share your thoughts in the comments!
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