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18 Mouthwatering Meatless Meals

18 Mouthwatering Meatless Meals

Updated January 26, 2021

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Credit: Jim Franco

These vegetarian recipes will wow your taste buds without hurting your wallet.

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Meat-free, but flavor-packed

Looking for a way to save money? Meatless meals are less expensive, and plant-based diets may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. These 12 vegetarian recipes will wow your taste buds without hurting your wallet.

Ravioli With Tomatoes, White Beans, and Escarole

This recipe combines Mediterranean spices and white beans to get a protein-packed pasta.

Ingredients: Four-cheese ravioli, great Northern beans, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper, fresh escarole or spinach, grated Asiago cheese

Calories: 329

Try this recipe: Ravioli With Tomatoes, White Beans, and Escarole

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Smoked Cheddar and Lentil Burgers

Not only does this recipe contain 6 grams less fat than a Burger King hamburger, but it also contains 2 grams more protein. Talk about filling and flavorful!

Ingredients: Dried lentils, bay leaves, olive oil, onions, carrots, smoked cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, thyme, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper, eggs, stone-ground mustard, whole-wheat buns, tomato, arugula

Calories: 354

Try this recipe: Smoked Cheddar and Lentil Burgers

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Linguine Frittata With Greens

Credit: Jim Franco

Linguine adds a hearty texture (and fiber) to this quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients: Butter, leeks, eggs, low-fat milk, Parmesan cheese, oregano, linguine, frozen collard greens, part-skin mozzarella cheese

Calories: 330

Try this recipe: Linguine Frittata With Greens

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Creamy Polenta With Artichoke, Caramelized Onion, and Olive Ragoût

Credit: Beatriz Dacosta

You'll never miss meat in this sophisticated dish full of Italian herbs and spices. Plus, polenta, an Italian version of grits, is a good source of iron, magnesium, and vitamin B6.

Ingredients: Butter, cornmeal, frozen corn, fresh Parmesan, fat-free sour cream, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, onions, red bell pepper, garlic, Hungarian sweet paprika, white wine, artichoke hearts, ripe olives

Calories: 366

Try this recipe: Creamy Polenta with Artichoke, Caramelized Onion, and Olive Ragout

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Black-Bean-and-Corn-Topped Potatoes

Credit: Oxmoor House

Take your favorite vegetarian ingredients on a vacation to the Southwest. Chili powder, salsa, and cilantro add flavor to hearty potatoes, beans, and corn. Plus you'll get 11 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber.

Ingredients: Baking potatoes, chopped onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, black beans, frozen corn, salsa, cheddar-jack cheese, cilantro

Calories: 332

Try this recipe: Black-Bean-and-Corn-Topped Potatoes

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Orecchiette With Chickpeas and Broccoli Rabe

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Ready in a little more than 20 minutes, this recipe is an excellent Friday night dinner option. Best served with a glass of Pinot, you'll enjoy a low-fat pasta dish that packs almost one-third of your DRI (dietary reference intake) of iron.

Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, chickpeas, garlic, crushed red pepper, broccoli rabe, vegetable broth (substitute for chicken broth), orecchiette, Parmesan cheese

Calories: 456

Try this recipe: Orecchiette With Chickpeas and Broccoli Rabe

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Tempeh Fajitas

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Tempeh, a soybean-based food, is an excellent source of protein (this dish contains 14 grams!). And because of its mild, slightly nutty taste, tempeh absorbs the flavors of the dish without overpowering it.

Ingredients: Tempeh, pineapple juice, low-sodium soy sauce, lime juice, cumin, canola oil, garlic, onion, green bell pepper, whole-wheat tortillas, chipotle salsa

Calories: 259

Try this recipe: Tempeh Fajitas

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Edamame Wontons

Credit: Leo Gong, Dan Becker

These bite-size appetizers can double as a meal. They contain plenty of filling protein, plus a dash of lemon and an extra zing from the ginger.

Ingredients: Shelled frozen edamame, ginger, lemon juice, chives, vegetable oil, wonton wrappers, cilantro, soy sauce

Calories: 50 calories per wonton (approximate)

Try this recipe: Edamame Wontons

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Miso-Marinated Tofu and Eggplant Over Soba Noodles

Credit: John Kernick

Traditional Asian meals are rich in vegetable protein sources, just like this sweet-and-sour noodle recipe. Tofu provides 11 grams of protein, and the eggplant has plenty of fiber.

Ingredients: Extra-firm tofu, eggplant, miso paste, garlic, peanut oil, lime juice, cabbage, soba noodles, scallions

Calories: 202

Try this recipe: Miso-Marinated Tofu and Eggplant Over Soba Noodles

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Fragrant Red Lentils With Rice

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Lentils are a rich source of protein and fiber, and the variety of Indian spices keeps this dish low-cal yet filling.

Ingredients: Vegetable oil, onion, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, garlic, bay leaves, dried small red lentils, butter, green onions, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, cilantro, garam masala (Indian spice blend), brown rice, low-fat plain yogurt

Calories: 409

Try this recipe: Fragrant Red Lentils With Rice

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Warm Eggplant and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Credit: Karry Hosford

This simple sandwich takes basic, healthy ingredients and turns them into a tangy meal in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients: Olive oil, eggplant, goat cheese, sandwich rolls, tomato, arugula

Calories: 299

Try this recipe: Warm Eggplant and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

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Grilled Salad Pizza

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Your classic pizza taste, loaded with antioxidant-rich veggies, balsamic vinegar, and low-fat cheese.

Ingredients: Dry yeast, olive oil, flour, sugar, oregano, thyme, part-skim mozzarella cheese, arugula, tomatoes, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, artichoke hearts

Calories: 357

Try this recipe: Grilled Salad Pizza

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Vegetarian Lasagna

Zucchini, spinach, and artichokes make this veggie lasagna a hearty vitamin-packed option.

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Quinoa and Chickpea Burgers

Swap out your usual beef patties for a meatless alternative your whole family will enjoy.

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Barley-Stuffed Peppers

Try this recipe: Barley-Stuffed Poblanos

Hosting a veggie-lover for dinner? Stuff poblano peppers with whole grains like barley instead of ground meat for a filling dish that’s also vegetarian-friendly. These peppers are filled with superfoods like kale and metabolism-revving chili powder, then topped with a dash of melted cheese for some filling fat.

Ingredients: Olive oil, onion, barley, kale, chili powder, garlic, canned peeled tomatoes, salt, poblano peppers, white cheddar, monterey jack, queso fresco

Calories: 382

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Pumpkin Ravioli

This ravioli recipe combines comfort food with yummy pumpkin flavors. And although pumpkin is typically a fall vegetable, this recipe calls for canned pumpkin—meaning you can make it year-round whenever the craving strikes.

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Thai Tofu Sandwich

Try this recipe: Thai Tofu Sandwich

Think beyond the scramble and add tofu to your sandwich! This Thai-inspired dish combines the soy protein with vitamin-rich veggies, satiating avocado, and a spicy sauce that gives the sammy some heat.

Ingredients: Tofu, oil, sriracha, whole grain roll, avocado, carrots, cilantro

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Portobello Mushroom Burger

Here’s a simple veggie burger that you can offer the meat-free guests at your next BBQ. The Portobello mushroom’s meaty texture is super satisfying, and the fresh toppings are bursting with flavor. And you can serve it without a bun to make it gluten-free. Watch the video to see how to prepare it.

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