Looking for meat-free meals that actually keep you full? Whether you’re vegetarian, flexitarian, or just trying to eat more plant-based, these high-protein vegetarian dinners are here to prove that you don’t need meat to hit your protein goals.
Every recipe on this list packs at least 20–25g of protein per serving, with options that are:
- Easy to make on busy weeknights
- Freezer-friendly for meal prep
- Family-approved (yes, even for picky eaters)
- Naturally vegetarian — and many with vegan swaps included
You’ll find hearty burritos, creamy chickpea curries, cozy soups, protein-packed pastas, and more. These are meals I make regularly in my own kitchen – no bland salads or sad tofu cubes here (although, I do have a DEEP love for tofu and have well over 100 delicious tofu recipes on my blog!).
Want to level up even more?
Many of these dinners pair well with cottage cheese, lentil pasta, quinoa, or a sprinkle of hemp hearts to boost your protein even further.
Learning simple and easy ways to add more protein to vegetarian meals is key!
Here are some of my favorite high-protein vegetarian recipes :)
High Protein Vegetarian Burritos
These High Protein Veggie Burritos are super easy to make and packed with 25 grams of plant based protein! They come together with just a handful of simple ingredients and are a great freezer meal too.
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High-Protein Marry Me Butter Beans
We're taking our butter beans up a notch with this High-Protein Marry Me Butter Beans recipe! It's creamy and delicious and packed with SO MUCH protein- you're going to love it!
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Edamame Salad
This Edamame Salad is a plant-based powerhouse filled with protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied! It's easily customizable so you can add in your favorite veggies to use up what you already have on hand.
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Coconut Lentil Curry with Coconut Rice
Cozy and nourishing Coconut Lentil Curry with warming spices, creamy coconut milk and a boost of veggies from onion, tomatoes, bell pepper and peas. This flavorful recipe is packed with plant-based protein and fiber for the perfect, satisfying meal!
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Vegan Lentil Soup
Bringing you major warm, cozy and comforting vibes with this Vegan Lentil Soup! This soup recipe is so easy to make and it’s loaded with nourishing vegetables, warm spices and lentils, all simmered in a savory veggie broth. An easy one pot dinner option that the whole family will love!
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Creamy Vegan Alfredo Sauce
This ultra creamy Tofu Pasta Sauce is rich, velvety, and packed with 25g of plant-based protein per serving! It’s an easy, dairy-free alternative that comes together in minutes—just blend, heat, and toss with your favorite pasta!
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Sesame Ginger Tempeh Stir Fry
This Sesame Ginger Tempeh Stir Fry Recipe is one of the most popular recipes on my blog! It's an easy vegan stir fry that only requires 25 minutes to make and SO DELICIOUS! Even my meat loving husband enjoys this dish!
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Honey Garlic Tofu
This Honey Garlic Tofu comes together quickly but is so incredibly packed with flavor and is likely to be one of your NEW favorite tofu recipes!
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Tofu Lunch “Meat”
This easy vegan deli "meat" made with tofu is the perfect plant-based addition to sandwiches, wraps, or snack boards. Simple, customizable, and full of flavor!
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Marry Me Tofu
This Marry Me Tofu is my vegetarian take on the VIRAL Marry me chicken recipe that I have been seeing everywhere! It’s simple to make and packed with so much flavor!
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Coconut Tofu Soup
Nourishing Coconut Tofu Soup is a mix of ginger, garlic, lemongrass, mushrooms and tofu, all simmered together in a savory broth. An easy, healthy meal that’s full of flavor and ready in less than 30 minutes!
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Dense Bean Salad
This Dense Bean Salad is a high-protein hearty mix of chickpeas, cannellini beans, crisp vegetables, olives, and feta in a tangy oregano-garlic vinaigrette. Perfect for meal prepped lunches and popular at potlucks!
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Summery Tofu Marinades – 3 different ways!
NO MORE bland tofu with these 3 delicious Summer inspired tofu marinades. They're all SO SIMPLE to make and great for meal prep if you want to marinate it in the fridge for a few days until you're ready to enjoy!
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Green Goddess Pasta
Green Goddess Pasta is fresh, vibrant, and packed with herby flavor in every bite—and the best part? It’s ready in just 30 minutes! With a creamy, nutrient-packed green sauce, this quick and easy pasta is perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something wholesome and delicious.
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Coconut Lentil Curry with Coconut Rice
Cozy and nourishing Coconut Lentil Curry with warming spices, creamy coconut milk and a boost of veggies from onion, tomatoes, bell pepper and peas. This flavorful recipe is packed with plant-based protein and fiber for the perfect, satisfying meal!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein do vegetarians need per day? Most adults need around 0.36–0.60 grams of protein per pound of body weight, depending on activity level. That’s roughly 50–75 grams per day for many people. Personally, I aim for closer to 100 grams of protein per day. All the meals in this post contain 20–30g of protein per serving to help you meet that goal.
What are the best high-protein vegetarian ingredients? My go-to protein-packed ingredients include:
– Lentils, chickpeas, and other beans
– Tofu, tempeh, and edamame
– Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt
– High-protein pastas (like chickpea or lentil-based)
– Quinoa, eggs, hemp seeds, and even oats!
How can I add more protein to vegetarian dinners? Easy ways to boost protein include:
– Swapping regular pasta for lentil or chickpea pasta
– Adding cottage cheese or Greek yogurt to sauces
– Using tofu or tempeh in stir-fries and sheet pan meals
– Stirring hemp seeds or nutritional yeast into bowls and soups
Are these dinners freezer-friendly? Yes! Many of them are great for meal prep. I recommend freezing:
– The high-protein burritos (individually wrapped)
– Coconut lentil curry and other saucy dishes
– Bean-based soups and stews
→ Just thaw and reheat on the stove or microwave with a splash of broth!
Thank you for nice and healthy recipes
The beans are so creamy, and the seasoning is on point rich, savory, and just the right amount of heat. You can tell a lot of thought went into making this both delicious and nutritious. Perfect for a satisfying meal or even as a side dish. They’re seriously so good, I might just ‘marry’ them myself! Definitely adding this to my regular meal rotation.
Thank you for your wonderful recipes!!
Great recipes- thank you so much🎈🌹❤️
All these look sooo delicious
I can’t wait to try them!