Easy Meatless Dinners You’ll Love to Cook Year-Round

Whether you’re looking for meatless dinners for Lent or to simply enjoy something a little lighter, you want a dish that’s easy to make and tastes delicious, especially if you’re cooking it for your family, right? Well, we know a thing or two about tasty meatless meals and have six recipes up our sleeves to share with you, all things that aren’t just a salad.

From veggie-filled rice and Mexican-inspired dishes to grilled mushroom sandwiches and more, each meatless dinner idea below is filling and packed with flavor. To start, we’ll tell you all about an easy flatbread recipe featuring zesty chipotle mayonnaise, vegetables and a plant-based “chik’n” protein.

Vegetarian Chipotle Flatbread

Do you and your family love pizza and flatbreads? Then, this meatless dinner could become a new household favorite. And since it only takes 10 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook, it’s a great go-to after a jam-packed day. Quick, easy and a meatless version of pizza that still has plenty of protein? If you want to make it, here are some items you’ll need to add to your grocery shopping list:

• Refrigerated pizza dough
• Plant-based “chik’n” (like Sweet EarthⓇ brand)
• Shredded white cheddar cheese
• Frozen corn kernels
• Avocado
• Red onion
• Cilantro
• Roma tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Seasonings (salt, cumin and chili powder)

Then, for the chipotle mayo drizzle, you’ll mix together a minced chipotle pepper, lime juice and mayonnaise. It’s creamy, slightly spicy and the perfect flavor pairing with the other flatbread toppings. 

Before you start cooking, keep this in mind: depending on your family’s size, you may need to double this recipe since it generally serves four as an appetizer. Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.

Butterbean Cakes with Cucumber Tomato Salad

Crispy, savory and fresh, these Butterbean Cakes with Cucumber Tomato Salad will remind you of your favorite Greek dishes with its Mediterranean flavors, feta cheese and a tangy vinaigrette. It’s a light, meatless dinner that is also very filling, thanks to the two types of beans used to make them - Lima and white beans. 

Not sure what to serve with these cakes? Couscous and a Greek side salad would be tasty options for a wholesome meal. Wild rice and roasted veggies would also pair really well with this main dish recipe. 

As you’re preparing the butterbean cakes for your family, if you think you may have leftovers, make sure to set the extra cakes aside without the salad on top. That way, they stay as crispy as possible. Then, to reheat and maintain the crispiness, bake them in the oven or pop them in the toaster oven until heated through.

Southwest Quesadilla with Cilantro-Lime Sour Cream

Quesadillas are a family favorite for both lunch and dinner, and just because you’re making something meatless doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this beloved entrée. Our recipe for Southwest Quesadillas with Cilantro-Lime Sour Cream is scrumptious and stuffed with veggies and other flavorful ingredients, including: 

• Red bell pepper
• Onion
• Corn
• Dark red pinto beans
• Cilantro
• Colby Jack cheese
• Lime juice and spices

And let’s not forget about the cilantro-lime sour cream. It’s super simple to put together with just four items - cilantro, a pinch of salt, lime juice and sour cream. Mix everything together, and voila! You have a tasty dipping sauce for your quesadillas.

Vegetable Fried Rice

We’re halfway through our list of meatless dinners and this next recipe idea is an Asian classic that’s also easy to make at home - fried rice! Plus, you only need seven ingredients, which makes it a low-cost dish, too. 

To make this one-pan Vegetable Fried Rice, start by cooking your rice. Meanwhile, stir fry your onions in sesame oil, followed by the eggs, then the peas and carrots. Finally, add your rice and soy sauce to the pan, stir together and top with green onions. That’s all there is to it! So easy, right? 

Snag the full recipe here! 

Pesto Corn Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a quick and easy meal that’s tasty and nutritious, too! And this recipe is a grilled version with corn and pesto, but without the meat. Instead, this dish features mushrooms in the filling, which is another great source of protein. But, if it’s too chilly outside to cook your peppers on the grill, use a grill pan on the stove instead! 

And, here’s another tip for this recipe that can help you save a little time and buy a few less ingredients. Use jarred pesto instead of making your own and shave a few minutes off of your prep time. 

Ready to make this dish? Get the step-by-step directions on our recipe portal!

Portobello Mushroom Burger

We have a vegetarian version of a hamburger for our last meatless dinner idea, featuring a portobello mushroom instead of beef. And like we said above, mushrooms are packed with protein, making them the perfect meat substitute. Plus, portobello mushrooms are considered a dense, “meaty” variety, which is another reason they are a fantastic swap for this classic American sandwich. 

Marinated in balsamic, soy sauce, Dijon mustard and oil, then cooked on the grill or in a grill pan, these mushroom burgers are tender, flavorful and slightly smoky, especially if you get a little charred edge on your mushrooms. Top with your favorite burger toppings like cheese, tomatoes and lettuce, as well as condiments. 

Want to give this dish a try? Take a look at the full recipe!

With these six meatless dinner ideas, you have a variety of meals to enjoy with your family, whether it’s for Lent or simply as a lighter option for your evening meal. Now, all you have to do is decide which of these dishes you want to make, write up your grocery shopping list and head over to your local Food Lion where you can pick up what you need at low prices, especially when you shop our brands, like Nature’s Promise and Taste of Inspirations. Bon appétit!