We know how hard it is to get vegetables into our diets. This is especially true if we have partners who think a meal isn't really a meal without some meat in it, or kids who are super-duper picky eaters and only have a handful of go-to foods they won't make a fuss about. However, the health benefits of adding more fresh vegetables to our diets is clear. We know they're packed full of vitamins and minerals our bodies need, and that the prebiotic fiber is great for our digestive systems and for helping healthy bacteria grow in our guts.
So we know for sure we should be eating more veggies — and that our families should be, too — but it can be hard to actually make it happen. We totally get it — and that's why we put together this list of super easy plant-based meals that even carnivores can really get behind.
There are a few themes that will be easy to pick up here: A lot of these recipes are plant-based iterations of flavors that are going to be familiar and already beloved by the family. Why reinvent the wheel when the wheel can just be slightly tweaked, right? We have awesome recipes for vegetarian chilis, frankly delicious plays on burgers, tacos, lasagnas, and shepherd's pies, as well as some less-expected vegetarian options.
For more plant-based meal inspiration, check some delicious vegetarian recipes. Or try out some kid-friendly spiralizer recipes — perfect for summer when there's too much zucchini and it's incredibly cheap. Or, try going meatless in the mornings with easy vegetarian breakfasts to help get the family into plant-based foods without interfering with dinnertime.
Lentil Tacos
Lentil tacos are incredibly flavorful and healthy substitute for beef tacos. The filling mixture would also work in a taco salad or in burritos, and it also freezes beautifully. The texture is dense and meaty enough even carnivores will love it.
Chickpea Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
How great is a stuffed potato of any kind. These chickpea spinach stuffed sweet potatoes are a delicious, economical meal that's also so perfect for making ahead and reheating for dinner later in the week.
Roasted Vegetable Naan Flatbread
Made with premade naan, this roasted vegetable naan flatbread is such an easy vegetarian weeknight dinner. It would be so good paired with a fresh side salad, too, although there are so many veggies on it already!
Soba Noodles With Edamame & Spicy Peanut Sauce
We love this soba noodles with edamame and spicy peanut sauce hot and fresh, but it's honestly even better when it's cold the next day. Take it on picnics or pack it for lunch to take to work.
Coconut Fried Rice
This recipe for coconut fried rice only uses 1 tablespoon of oil for a batch that can serve four to six people, so it's a way healthier version of fried rice than we're used to. This is delicious, creamy, healthy, and indulgent-tasting — everyone will love it.
Vegan Gyros
These vegan gyros are really delicious because they're so well-spiced, and the vegan play on tzatziki sauce that comes with it really ties it all together. The texture of the Portabellas does a great job taking the place of meat, too.
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
This roasted vegetable lasagna is an incredibly satisfying plant-based meal. With so much going on, nobody's even going to miss the meat and dairy. However, vegetarian lasagna made with regular ricotta mix works for a vegetarian, not vegan, meal as well.
Seriously the Best Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Seriously the best lentil shepherd’s pie is such a delicious, filling, wholesome take on the traditional classic. Make in a cast iron skillet or a casserole pan, whichever makes more sense. Freezes well, too!
Can't-Believe-It's-Vegetarian Chili
This vegetarian chili is called Can't-Believe-It's-Vegetarian Chili for a reason. Naturally gluten-free, it's made just as well on the stovetop as it is in the Instant Pot or the Crock-Pot. It also freezes beautifully.
Spinach Artichoke Enchiladas
Spinach-artichoke is such a classic combo, and we absolutely love it in these spinach artichoke enchiladas. A sneaky way to get everyone in the family to eat more veggies is to douse them in delicious cheese, right?
Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
We love how delicious and economical this vegetarian stuffed acorn squash is. It's a smart use of leftover quinoa, and if there's one two many halves, they keep in the fridge for a couple of days.
Turmeric Chickpea Buddha Bowl
This turmeric chickpea Buddha bowl is creamy and yummy, with lots of amazing flavors and the potential for endless variations. We love topping it with fresh-toasted pumpkin seeds, which add a little crunch and vitamins.
Vegetable Lo Mein
This vegetable lo mein recipe is super flavorful, naturally gluten-free, vegan, and packed with tons of veggies. It's a wonderful side dish or a main, and also works wonderfully to pack for lunch the next day.
Vegan Dirty Rice
Vegan dirty rice is such a delicious, healthy play on a Southern classic. To be honest, the Creole seasoning is what really makes this dish sing, and we don't even miss the meat part of it. A great side dish.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This whole roasted cauliflower is so impressive-looking, it makes for an ideal dish to serve to guests for a holiday or a dinner party. We love the serving suggestion of herby potatoes and carrots, but this would also be delicious with greens.
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Maple roasted brussels sprouts are such an incredible side, but serve them with some cooked lentils and they're really a meal until themselves. These are delicious, crispy, sweet, and savory — and they go with nearly anything.
Meatless Burrito Bowls
These meatless burrito bowls are absolutely delicious, easy, and the perfect weeknight meal. With all of the big flavors in these bowls, nobody's going to miss the meat — a tasty way to incorporate more plant-based meals!
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Thai pineapple fried rice is a delicious, healthy dish on its own, but is really one of those recipes that can take as many leftover or soon-to-turn veggies as are in the fridge. Have some extra bok choy or spinach on hand? Toss it in! Leftover broccoli? Go for it.
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Veggie Burgers
These sweet potato and black bean veggie burgers are so flavorful and satisfying, we are positive they're going to go straight into the heavy rotation. We love the serving suggestion of corn on the cob, although we think they'd also be great with a Caesar salad.
Drunken Pinto Beans Over Creamy Polenta
This drunken pinto beans over creamy polenta recipe is a play on a traditional Italian dish. The beans are simmered in beer for the flavor, but it's still an incredibly inexpensive meal that feeds a ton of people and is quite healthy. Try it with braised greens or roasted broccoli, too.