I'm The Only Plant-Based Eater In My Family, So I Make These Dinners When I Have To Please Everyone (2025)

I'm The Only Plant-Based Eater In My Family, So I Make These Dinners When I Have To Please Everyone (1)

If you're considering phasing meat out of your diet, consider that nearly 10% of adult Americans now think of themselves as either vegetarian or vegan. That means almost 33 million people in the States alone have taken animal protein off the table, so you'd be far from alone! It’s true, we do have a TON of lists dedicated to weeknight dinners filled with steak, chicken, and seafood, but don’t worry: Vegetarians, we’ve got you too. Whether you’re a lifelong plant-based eater, a curious omnivore, or are just looking for healthy recipe ideas for meatless Mondays, you're guaranteed to love these incredible vegetarian dinners.

Not only are a lot of Americans vegetarian, so is a significant portion of the world's population. The numbers vary, but suffice it to say, many world cuisines put far less of an emphasis on meat, instead focusing on filling, hearty, creative spins on vegetables and plant-based proteins. Check out our Middle Eastern-Mexican fusion green shakshuka, our Jamaican jerk tofu grain bowls, our Indian butter chickpeas, our Vietnamese tofu banh mi, or our Chinese-American-inspired to see what we mean.

And if you're craving classic meat-based comfort foods, but want to keep it veg-friendly? Check out our creamy Tuscan white bean skillet, our vegan crunchwrap, our spicy fried “chicken” sandwich, our , or our tempeh Buffalo “wings” to see just how good these meatless dupes can be. You could also skip the overt protein altogether, and just rely on meaty vegetables and legumes like eggplant, beans, mushrooms, and cauliflower to fill the void. Try our cauliflower tacos, our BBQ pulled mushrooms, our creamy Tuscan white bean skillet, or our vegan seared "scallops" with succotash. They're so good, we bet you won’t even miss the meat.

1

Queso Mac & Cheese

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Get ready for a fiesta in your mouth with this creamy, spicy mac cheese. This one-pot recipe starts by cooking macaroni, then uses the same pot and pasta water to create a very creamy queso sauce that coats every curly noodle. For an extra kick, finish it off with a crunchy salsa crumble.

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2

Sesame Tofu & Broccoli

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In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’re guaranteed a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.

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3

One-Pan Eggplant Parm Orzo

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Eggplant Parm is very high on our comfort food dinners list, but we don’t always feel like breaking out the oil for frying. To get all of the textures and flavors of the OG without the cleanup job, we transformed classic eggplant Parmesan into a one-pan dinner that’s as delicious as it is filling.

Get the One-Pan Eggplant Parm Orzo recipe.

4

Indian Butter Chickpeas

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Looking for your new favorite way to dress up canned chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you look at a can of beans.

Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.

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5

Homemade Falafel

Falafel may be king of Middle Eastern street food, but that doesn’t mean you have to travel to enjoy it. Boasting a crisp, golden-brown exterior and a center that’s soft, tender, and packed with chickpeas and fresh herbs, our homemade recipe hits ALL those classic flavors and vibes.

Get the Homemade Falafel recipe.

6

BBQ Pulled Mushrooms

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We're loving the pulled mushroom trend at the moment. Chewy, sticky, and satisfyingly meaty without any of the meat, this recipe is so meaty we believe it could convince even the biggest of mushroom haters that these veggie heroes aren't so bad after all. Plus, they're fab for vegetarian BBQ guests.

Get the BBQ Pulled Mushrooms recipe.

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7

Baked Feta Pasta

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Obviously roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is going to be amazing. But is it good enough to break TikTok? Our answer, begrudgingly, is yes. It's genius—super easy, but fancy enough for date night. 😍

Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.

8

Shakshuka Stuffed Peppers

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Stuffed peppers are taking the brunch scene by storm by uniting with another perennial favorite: shakshuka. Roasted bell peppers are stuffed with a spicy tomato pepper sauce and topped with a sunny-side egg and a smattering of feta and cilantro for a twist on this classic that will surprise and delight.

Get the Shakshuka Stuffed Peppers recipe.

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9

Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups

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Sweet, sour, and salty, these lettuce cups are ripe for improvisation and can be served with all sorts of accompaniments. Crunchy raw vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots can add heft, and a drizzle of chili oil is a must for spice lovers.

Get the Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups recipe.

10

Summer Stuffed Shells

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Who said summer dinners can’t be cozy? These stuffed shells are bursting with seasonal flavor from sweet corn, zucchini, and basil, but they also hit the comfort food spot thanks to the cheesy, rich ricotta.

Get the Summer Stuffed Shells recipe.

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11

Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet

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Creamy Tuscan anything is a cult classic here at Delish, but this vegetarian version might be our new favorite. Featuring white beans and spinach swimming in a luxurious tomato cream sauce, this hearty skillet dinner is so comforting and satisfying, you’ll never miss the chicken.

Get the Creamy Tuscan Butter White Bean Skillet recipe.

12

Mozzarella Schnitzel

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Like chicken and pork schnitzel before it, mozzarella schnitzel is crispy (thanks to a golden breadcrumb crust), and pairs perfectly with a mustard sauce as a special occasion dinner main. Your guests will FLIP over that cheese pull.

Get the Mozzarella Schnitzel recipe.

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13

Penne Alla Vodka

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Ready in around 30 minutes, this penne alla vodka is one of our go-to pasta dinners when we're looking for an easy-to-make recipe that delivers. Making homemade pasta sauce does require a bit more effort than picking up that trusty jar, but trust us—with this vodka sauce, it makes all the difference.

Get the Penne Alla Vodka recipe.

14

Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks

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Looking for a vegetarian centerpiece for your summer grill-out? Make these teriyaki cauliflower steaks. Slathered in a brown sugar and soy glaze and showered with scallions and toasted sesame seeds, these saucy cauliflower steaks might just upstage the ribs.

Get the Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks recipe.

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15

Ultimate Vegetarian Italian Sub

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One of our favorite sandwiches is the Italian hero, a sandwich filled to the brim with all manner of cured meat, cheese, and refreshingly crisp vegetables. This vegetarian version is just as good as the original, with planks of zucchini and eggplant instead of meat.

Get the Vegetarian Italian Sub recipe.

16

Grilled Portobello Tacos

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Mushroom lovers alert: Summer taco nights just got upgraded. Featuring portobello mushrooms marinated in taco spices and grilled to perfection, these vegetarian tacos will delight meat-lovers and vegans alike.

Get the Grilled Portobello Tacos recipe..

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17

Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups

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Switch up your classic lasagna recipe for a lighter, summer-worthy dinner that doesn't sacrifice on any of the flavor or richness. Instead of lasagna noodles, I use zucchini in this recipe wrapped around creamy ricotta. All baked in marinara sauce, this summer dinner is a must-have to add to your rotation.

Get the Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups recipe.

18

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

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Wouldn’t it be great to have a big bowl of your favorite creamy pasta with less fat and more protein but with all of the flavor and texture you’re looking for in a good Alfredo? We thought so. This recipe is the answer to your pasta prayers.

Get the Cottage Cheese Alfredo recipe.

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19

Marry Me Pasta

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Nothing says love like pasta, and this creamy sauce will have you falling in love with yourself for making it. It's based on our Marry Me chicken, so you know it's good. Watch out who you share it with—they might hit you with a proposal before you know it.

Get the Marry Me Pasta recipe.

20

Mini Mushroom Pasta Bakes

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For these mini baked pastas, you get the best of all worlds from a creamy, cheesy sauce reminiscent of your favorite oven-baked mac and cheese, plus crispy, savory bread crumbs and hearty, meaty mushrooms.

Get the Mini Mushroom Pasta Bakes recipe.

I'm The Only Plant-Based Eater In My Family, So I Make These Dinners When I Have To Please Everyone (2025)
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