21 Quick and Easy Recipe Ideas for Meat-Free Mondays

There are so many benefits for incorporating more meat-free meals into your diet. Not only are they cost-effective but they’re also great for your health too! However, if you haven’t got a clue where to start with vegetarian and vegan cooking then you’re not alone. Cutting out meat isn’t all cheese omelettes and mushroom risotto, which is why we’ve put together these super tasty 21 quick and easy recipe ideas for meat-free Mondays. That’s 3 week’s worth of recipes, so you’ll never run out of meal ideas again!

21 Quick and Easy Recipe Ideas for Meat-Free Mondays

You’ve probably heard the phrase: “Failing to plan equals planning to fail” and there is a lot of truth in this saying. if you’re serious about making meat-free Mondays a regular thing or you plan to introduce more vegetarian and plant-based meals into your diet then you can’t just eat the same foods all of the time. If you’re struggling for ideas for easy and tasty meat-free recipes then look no further. We have put together this list of 3 week’s worth of lunch and dinner ideas. Once you’ve found a few that you like the look of, simply scroll down for the full recipe.

1. Vegetable stir-fry with tofu

2. Lentil curry with rice

3. Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil

4. Roasted cauliflower tacos with avocado crema

5. Spinach and feta stuffed mushrooms

6. Chickpea and vegetable curry

7. Portobello mushroom burgers with caramelized onions

8. Quinoa and black bean enchiladas

9. Greek salad with grilled halloumi cheese

10. Sweet potato and black bean chili

11. Ratatouille with crusty bread

12. Zucchini noodles with pesto and cherry tomatoes

13. Spinach and ricotta stuffed shells

14. Falafel wraps with tahini sauce

15. Eggplant parmesan with spaghetti

16. Vegetarian shepherd’s pie with lentils and mashed potatoes

17. Black bean and corn quesadillas

18. Thai vegetable coconut curry with jasmine rice

19. Butternut squash and sage risotto

20. Mediterranean vegetable tart with feta cheese

21. Creamy tomato and basil soup with grilled cheese sandwiches

 

Quick and Easy Meat-Free Recipes

These delicious meat-free recipes are quick and easy to make and are also budget-friendly too – perfect if you’re looking to save money! You will find all of these ingredients in your local food store, so there is no excuse not to give them a go!

 

1. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu:

   A quick and healthy dish that combines a variety of colorful vegetables with marinated tofu, stir-fried to perfection.

   – Recipe: Heat oil in a wok or skillet, add sliced tofu and cook until golden. Remove tofu and set aside. Stir-fry your choice of vegetables (such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas) until crisp-tender. Add tofu back to the pan and season with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of sugar. Serve with rice or noodles.

2. Lentil Curry with Rice:

A comforting and flavorful curry made with lentils, spices, and served over steamed rice.

   – Recipe: Sauté chopped onions, garlic, and ginger in a pan. Add curry powder, cumin, turmeric, and chilli powder. Stir in rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes. Simmer until lentils are tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over cooked rice.

3. Caprese Salad:

A classic Italian salad featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fragrant basil leaves.

   – Recipe: Arrange thick slices of tomatoes and fresh mozzarella on a platter. Tuck basil leaves between the slices. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Optional: Add a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.

4. Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Crema:

If you love comfort food then you will love these hearty roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with spices, stuffed into tortillas, and topped with a creamy avocado sauce.

   – Recipe: Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, chilli powder, cumin, and paprika. Roast in the oven until golden brown. Mash avocado with lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and salt to make the crema. Warm tortillas, fill with roasted cauliflower, and drizzle with avocado crema. Optional toppings: chopped onions, cilantro, and lime wedges.

5. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Mushrooms:

Delicious mushroom caps filled with a delicious mixture of sautéed spinach, feta cheese, and breadcrumbs, then baked until golden.

   – Recipe: Remove stems from mushroom caps and set aside. Sauté chopped spinach with garlic until wilted. In a bowl, combine spinach, crumbled feta, breadcrumbs, and a dash of olive oil. Spoon the mixture into mushroom caps. Bake in the oven until mushrooms are tender and the stuffing is golden brown.

6. Chickpea and Vegetable Curry:

   A hearty and flavorful curry made with chickpeas, a medley of vegetables, and aromatic spices.

   – Recipe: Sauté diced onions, garlic, and ginger in a pan. Add curry powder, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Stir in chopped vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots), drained chickpeas, and coconut milk. Simmer until the vegetables are cooked through. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve with rice or naan bread.

7. Portobello Mushroom Burgers with Caramelized Onions:

You will love these juicy grilled Portobello mushroom caps served as a meaty and satisfying patty, topped with sweet caramelized onions.

   – Recipe: Marinate Portobello mushroom caps in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Grill or roast the mushrooms until tender. Meanwhile, caramelize onions by cooking them slowly with butter and a pinch of sugar until golden brown. Serve the grilled mushrooms on burger buns with caramelized onions and desired toppings.

8. Quinoa and Black Bean Enchiladas:

Description: Enchiladas filled with a hearty mixture of cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, and cheese, baked in a flavorful enchilada sauce.

– Recipe: In a bowl, mix cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, diced green chilies, and shredded cheese. Spoon the mixture onto tortillas, roll them up, and place them in a baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over the top. Bake until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with sour cream and chopped cilantro.

9. Greek Salad with Grilled Halloumi Cheese:

Description: A refreshing salad with crisp vegetables, tangy olives, and grilled halloumi cheese, tossed in a lemon-herb dressing.

– Recipe: In a large bowl, combine chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, and sliced bell peppers. Grill halloumi cheese until golden brown and slice into pieces. Add the halloumi to the salad. In a separate bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently.

10. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili:

A hearty and warming chili made with sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, and a blend of spices.

– Recipe: Sauté diced onions, garlic, and bell peppers in a pot. Add diced sweet potatoes, canned black beans, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a pinch of cinnamon. Simmer until sweet potatoes are tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with toppings like chopped cilantro, avocado, and sour cream.

11.Ratatouille with Crusty Bread:

A rustic French dish made with a medley of roasted vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

– Recipe: Slice eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes into rounds. Arrange the sliced vegetables in a baking dish, alternating them. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with minced garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Bake until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized. Serve with crusty bread.

12. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes:

Spiralized zucchini noodles tossed with homemade pesto sauce and vibrant cherry tomatoes.

– Recipe: Spiralize zucchini into noodles using a spiralizer. In a food processor, blend fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil until smooth to make the pesto. Sauté the zucchini noodles in a pan until tender. Toss with pesto and halved cherry tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Optional: Add roasted pine nuts on top.

13. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells:

Jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy mixture of spinach, ricotta cheese, and herbs, baked in marinara sauce.

• Recipe: Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions. Sauté chopped spinach with garlic until wilted. In a bowl, combine the spinach with ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Stuff the mixture into cooked pasta shells. Place the shells in a baking dish, cover with marinara sauce, and sprinkle with additional cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden.

14. Falafel Wraps with Tahini Sauce:

Crispy and flavorful falafel balls wrapped in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and drizzled with creamy tahini sauce.

• Recipe: Blend chickpeas, fresh herbs, garlic, cumin, coriander, and breadcrumbs in a food processor until a coarse mixture forms. Shape the mixture into small balls and fry or bake until golden brown. In a pita bread, layer falafel, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded lettuce, and drizzle with tahini sauce. Optional: Add pickles and hot sauce for extra flavor.

15. Eggplant Parmesan with Spaghetti:

Breaded and baked eggplant slices layered with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, served with spaghetti.

– Recipe: Slice eggplant into rounds, dip them in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs. Bake the breaded eggplant slices until crispy. In a baking dish, layer marinara sauce, eggplant slices, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with cooked spaghetti and extra marinara sauce.

16. Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Lentils and Mashed Potatoes:

A comforting casserole made with a savory lentil and vegetable filling, topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

– Recipe: Cook lentils until tender. Sauté chopped onions, carrots, and celery until softened. Add minced garlic, cooked lentils, tomato paste, vegetable broth, and a blend of herbs like thyme and rosemary. Simmer until the flavors meld together. Prepare mashed potatoes separately. Spoon the lentil mixture into a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake until golden brown.

17. Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas:

Crispy tortillas filled with a flavorful combination of black beans, sweet corn, melted cheese, and spices.

• Recipe: In a bowl, mix drained and rinsed black beans, corn kernels, diced onions, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, and lime juice. Spread the mixture onto tortillas, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and fold in half. Cook the quesadillas on a griddle or skillet until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

18. Thai Vegetable Coconut Curry with Jasmine Rice:

A fragrant and creamy Thai curry loaded with colorful vegetables, simmered in coconut milk, and served over jasmine rice.

– Recipe: Sauté sliced bell peppers, snap peas, and carrots in a pan. Add Thai red curry paste and stir until fragrant. Pour in coconut milk, vegetable broth, and a splash of soy sauce. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Season with lime juice, brown sugar, and salt. Serve over cooked jasmine rice. Optional: Garnish with fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts.

19. Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto:

Creamy and comforting risotto made with roasted butternut squash, fragrant sage, and Parmesan cheese.

– Recipe: Roast diced butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper until tender. Sauté diced onions in a pot, then add Arborio rice and cook until translucent. Gradually add vegetable broth, stirring until absorbed. Stir in roasted butternut squash, chopped sage leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, and butter. Continue cooking until the risotto is creamy and the rice is al dente. Season with salt and pepper.

20. Mediterranean Vegetable Tart with Feta Cheese:

A delicious tart filled with a medley of roasted vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and fragrant herbs.

– Recipe: Roll out puff pastry dough into a rectangular shape. Spread a mixture of crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, chopped herbs (such as basil and thyme), and olive oil onto the pastry. Top with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Bake in the oven until the pastry is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

21. Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:

A classic tomato soup made with ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and served with crispy grilled cheese sandwiches.

– Recipe: Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in a pot. Add chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste, and fresh basil leaves. Simmer until the tomatoes are soft. Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender. Return to the pot, stir in heavy cream, and season with salt and pepper. For grilled cheese sandwiches, spread butter on the bread slices, place slices of cheese between them, and grill until golden and crispy. Serve the tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for dipping.

These recipes provide a starting point, and you can customize them according to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Enjoy your Meat-Free Monday meals! Don’t forget to let us know which meal you enjoyed most!