10 Healthy Meat-Free Recipes for Your Family

Going vegetarian isn’t for everyone. But incorporating more vegetables and whole grains into your diet is never a bad thing.

One great way to do this is to introduce your household to Meat-Free Mondays, where meat is absent from your dinner plate, but flavor and nutrients sure aren’t! Plus, you’ll be helping out the environment, your health and your wallet.

Delicious Healthy Meat-Free Recipes

Check out these delicious meat-free recipes that will have your whole family eagerly awaiting the dinner bell:

Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas – These tasty enchiladas are a casual, hearty entree that will be met with delight as you pass it around the table — and no one will miss the meat! The black beans, cheese and whole wheat tortillas provide lots of healthy protein, while the spinach, peppers, onions and broccoli add incredible nutritional value.

Mediterranean Baked Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes are a recipe staple among vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, with good reason — they’re flavorful and brimming with crucial vitamins and nutrients. But these amazing starchy tubers don’t always have to play second-fiddle to your dinner entree. Make them the star of the show with this satisfying, aromatic vegan entree!

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili with Kale and Red Beans – Americans are chili fans, there’s no doubt about it. But meat doesn’t have to be at the center of the pot. Loaded with essential nutrients and “clean” protein from quinoa, kale and kidney beans, this vegetarian chili is a nutritionally complete one-pot meal, which means a healthy, delicious dinner in only 30 minutes.

Broccoli Cheddar Brown Rice Skillet – Most kids will gobble down broccoli as long as it’s cheesy. In this mouth-watering recipe, the cheese is balanced out with healthy, filling brown rice that gives your kids the protein they need to stay nourished and full while making sure you won’t hear any complaints about eating their veggies.

Mushroom Stroganoff – You can make this comforting, savory vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff recipe in about 30 minutes. The combination of earthy mushrooms, egg noodles and Greek yogurt-based sauce is so delicious and hearty that you won’t even remember the beef is gone.

Crockpot Low Carb Lasagna – Although you’ll want to grill or cook the zucchini and eggplant slices ahead of time to remove the excess water in the recipe, this lasagna is still a pretty quick and simple dinner solution that’s both vegetarian and low carb. It’s an awesome meal that makes comfort food healthy while still tasting fabulous!

Slow-Cooker Vegan White Bean Stew – Beans are an excellent meat-free way to work protein and healthy complex carbs into your diet. In this scrumptious and easy recipe, just mix cannellini beans (white beans) with tomatoes, onions, celery, carrots and herbs in your crockpot, let it cook for a few hours, then serve over a whole grain like barley, brown rice or quinoa for a satisfying and “clean” dinner.

Ginger Veggie Stir Fry – Kids and adults alike will drool over this deliciously simple and healthy veggie stir fry recipe. Chop up any of your family’s favorite “firm” vegetables like carrots, peppers, broccoli or cauliflower that hold up well under heat, toss them in the wok or saute pan, and mix with fresh ginger and soy sauce for a light, nutritious meal that will have you going back for seconds — without the guilt.

Barley Stew With Leeks, Onions, and Greens – Sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying on an autumn evening than tucking into a bowl of delicious stew with a couple hunks of fresh, crusty bread on the side. This flavorful, protein-packed stew easily fits the bill, and it’s just as filling as (if not more than!) a traditional beef stew.

Best Ever Veggie Burgers – There’s no need to rely on store-bought veggie burgers — or beef ones — when you’ve got this recipe up your sleeve. These burgers’ unique blend of pinto beans, brown rice, flaxseed, almonds and cashews will provide your whole family with healthy plant-based protein while the parmesan cheese, black olives and Worcestershire sauce add that “beefy” flavor you love.

Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups has all the healthy, nutritious and delicious recipes and resources that San Diego families need to feel their best.