16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (2024)

If you think vegetarian high-protein recipes are impossible to find, think again. These power-packed vegetarian recipes (each with 15 or more grams of protein) prove that meatless eating doesn't mean flavorless or low protein. These vegetarian dishes are great for dinner, maybe even lunch, and often as leftovers (if anything is left over!). So, dig in! And prepare to be satisfied.

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01of 16

Enchilada Casserole

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (1)

Protein: 19 grams per serving

Black beans make thisMexican-themedvegetarian high-protein recipe satisfying and delicious. It's also high in fiber (another nutrient that keeps you feeling full and satisfied long after the meal). Better yet, it's hearty enough to please meat-eaters, too. It's like a south-of-the-border lasagna!

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02of 16

Orecchiette in Creamed Corn with Wilted Tomatoes and Arugula

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (2)

Protein: 20 grams per serving

Fresh-off-the-cob sweet corn, grape tomatoes, and pine nuts add a healthy boost to creamy pasta sauce. This vegetarian high-protein recipe is ready in just 35 minutes—perfect for nights when you don't want to spend much time cooking. To keep it genuinely vegetarian, skip the Parmesan cheese or substitute it with another variety that isn't made with rennet.

03of 16

Mile-High Meatless Lasagna Pie

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (3)

Protein: 26 grams per serving

Thanks to layers upon layers of noodles and veggies, you'll never have to skip pasta night again if high-protein dinners are your goal. This vegetarian lasagna is high in protein and still has all of our favorite lasagna ingredients—like gooey cheese and creamy ricotta (remember to check that your cheeses are vegetarian).

04of 16

Spicy Pasta with Sweet Potatoes

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Protein: 16 grams per serving

This fiber-filled vegetarian high-protein recipe cooks in a single dish and is creamy, chewy, and oh-so-satisfying. While the sweet potato roasts in the oven, prep the rest of this vegetarian main dish to expedite getting dinner onto the table.

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Tofu Spring Rolls

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (5)

Protein: 19 grams per serving

Put your rolling skills to the test! These homemade spring rolls require just five ingredients and 20 minutes to make, so you can start dunking them in soy sauce faster than you can call for delivery.

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06of 16

Asparagus Falafel

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (6)

Protein: 16 grams per serving

Whether you need a quick lunch or a light dinner, these easy pitas are ready to swoop in and save the day. Each falafel patty is loaded with chickpeas, asparagus, and a blend of herbs and spices, so you can dig into a vegetarian high-protein meal that's far from bland.

07of 16

Creamy Tortellini Soup

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (7)

Protein: 22 grams per serving

This soup recipe is one of our top-rated with 215 ratings! To keep it easy and quick, this high-protein vegetarian soup leans on a premade white sauce mix and canned evaporated milk for its creaminess. We add tortellini and plenty of veggies to pump up its staying power. For a genuinely vegetarian soup, skip the Parmesan cheese.

08of 16

Wild Mushroom Ravioli Skillet Lasagna

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Protein: 26 grams per serving

This is one high-protein vegetarian casserole recipe that really does have it all: six ingredients, made in one pan, and ready in 25 minutes. If that's not enough, just know you'll be in love after only one forkful of this super-delish mushroom ravioli. To make it 100% vegetarian, skip the Romano and Parmesan cheeses or find vegetarian-friendly versions.

09of 16

Tuscan Bean Soup

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (9)

Protein: 16 grams per serving

This dinner soup is a vegetarian high-protein recipe with fiber for extra staying power. It also leans on convenience ingredients (think baby carrots, prewashed spinach, canned beans) to make this dish easy, fast, and simple.

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10of 16

Fresh Tomato Pizza with Oregano and Mozzarella

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (10)

Protein: 17 grams per serving

Slices of fresh, gooey vegetarian mozzarella cheese provide a hefty dose of protein in this Margherita-style vegetarian pizza. Add in the arugula for extra vitamins, but leave out the optional prosciutto, of course, to keep this pizza recipe vegetarian.

11of 16

Artichoke Flatbread

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (11)

Protein: 21 grams per serving

Mild artichokes pair perfectly with spinach, goat cheese, and tomato in this grilled pizza recipe. Whole wheat naan (an Indian-style flatbread) provides the pizza base, adding nutrients (including a bit of protein) and hearty flavor for the most delicious high-protein vegetarian recipe.

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Skillet Vegetables on Cheese Toast

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (12)

Protein: 15 grams per serving

This quick and easy skillet dish delivers double doses of dairy- and plant-powered protein for a high-protein vegetarian meal. Even better? It preps in a flash, coming together in 20 minutes or less!

13of 16

Mushroom-Garlic Pizza

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (13)

Protein: 20 grams per serving

Ditch the delivery! This homemade pizza with mushrooms and caramelized garlic will quickly become a favorite. We make this high-protein vegetarian recipe quickly by leaning on pre-made dough. But bonus points if you make your dough—we have recipes for that, too.

14of 16

Farro-Stuffed Peppers

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (14)

Protein: 25 grams per serving

Each of these red pepper halves is bursting with good-for-you nutrients from ingredients like summer squash, sweet corn, and high-protein farro, a grain with a slightly nutty flavor. Serve each half as a side dish, or serve two halves for a hearty high protein, vegetarian main dish.

15of 16

Vegetable-Loaded Pasta Bake

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (15)

Protein: 15 grams per serving

Whole wheat penne, kale, skim milk, and cheese ensure this gooey, high-protein vegetarian casserole is a nutritional powerhouse. Curious about what other veggies we packed in for added benefits and flavor? Try cauliflower, corn, celery, peas, and carrots! Skip the Parmesan cheese to make this vegetarian recipe truly veg-friendly.

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Black Bean Cakes with Sweet Corn Salsa

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16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (16)

Protein: 22 grams per serving

Two protein- and fiber-rich ingredients—black beans and walnuts—form the patty of this delicious veggie burger. You won't miss the meat when you top off this moist black bean cake with our sweet corn salsa: an irresistible combo of corn, tomato, lime juice, and jalapeño. This filling, refreshing vegetarian dinner will satisfy a multitude of palates.

Don't Forget a Protein-Packed Breakfast

Getting protein at breakfast is crucial to performing well throughout the day. A vegetarian breakfast doesn't stop at cereal. These recipes offer fiber, protein, and lots of flavor for a satisfying morning meal.

  • Sheet Pan Egg-Stuffed Bagels will disappear as quickly as you can make them. With cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and plenty of herbs, this flavor-filled breakfast will quickly become a family favorite.
  • Oatmeal with Goat Cheese, Dates, and Honey adds a savory spin to traditional morning fare. You won't miss your usual cinnamon and sugar topping with this vegetarian high-protein recipe.
  • Peanut Butter and Fruit Quinoa isn't an ordinary peanut butter and jelly meal—it's much more! Quinoa is a complete protein, so paired with peanut butter, it's the power boost everyone needs in the morning. The fruit adds the sweetness of jelly, while a few peanuts up the crunch factor.
16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy (2024)

FAQs

How to get 30 grams of protein per meal vegetarian? ›

3 meal options with 30 grams of protein
  1. Quinoa and lentil salad. Both quinoa and lentils are loaded with protein. ...
  2. Scrambled tofu and veggie bowl. This vegan meal option can also offer a variety of nutrients along with enough protein. ...
  3. Masoor dal kebabs. Masoor dal is commonly used in Indian households.
Oct 27, 2023

How to get 40g protein per meal vegetarian? ›

You can easily obtain 40 grams of protein without consuming meat by incorporating a variety of plant-based and dairy protein sources into your diet. Here are some options: Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are excellent sources of protein. A cup of cooked lentils, for example, provides about 18 grams of protein.

What is a high protein meal for people who don't eat meat? ›

21 Meals With Tons Of Protein And No Meat
  • Bean, Kale, and Egg Stew. ...
  • Cashew Noodles with Broccoli and Tofu. ...
  • Black Bean, Arugula, and Poached Egg Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Peanutty Quinoa Bowls with Baked Tofu. ...
  • Black Bean Salad. ...
  • Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie With Seitan. ...
  • Vegan Chili. ...
  • Bean-Kale Burgers With Sweet Potato Wedges.
Jan 11, 2014

Which vegetable has highest protein? ›

And what are the best sources for protein?
  • Green peas. Green peas are at the top of the list of the most protein-filled vegetables. ...
  • Spinach. A big crisp spinach salad is certainly refreshing, especially on a hot day in the South. ...
  • Collard greens. ...
  • Sweet corn. ...
  • Mustard greens. ...
  • Lima beans. ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Broccoli.

What is the 30 30 30 protein rule? ›

The 30-30-30 diet involves eating 30g of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, and then completing 30 minutes of low intensity exercise. This method first appeared in Tim Ferriss' book The 4-Hour Body in 2010 but was recently popularized by nutritionist and wellness podcaster Gary Brecka.

Does avocado have high-protein? ›

A 50g serving of fresh avocado contains 1 gram of protein and a whole 5-oz. fresh avocado (3 servings) contains 3 grams of protein. Though fresh avocados do not contain a significant amount of protein, they can be a creamy and delicious addition to a variety of meal plans and menus.

How can a vegetarian hit 100 grams of protein? ›

For vegetarians, 100 grams of protein might look like:
  1. Four eggs (24 grams of protein)
  2. ½ cup of rolled oats (5 grams)
  3. Two tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams)
  4. One tablespoon of hemp seeds (4 grams)
  5. ¼ cup of protein granola (10 grams)
  6. One scoop of plant-based protein powder (20 grams)
  7. Two snack cheeses (10 grams)
Apr 6, 2024

Which nuts are high in protein? ›

Proteins. Nuts are a rich source of proteins and essential amino acids as indicated by the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference [10] and as presented in Table 1. The major sources of proteins are peanuts, almonds, and pistachios, while chestnuts are the poorest in proteins.

Which veg food has highest protein per 100g? ›

Whole grains
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Peanuts. ...
  • Chia seeds. Chia seeds are very protein-rich, containing 18.29g per 100g . ...
  • Almonds. Raw, unsalted almonds are another protein-rich food, containing 20.33g per 100g , and 5.76g per ounce.
  • Hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are a good source of protein, with 31.56g per 100g .

What are the most filling vegetarian foods? ›

We prove it with these hearty, filling dishes that are completely meat-free.
  • Bill Granger's Braised White Beans, Grilled Spring Greens and Sourdough Crumb. ...
  • Thai Zucchini Egg Laksa. ...
  • Soba noodle salad. ...
  • Keto-Friendly Baked Pumpkin Frittata. ...
  • DIY Vegie Tacos. ...
  • Asparagus and Potato Tortilla. ...
  • Vegetarian mushroom bolognaise sauce.

How do you eat protein when you're poor? ›

Cheap and Healthy Sources of Protein
  1. Sardines. 1/11. You don't need to spend a bundle to stock up on protein-rich foods. ...
  2. Cottage Cheese. 2/11. Cottage cheese not only has nearly 24 grams of protein per cup, it also has casein. ...
  3. Lentils. 3/11. ...
  4. Oats. 4/11. ...
  5. Ground Turkey. 5/11. ...
  6. Peanuts. 6/11. ...
  7. Tempeh. 7/11. ...
  8. Chicken Breast. 8/11.
Aug 28, 2022

How to get 200g of protein without meat? ›

  1. Here are some tips to get 200g protein from a vegetarian diet in points:
  2. - Eggs - High in protein, easy to add to meals.
  3. - Greek yogurt - Choose higher protein options for snacks.
  4. - Nuts - Almonds, walnuts, pistachios are packed with protein.
  5. - Seeds - Pumpkin, hemp and chia seeds add protein to oats, salads.
Sep 30, 2023

Can you live without meat protein? ›

You can live without meat, but not without protein. So you have to make sure you get enough plant protein with the essential amino acids.

How can I increase my protein intake as a vegetarian? ›

How Do Vegetarians Get Enough Protein?
  1. Eggs. Eat your eggs however you like them prepared.
  2. Nut butter. Consider eating toast with almond butter, which is packed with protein and heart-healthy fats.
  3. Steel-cut oatmeal. Try making these no-bake protein bars.
  4. Green vegetables. ...
  5. Nuts and seeds. ...
  6. Beans. ...
  7. Soy products. ...
  8. Lentils.
Jan 16, 2019

How do vegetarians get most of their protein? ›

Grains: Grains high in protein include cornmeal, kamut (wheat berries), teff, quinoa, whole-wheat pasta, wild rice, millet, couscous, oatmeal, and buckwheat. Non-dairy milk: Just one cup of soy milk can pack about 7-9 grams of protein.

How do vegetarians get full protein? ›

Nuts or seeds with whole grains (peanut butter on whole wheat toast) Whole grains with beans (beans and rice; hummus and pita bread; bean-based chili and crackers; refried beans and tortillas) Beans with nuts or seeds (salad with chickpeas and sunflower seeds)

How to get 120g protein a day vegetarian? ›

7 Vegetarian Foods That Fulfill Your Protein Intake
  1. 1) Soybean. Cooked soybean provides 28 grams of protein per cup, roughly the same amount as that can be found in 150 grams of chicken. ...
  2. 2) Lentils or Dals. ...
  3. 3) Cottage Cheese or Paneer. ...
  4. 4) Pumpkin Seeds. ...
  5. 5) Milk. ...
  6. 6) Greek Yogurt. ...
  7. 7) Whey Protein.
Nov 9, 2017

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