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I’m sure by now you’ve probably heard someone you know or follow talk about Meatless Mondays. Whether they are showing a recipe they made, or an intention to start their week, this is a buzzword making the rounds. What is this and how can we find Meatless Monday recipes? I’ve got you covered for the whole day and the next several Mondays as well.
This movement was started by Sid Lerner, the Founder of The Monday Campaigns as a way to eat more plants as well as combat climate change. I am all for sharing about a plant-based diet and why it matters so of course I’m on board! Plus, Mondays are an easy day to pick to try something new, since many of us can shop and prep for it over the weekend.
If the start of the week doesn’t work for you then pick the day that does and join us!
I call smoothies the healthiest fast food because they are super fast to make and are packed with nutrients. The smoothies below are great examples of how simple it is to get in a whole lot of protein, healthy fats and fiber to start your day off right. Or choose a non-smoothie recipe for a chewable way to get those nutrients in. Both are great options!
Bottom line: I don’t want to be hangry an hour after breakfast and I know these recipes will tide me over all morning long!
Vanilla Protein Shake
5 from 11 votes
This plant-based Vanilla Protein Shake is one of my favorite recipes of all time. I love how creamy, sweet and nourishing it is— and it makes a great post workout recovery smoothie or meal replacement.
Spice up your breakfast routine with this yummy steel cut oats recipe. It's got sweetness + protein to help you stay full and focused throughout the day.
Blend up a creamy, cold chocolate protein shake smoothie made with plant-based superfood protein powder for a delicious meal or snack, or before/after a workout. Includes adaptogens to help ease inflammation.
Get ready for weekend brunch the right way with my vegan waffles. Fluffy, delicious, comforting and dairy and egg-free. You'll be shocked at how wonderful these are and how much you don't miss the dairy.
Blend your way into a great day with this sweet n’ creamy banana smoothie. It’s got protein that will keep you full, and simple ingredients for natural energy.
Take your breakfast game to the next level by giving it a healthy, plant-powered upgrade. This healthy breakfast bowl combines homemade hashbrowns, bell pepper, a yummy tofu scramble, and avocado for a hearty meal to fuel your morning.
Oh lunch. This is probably the hardest time for me to make great choices. I work. I mom. I live life. Lunch often gets forgotten between morning meetings and afternoon pickups, or becomes a convenience food snuck in on the road.
Not anymore! These seven Meatless Monday recipes are too good to miss. They are easy, can be made ahead of time and can use leftovers from dinners or remnants from the fridge so your produce doesn’t go bad. Make this meal easy on yourself and focus on the things in your day that take priority.
Instant Vegetarian Ramen
4.5 from 117 votes
Enjoy a delicious and nutritious vegetarian ramen in just minutes. This recipe is full of flavor and perfect for a quick and easy meal using instant noodles.
Protein power your afternoon with this delicious, Mediterranean-inspired Chickpea salad. It's super crunchy + filling. Plus this tahini dressing is it. I love it and know you will too.
Instant Noodles, meet Instant Zoodles! This healthy melange of veggies is great for work or a quick dinner. It’s also crazy delicious + incredibly nourishing.
This simple kale caesar salad is the perfect filling lunch. It's made with 100% plants and is both creamy and filling. I love the flavor and bit of the kale paired with the creamy aioli.
Plant-powered. Autumn Flavored. Try this amazing vegan roasted red pepper soup that's both comforting and tasty. Dairy-free yet super creamy using sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, onions, garlic and spices.
This easy-to-assemble, mason jar salad is perfect when you need lunch on the go! Packed with protein, healthy fat, and antioxidant rich pomegranate seeds, this autumn-inspired salad is sure to keep your body fueled through the afternoon. Feel free to prep the ingredients the night before, and have a tasty + healthy lunch waiting for you in the fridge the next day!
While this vegetarian split pea soup is delicious straight from the stovetop, it's even better as leftovers. Make a batch and freeze, or enjoy as a cozy family dinner.
Now that we’ve covered breakfast and lunch, let’s talk Meatless Monday recipes for dinner. Depending on your schedule, you may be trying to squeeze dinner in between events or be famished once you get home from a long day. Never fear!
Even these meat-free dishes are packed with protein. Super flavorful, bright and ready to be enjoyed by you or your whole family. Pick the one that sounds the tastiest then dive in!
Sweet Potato Noodles
5 from 20 votes
I remember the moment I took my first bite of this sweet potato noodles dish. My tastebuds rejoiced! It was everything I wanted, and then some. It’s plant-based Asian fusion at its finest. I'm so excited to share this savory dish with you.
Enjoy the BBQ vegetarian pizza recipe that's loaded with protein and flavor. This recipe is also gluten-free thanks to the homemade quinoa crust. A bit time-consuming to make, yet no one ever regrets it. Bon appetite!
Dive into a nourishing and fulfilling soup recipe loaded with vegetables, hearty lentils and natural spices. This red lentil soup is the perfect cool weather delight and can be made once and frozen to serve again and again this season.
Perfect for a backyard BBQ or a fun family meal, this vegan black bean burger is a winner. My family loves to pair them with homemade fries and load them up with fresh tomatoes.
Dig into this popular hemp hearts veggie bowl using an array of roasted vegetables and creamy hemp sauce. Double the recipe to have leftovers for lunch and make sure to explore the other hemp hearts recipes above.
When I became a vegetarian at 16 years old, one of the meals I missed the most was the chicken lettuce wraps from my fav Chinese restaurant. This thai lettuce wrap recipe is inspired by those, yet this dish adds a lot more nourishment and flavors to make me one happy vegetarian.
If you’re ready to take plant-based eating to the next level and incorporate meat-free meals into other days of the week then read on. I found my family relying on convenience foods more and more throughout the week and knew there had to be another way so I started my very own meal planner with breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, holiday recipes, desserts and more.
This awesome planner does all the work for me. It has a highly customizable weekly menu, shopping list I can check right on my phone and recipes for the week. It’s a win-win, and you can try it for yourself for 14 days free. I’d love it to work for your family, too!
Want some samples to get you started? Check out the free menus below:
The point is to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your weekly meal rotation. Meals with meat seem pretty easy and straightforward, yet protein-rich, meat-free meals are harder to come up with so I’m here to give you some great ideas!
What are the rules for Meatless Monday?
The “official” guidelines say that 7% of your daily calories should come from saturated fat and 300 mg or less cholesterol for the day. This means skipping out on meat and dairy products for the day and focusing instead of plant-based whole food.
Is Meatless Monday a good idea?
While I have nothing against meat, I also know my body feels better the more I fill it with plants. I think Meatless Monday is a great, fun way to incorporate more produce into your week without trying to measure it out each day.
Which one of these recipes do you want to try first? Drop a comment and let me know!
These are some great options! Will be trying those chickpea tacos tonight.
Hi Erin! Let me know how you like them!