42 Dinner Ideas If You're Trying To Cut Back On Meat Or Dairy (2024)

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Hannah LoewentheilPublished on July 23, 2017
42 Dinner Ideas If You're Trying To Cut Back On Meat Or Dairy (2)

Zoë Burnett / BuzzFeed

1. Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Bites

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Diethood / Via diethood.com

When you're craving Chinese takeout, opt for this veggie make-at-home version instead, ready in just 30 minutes. Pile them over your favorite grain and voilà — dinner. Get the recipe.

2. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

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Wallflower Kitchen / Via wallflowerkitchen.com

There's no heavy cream or butter in this recipe, but you'd never know it. Get the recipe.

3. Sweet Potato Fajitas

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The Wanderlust Kitchen / Via thewanderlustkitchen.com

You won't crave chicken or steak when you try these tortillas filled with meaty, roasted sweet potatoes and smoky mushrooms. Get the recipe.

4. One-Pot Spaghetti with Vegetables

Vegan Heaven / Via veganheaven.org

No mess. Tons of flavor. All ready in 20 minutes. Get the recipe.

5. Spinach-Pesto Pasta

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Yup It's Vegan / Via yupitsvegan.com

Sometimes, simple is best, like this summery pasta dish garnished with cashew-spinach pesto. Get the recipe.

6. Black Bean Green Chili Enchiladas

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This Savory Vegan / Via thissavoryvegan.com

Vegan cream cheese forms the base of this jalapeño-cream sauce, and it takes these black bean–stuffed tortillas to the next level. Get the recipe.

7. Lentil-Chickpea Yellow Curry

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Contentedness Cooking / Via contentednesscooking.com

You're six ingredients and 25 minutes away from a hearty dinner with serious flavor. Get the recipe.

8. Cashew Ricotta and Parmesan–Stuffed Shells

Wholefully / Via wholefully.com

No cheese? No problem. These stuffed shells taste just like the ones grandma used to make. Get the recipe.

9. Mushroom Lentil Meatless Loaf

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Pumpkin and Peanut Butter / Via pumpkinandpeanutbutter.com

This lentil loaf is glazed with a savory-sweet mixture of ketchup, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and coconut sugar. Get the recipe.

10. Meatless Hawaiian Sloppy Joes

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Vodka and Biscuits / Via vodkaandbiscuits.com

This childhood comfort food gets a makeover: Pineapple, soy sauce, tomato sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar gives these lentil sloppy Joes a salty-sweet taste that'll leave you wanting more. Get the recipe.

11. Vegetable Pad Thai

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Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com

Why ever go out for dinner when you can whip up this Thai classic right in your own kitchen? Get the recipe.

12. Vegan Spicy Sushi

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Carrots and Flowers / Via carrotsandflowers.com

Instead of tuna, this meatless maki features spicy roma tomatoes, marinated in Sriracha, soy sauce, and ginger. Get the recipe.

13. One-Pot Creamy Hummus Pasta

This Savory Vegan / Via thissavoryvegan.com

Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, store-bought hummus, and red pepper flakes give this easy linguine a Mediterranean kick. Get the recipe.

14. Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza

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This Savory Vegan / Via thissavoryvegan.com

Hold the tomato sauce and the mozzarella in favor of crispy, spicy cauliflower, vegan ranch, and buffalo sauce. Get the recipe.

15. Smoky Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Scaling Back Blog / Via scalingbackblog.com

Trying to cut back on cheese? Opt for this mashed sweet potato filling, which gets a kick from chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, tahini, sautéed peppers, and onions. Get the recipe.

16. Vegan Meatball Banh Mi

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Cilantro and Citronella / Via cilantroandcitronella.com

Giving up meat and dairy doesn't have to be boring or flavorless. Case in point: These Vietnamese sandwiches, loaded with perfectly fried lentil and mushroom meatballs, pickled veggies, and Sriracha mayo. Get the recipe.

17. Creamy Tomato Soup

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Will Frolic For Food / Via willfrolicforfood.com

Rich coconut milk makes this dairy-free soup and delicious and luscious as any cream-based version. Get the recipe.

18. Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

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Zena 'n Zatat / Via zenanzaatar.com

You can whip up this easy sweet potato "cheese" sauce with almond milk, roasted potatoes, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and tahini. Get the recipe.

19. Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

vegetarian gastronomy / Via vegetariangastronomy.com

Layered with vegan garlic ricotta, roasted veggies, and lots of marinara, this lasagna is worthy of an Italian feast. Get the recipe.

20. Sheet Pan Honey-Sesame Tofu and Green Beans

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Chungah Rhee via The Kitchn / Via thekitchn.com

Forget any preconceived notions you've ever had about tofu. This sweet-and-sour glazed version will make you a believer. Get the recipe.

21. Mushroom and Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie

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Delicious Everyday / Via deliciouseveryday.com

Introducing a vegan comfort food no one will be able to resist. Get the recipe.

22. Paella

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Vegan Heaven / Via veganheaven.org

Ditch the shellfish, chicken, and chorizo you'd usually find in this Spanish rice dish. Zucchini, artichoke hearts, tofu, and red bell pepper taste equally as delicious. Get the recipe.

23. Sabich with Spiced Chickpeas

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Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com

This Middle Eastern fried eggplant pita is loaded with Israeli salad, hummus, tahini, and spicy chickpeas. If you don't have the time to make the hummus and tahini from scratch, store-bought spreads will taste just as good. Get the recipe.

24. BBQ Chickpea Burgers

connoisseurus veg / Via connoisseurusveg.com

Take your summer barbecue beyond basic hamburgers and hot dogs. Get the recipe.

25. Crispy Potato Tacos

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She Likes Food / Via shelikesfood.com

Potatoes may not be your typical taco filler, but these crispy tots, seasoned with garlic powder, cumin, and paprika just might change your Taco Tuesday forever. Get the recipe.

26. Rich Lentil Bolognese

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The Endless Meal / Via theendlessmeal.com

This recipe calls for chickpea pasta, but you can use whatever boxed noodles you like best. Get the recipe.

27. Sriracha and Lime Roasted Cauliflower Tostadas

Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com

Crispy tortillas are topped with a schmear of refried beans, a heaping scoop of crispy cauliflower, and a dollop of mango avocado salsa to round it all off. Get the recipe.

28. Chickpea Parmesan

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Connoisseurus Veg / Via connoisseurusveg.com

No poultry here: These chickpea cutlets are what meatless dreams are made of.

Get the recipe.

29. Grilled Vegetable and Tofu Ramen

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Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com

This heaping bowl of noodle soup is packed with Chinese cabbage, celery carrots, fennel, broccoli, mushrooms, and tofu. Get the recipe.

30. Pulled BBQ Carrot Sandwiches

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Veganosity / Via veganosity.com

Make this barbecue sauce from scratch or save time and buy a version from the market. Once you marinate and cook your carrots and onions, they become a surprisingly convincing substitute for pulled pork. Get the recipe.

31. Cuban Rice and Bean Bowls

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The Wanderlust Kitchen / Via thewanderlustkitchen.com

If you're pressed for time, use canned beans and microwaveable rice. Then top the whole bowl with anything from sweet potato and avocado to fried plantains and pico de gallo. Get the recipe.

32. Black Pepper Tofu Stir-Fry

Little Spice Jar / Via littlespicejar.com

This pan-fried tofu is so damn crispy, you'll want to make it over and over again. Serve it over rice, noodles, or sautéed veggies. Get the recipe.

33. Vegan Pot Pie

I Love Vegan / Via ilovevegan.com

This recipe starts with a homemade hearty and creamy vegan stew and ends with doughy vegan biscuits. Get the recipe.

34. Mushroom Wellington

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Delicious Everyday / Via deliciouseveryday.com

Take a break from the beef and try out this sandwich made with vegan puff pastry dough and a portobello mushroom filling. Get the recipe.

35. Thai Naan Pizza

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Fit Mitten Kitchen / Via fitmittenkitchen.com

You may never crave your classic Margherita pizza again, thanks to this 20-minute flatbread recipe. Get the recipe.

36. Eggplant Parmesan

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Minimalist Baker / Via minimalistbaker.com

This crispy baked eggplant tastes amazing over a bowl of al dente spaghetti. Don't forget the vegan Parmesan. Get the recipe.

37. Vegetable Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

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Nutritional Foodie / Via nutritionalfoodie.com

This fluffy, eggless quiche is made with one very secret ingredient: tofu. Get the recipe.

38. Falafel Pitas

Minimalist Baker / Via minimalistbaker.com

You can make these falafel balls ahead of time and freeze them for up to one month for an easy weekday meal that you can throw together in no time. Get the recipe.

39. Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Mushrooms and Chickpeas

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Eat Spin Run Repeat / Via eat-spin-run-repeat.com

Bookmark this recipe for when you're craving noodles but want to keep your meal low-carb. Get the recipe.

40. Thai Curry Vegetable Soup

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Budget Bytes / Via budgetbytes.com

Coconut milk, fish sauce, red curry paste, garlic, and ginger make for one seriously addictive soup broth. Get the recipe.

41. Watermelon and Soy Poke

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Jeff Luker via Bon Appetit / Via bonappetit.com

If raw fish isn't your thing, this fruit-based version of the ever-so-popular poke bowl is just the thing to make on a warm summer night. Get the recipe.

42. Veggie Summer Rolls with Chipotle Peanut Sauce

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This Rawsome Vegan Life / Via thisrawsomeveganlife.com

TBH, I'd eat this tangy dipping sauce on just about anything, and you probably have most of the ingredients sitting in your pantry. All you need is soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, chipotle powder, sesame oil, and peanut butter. Get the recipe.

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