35 Best Meatless Monday Recipes (Easy + Delicious)

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Looking to reduce your meat consumption and overall carbon footprint? These Meatless Monday recipes are loaded with flavor and will make vegetarian and vegan eating feel like a breeze! From hearty soups to delicious pasta, you won’t miss meat one bit!

side by side image of black bean burger and vegetable stir fry noodles

You might have heard of a major global movement called Meatless Mondays.

It’s basically a commitment to reduce the amount of meat you eat by going veggie or vegan for one day a week!

So, if you feel like jumping on this trend, I’ve rounded up an incredible list of meat-free recipes that’ll make the transition effortless.

From flavorful international favorites like ramen and paella to plant-based high-protein recipes, you’ll never have a reason to dread Mondays again!

In no time, you’ll be looking forward to these quick and easy dishes every single day.

But before we dive in, a couple of points you might be wondering about.

Can I Eat Eggs or Cheese on Meatless Mondays?

Whether you include eggs or cheese on Meatless Monday is up to you. There are no strict rules here.

If you’re trying to move over to a vegan or plant-based diet, it’s best to leave them out. 

My personal take is that every step, big or small, is better than none. So, if not having eggs and cheese is a bit too hard to start with, feel free to cook delicious recipes that include both ingredients!

What Are the Benefits of Eating Less Meat?

1. It helps you live longer

It’s no secreat that eating too much meat increases your risk of heart disease and cancer. There’s plenty of research data that confirms that.

You don’t need to cut it out entirely if you don’t want to, but reducing your meat consumption to only a few times a week, can massively improve your health.

Plus, increasing your fiber intake helps your digestion, and it makes you feel full for longer, which in turn can help you lose those few extra pounds.

2. It helps the environment

Farming cattle requires a lot of land, which places more pressure on forests and green spaces.

By trying these Meatless Monday recipes, you can reduce your carbon footprint and improve the health of the planet!

Note: Watch this free eye-opening documentary on YouTube if you want to dive deeper into this subject.

3. It expands your taste buds as you try new ingredients

You may not have thought to try chickpeas, tofu, or edamame beans to get your protein in before. 

But with Meatless Monday, they’re all part of the fun! Plus, there are plenty of spices we’ll use to give depth of flavor to these dishes.

By trying new recipes, you’ll discover new ingredients that you may just love.

4. It saves money

It’s no secret that meat is far more expensive than vegetables and plant-based ingredients.

So, reducing your meat intake can really help you stretch your dollars further and reduce your grocery budget.

35 Meatless Monday Recipes

More Meatless Recipes You’ll Love

Meatless Monday Vegetable Noodles

If you're looking for a quick and healthy Meatless Monday Recipe, this 15-minute vegetable stir fry noodles recipe is for you. Use your favorite noodles and colorful vegetables to create a full well-rounded meal that is perfect for busy weeknights and is packed full of nutrients and flavor.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4
Calories: 332kcal
Author: Sara Trezzi

Ingredients

For the sauce:

  • cup water
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce - Note 1
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup - or raw brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger - (or sub for 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger powder)
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes - Note 2

For the noodles

  • 8-10 ounces uncooked noodles - you can use any type of noodles
  • 2 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 green onions - thinly sliced
  • 2 carrots - thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper - chopped
  • 2 cups mushrooms - sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli - chopped

For serving

Instructions

  • Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl or a jar.
  • Wash and chop the veggies into strips and similar size pieces.
  • In a large pan or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil over high heat. Add the minced garlic cloves and sliced green onions and cook for 30 seconds. Then add the chopped vegetables, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the veggies are softened. If needed, add a splash of water or vegetable broth to avoid burning.
  • While the veggies are cooking, soak the noodles in hot water, following the packet directions, then drain.
  • Add the cooked noodles and the sauce to the pan. Toss well for a couple of minutes. If you like your noodles darker or more seasoned, add extra soy sauce.
  • Sprinkle the noodles with sesame seeds and green onion and serve.

Notes

Note 1: If you like darker or more seasoned noodles, add extra soy sauce while they cook in the skillet.
Note 2: Adjust to your preferred spiciness level.
Note 3: Make sure you chop the vegetables all roughly the same size to ensure they cook evenly and quickly.
How to Store: Cooked noodles and stir fry can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. 
Reheat in a skillet or wok over medium heat with a bit of water and more stir fry sauce to moisten. Heat through to your desired temperature.
Add cooked and cooled individual portions to freezer-safe bags and remove as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 9g | Sugar: 8g

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