Trying to work more meatless meals into your weekly menu? Starting a Meatless Monday tradition is a simple, low-pressure way to bring more vegetarian food into your family’s week — no lecture required, just good food.
Many of the best vegetarian recipes lean on simple store-cupboard ingredients, so adding a few more veggie meals to your weekly meal plan can be good for your health and your food budget at the same time.
You may also enjoy: 10 Super Tasty and Easy Store Cupboard Recipes
Best Vegetarian Recipes for Meatless Monday
#1. Crunchy Black Bean Tacos
This recipe for Crunchy Black Bean Tacos from The Kitchn uses black beans in place of minced beef. It also puts a twist on the usual taco by frying them, and they’re lovely served with avocado, salsa and sour cream.
#2. Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagne
Did you know you can make lasagne in your slow cooker? This Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagne from Hip2Save uses simple ingredients and is packed with fresh, hearty veggies.
You may also enjoy: 15 Amazing Slow Cooker Recipes Your Family Will Love
#3. Creamy Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese
This twist on traditional macaroni and cheese from Eat Yourself Skinny uses butternut squash to sneak in some extra veg. It also freezes well, so it’s handy for batch cooking.
#4. Cauliflower Tots
If you’re looking for a way to get the family eating more vegetables, give these kid-friendly Cauliflower Tots from Skinny Taste a try. They won’t even realise they’re eating cauliflower.
You may also enjoy: Cauliflower and Cheese Soup
#5. Spaghetti and Cannellini Bean “Meatballs”
Cooking Canuck has a lovely recipe for vegetarian “meatballs” made with cannellini beans as the base. They’re baked in the oven, then simmered in tomato sauce and served with spaghetti.
#6. Crispy Tofu Fingers
Kids often love helping to cook, especially when there’s dipping involved. These Crispy Tofu Fingers from Inspired Taste make a nice alternative to fish or chicken fingers, and they’re fun and extra crispy. You can make them gluten free too, if you need to.
#7. Pasta with Lentils (Pasta e Lenticchie)
Pasta e lenticchie, like pasta e ceci (chickpeas) and pasta e fagioli (beans), is a staple of Neapolitan cooking. Try this pasta e lenticchie recipe from Tasting Table — you’ll be surprised at how rich and creamy it turns out.
You may also enjoy: This Warming Chickpea Stew Is Packed Full of Flavour (And Cheap!)
#8. Mushroom Stroganoff
One Green Planet has a delicious recipe for Mushroom Stroganoff — a classic comfort food dish that also works gluten free.
#9. Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Try this Shepherd’s Pie from Yummy Mummy Kitchen, made with black lentils and plenty of seasonal veg. A nice touch is baking individual pies in ramekin dishes.
#10. Pizza Rollups
Pizza is one of the easiest meals to make vegetarian, and most kids love a classic Margherita (cheese and tomato) pizza.
For a change from your usual round pizza, why not try pizza rollups instead — they’re fun for kids to help roll and fill too.
#11. Posh Beans on Toast
This Posh Beans on Toast recipe is such an easy one to make, and it elevates beans on toast with the addition of thyme, chilli sauce and goat’s cheese (a mild variety works well, or leave it out for fussier tastes).
You may also enjoy: Real Baked Beans with Ciabatta
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is simply the idea of picking one day a week — traditionally a Monday — to eat vegetarian meals as a family. It’s a gentle way to add more plant-based meals to your week without an all-or-nothing approach.
How do I get kids to eat vegetarian meals without a fuss?
Start with recipes that feel familiar, like tacos, pizza or pasta, rather than unfamiliar vegetarian dishes. Letting kids help with hands-on steps — rolling, dipping, assembling — also makes them more likely to try what’s on the plate.
Can these recipes be made gluten free?
Several of the recipes above, including the tofu fingers and mushroom stroganoff, can be adapted to be gluten free. Check the linked recipe for specific ingredient swaps.
Do I need special ingredients for a vegetarian Monday?
Not really — many of the best vegetarian meals use everyday store-cupboard staples like beans, lentils, pasta and cheese, which makes them easy on both time and budget.
You Might Also Like
- Save More, Eat Better: Download Our Free Weekly Meal Plan
- 10 Super Tasty and Easy Store Cupboard Recipes
- 15 Amazing Slow Cooker Recipes Your Family Will Love
- This Warming Chickpea Stew Is Packed Full of Flavour (And Cheap!)
Save These Ideas for Later
Not cooking meatless tonight? No problem — bookmark this page or pin your favourite recipes above so you’ve got them ready for your next Meatless Monday.
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