40 Protein-Packed Vegetarian Meals

Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups

One night friends on a tight schedule stopped by. I invited them to stay for dinner, so I needed something I could fix in short order. I created this high-protein vegetarian dinner, featuring a creamy three-cheese filling. It tastes like lasagna but bakes in a fraction of the time. —Julia Trachsel Victoria, British Columbia

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Tofu Chicken Nuggets

These tofu chicken nuggets can be made ahead to use throughout the week. To mimic the taste (and texture!) of chicken, we also use a plant-based product called seitan. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Picante sauce gives lots of zip to the tasty filling in these meatless black bean and cheese enchiladas. Each generous serving is packed with fresh-tasting ingredients—and fiber, too. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Learn how to make the best vegan enchiladas.

Grilled Vegetable Pesto Sandwiches

Grilling isn’t just the pastime of meat eaters! Ask my non-meat family members who love this high-protein vegetarian dinner slathered with prepared pesto and stacked with char-kissed summer produce. —Tanya Mehta, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saucy Tempeh Sloppy Joes

I grew up eating sloppy joe sandwiches and can’t get enough of the messy deliciousness. But, I wanted to transform the dish into a high-protein vegetarian dinner. I use tempeh here, which is a fermented soy product that is high in protein and has a savory, nutty, earthy flavor. Its taste and texture work well in dishes that usually feature ground beef, making these tempeh sloppy joes a dinner winner. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho. Next, learn how to make vegan sloppy joes.

Feta Asparagus Frittata

Asparagus and feta cheese come together to make this high-protein meal extra special. It’s perfect for a lazy Sunday or to serve with a tossed salad for a light lunch. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas. Don’t forget to check out our collection of high-protein lunch ideas.

Coconut-Granola Yogurt Parfaits

I prepare homemade granola ahead of time—it makes these yogurt treats special. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

Kidney Bean Casserole

I don’t recall its origin, but I’ve had this high-protein meal for many years. A Triscuit cracker crust makes it unique. —Karen Tjelmeland, Ely, Iowa

Pinto Bean Zucchini Boats

Zucchini shells take center stage in this high-protein vegetarian dinner when filled with vegetables, beans and sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cheesy Egg Quesadillas

Here’s my fun spin on breakfast for dinner—or breakfast! This high-protein meal is so easy to make and plain delicious any time of day. —Barbara Blommer, Woodland Park, Colorado

Black Bean Rice Burgers

A salsa and sour cream sauce help dress up this high-protein vegetarian dinner. “My fiance, who’s a confirmed meat-and-potatoes man, loves these sandwiches and asks for them often,” relates Laura Wimbrow of Ocean City, Maryland.

Seitan Chicken

It might look like a lot of steps, but this seitan chicken recipe is not hard to put together. If you are looking to save time, you can skip the dredging step and just fry the patties in oil. The results can be used in a variety of high-protein meals. —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

I created this high-protein meal after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food, and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It’s also a smart way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York

Sheet-Pan Yellow Bells & Eggs

This recipe is healthful and versatile—just add your favorite veggies, or even fruit. I love sweet potato and apple tossed into the mix. —Marina Castle-Kelley, Canyon Country, California

Make-Ahead Spinach Manicotti

When I invite people to dinner, many have started requesting this pasta bake ahead of time because it's that good. Plus, the manicotti is stuffed before it's cooked, making it even more convenient. —Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon

Greek Tofu Scramble

I created this high-protein meal over a decade ago when I was in college, and it was the first time I ever had tofu. I wanted to eat tofu and be earthy like all my cool vegetarian friends. Well, the vegetarian diet may not have stuck with me, but this recipe is still popular with my family! —Jennifer Garcia, Franklin, Massachusetts

One-Pot Enchilada Pasta

I love this cozy high-protein vegetarian dinner because it is ready in less than 30 minutes and is full of healthy ingredients—just what a busy weeknight meal calls for. —Nora Rušhev, Reitnau, Switzerland.

Three-Cheese Quiche

Try eggs and cheese at their best. Guests often comment on how tall, light and fluffy this crustless entree is. You'll love it! —Judy Reagan, Hannibal, Missouri

Polenta Chili Casserole

Our Test Kitchen created this delicious high-protein vegetarian dinner that combines spicy chili, mixed veggies and homemade polenta. It’s a warm and comfy casserole that is sure to please everyone, vegetarian or not.

Migas Breakfast Tacos

Unless you grew up in the Southwest or visit there often, you might be hearing of migas for the first time. Just think of them as the best scrambled eggs ever. The secret ingredient is corn tortillas. They really make my migas tacos special! —Stephen Exel, Des Moines, Iowa

The Best Eggplant Parmesan

Truly delicious! I love eggplant and have many high-protein meals, but this one’s my favorite. The cheeses and seasonings make the dish unforgettable. —Dottie Kilpatrick, Wilmington, North Carolina

Broccoli Cheese Crepes

This high-protein meal from Jane Shapton is perfect to prepare for a special brunch or light dinner for two. The Irvine, California cook tucks a cheesy broccoli mixture into tender homemade crepes with delicious results.

Tofu Chow Mein

This is an easy, high-protein vegetarian dinner for a “tofu beginner,” as it teaches people how to use it. If you have time, one way to prepare it is to cut the tofu block in half and wrap well in a terry kitchen towel. Let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour to absorb excess water. For a complete meal, serve with Chinese soup and egg rolls! — Autumn SinClaire, Gold Beach, Oregon

Spanakopita Casserole

This traditional Spanakopita Casserole features spinach and feta cheese. You can serve it as a side dish or meatless main dish. My dad and I used to fight over the last piece. —Sharon Olney, Galt, California

Grilled Eggplant Panini with Basil Aioli

I love being able to use the bounty of fresh vegetables and herbs from my garden for summer meals. This high-protein meal is loaded with veggies and has such a satisfying crunch. The melty provolone finishes things off perfectly. —Joseph A. Sciascia, San Mateo, California

Garbanzo Bean Burgers

These chickpea burgers are totally awesome. I think I’d rather have one than any cheeseburger at a restaurant. They really rock! —Berea Rider, East Point, Kentucky

Tomato-Garlic Lentil Bowls

An Ethiopian recipe inspired this high-protein vegetarian dinner that’s tangy, creamy and packed with hearty comfort. —Rachael Cushing, Portland, Oregon

Artichoke Blue Cheese Fettuccine

Store-bought Alfredo sauce speeds along this flavorful, high-protein vegetarian dinner. I use dry pasta, but you can use refrigerated fettuccine to make this recipe even faster. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Asparagus & Cheese Frittata

This rich and creamy frittata begins in the skillet and ends in the oven. We like this melty, cheesy dish with salad on the side. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

Homemade Manicotti

These tender manicotti are much easier to stuff than the purchased variety. People are always amazed when I say I make my own noodles. My son fixed this recipe for several of his friends, and they were extremely impressed with his cooking skills. —Sue Ann Bunt, Painted Post, New York

Mexican Egg Casserole

Tomatoes and green chiles give color and zip to this extra-cheesy high-protein meal. It’s a favorite for breakfast or brunch but it can be enjoyed for lunch or supper, too. —Mary Steiner, West Bend, Wisconsin

Veggie Calzones

Bread dough makes it a breeze to assemble these savory turnovers. If you have a favorite pizza dough, use it instead. These freeze well and once they are frozen, they can be heated in half an hour. —Lee Ann Lowe, Gray, Maine

Vegetable Strata

We always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This high-protein meal can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington

Marty's Bean Burger Chili

My husband and I met while working the dinner shift at a homeless shelter that served my chili. I’ve revised the chili using bean veggie burgers. —Marty Nickerson, Ellington, Connecticut

Artichoke and Potato Frittata

This potato frittata is a delicious brunch dish, but it’s hearty enough for a weeknight dinner, too. If you like Greek or Mediterranean cuisine, you’ll want to add this to your keeper files. —Sarah Newman, Harvest, Alabama

Italian Herb-Lentil Patties with Mozzarella

My family has requested this high-protein vegetarian dinner over and over again. It is simple to prepare and even meat lovers like it. —Geri Lucas, Oldsmar, Florida

Muffin-Tin Lasagnas

This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa

Cheesy Vegetable Egg Dish

I’m a cook at a Bible camp, and this is one of my most popular high-protein meals. Everyone who tries it raves about it. The one that touched me the most was when a 10-year-old boy asked me for the recipe so he could have his mom make it at home. —Elsie Campbell, Dulzura, California