15 Vegetarian Recipes for Diehard Meat Lovers

Lentil Bolognese in a ceramic bowl
Lentil Bolognese. Photo: Buckwheat Queen

Perhaps you're flirting with the idea of eating less meat, or maybe you're already vegetarian and trying to convince your meat-loving family to go veggie. Whatever the reason, here are healthy vegetarian dinner ideas that are filling, and tasty enough for the most hardened carnivores.

01 of 15

Chef John's Meatless Meatballs

Chef John's Meatless Meatballs in a white bowl
catherine.drew

"Color me impressed! I was skeptical that these could be as good as the real deal, but I stand corrected. If the mushrooms are chopped finely in the food processor, even the texture is darned close." — Baricat

02 of 15

Eggplant Parmesan II

Eggplant Parmesan II
Brittany Kieffer

"All my friends (even the ones that usually won't eat anything that doesn't contain meat) think that this is an excellent dish. I usually add some minced garlic and crushed red pepper to give the eggplant a kick." — KIPUF

03 of 15

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
CC<3s2Bake

"Fantastic recipe! Even my carnivore husband loves it." — Jonny's Girl

04 of 15

Tofu and Veggies in Peanut Sauce

Tofu and Veggies in Peanut Sauce
LynnInHK

"Delicious! I made this for my dad and brother, who were skeptical of the tofu, but my dad had seconds," Mel says.

05 of 15

Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers

black bean burger patty on a multigrain bun with toppings
Gord Linder

"This is a great veggie burger!! My husband has already requested them again. And he is a meat lover. Thanks for such a healthy, low-cost recipe that I will be making over and over!" — cookinme

06 of 15

Artichoke Spinach Lasagna

Artichoke Spinach Lasagna
DIZ♥

"Yum!! One of my favorites. Even my husband likes it. Just proves you don't need meat to have a fabulous dinner." — NAL

07 of 15

Vegetarian Korma

Vegetarian Korma
Daniel Snoozy

"Lots of chopping, but oh, so, worth it. I left out the jalapeno, and even my 12 year old ate it. She was thrilled to have a vegetarian dish that the rest of the carnivores in the family would be happy to eat regularly," Korie Roberts Bartnik says.

08 of 15

Lentil Bolognese

Lentil Bolognese in a ceramic bowl
Lentil Bolognese. Buckwheat Queen

Lentils and mushrooms stand in deliciously for ground beef in this hearty bolognese sauce. "So tasty, and as nice as a meat bolognese," says sorchaspud. "It can also be served with potatoes, too."

09 of 15

Black Bean Chili

Black Bean Chili
Cristi

"My husband, not a lover of meatless dinners, raved about this chili! I served it with pico de gallo and sour cream as a garnish. Yum! It's a great alternative to our typical beef chili." — LEE THRASH

10 of 15

Spinach Enchiladas

Spinach Enchiladas
Melissa Goff

"This is a great alternative to and healthier than meat based enchiladas. My husband usually likes meat in his meals, but doesn't miss the meat in this dish." — MessyMisty

11 of 15

Portobello Mushroom Stroganoff

mushroom stroganoff with sour cream on top
Violet

"This is delicious! It's a great vegetarian meal that even my meat-loving husband asks for." — VEGGIEHEAD1

12 of 15

Stuffed Peppers My Way

Stuffed Peppers My Way
TTV78

"Yum! I love these and make them about three times each month. My vegetarian husband loves these as well. What's great about this recipe is how much you can adapt the recipe." — Post-It Poet

13 of 15

Pizza On The Grill I

Pizza On The Grill I
Nanda

"Oh my goodness, is this ever a fabulous way to make homemade pizza! I'm a novice and this was the best I've ever made. I was scared to try it. What if the dough dropped through the grill? But it didn't. Held together beautifully." — LADYJAYPEE

14 of 15

Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

side view of a square of spanakopita on a white plate
recordaras

"This is an authentic, really rich pie stuffed with spinach, onions, cheeses, and herbs that are all enfolded by crispy, flaky phyllo dough." — SILVERWOLF

15 of 15

Portobello Penne Pasta Casserole

Portobello Penne Pasta Casserole
Brianna White

"Very yummy. I was a little leery of the soy sauce but it ended up being delicious! Not at all overpowering but just another interesting dimension to the dish." — Cardamum

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