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Home » Recipes

Published: May 25, 2025 by Maika · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Meatless Monday Meal Guide: Plant-Powered Recipes for Every Meal of the Day

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Modified: May 27, 2025 · Published: May 25, 2025 by Maika · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Here’s a draft of your Meatless Monday Round-Up Blog Post, organized by meal time and styled in your voice—teaching novice home cooks while keeping it flavorful, global, and engaging.

side view of the lemon tahini dressing being drizzled on the pitas using a red silicone spoon.

Table of Contents

Jump to:
  • Delicious Meat-Free Dishes
  • Breakfast & Brunch Ideas to Start the Day
  • Midday Meals & Lively Lunches
  • Comforting Dinners That Won’t Have You Missing Meat
  • Easy Frozen Treats
  • Share Your Thoughts
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Cooking Tips
  • Subscribe to the YouTube Channel
  • Have a Comment or Question?

Delicious Meat-Free Dishes

Are you easing into more plant-based meals or already living that veggie-forward life? Going meatless just one day a week can be an easy (and delicious) way to shake up your routine, explore new flavors, and save time in the kitchen—all while being good to your body and the planet.

From sunrise bites to late-night treats, here’s your all-day lineup of globally inspired, meat-free dishes straight from my kitchen.

Breakfast & Brunch Ideas to Start the Day

These recipes are quick enough for weekdays and flavorful enough for lazy weekend brunches.

Colorful chorizo beans and poached eggs skillet topped with avocado and fresh herbs.
  • French Omelet with Whipped Cottage Cheese: Light, creamy, and satisfying—perfect for an elevated, protein-packed morning.
  • Masala Eggs & Chickpeas Curry: Warm spices + runny eggs = your new favorite skillet breakfast.
  • Harissa Egg Toast: A bold North African-inspired twist on your average toast and eggs.
  • Piquant Chorizo Beans & Eggs Skillet: Hearty, smoky, and spicy—even without the meat.

Midday Meals & Lively Lunches

No boring desk lunches here. These midday meals are fast, fresh, and flavor-packed.

Side view of two Spicy Falafel Pita Sandwiches with Lemon Tahini Dressing on a round white plate on a wooden lazy susan with a kitchen towel in the background.
  • Falafel Pita Sandwich with Lemon Tahini Dressing: Crunchy, creamy, and satisfying—plus that lemon tahini hits just right.
  • Grilled Tofu & Israeli Couscous Salad: A Mediterranean power bowl with bold herbs and grilled goodness.
  • Caesar Salad with Egg, Tomatoes & Chili-Infused Croutons: A fresh Caesar remix with flavor bombs in every bite.
  • Potsticker Pinwheel: A crispy, golden spiral of flavor that’s surprisingly simple.

Comforting Dinners That Won’t Have You Missing Meat

Hearty, satisfying, and crave-worthy—these are perfect for winding down without weighing you down.

Pasta & Noodle Dishes

Calabrian Chickpea Pasta in a bowl.
  • One-Pan Calabrian Chickpea Pasta – Spicy, rich, one-pan Italian comfort.
  • Quick & Easy Veggie Ramyeon – Slurp-worthy noodles with a Korean twist.
  • Hoisin Mushrooms Noodle Bowl with Peanut Sauce – Sweet, salty, and nutty with a Southeast Asian flair.
  • Italian Plant-Based Sausage with Lentil Pasta – A hearty, protein-rich pasta bowl.

Soups & Stews

Hearty green lentil and kale stew in a vibrant patterned bowl.
  • Ras El Hanout White Bean & Kale Soup – Spiced North African-style comfort.
  • Green Lentil & Kale Stew – Cozy and protein-packed with a rustic vibe.
  • Macaroni Pecorino Cheese Tomato Stew – Creamy, cheesy, and tomato-rich.
  • Borscht – Earthy Eastern European beet soup, served hot or cold.

Tacos, Rice, & Global Skillet Dishes

vegetarian mushroom stuffed birria tacos on a plate with consume, lime wedges and pico de gallo.
  • Cheesy Chipotle Mushroom Tacos – Smoky, spicy handhelds.
  • Bang Tofu Fried Rice – Crispy tofu and umami-loaded rice.
  • Curried Chickpeas & Mushrooms – Indian-inspired, bold with minimal effort.
  • Herb Panko Tofu & Curried Potatoes – Crunchy, comforting, and full of texture.

Chili & Hearty Mains

top view of the Vegetarian Smoky Chipotle Chorizo and Bean Stew surrounding cooked rice in a wide rim bowl
  • Mushroom Lentil Bean Chili – Deeply savory and full of fiber-rich goodness.
  • Chipotle Chorizo and Bean Stew – Smoky, bold, and deeply satisfying.

Easy Frozen Treats

Sweet, refreshing, and completely meat-free (because yes, that matters too).

Delicious strawberry and whipped cream parfait layered with cake, perfect for summer desserts.
  • Peanut Chocolate Caramel No-Churn Ice Cream: A freezer-friendly scoop with candy bar vibes.
  • Mango Cookies & Cream Ice Cream: Tropical meets indulgent. No churn, all flavor.
  • Strawberry Banana Shortcake: A fruity classic reimagined—great for kids and grown-ups.
  • Rum Coconut Papaya Nice Creami: Boozy optional, flavor mandatory.
  • Frozen Watermelon Lemonade: The ultimate cool-down refresher.

Share Your Thoughts

Meatless Monday doesn’t have to mean boring salads or sacrificing flavor. These meals are here to inspire you to explore something new, waste less, and fall back in love with the simplicity of good ingredients. Pick your favorites, share them with your crew, and don’t forget to tag me @justmaikacooking if you try any!

Recommended Reads

  • 20 Irresistible Fish Recipes
  • Instant Pot Spicy Beef Barley Stew: Haitian Hearty Comfort
  • Quick Chickpea and Egg Skillet: Easy Mediterranean Meal
  • Curry Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower-Potato Mash

Frequently Asked Questions

Here, you will find a list of common questions that I have answered. If you have questions, please write them in the comment section below.

What is Meatless Monday, and why should I try it?

Meatless Monday is a global movement encouraging people to skip meat one day a week to improve their health and reduce their environmental impact. It’s an easy way to explore more plant-based meals without fully committing to a vegetarian lifestyle.

Are these recipes suitable for vegans too?

Many of the recipes in this roundup are vegan or can be easily adapted by swapping ingredients like cheese, eggs, or yogurt for plant-based alternatives. Check each recipe for modification tips!

Will these vegetarian meals keep me full?

Yes! These meals are packed with plant-based proteins like lentils, beans, tofu, chickpeas, and whole grains to keep you satisfied and energized throughout the day.

Can I meal prep these recipes ahead of time?

Absolutely. Many dishes like stews, pasta, chili, and fried rice hold up well in the fridge for several days, making them perfect for batch cooking or weekday lunches.

I’m new to vegetarian cooking. Where should I start?

Start with one dish that feels familiar—like the One-Pan Calabrian Chickpea Pasta or Bang Tofu Fried Rice. They’re flavorful, easy to follow, and don’t require any special tools or hard-to-find ingredients.

Vegetarian Recipes

  • kitchenaid food processor with blended red bell pepper aromatic paste aka ata gige.
    How to Make Ata Gige Paste – A Nigerian Aromatic Base for Cooking
  • pikliz in a ramekin.
    A Quick Look at Haitian Flavor with Pikliz-Style Citrus Slaw
  • Vibrant vegetable ingredients arranged for a healthy vegetarian borscht recipe on a black tray.
    Surprisingly High-Protein Meals Using Beans or Ground Turkey!
  • scooped mango coconut felato gelato in a glass cup garnished with lime slices and lime zest.
    Mango Coconut Felato | Ninja Creami Gelato-Style Treat
See more Vegetarian →

Cooking Tips

  • panko breaded chicken cutlets on a yellow cutting board mat.
    How to Bread Chicken the Easy Way (Step-by-Step Guide)
  • batch prep aromatics in whole vegetable form.
    Batch‑Prep Aromatics & Staples on Sunday Roundup
  • mirepoix of onion, carrots, and celery sweating in a Lodge 6 quart enameled Dutch oven
    Mirepoix: The Classic French Flavor Base Every Home Cook Should Batch-Prep
  • Fresh ingredients for chicken corn chowder dumplings: corn, peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs.
    10 Grocery Shortcuts for Quicker Prep
See more cooks-notebook →

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Chef Maika Frederic

Chef and Educator

Haitian-American chef and educator Maika Frederic blends bold flavors with approachable recipes. With a background in both professional kitchens, classrooms, and children therapy—as a trained chef, former teacher and technician—she brings a thoughtful, inclusive touch to every dish. Through her platform, Just Maika Cooking, she shares diverse meals and practical tips to empower home cooks of all ages and levels.

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Have a Comment or Question?

If you have a question or comment about this post, please post it below. You will definitely get a quick response. It also helps our other readers to stay informed. Thanks!

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    Irresistible Frozen Treat Recipes for Any Time of Year
  • Starting at the top going clockwise, the shredded vegetables in the scotch bonnet pepper citrus vinaigrette in a resealable zipper bag, next to a stainless steel bowl with arugula, next to the finished vinaigrette with chopped herbs in a circle glass container with a mini whisk, next to the pulled out roasting pan and air fryer basket of the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Electric Grill with Air Fryer insert with the cooked seasoned whole chicken wings.
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    Meal Plan of the Week: Brunch All Day Recipes to Kick Off Summer

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I’m Maika, a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, and culinary educator. For over a decade, I worked at major hotels such as the PGA National Resort, The Ritz-Carlon Hotel Company, Conrad Hilton, and W Hotel. As a lifetime passionate cook, my blog explores a world of flavors and experiments with recipes to create restaurant-quality dinners that will excite the food enthusiast's taste buds. Learn More →

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