25 Vegetarian High Protein Dinner Ideas (2024)

Are you looking for ways to incorporate vegetarian high protein dinner meals into your daily post-work rituals with no hassle? This list of recipes gathers up the best options.

If you don’t eat meat or are trying to cut back on it, it’s important to find good sources of protein to curb your hunger and maintain a healthy weight.

We’ve collected easy high protein dinner ideas with a mix of different protein sources to get more protein in (we’ve done the same the vegan protein sources for these vegan high protein dinner recipes). You can really fuel up and get the necessary nutrition by eating super tasty meals.

Vegetarian high protein dinner

What actually is protein? It’s one of the building blocks of every cell of the human body and an important nutrient needed for a healthy and balanced diet.

When it comes to including protein in your vegetarian diet, there are two available sources: animal-based foods (eggs and dairy) and protein-rich plant foods (certain fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds). You’ll find different variations in this recipe compilation.

All these high protein vegetarian dinner recipes provide more than 20 g protein per serving. We’ve also made sure to consider the fat content (less than 25 g overall fat) to include only the healthiest meals.

If you want to start the day with a high-protein breakfast, check out these amazing protein packed vegetarian breakfasts to boost your intake!

Easy high protein dinner ideas worth trying

You should definitely try these vegetarian high protein dinner meals if you want to:

• Lose weight the healthy way. Protein can reduce your appetite and therefore help you eat fewer calories.
• Gain muscle mass and strength. If you’re physically active and need to stay strong while losing weight, a high protein vegetarian diet plan can be very beneficial (it’s also good to keep protein up when you are aiming for healthy weight maintenance).
• Boost metabolism. High protein food can help you burn more calories by improving metabolism. Also check out this article on metabolism booster foods for vegetarians to add to your menu.
• Lower your blood pressure. A review on dietary protein in relation to blood pressure shows that a high-protein diet may help to reduce high blood pressure and risks of cardiovascular disease.
• Improve bone health. Eating protein is a good way to prevent bone loss and fractures among aging adults.

So enriching your diet with vegetarian high protein meals is beneficial in myriad ways. Have fun exploring them!

Don’t forget about our free 7-day vegetarian high protein meal plan where you can find more recipe inspiration and personalise the plan for your exact needs.

Bonus: comforting, high-fiber
458 calories per serving
23 g protein per serving

Fill up and power up on our hot vegetarian kale and white bean soup (then try some of our other vegetarian soups for weight loss!). It’s an absolute pearl for your healthy slim down diet.

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ThePickyEater
Bonus: nutrient-packed, healthy carbs
318 calories per serving
23 g protein per serving

This lentil pasta recipe is the ultimate easy vegetarian meal that is filled with protein and ready within minutes (check out these other easy vegetarian meals for more like this!)! Red marinara sauce is mixed with tender nutritious vegetables for a wholesome balanced meal that is bold in flavor.

Bonus: super healthy, nutritious
546 calories per serving
29 g protein per serving

In this healthy burrito bowl we’ve got quinoa, avocado, pineapple, tofu and Adobo sauce for a sizzling taste bud fiesta!

Ready in: 2 hours 30 minutes (just 30 minutes prep)
Recipe by: GreedyGourmet
Bonus: available ingredients, minimal prep time
546 calories per serving
24.3 g protein per serving

This Burnt Aubergine Chilli is vegan, healthy and easy to prepare – a perfect treat to warm your taste buds. Serve with rice and avo.

Bonus: high in vitamins and nutrients
505 calories per serving
23 g protein per serving

Melted Feta and Veggie Bake. Easy and quick. 10 minutes prep time, then for 30 minutes in the oven. High in vitamins A, C and B6, protein and fiber.

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TheFamilyFoodKitchen
Bonus: gluten-free, dairy-free, make-ahead dish
327 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving

Easy Red Lentil Dahl is a perfect plant based dish – tasty, healthy and ready in under 20 minutes (also makes a good speedy lunch idea). Red lentils are cooked with spices in this traditional Indian favorite, which is packed full of protein.

Bonus: super easy, delicious
569 calories per serving
26 g protein per serving

Greek Pitas Recipe. Ready in 10 minutes. High in vitamin A, C and iron. Bursting out with delicious ingredients, perfect as a snack or healthy meal.

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: quick, protein-packed
647 calories per serving
35 g protein per serving

Time to get those guns on show! This protein-packed baked potato is an absolute protein star – and awesomely tasty to boot! Love it.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: ThisThatMore
Bonus: healthy, provides the many benefits of soya chunks
368 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving

Soya Chunks & Peas Curry is an easy, protein-rich, and healthy recipe. It is made by adding soya chunks (nuggets) with peas in an onion-tomato masala.

Bonus: packed with vitamins and nutrients, very easy
529 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving

Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers baked in a delicious tomato sauce – foolproof instructions and packed with vitamins and nutrients – bring the health back!

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: NourishPlate
Bonus: healthy, cheap, gluten-free
107 calories per serving
26 g protein per serving

Simple and delicious lentil dhal made with just a few pantry ingredients. It is healthy and packed with plant-based protein.

Bonus: versatile, nutritious
474 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving

Full of protein, fiber and loads of other nutrients this halloumi salad will keep you feeling full for hours – and you’ll secretly be looking forward to more!

Bonus: packed with protein, fibre and unsaturated fats
512 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving

A dump and bake dish that will please everyone, this bean and pasta vegetarian casserole makes a perfect healthy dinner.

Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieInspired
Bonus: comforting, packed with plant based protein
406 calories per serving
26 g protein per serving

Packed with plant based protein, lots of veggies, and smoky flavor, this Vegan Jambalaya is hearty and comforting!

Bonus: delicious, filling
534 calories per serving
28 g protein per serving

Red Lentil Soup. Delicious – six ingredients, 30g of protein per bowl. Tasty and high in fiber too.

Bonus: simple, nutritious
483 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving

This simple chickpea salad is the first step to eating better by building powerful eating habits with simple yet delicious ingredients!

Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: AMummyToo
Bonus: packed with veg, nutritious
267 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving

This is honestly the best vegetarian mince chilli! It’s rich, packed with veg and delicious. What’s more, it’s sure to satisfy even the meat-eaters in your family, thanks to the use of Quorn or soya mince.

Bonus: super healthy and interesting
569 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving

Vegan Bolognese. It was about time we veganized the Italian classic (we do love a good vegan Italian recipe). And we’re proud to say we were successful. Please welcome, the amazing Anti Bolognese!

Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes (just 5 minutes prep)
Recipe by: DailyDish
Bonus: filling, family-friendly
438 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving

This baked sesame and ginger tofu recipe is so tasty and simple to make. Crispy baked tofu is coated in a nutty, zesty sauce. Serve over rice or quinoa and sprinkle with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: DinnerAtTheZoo
Bonus: simple, nutritious
407 calories per serving
30 g protein per serving

This black bean soup is a zesty blend of beans and vegetables, simmered together to make a thick and hearty meal. Add your favorite toppings and you’ll have an easy and healthy dinner option that’s sure to get rave reviews!

Bonus: easy, full of vitamins
399 calories per serving
25 g protein per serving

Spinach Tomato Quesadillas. Easy to make and ready in 15 minutes max. It’s packed full of vitamins K and A, B2 and B6, C, calcium and potassium. Incredible.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: G-FreeFoodie
Bonus: delicious, gluten-free
542 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving

These Vegan Picadillo Tostadas with Rice and Peas from my friend Kate Ramos are truly delicious! Plus, I’m sharing Kate’s “Magic Spice Mix” that makes virtually all Mexican food better – and it isn’t bad on popcorn either!

Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: TheRealMealDeal
Bonus: deliciously sweet and spicy
667 calories per serving
28 g protein per serving

A Sweet Potato Vegetarian Chilli is a perfect combination of sweetness and spice and an easy and simple vegan chilli (and if that sounds good, you’re sure to enjoy these baked sweet potato recipes!).

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: HappyKitchen.Rocks
Bonus: healthy, quick, flavourful
680 calories per serving
25 g protein per serving

Vegan Pumpkin Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms is a delicious and healthy dinner ready in 30-minutes (and if you’re loving the pumpkin vibe, you need to try these pumpkin soup recipes!). Everyone will enjoy this flavorful pumpkin pasta sauce tossed with savory vegetables and whole grain noodles.

Bonus: healthy, meat and dairy-free
582 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving

Love a good bolognese but trying to eat less meat? Try our healthy, plant-based lentil bolognese – you’ll never look back!

You can try it right away:

Hope you find many vegetarian high protein dinner recipes perfect for your taste and goals. Share your thoughts in the comments!