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  6. 18 High-Protein Dinners for Your Flexitarian Diet

18 High-Protein Dinners for Your Flexitarian Diet

Jessica Ball
Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD February 08, 2021
Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD
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Hearty Minestrone soup

These dinners are meat-free and perfect for flexitarians, anyone eating a vegetarian diet or if you're just trying to eat less meat. Each of these meals boasts at least 15 grams of protein per serving, plus fiber-rich vegetables and whole grains, to help you feel satisfied. Whether it's a veggie-forward spin on a classic, like our Mushroom Melts, or something new like Tofu Poke, try one of these high-protein dinners for a flexitarian diet.

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Mushroom Melts

Mushroom Melts
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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This mushroom melt has both Gruyère and Swiss cheeses that work together with earthy mushrooms to create a delicious ooey-gooey vegetarian grilled cheese. Balsamic vinegar helps lighten the sandwich, and the thin slices of rye bread help keep the sodium in check.

 

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One-Pot Lentils & Rice with Spinach

<p>This hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.</p> <p> </p>
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This hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.

 

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Eggplant Lasagna Rolls

Eggplant Lasagna Rolls
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Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will devour these comforting lasagna rolls. We use thinly sliced eggplant in place of pasta to cut the carbs. Preroasting the eggplant helps develop the flavor and softens the slices for easy rolling.

 

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Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta

<p>If you've ever wanted to make a meal out of warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. And here's what's almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.</p> <p> </p>
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If you've ever wanted to make a meal out of warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. And here's what's almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

 

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Black Bean-Quinoa Buddha Bowl

Black-Bean Quinoa Buddha Bowl
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Treat your Buddha bowl to a vacation south of the border! This black bean and quinoa Buddha bowl has the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the greasy fried bowl. We've loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.

 

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Hearty Minestrone

<p>This version of the Italian classic soup Minestrone is packed with leeks, potatoes, beans, zucchini, spinach and orzo, making it perfect for a hearty lunch or supper on a cold winter's night. To make a vegetarian version use vegetable rather than chicken broth. Top each bowl with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for a zesty burst of flavor.</p> <p> </p>
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This version of the Italian classic soup Minestrone is packed with leeks, potatoes, beans, zucchini, spinach and orzo, making it perfect for a hearty lunch or supper on a cold winter's night. To make a vegetarian version use vegetable rather than chicken broth. Top each bowl with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for a zesty burst of flavor.

 

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Tofu Poke

<p>This fast vegan version of poke (the traditional Hawaiian salad of diced raw fish tossed in a soy-sesame sauce) swaps in extra-firm tofu for fish while loading your bowl with vegetables and crunchy toppers like pea shoots and peanuts. Serve over brown rice instead of the zucchini noodles to add a hearty boost of fiber.</p> <p> </p>
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This fast vegan version of poke (the traditional Hawaiian salad of diced raw fish tossed in a soy-sesame sauce) swaps in extra-firm tofu for fish while loading your bowl with vegetables and crunchy toppers like pea shoots and peanuts. Serve over brown rice instead of the zucchini noodles to add a hearty boost of fiber.

 

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Green Salad with Edamame & Beets

<p>This big salad is a feast for the eyes and an everyday way to incorporate nutrient-rich beets and plant-based protein from edamame (green soybeans). If you're not a fan of cilantro, mix in freshly chopped basil or dill instead.</p> <p> </p>
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This big salad is a feast for the eyes and an everyday way to incorporate nutrient-rich beets and plant-based protein from edamame (green soybeans). If you're not a fan of cilantro, mix in freshly chopped basil or dill instead.

 

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Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms

<p>Sliced Brussels sprouts and mushrooms cook quickly and cling to the pasta in our fall version of pasta primavera. Look for presliced mushrooms to cut prep time. Serve with a tossed salad.</p> <p> </p>
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Sliced Brussels sprouts and mushrooms cook quickly and cling to the pasta in our fall version of pasta primavera. Look for presliced mushrooms to cut prep time. Serve with a tossed salad.

 

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Spinach & Mushroom Quiche

Spinach & Mushroom Quiche
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This healthy vegetarian quiche recipe is as simple as it gets. It's a quiche without the fussy crust! It's filled with sweet wild mushrooms and savory Gruyère cheese. Enjoy it for breakfast or brunch, or serve it with a light salad for lunch.

 

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Vegan Meatballs

<p>For these hearty and healthy vegan meatballs, we've swapped out the traditional ground beef and pork for protein-packed chickpeas and quinoa--without skimping on any of those Italian flavors that you look for in a classic meatball. Mushrooms up the umami factor, and a simple tomato sauce completes the picture. Serve over your favorite pasta.</p> <p> </p>
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For these hearty and healthy vegan meatballs, we've swapped out the traditional ground beef and pork for protein-packed chickpeas and quinoa--without skimping on any of those Italian flavors that you look for in a classic meatball. Mushrooms up the umami factor, and a simple tomato sauce completes the picture. Serve over your favorite pasta.

 

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Chickpea & Quinoa Buddha Bowl

<p>It seems Buddha bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!</p> <p> </p>
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It seems Buddha bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

 

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Tofu Parmigiana

<p>Instead of having a greasy, battered coating, the tofu "steaks" in our revamped Parmigiana are breaded and lightly pan-fried in just a small amount of oil then topped with part-skim mozzarella, fresh basil and your favorite marinara sauce. This Italian classic will please even those who are tofu-phobic.</p> <p> </p>
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Instead of having a greasy, battered coating, the tofu "steaks" in our revamped Parmigiana are breaded and lightly pan-fried in just a small amount of oil then topped with part-skim mozzarella, fresh basil and your favorite marinara sauce. This Italian classic will please even those who are tofu-phobic.

 

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Tofu & Vegetable Scramble

<p>Feel free to customize this speedy tofu and vegetable scramble with your favorite combination of vegetables and spice. Try to use veggies that will all cook at the same rate, like peppers, green beans and sugar snap peas.</p> <p> </p>
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Feel free to customize this speedy tofu and vegetable scramble with your favorite combination of vegetables and spice. Try to use veggies that will all cook at the same rate, like peppers, green beans and sugar snap peas.

 

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Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

falafel salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
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Deep-fried falafel can be a total grease bomb. But these pan-seared falafel still get crispy in just a few tablespoons of oil with equally satisfying results. Be sure to use dried, instead of canned, chickpeas in this healthy recipe--canned chickpeas add too much moisture.

 

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Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale

<p>You can make these three-ingredient tomato-simmered eggs with things you probably already have on hand in your freezer and pantry. To make these baked eggs more like eggs in purgatory, look for a spicy tomato sauce and don't forget some whole-wheat bread for dipping.</p> <p> </p>
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You can make these three-ingredient tomato-simmered eggs with things you probably already have on hand in your freezer and pantry. To make these baked eggs more like eggs in purgatory, look for a spicy tomato sauce and don't forget some whole-wheat bread for dipping.

 

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Delicata Squash & Tofu Curry

<p>This easy tofu curry, made with pretty delicata squash and hearty greens, cooks up in one skillet. To speed up the prep, use bagged chopped kale. Delicata squash's thin skin is tender when it's cooked, so there's no need to peel--another time saver. Serve with quinoa or brown rice.</p> <p> </p>
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This easy tofu curry, made with pretty delicata squash and hearty greens, cooks up in one skillet. To speed up the prep, use bagged chopped kale. Delicata squash's thin skin is tender when it's cooked, so there's no need to peel--another time saver. Serve with quinoa or brown rice.

 

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Turmeric Rice Bowl with Garam Masala Root Vegetables & Chickpeas

Turmeric Rice Bowl with Garam Masala Root Vegetables & Chickpeas
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This fragrant turmeric rice bowl topped with leftover spiced roasted root vegetables and chickpeas is inspired by flavors from India for an easy, vegetarian dinner.

 

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By Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

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    1 of 18 Mushroom Melts
    2 of 18 One-Pot Lentils & Rice with Spinach
    3 of 18 Eggplant Lasagna Rolls
    4 of 18 Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta
    5 of 18 Black Bean-Quinoa Buddha Bowl
    6 of 18 Hearty Minestrone
    7 of 18 Tofu Poke
    8 of 18 Green Salad with Edamame & Beets
    9 of 18 Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms
    10 of 18 Spinach & Mushroom Quiche
    11 of 18 Vegan Meatballs
    12 of 18 Chickpea & Quinoa Buddha Bowl
    13 of 18 Tofu Parmigiana
    14 of 18 Tofu & Vegetable Scramble
    15 of 18 Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
    16 of 18 Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale
    17 of 18 Delicata Squash & Tofu Curry
    18 of 18 Turmeric Rice Bowl with Garam Masala Root Vegetables & Chickpeas

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    18 High-Protein Dinners for Your Flexitarian Diet
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