A full week of quick and easy vegetarian dinner recipes. A full vegetarian meal plan for both beginner and advanced cooks. You won’t even miss the meat! Instead, you can eat loaded fettuccini alfredo and homemade tomato basil soup!
I’ve written a lot of meal plans over the years… there’s the Whole30 meal plan, the $50 ALDI meal plan, the original $50 one week meal plan, the second $50 one week meal plan… not to mention the THREE YEARS worth of MONTHLY meal plans too.
As you can imagine, I get a lot of special requests for meal plans too… gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, low-carb, low-sugar…
I can’t please everyone, but I would like to fulfill some of your requests, starting with a whole week’s worth of vegetarian dinner ideas!
No matter your reason for wanting healthy vegetarian dinners, we’ve got you covered. There’s lots of flavor, no meat and it’s super friendly on the budget too!
One Week Vegetarian Dinner Meal Plan
What’s Included:
- 100% real food vegetarian recipes that are simple, straightforward, and family-friendly.
- Easy recipes that can typically be made in under an hour.
- A few store-bought items for foods I usually make from scratch (bread and vegetable broth). Feel free to make these items from scratch if you prefer.
What’s Not Included:
- This plan is not tied to a specific grocery store or price point, but I’ve ensured it’s frugal and budget-friendly. To save the most money, shop from your own kitchen first, substitute whenever possible, and shop your local sales for the best deal.
- Spices, oils, and vinegar. This plan doesn’t use large amounts of these things, and you likely already have these cooking staples.
- Honey or brown sugar. These are both used in a baking recipe this week but the amount called for is small and common substitutes are available for both.
- Precautions for food allergies. My family is blessed to not have food allergies (that we know of!) and since my blog is a real food blog, not necessarily an allergy recipe blog, I don’t account for food allergies in my meal plans.
No Breakfasts or Lunches?
This meal plan also doesn’t include breakfast or lunch recipes because, in my experience, the majority of families have personal preferences on what they want for breakfast or lunch.
No worries though – I have NO DOUBT the ingredients you buy for this meal plan will provide extras that you can use to cover breakfasts and/or lunches. Use the “Bonus Meal Ideas’ section at the bottom to create your own breakfast and lunch menu. Those are just some ideas to get you started, but they’re there to help you use the ingredients you’re already buying!
One Week Vegetarian Dinner Meal Plan: What to Buy
The goal with any plan is to buy as little food as possible, use everything you buy, and do both without sacrificing taste or quality.
Here’s what you’re buying for this vegetarian dinner meal plan:
Cold Case
Butter
Mmmm… butter. You’ll be using this for Alfredo and delicious Masa Corn Bread.
Cheddar Cheese
We’re using cheddar cheese primarily for Tomato and Spinach Grilled Cheese, but I recommend buying an 8-ounce block and using it on the Loaded Baked Potatoes.
Eggs
You are only going to need 3 eggs for this plan so you will have several leftovers so, use one of the “Bonus Meal Plan Ideas” to use them up.
Typically half-dozen eggs aren’t any cheaper than the full dozen, but be on the lookout for store markdowns!
Greek Yogurt
You only need 10oz of yogurt for this meal plan but most small cups are portioned into 6oz containers. You can either buy a larger container of Greek yogurt and put the leftovers to good use with one of the “Bonus Meal Plan Ideas,” or buy two smaller containers and enjoy those last couple ounces for a breakfast or snack. Be sure to check prices so you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream is the star in Alfredo!
Parmesan cheese
Along with heavy cream, fresh parmesan makes Alfredo as delicious as it is. If you have any leftovers, use them on top of your Tomato Basil Soup.
Whole Milk
Milk is needed for Masa Corn Bread, and since you’ll have extra, we’re adding a splash or two to the Tomato Basil Soup to make it light and creamy.
Pantry
Black Beans
This meal plan uses black beans for a Warm Black Bean Salad and a delicious Black Bean Burger. Making beans from scratch saves the most money, so unless you can find canned black beans for 35¢ each, I recommend buying them dry and cooking them yourself. (Here’s my method for the slow cooker, and the Instant Pot.)
Bread
I typically make my own bread, but included it in case the idea of yeast scares you. If you’re new to baking bread, I recommend the No-knead Artisan Bread for both the sandwiches and buns in this meal plan. That recipe is perfect for beginners, and it is fail-proof! (Note: To make buns, simply shape the dough into 4 small round loaves!)
Dried Cranberries
Cranberries are my absolute favorite in the Waldorf Salad, but they’re not super cheap. If you can’t afford cranberries, or can’t find them, using raisins would work.
Masa Harina Flour
Typically used to make corn tortillas, we’re instead using masa harina flour in Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup and Masa Corn Bread. The masa adds the flavor of tortilla chips to the soup without the added cost or preservatives that come with processed chips. On top of the awesome flavor in the soup this flour also makes a killer cornbread!
More Pantry Items
Vegetable Broth
I also usually make my own vegetable broth as well, but I’ve included it in the “pantry” list in case you don’t have vegetable scraps in the freezer. You’re going to use it in Tomato Basil Soup and Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup.
Fettuccini
Fettuccini Alfredo isn’t quite the same without fettuccine, but feel free to substitute it if you have another pasta already at home!
Sunflower Seeds
I love sunflower seeds for the crunch it adds to salads, but if money is tight, you can omit these. Another great option though, is chopped nuts – any nuts will do!
Tomato Paste
As with most recipes calling for tomato paste, there will be some leftovers here. Here’s how you can freeze tomato paste for later and not waste the rest of that can!
Tomatoes
Simple and straightforward, we’re using this in Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup.
Tomatoes, Canned Whole
These tomatoes are for the Tomato Basil Soup. I prefer Cento Tomatoes, but any brand that doesn’t have additives will work.
Whole Wheat Flour
We’re using whole wheat flour for Black Bean Burgers and Masa Corn Bread. If you don’t have whole wheat at home, I recommend substituting it for all-purpose to keep costs down.
Produce
Garlic Cloves
There’s lots of delicious garlic this week!
Cilantro
We’re using cilantro in the Warm Black Bean Salad and Black Bean Burgers. Any leftover cilantro would be great as a topping for the Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup!
Granny Smith Apple
This meal plan will split this apple between the Waldorf Salad and Spinach and Kale Side Salad for the week.
Green Cabbage
Cabbage brings crunch and cheap nutrition as slaw for the Black Bean Burgers and Warm Black Bean Salad.
Jalapeño
Add some heat to the Warm Black Bean Salad with jalapeno. Go small and smooth if you like it mild, or choose a bigger pepper with more wrinkles if you like it hot!
Kale
A bunch of kale is so much cheaper than a pre-chopped bag of kale, and you’re using it in two hearty salads this week.
More Produce
Lime
You can either buy fresh lime or use lime juice if that’s what you already have at home.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are used in the Loaded Baked Potatoes, but you can use whatever variety of mushrooms are on sale.
Onions
Since onions are so versatile and called for in just about everything, buying a 2lb to 3lb bag would be a great money saver in the long run as bagged produce can run cheaper than per pound in some cases.
Red Bell Pepper
The Warm Black Bean Salad calls for red bell peppers, plus you’ll roast some off to top your Black Bean Burgers!
Russet Potatoes
One of my favorite vegetables to cook because they are so cheap! We will be using potatoes in both Potato Wedges and Loaded Baked Potatoes this week.
Spinach
Be sure to compare prices between pre-washed spinach and a bunch of spinach in the produce section. Depending on the time of year, bunches can be really affordable!
Sweet Potatoes
These are the star of the Sweet Potato Taco Soup. While adding sweet potatoes to taco soup may sound odd to some, it is definitely worth the risk because it is so darn tasty!
Tomato
Even though these aren’t in season yet, I love using them in the Grilled Cheese with some spinach to create a yummy twist on a classic.
Frozen
Corn, Frozen
For this meal plan you will need two pounds of frozen corn kernels.
Peas, Frozen, 8oz
Frozen peas are adding a little flare to your Alfredo this week.
Also, remember that you will have a few extras left over of certain things you buy, so use the “Bonus Meal Ideas” to use them up so they don’t go bad!
One Week Vegetarian Meal Plan: Dinners
- Monday: Warm Black Bean Salad // Cole Slaw
- Tuesday: Alfredo with Spinach and Peas // Garlic and Herb Roasted Carrots // Kale and Spinach Side Salad
- Wednesday: Black bean Burger // Cole Slaw // Potato Wedges
- Thursday: Tomato and Spinach Grilled Cheese // Tomato Basil Soup
- Friday: Cheesy Vegetarian Loaded Baked Potatoes // Kale and Spinach Salad
- Saturday: Waldorf Salad
- Sunday: Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup // Masa Corn Bread
FAQs for Vegetarian Dinner
What can I replace meat with for dinner?
Some great substitutions for meat are nuts, seeds, u003ca href=u0022https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/how-to-cook-quinoa-instant-pot/u0022u003equinoau003c/au003e, or grains.
What are popular vegetarian foods?
Some of the best vegetarian dinners are u003ca href=u0022https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/yummy-recipe-vegetable-fried-rice/u0022u003evegetable fried riceu003c/au003e, u003ca href=u0022https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/red-lentil-vegetable-soup/u0022u003ered lentil soupu003c/au003e, u003ca href=u0022https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/easy-black-bean-corn-salsa-tacos/u0022u003eblack bean, and corn salsa tacosu003c/au003e, and u003ca href=u0022https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/instant-pot-vegetarian-chili/u0022u003eeasy Instant Pot vegetarian chiliu003c/au003e.
Bonus Meal Ideas for Vegetarian Dinner
As you can see from the items above, you’ll have a few leftover ingredients from your shopping trip. Here are some delicious vegetarian meal ideas to use it all up, so nothing goes to waste!
- Pancakes (using leftover eggs, milk, and whole wheat flour)
- Corn tortillas (using masa harina)
- Hash browns and scrambled eggs (if you have leftover potatoes)
- French Toast (using leftover bread, milk and eggs)
- Make a batch of Homemade Pumpkin Pie Creamer (using creamer and milk while needing pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice)
- Save all of your vegetable ends and make your own vegetable broth (uses normally discarded vegetable peels and ends)
More Meal Plans
- 2 Month Camping Meal Plan
- How to Meal Plan and Make it Work
- Easy Airbnb Meal Plan
- How to Meal Plan Once A Month
- One Week Meal Plan: Slow Cooker Recipes
Nancy
Hello! My husband likes your meals. I just bought some Bob’s Red Mill Cornmeal. Can I substitute if for Masa Harina? Thanks for your site. I love it. I’m making my first monthly meal plan and feeding in many of your recipes.
Tiffany
Hi Nancy! Masa harina has a hint of lime, so I’d do cornmeal + 1/2 tsp fine lime zest + 1 tsp lime juice. 🙂 So glad you’re enjoying the recipes!
Patricia
Hi Toffany, I was browsing around to find new veggie meal ideas and I found your website. I read this article and, of course, entered my email to get the deal. I’ve been impressed by your attention to recipe details and images.
I’ve read your story and I can say it inspired me a lot. Last but not least you have 2 wonderful children (I’m mom too).
You gained a new reader 🙂
Tiffany
Welcome to Crumbs Patricia! ♥
Ashley
Where are the recipes?
Tiffany
I just updated the post Ashley!
Ashley
Yay! Thank you so much! I know these meal plans are a lot of work to put crest and put together. And it’s awesome that you provide them free! On behalf of my family we truly appreciate your site!
Rev. Harold Altman, Ph.D.
Thanks Tiffany, I will show these veggie meal plans to my wife. My wife is a vegetarian, not especially by choice, but mostly because she has a health issue which requires her to leave off the meat… To be honest she has hemochromatosis which means she has to really watch her IRON intake. It would really be a blessing if she could find some recipes which provide little to no IRON. Thank you again and God bless you for your work of helping and kindness…
Tiffany
You’re very welcome!!
Alana
This looks wonderful! Is there a way to get the recipes?
Tiffany
Yes! I’m working on that right now!
Roxy
Hi Tiffany. Thank you for your wonderful blog. This year we decided that we would begin to incorporate (3) meatless meals per week in my weekly meal planning and I am always looking for new recipes. I am wondering if there is a link to your one week vegetarian meal plan recipes?
Tiffany
I just updated the post Roxy!
Rachel
Thank you! Is it just me, or are the hyperlinks for the recipes not working? Thanks!
Tiffany
Not you – there are no links. 🙂 I just updated the post with a download option!
Rachel
Are there links to the 7 dinners and bonus meal ideas? I see the text but no links or recipes. Excited to check them out!
Tiffany
I just updated the post Rachel!
Cassie
These all sound amazing! I’m so excited to try. I don’t see a link for recipes?
Tiffany
I just updated the post Cassie!
Kristen
Are there links to the recipes?
Tiffany
I just updated the post Kristen!
Sarah
Thanks for these ideas! I’ve missed your meal plan posts.
Tiffany
You’re very welcome! ♥