If you’re looking to keep dinner meat-free and diabetes-friendly, these vegetarian meals are sure to satisfy. By limiting calories, carbs, saturated fat and sodium, these dishes meet our parameters for a diabetes-appropriate eating pattern, so you can feel confident that your dinner supports your nutritional needs. Plus, we compiled recipes with four- and five-star ratings from our readers, so you know they’re all winners. From our vibrant Roasted Potato Tzatziki Bowls to our cozy High-Protein Pasta with Peas, these recipes are the key to all of your dinnertime needs.
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High-Protein Pasta with Peas
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This one-pot pasta with peas is packed with plant-based protein and a healthy dose of fiber. The chickpea pasta is cooked with vibrant green peas and tossed with fragrant basil and a rich pesto sauce for fresh flavor in every bite. Nutty toasted pine nuts provide the perfect crunch, adding depth and texture.
Extra-Crispy Eggplant Parmesan
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This eggplant Parmesan is creamy in the center with a crispy panko crust on the outside. To know when your eggplant is cooked to perfection, poke it with the tip of a paring knife. The knife tip should slide through with little resistance. If it feels a little too tough in some spots, it needs a few more minutes in the oven. You can rotate the baking sheet front to back for even browning.
Roasted Potato Tzatziki Bowls
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christina Daley
Our roasted potato tzatziki bowls are the perfect plant-based dinner, with bright, fresh and creamy flavors in every bite. Crispy, golden roasted potatoes are the centerpiece, accompanied by a tangy, herb-packed tzatziki sauce at the base. Loaded with fresh veggies like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and red onion with a side of chickpeas for added fiber and plant-based protein, these bowls deliver big on flavor and nutrition.
One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo with Lemon & Feta
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This one-pot pasta dish with white beans, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes is lively and vibrant and leaves you with an easy cleanup. Toasting the orzo before adding the broth adds another layer of flavor. Another dark, leafy green, such as chopped kale or Swiss chard, can stand in for the spinach, but it may take longer to wilt in the pan. If you use a sturdier green, add it to the pan during the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
Chhole (Chickpea Curry)
Andrew Scrivani
This healthy Indian recipe is a flavorful chickpea curry that you can make in just 20 minutes. Also called chana masala, this dish is a comforting and delicious dinner.
Mushroom & Tofu Stir-Fry
This tofu veggie stir-fry is quick and easy, making it a great go-to weeknight meal. Baked tofu has a firm, toothsome texture that crisps well in a hot pan. You can find it in flavors like teriyaki and sesame, both of which are delicious here. Or opt for a smoked version, which has the same texture with a more robust flavor. Serve over brown rice.
Sweet Potato–Black Bean Burgers
These vegan sweet potato–black bean burgers spiced with curry powder are easy to make. Blending the mixture with your hands gives you a soft, uniform texture, and then the outside gets crispy by cooking in a cast-iron pan. To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free oats and serve the patty in a lettuce wrap, omitting the bun.
Black Bean & Mushroom Enchilada Casserole
Mushrooms and creamy black beans spiced with cumin and oregano create the filling for this vegetarian enchilada casserole. Pepper Jack adds nice flavor, but you can substitute regular Monterey Jack cheese if you don’t want the heat.
Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes
Ali Redmond
This Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes is a bright, flavorful dish that comes together quickly. Pasta is cooked alongside frozen sweet peas, then tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes and basil pesto for a fresh, herbaceous finish. You can serve it warm or chilled, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks or picnics. A sprinkle of Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon add the perfect final touch.
Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
This herb-marinated veggie-and-chickpea salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. Since it requires no stove or oven time, it’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.
5-Ingredient Avocado & Chickpea Salad
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.
This avocado-and-chickpea salad is a fresh, flavorful dish that comes together in minutes. Made with just five ingredients, it’s as simple as it is satisfying. Creamy avocado pairs perfectly with hearty chickpeas for a filling, plant-based meal. With no cooking required and minimal prep, it’s a perfect quick lunch or dinner.
High-Protein White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is quick and requires no stove time. White beans bring plant-based protein and fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.
Cherry Tomato Pasta
Jen Causey
This cherry tomato pasta is the quick summer dinner you’ve been waiting for. Chickpea pasta adds fiber, while cherry tomatoes and basil cook down to create a flavorful sauce. Tossing the hot pasta with some of the cheese before topping it with the sauce is the key to ensuring all the noodles get coated with cheesy goodness.
