Since I don't eat meat or dairy products and only eat eggs occasionally when I get them from my friend's free-roaming backyard hens, getting enough protein [1] at dinner time can be a slight challenge. Although I love filling up on a big, fresh bowl of salad, it doesn't offer much in the protein department. And since I'm doing CrossFit regularly, my body needs protein [2] to heal and grow my big-ass muscles. Here are the high-protein vegan dinner recipes I swear by. Each offers at least 15 grams of protein, and each recipe is absolutely delicious and satisfying.
Maple Cumin Lentils Over Spaghetti Squash
When you're craving spaghetti with meat sauce, cook up these maple cumin lentils over spaghetti squash.
Calories: 323
Protein: 15.5 grams
Get the recipe: maple cumin lentils over spaghetti squash [3]
Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Salad
Massaged kale is topped with warm maple-cinnamon roasted butternut squash, white beans for protein, cucumbers and almonds for a satisfying crunch, and raisins for a little added sweetness.
Calories: 426
Protein: 19.1 grams
Get the recipe: maple-roasted butternut squash, kale, and white bean salad [4]
Tofu Scramble With Kale and Sweet Potatoes
Why not serve a little breakfast for dinner? This tofu scramble with kale and sweet potatoes is packed with protein.
Calories: 270
Protein: 18.8 grams
Get the recipe: tofu scramble with kale and sweet potatoes [5]
Vegan Lasagna
Instead of ricotta, the creaminess in this lasagna comes from blended tofu flavoured with garlic and fresh basil. The velvety consistency will floor you!
Calories: 444
Protein: 17.3 grams
Get the recipe: vegan lasagna [6]
Mexican Tempeh Quinoa Salad
Spice up your quinoa salad routine with a Mexican tempeh quinoa salad.
Calories: 353
Protein: 17.4 grams
Get the recipe: Mexican tempeh quinoa salad [7]
Tofu, Broccoli, and Cauliflower Sheet-Pan Meal
This recipe includes all the essentials you need for losing weight: protein, healthy fats, and fibre. And the best part is it's a one-pan meal, so it's easy to make and even easier to clean up!
Calories: 368
Protein: 35.5 grams
Get the recipe: tofu, broccoli, and cauliflower sheet-pan meal [8]
Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
If you've got a slow cooker, making this vegan butternut squash lentil soup will be a breeze. This recipe makes eight servings, so you can make enough for dinner, lunch, and then some.
Calories: 253
Protein: 18.3 grams
Get the recipe: vegan butternut squash lentil soup [9]
Maple-Cumin Tofu With Farro
Mix up your grains to beat boredom and make farro with black beans and maple-cumin tofu.
Calories: 381
Protein: 18.3 grams
Get the recipe: farro with black beans and maple-cumin tofu [10]
Vegan Gingerbread "Buttermilk" Pancakes
Sometimes you crave pancakes for dinner!
Calories: 308 (4 pancakes)
Protein: 16 grams
Get the recipe: gingerbread "buttermilk" pancakes [11]
Cinnamon Date Roasted Butternut Squash, Parsnips, and Tofu
This dish has become a family fave for three reasons. One, it's absolutely delicious. Two, it's a cinch to make and clean up because it involves one pan. And three, it's packed with protein, fibre, and complex carbs, so I feel satisfied after a bowl.
Calories: 254
Protein: 19.3 grams
Get the recipe: cinnamon date roasted butternut squash, parsnips, and tofu [12]
Sesame Ginger Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is anything but boring in this sesame-ginger salad with protein-packed edamame, crunchy cabbage, and rich sesame oil. Eating the colours of the rainbow is always good for your health, and all the different flavours in this salad work perfectly together.
Calories: 363
Protein: 15 grams
Get the recipe: sesame ginger quinoa salad [13]
Chickpea and Kale Stew
This metabolism-boosting chickpea and kale stew is packed with hunger-satiating protein and fibre.
Calories: 502
Protein: 23.9 grams
Get the recipe: chickpea and kale stew [14]
Sweet Potato, Tofu, and Avocado Bowl
This bowl tastes perfect on its own, but adding a little crunchy texture with some chopped salted cashews makes it even more delicious.
Calories: 366
Protein: 19.5 grams
Get the recipe: sweet potato, tofu, and avocado bowl [15]
Banana Cinnamon Zoats
For a little sweet comfort food for dinner, make this veggie-packed oatmeal recipe.
Calories: 386
Protein: 23.7 grams
Get the recipe: banana cinnamon zoats [16]
Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup
This protein-packed vegan split pea and sweet potato soup is hearty and satisfying, and it makes great lunch leftovers.
Calories: 254
Protein: 19.3 grams
Get the recipe: vegan split pea and sweet potato soup [17]
Roasted Tofu, Sweet Potato, Pepper 1-Pan Meal
All you need for this recipe are basically three ingredients, one pan, and your oven.
Calories: 419
Protein: 34 grams
Get the recipe: roasted tofu, sweet potato, and pepper savory breakfast [18]