Looking for plantbased inspiration for your dinner this week? I’ve got you covered with a week’s worth of delicious, high protein dinners that will leave you fully nourished on just plants. Think spicy burritos, warm creamy curry, hearty salad bowls and more. Whether you’re craving something hearty or light, these high protein, plantbased meals are made to nourish your body while helping you consume more veggie-based dinners. Get your chopping boards ready? Let's make some plantbased goodness together...
Sharpen those kitchen knives, and let's get chopping up heaps of healthy veggies for super easy and delicious plantbased dinners that loaded with vegan protein this week. These tasty meals are going to fuel your body and help satisfy your RDI of vegetables and greens. Each recipe is bursting with plant flavour and provides and excellent source of dietary fibre to keep your gut happy.
Benefits Of Making Plantbased Meals
Before I share the recipe ideas, eating plantbased a few times a week is one of the easiest ways to hit your daily recommended intake of veggies and boost your fibre intake. Think of it as a vibrant way to consume a nutrient-packed meal that improves digestive health, provides better lasting energy, and a sensation of fullness for longer. Plantbased foods such as leafy greens, colourful veggies, beans, and whole grains are not only packed with vitamins and minerals, but they’re also gut-loving fibre superstars.
So, if you’ve ever struggled to reach your dietary fibre goals or felt sluggish from overly processed meals and too much animal meat, this recipe list is just the thing to help you feel nourished and energised daily.
How To Easily Add More Plants To Meals
Including more plants in your main meals and dinner doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s all about sneaking in extra veggies and plantbased goodies wherever you can. Here are a few simple ways to do it:
blend greens into smoothies: spinach and kale are mild in taste but packed with nutrients, making them perfect for your morning smoothie. Also try steamed cauliflower or sweet potato instead of banana for a lower cab and high fibre option.
swap animal meat for beans or lentils: in dishes like tacos, soups, or pasta, adding beans or lentils can boost protein and fibre while keeping things plantbased.
roast extra veggies: when roasting veggies for dinner, make a double batch and toss the leftovers into salads, wraps, or grain bowls for an easy lunch the next day.
use veggie-based sauces: puree veggies like cauliflower, squash, or tomatoes into your pasta sauces to sneak in extra fibre and flavour.
These simple swaps and plantbased options for meals can easily help you up your vegetable and greens intake, and effortlessly!
Easy Plantbased Dinners To Meal Prep
Monday
Quinoa & Black Bean Burrito Bowls
KEY INGREDIENTS: burrito shells, quinoa, black beans, red onion, guacamole, salsa, and lime
Packed with protein from both quinoa and black beans, these burrito bowls are a great make-ahead option. Add cooked quinoa to the edible bowl, and top with roasted veggies (optional but recommended), the beans and finely chopped onion. Then add a scoop of spicy salsa, and a creamy avocado dressing for a meal that’s full of plant-powered flavour!
Tuesday
Lentil & Sweet Potato Curry
KEY INGREDIENTS: lentils, sweet potato, kale, tomato paste, chili, coconut milk, and curry spices
Lentils are a powerhouse plantbased protein, and paired with sweet potatoes, this curry is comforting and filling. It’s perfect for batch cooking and can be frozen for easy meals later on. To make, stir fry curry paste, chili, and garlic until fragrant, then add in kale, lentils and potatoes. Stir fry for a few minutes to season well, then add in the tomato paste and coconut milk. Set on simmer until the lentils and potatoes have softened enough to serve.
Wednesday
Tofu Stir-Fry & Garlic Salted Edamame
KEY INGREDIENTS: tofu, mixed veggies, edamame beans, garlic, rock salt
Tofu and edamame combine to create an easy protein-rich dish that’s both light and satisfying. Lightly tossed with your favourite veggies and a flavourful sauce, this stir-fry comes together in no time and is great for quick and easy meal prep. Steam the edamame beans, toss in the garlic and salt, and then lightly stir fry the veggies to serve together. Easy peasy!
Thursday
Chickpea Salad & Tahini Dressing
KEY INGREDIENTS: quinoa, spinach, kale, chickpeas, beetroot, broccoli and tahini dressing
Chickpeas are an incredible source of plantbased protein, and this chickpea salad is perfect for a light yet filling lunch. Shred a little kale and spinach, and add to a bowl lined with a little quinoa. Then finely chop broccoli and add to the top. Sprinkle with twice-rinsed chickpeas and grated beetroot to finish. Pair it with a rich tahini dressing for extra flavour and healthy fats.
Friday
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
KEY INGREDIENTS: oats, plant milk, protein powder, nut butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and stevia
Start your mornings strong with protein-packed peanut butter overnight oats. This easy recipe is great for meal prepping and batch cooking, and you can switch up the toppings each day for variety. To make, simply add 2-3 tablespoons of raw oats to a mason jar and cover with almond milk or dairy-free coconut yoghurt. Stir in 1 scoop (30g) protein powder, a little vanilla extract, cinnamon and stevia for added flavour. Chill in the fridge overnight and top with runny, organic nut butter and berries.
Saturday
Tofu Stuffed Baked Eggplant
KEY INGREDIENTS: eggplant, tofu, black beans, tomato, red onions, vegan cheese, and coriander
This comfort food recipe is just the thing on a cool spring day to warm your belly for dinner. Made with a hollowed out eggplant or squash (any) and stuffed with a seasoned tofu-black bean filling, it'll have you coming back for more. It's simple to make by pre-baking the eggplant until softened, then stuffing with a stir-fried mixture and topping with vegan cheese to bake to perfection.
Sunday
Vegan Protein Power Bowls
KEY INGREDIENTS: pumpkin, chickpeas, black beans, kale, capsicum, avocado, rice
Roast a little pumpkin and stuff in a bowl with cooked rice or quinoa, grilled capsicums and fresh avocado. Add extra plant protein by stir frying up chickpeas and black beans with your favourite spices and add a handful of shredded kale. Add this to the base and top with the other ingredients or another variety of high-protein foods to make quick and easy, colourful plant-powered bowls. Top with a zesty creamy avocado or tahini dressing and you’ve got a plantbased meal that’s as delicious as it is nutritious.
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Meal Prep Tips For Success
A big part of plantbased success is planning ahead for healthy, well-balanced meals that not only taste good but make for quick and easy meal prep. Here's a few hot tips to keep in mind:
batch cook: pick one day a week to prep all your meals. Having everything ready to go will save you heaps of time and help you stick to your plantbased goals than whinging it.
mix and match: prep a variety of plantbased ingredients, like high fibre grains, chopped veggies, and pre-prepared protein sources (twice-rinsed beans, chickpeas in water, pre-portioned peas etc), that way you can easily add them to different meals throughout the week.
use storage containers: invest in good-quality containers to keep your meals super fresh. Glass containers are a great option for reheating in the oven or microwave and its easy to see what's inside them. Most foods will keep 2-3 days in a sealed container in the fridge.
By meal prepping nutritious high protein, plantbased recipes, you’ll help to properly balance your plate and always have something healthy and nutritious ready to go when you need them most. Included a few days a week where you consciously eat more plantbased protein not only supports gut health and muscle maintenance, it also keeps you feeling more satiated and full, and is a fabulous way to diversify your meals and enjoy a wide range of flavours and textures. Bon appetite!
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Nutritionist's Note
Eating plantbased doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice protein. These plantbased meal prep ideas prove that you can easily enjoy delicious, protein-packed meals all week long with just a little bit of planning. Try adding some of these plantbased recipes into your routine and feel the difference! Remember, variety is key—aim to consume a wide and constantly varying range of brightly, colourful vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains into your meals to ensure you’re covering all the bases. Bon appetite!
Health + happiness,
Emma Lisa xo
HEALTH & NUTRITION PRACTITIONER
Saved this and starting this week, thank you so much for sharing! I hope you do more series like these as I am just learning how to meal prep and would love the inspiration please.