Meat-Free Monday Ideas

1. Bulgur & veg soup with sizzled mint oil & potato flatbreads

Bowl of soup topped with yogurt, olive oil and herbs

Make a hearty soup with blended red lentils, bulgur and root veg that can be frozen in advance for busy Mondays. The cumin and paprika spiced mint oil adds a burst of extra flavour and colour, and if you have time to make the homemade potato flatbreads you will be greatly rewarded with a seriously satisfying weekday dinner.

Why not get ahead of meat-free Mondays with our freezable vegetarian recipes?

2. Storecupboard saucy pasta & chickpeas

A small tupperware pot filled with storecupboard saucy pasta & chickpeas

If you don’t fancy a trip to the supermarket, this easy pasta makes the most of any fresh veg and herbs you have lying around in your fridge, bulked out with filling chickpeas for extra protein. It serves two, so scale it up to feed the family or simply enjoy for one and look forward to leftovers for lunch the next day.

Try more vegetarian storecupboard recipes.

3. Aubergine milanese

If you have a little more time on your hands on a Monday, this aubergine dish will get your week off to a great start. The tomato caper sauce packs a punch to serve alongside golden panko-fried aubergine slices. Make sure to find a vegetarian parmesan alternative with no animal rennet.

Find out how to cook aubergine and then put your skills into practice with our vegan aubergine recipes.

4. Next level mushroom risotto

A saucepan served with next level mushroom risotto

When it comes to vegetarian classics, you can’t beat a silky mushroom risotto. Barney Desmazery takes his version to new heights with dried porcini mushrooms, sizzled garlic and plenty of handy tips for making your best risotto ever – vegetarian or otherwise.

Discover more vegetarian risotto recipes.

5. Red pesto minestrone soup

Red pesto minestrone soup served in a bowl

This veg-packed minestrone is a great option for a healthy, low-calorie and high fibre dinner that doesn’t scrimp on flavour. The jar of pesto does most of the heavy lifting so it’s quick to prep – swap out for your favourite pesto or use spicier varieties if you want to take the heat up a notch.

Warm yourself up from the inside out in with our vegetarian soup recipes.

6. Lerato’s Tanzanian banana curry

A serving of Lerato’s Tanzanian banana curry

If this isn’t your first meat-free Monday, you might be ready to push the boat out a little. This east African recipe from food writer Lerato Umah-Shaylor uses unripe green bananas or firm yellow plantains are simmered with warming spices, coconut milk and chickpeas for an easy yet nourishing vegan curry.

Get inspired with more of our best vegan curry recipes.

7. One-tray baked gnocchi

Trailblazing zero-waste chef Max La Manna shares his deluxe pasta bake recipe, all made in one tray in 30 minutes. Use whatever leafy greens you have in your fridge – spinach and kale both work well.

Listen to his podcast episode on reducing food waste and then try our recipes that are planet-friendlier, plus ideas for using up leftover rice, leftover bread and leftover potato.

8. Katsu aubergine noodles

For a quick Monday night dinner, make your katsu sauce at the weekend and simply reheat until piping hot. The aubergine slices taste great with the creamy curry sauce, but you could also experiment with other veg or slices of tofu to switch things up.

Next try our vegetarian Japanese-inspired recipes and our top vegetarian fakeaway recipes.

9. Turmeric & lemon cauliflower bowl

Make a nourishing bowl with roasted – or air-fried – cauliflower, crispy kale and a pre-cooked pouch of quinoa and lentils for ease on a weeknight. Top with hemp, sunflower and pumpkin seeds for more texture and flavour. Even better, it serves two with leftovers for the next day.

Try more healthy vegetarian ideas.

10. Smoky mushroom & chickpea fajitas with charred spring onion salsa

Smoky mushroom & chickpea fajitas with charred spring onion salsa alongside

Chestnut mushrooms with chipotle make a great umami-rich stand-in for meat in these easy veggie fajitas. Everyone will love helping themselves to the charred spring onion and chive salsa, creamy natural yogurt for dolloping on top and a generous grating of cheddar.

Discover even more vegetarian fajita recipes.