Get Enough Protein! 7 Nights of High-Protein Vegetarian Dinners

"How do you get enough protein?" Good luck finding a vegetarian who's never heard that before. If you want to answer this question without saying a word, share this post. It maps out a weekly dinner plan complete with seven delicious and satisfying high-protein dinners — all offering around 20 grams of protein that include these vegetarian sources.

Monday: Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito

Monday: Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito

It's packed with black beans, and you could increase the amount of protein by adding cheese or tempeh.

Whole Burrito:

  • Calories: 471
  • Protein: 13.7 grams

Salsa Cream:

  • Calories: 3 ounces plain nonfat Greek yogurt (50), 1 tablespoon salsa (8) = 58
  • Protein: 9 grams, 0.3 grams = 9.3 grams

Total:

  • Total Calories: 529
  • Total Protein: 23 grams

Photo: Jenny Sugar

Tuesday: Millet, Lentil, and Pomegranate Salad

Tuesday: Millet, Lentil, and Pomegranate Salad

A not-so-common grain, millet has a soft consistency and nutty flavor, and when paired with high-protein lentils, it offers non-meat-eaters a delicious complete protein.

  • Calories: 466
  • Protein: 19.3 grams

Photo: Anna Roberts

Wednesday: Red, White, Bean, and Basil Frittata

Wednesday: Red, White, Bean, and Basil Frittata

Eggs offer a quick protein source, and the beans add even more!

  • Calories: 378 (two pieces)
  • Protein: 27.4 grams

Photo: Jenny Sugar

Thursday: Sautéed Tofu on Green Salad

Thursday: Sautéed Tofu on Green Salad

Choose superfirm tofu over firm; because it's denser, it offers more protein per bite. Marinate, sauté, and top it on a fresh green salad with a variety of your favorite veggies.

  • Calories: 125 (half the container)
  • Protein: 13.8 grams

Salad:

  • Calories: 2 cups spinach (14), 1/2 cup grated carrots (23), 1/2 cup cucumber slices (8), 6 cherry tomatoes (18), 1/4 avocado (80), 1/4 cup chickpeas (53), 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds (47), 2 tablespoons Annie's Gingerly Vinaigrette (40) = 283
  • Protein: 1.7 grams, 0.5 grams, 0.3 grams, 0.9 grams, 1 gram, 3 grams, 1.5 grams, 0 grams = 8.9 grams

Total:

  • Total Calories: 408
  • Total Protein: 22.7

Photo: Jenny Sugar

Friday: Mexican Quinoa Bites

Friday: Mexican Quinoa Bites

Another satisfying complete protein, pairing high-protein quinoa with black beans offers tons of fiber to keep you feeling satisfied all night long.

  • Calories: 416 (for four bites)
  • Protein: 23.2 grams

Photo: Jenny Sugar

Saturday: Quinoa Basil Pizza

Saturday: Quinoa Basil Pizza

Even if you're not following a gluten-free diet, this quinoa crust is a nutritious, high-protein option for vegans or vegetarians since it's made with whole-grain quinoa.

Crust:

  • Calories: 298 (1/3 of the crust)
  • Protein: 11.4 grams

Toppings:

  • Calories: 1/4 cup tomato sauce (23), 1/2 Roma tomato (6), 3 strips yellow pepper (4), 1 ounce mozzarella cheese (72) = 105
  • Protein: 1 gram, 0.3 grams, 0.2 grams, 6.9 grams = 8.4 grams

Total:

  • Total Calories: 403
  • Total Protein: 19.8 grams

Photo: Jenny Sugar

Sunday: Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup

Sunday: Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup

Split peas are one of the best sources of protein, and because they also offer fiber, this recipe is (soup)er filling.

  • Calories: 254
  • Protein: 19.3 grams

Photo: Jenny Sugar