I'm a CrossFitter and These Are the High-Protein Vegan Dinners I Make Every Week

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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 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 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.

01
Maple Cumin Lentils Over Spaghetti Squash
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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

02
Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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

03
Tofu Scramble With Kale and Sweet Potatoes
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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

04
Vegan Lasagna
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Vegan Lasagna

Instead of ricotta, the creaminess in this lasagna comes from blended tofu flavored with garlic and fresh basil. The velvety consistency will floor you!

Calories: 444
Protein: 17.3 grams

Get the recipe: vegan lasagna

05
Mexican Tempeh Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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

06
Tofu, Broccoli, and Cauliflower Sheet-Pan Meal
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Tofu, Broccoli, and Cauliflower Sheet-Pan Meal

This recipe includes all the essentials you need for losing weight: protein, healthy fats, and fiber. 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

07
Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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

08
Maple-Cumin Tofu With Farro
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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

09
Vegan Gingerbread "Buttermilk" Pancakes
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Vegan Gingerbread "Buttermilk" Pancakes

Sometimes you crave pancakes for dinner!

Calories: 308 (4 pancakes)
Protein: 16 grams

Get the recipe: gingerbread "buttermilk" pancakes

10
Cinnamon Date Roasted Butternut Squash, Parsnips, and Tofu
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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, fiber, 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

11
Sesame Ginger Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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 colors of the rainbow is always good for your health, and all the different flavors in this salad work perfectly together.

Calories: 363
Protein: 15 grams

Get the recipe: sesame ginger quinoa salad

12
Chickpea and Kale Stew
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Chickpea and Kale Stew

This metabolism-boosting chickpea and kale stew is packed with hunger-satiating protein and fiber.

Calories: 502
Protein: 23.9 grams

Get the recipe: chickpea and kale stew

13
Sweet Potato, Tofu, and Avocado Bowl
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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

14
Banana Cinnamon Zoats
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

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

15
Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

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

16
Roasted Tofu, Sweet Potato, and Pepper 1-Pan Meal
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Roasted Tofu, Sweet Potato, and 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