21 Deliciously Satisfying Vegan Dinner Ideas That Offer Tons of Protein to Help You Lose Weight

Updated on 6/21/2019 at 1:10 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

If your stomach is where you tend to carry extra weight, unfortunately there's no one magic pill for reducing belly fat. You can't spot-reduce fat from your tummy by doing a million crunches. What you can do is focus on your diet in order to reduce your overall body fat percentage, which will in turn make you look leaner.

Getting enough protein is essential for weight loss. Vermont-based registered dietitian nutritionist Maddie Kinzly, RDN, MS, LD, suggests getting lean protein at every single meal to not only build muscle, but also to also satiate hunger. Getting enough protein makes it easier to stick to your daily calorie goals because you'll feel satisfied.

For protein, you need about 0.8 to 1.8 grams per pound of bodyweight, depending on how active you are. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 20 to 30 grams of lean protein at every meal from sources that are low in saturated fats and processed carbohydrates. "This doesn't necessarily mean eat more meat," Kinzly explained. "There are many plant sources that contain protein, including grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and vegetables."

If you're eating a plant-based diet, here are some delicious, high-protein vegan dinner recipe ideas — all offering 15 to 30 grams of protein.

Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Broccoli Buddha Bowl

Your taste buds will delight in roasted sweet potatoes, baked tofu, sautéed spiced chickpeas, steamed broccoli, red peppers, kale, and quinoa. Topped with an easy-to-make creamy peanut sauce; dinner is going to be so awesome!

Calories: 527
Protein: 29.3 grams

Get the recipe: sweet potato, chickpea, and broccoli Buddha bowl

Tofu Avocado "Toast"

Now you can enjoy your beloved avocado toast and still follow a low-carb diet. This recipe swaps traditional bread with tofu.

Calories: 362 for two slices
Protein: 25 grams

Get the recipe: tofu avocado "toast"

Lemon Tofu Edamame Barley Bowl

This hearty, satisfying bowl powers you up with clean, quality nutrition and amazing flavor.

Calories: 541
Protein: 21.9 grams

Get the recipe: lemon tofu edamame barley bowl

Butternut Squash and Quinoa Chili

Butternut squash, kidney beans, and quinoa lay the base for this hearty vegetarian recipe that offers more than 20 grams of protein and 60 percent of your daily recommended fiber in one spicy bowl.

Calories: 414
Protein: 22.5 grams

Get the recipe: butternut squash and quinoa chili

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

Maple-Ginger Roasted Tempeh, Sweet Potato, Pepper, and Onion

This one-pan recipe is perfect on its own, but can also be served over regular rice, cauliflower rice, greens, quinoa, or in a wrap.

Calories: 370
Protein: 16.3 grams

Get the recipe: tempeh with sweet potatoes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vegan Gingerbread "Buttermilk" Pancakes

Sometimes you crave pancakes for dinner!

Calories: 308 (4 pancakes)
Protein: 16 grams

Get the recipe: gingerbread "buttermilk" pancakes

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

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

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

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

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

Red Pepper and Corn Tempeh Tacos

The filling is made with crumbled tempeh, sautéed onions, red peppers, and corn. It's perfectly soft and tender, and slightly spicy — even meat eaters will be instant fans! Honestly, my meat-loving husband said the tempeh texture was so much like ground beef.

Calories: 330 (for two tacos)
Protein: 16.4 grams

Get the recipe: tempeh tacos