Healthy Low-Cal Vegan Dinner Recipes That Aren't Pasta (2024)

If going low-carb is your thing, make this easy cauliflower pizza crust.

Get the recipe: vegan cauliflower pizza crust

When you're craving spaghetti with meat sauce, cook up these maple cumin lentils over spaghetti squash. It's just 323 calories per serving.

Get the recipe: maple cumin lentils over spaghetti squash

Why not serve a little breakfast for dinner? This tofu scramble with kale and sweet potatoes is packed with protein — almost 19 grams for just under 270 calories.

Get the recipe: tofu scramble with kale and sweet potatoes

Spice up your quinoa salad routine with a Mexican tempeh quinoa salad. At only 350 calories and 17 grams of protein, this filling vegan salad is a winner.

Get the recipe: Mexican tempeh quinoa salad

Even though bruschetta with herbed tofu spread is easy to make, it doesn't skimp on flavor. The protein-packed snack highlights the flavors of fresh ingredients unchanged by cooking and is a perfect snack for a warm day.

Get the recipe: tomato and basil bruschetta

This twist on the always-loved butternut squash soup recipe includes sweet potatoes and carrots for extra fiber and vitamin A. White cannellini beans not only boost protein, but also add creaminess without a drop of dairy.

Get the recipe: squash, sweet potato, carrot, and white bean soup

Make a hearty split pea soup sans the ham using this vegan split pea soup recipe, or go for a raw cold pea soup that you can whip up in your blender. Either way, both are better options than bringing a sodium-laden can of soup to work!

Get the recipe: pea soup

Need a refreshing midday break? This tabbouleh-inspired quinoa and tomato cucumber salad won't weigh you down.

Get the recipe: tabbouleh quinoa salad

Nothing is as satisfying as a perfectly prepared veggie sandwich. This basic hummus veggie sandwich recipe will be a brown-bag favorite.

Get the recipe: veggie sandwich

You're in luck: this addictive, creamy vegan chickpea soup comes together with staples you probably already have in your kitchen and tastes even better the next day once flavors have had time to meld.

Get the recipe: vegan chickpea soup

Whether you're grilling or cooking them on the stove, veggie burgers are a great option for vegans. This spicy chickpea barley and quinoa veggie burger won't disappoint.

Get the recipe: veggie burger on whole-wheat bun

Don't become victim to that late-afternoon, post-takeout slump. This Paleo-friendly cauliflower "rice" stir-fry recipe satisfies your greasiest cravings with fresh produce atop "rice" made from cauliflower.

Get the recipe: cauliflower "rice" stir-fry

An avocado-topped colorful veggie salad will be something to look forward to when it's time for lunch. This detox cabbage and carrot salad comes with a tangy tahini dressing that will satisfy taste buds.

Get the recipe: colorful cabbage salad

Grain-free and dairy-free zucchini noodles make for a delicious Paleo recipe that will cover many potential dietary restrictions at your table.

Get the recipe: paleo zucchini noodles

If you're in need of a filling, creative vegan lunch that comes together fast, it doesn't get any better than this mayo-free vegan chickpea and avocado salad.

Get the recipe: vegan "chicken" salad

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.

Get the recipe: butternut squash lentil soup

Mix up your grains to beat boredom and make farro with black beans and maple-cumin tofu. You'll feel completely satisfied after a 380-calorie bowl.

Get the recipe: maple-cumin tofu with farro

If you're going low-carb and vegan, this spaghetti squash pad Thai is just for you. Since roasting a spaghetti squash takes a bit of time, have this tasty dish for dinner and make sure you make enough for dinner tomorrow.

Get the recipe: spaghetti squash pad thai

Related: Cook a Whole Spaghetti Squash in a Crockpot

Good old rice and beans; most people are familiar with this combination. Throw in some veggies, and you have a satisfying meal under 400 calories. Spice things up a bit and try this Indian red beans over rice recipe.

Get the recipe: rice and beans

This spicy sweet potato salad is meant to be a side, but it works well on its own as a hearty lunch. High-fiber sweet potatoes and a spicy red-pepper dressing (plus an extra jalepeño kick) mean this vegan recipe is anything but boring.

Get the recipe: spicy sweet potato salad

Related: How to Make Sweet Potato Chips

Go to bed without the bloat with another bowl of healthy "pasta." This Paleo carrot pasta is comforting and filling without making you feel stuffed.

Get the recipe: paleo carrot pasta

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.

Get the recipe: sesame ginger quinoa salad

With more than 13 grams of fiber and nearly 17 grams of protein, this light, clean, and potassium-rich dish will refuel your body after a tough workout, help you rehydrate, and even help soothe sore muscles.

Get the recipe: black bean and mango salad

Rich, creamy soup without any dairy? Yep, it's possible with this vegan cauliflower soup that's filled with vitamins and fiber to boost your immunity. You won't miss the cream at all with this flavorful and superhealthy soup.

Get the recipe: cauliflower soup

While vegans can easily get enough protein every day as omnivores, sometimes it takes a little more thought. A batch of BBQ black-eyed peas is a tasty way to fill up on protein and fiber, sans meat.

Get the recipe: BBQ black-eyed peas

This delightful dish is so vibrantly colored, it's sure to wow your guests at the table.

Get the recipe: black rice and butternut squash salad

This turmeric-spiced mushroom pilaf is made with a generous dose of turmeric added to a brown rice and mushroom mixture — the raisins add a surprising sweetness to each comforting bite.

Get the recipe: turmeric-spiced mushroom pilaf

This roasted roots soup plays up the natural flavors of the produce, simmering it all in a coconut bath. It's hearty, warm, and filling!

Get the recipe: roasted roots soup

When you feel like you really need a detox, this rainbow salad will do the trick. It's high in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A, and the lemony dressing takes the flavor up a notch.

Get the recipe: colorful veggie salad

Switch up your carb rotation by opting for chewy, satisfying farro for this vegan farro salad.

Get the recipe: vegan farro salad

Prepackaged broccoli slaw makes the base of this warm "noodle" dish that's perfect for cold nights when you're craving comfort food. High in fiber, protein, and vitamin C, this 345-calorie nutrient-rich stir-fry can be prepped, cooked, and served in just 15 minutes.

Get the recipe: broccoli slaw stir-fry

If you're tired of your normal vegan rotation during your challenge, blending up a Middle Eastern-inspired sweet potato soup with za'atar oil can reawaken taste buds. Za'atar is a spice blend of oregano, thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac; look for it at your local supermarket in the spice aisle.

Get the recipe: sweet potato soup

This quinoa tabbouleh salad is so good and spicy, you may actually do a double scoop onto your plate.

Get the recipe: quinoa tabbouleh salad

If you've got a slow cooker, this slow-cooker chickpea curry takes minutes to prep in the morning and will be ready for you as soon as you walk in the door.

Get the recipe: slow-cooker chickpea curry

After a long day, a bowl of Indian-spiced chard served alongside whole-wheat pita or rice will fill you up.

Get the recipe: Indian-spiced chard

This heart-healthy dinner is a great option if you're watching your cholesterol while upping your protein. Get the recipe for a delicious roasted sweet potato and black bean burrito.

Get the recipe: roasted sweet potato and black bean burrito

This metabolism-boosting chickpea and kale stew packs 24 grams of protein per serving, so it will keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Get the recipe: chickpea and kale stew

Make a bulked-up twist on classic tomato soup. This tomato lentil soup makes for a delicious meal with more than 14 grams of protein per serving.

Get the recipe: tomato lentil soup

You won't believe there's no cream — just a hearty helping of coconut milk — in this nondairy pumpkin bisque.

Get the recipe: nondairy pumpkin soup

Ribboning your veggies is a fun way to add pizzazz to a normal weeknight meal without a lot of extra effort. This spicy sesame carrot salad is great on its own or with a side of vegan soup.

Get the recipe: spicy sesame carrot salad

This quinoa pizza crust takes a little prep the night before, but you'll love the amazingly chewy consistency and the fact that it's gluten-free. Top with your favorite vegan mozzarella or just go for veggies and fresh basil.

Get the recipe: quinoa pizza crust