Eat more veggies, lose weight, feel great
If you’re new to cooking, then you might be wondering where to start. It’s not always easy to find recipes that are both healthy and delicious.
That’s why I’ve put together this collection of high-protein veggie recipes for beginners. These recipes are quick and straightforward to prepare, making them perfect for busy people who want to eat healthier.
Healthy and straightforward recipes with high-protein content: Vegetarian foods have been a part of our diet since the dawn of time. They’re incredibly nutritious —full of vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, fiber, folate, vitamin B12, antioxidants, omega three fatty acids, etc. And they also contain lots of protein!
Some plant proteins can even beat out meat when it comes to the content of specific amino acids. For example, soybeans are rich in tryptophan which helps produce serotonin, an important neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation, sleep, appetite control, energy levels, pain management, immune system function, and stress relief. Tofu contains all eight essential amino acids, while quinoa has six.
And if you think about it, vegetables aren’t just good sources of nutrients; they’re also packed with a flavor. So by adding plenty of fresh vegetables into your meals, you’ll get loads of nutrition along with tons of taste. That makes these dishes super versatile, too: You can add any vegetable or fruit you like to make each recipe unique.
So whether you’re looking to improve your health through eating better or simply trying to cut back on calories, there’s no reason to skip out on tasty, nutrient-packed vegetarian dishes. Here are ten delicious vegan recipes for beginner cooks. In addition to being low-calorie, many of these recipes will help boost your metabolism, so you burn fat faster. Enjoy!
1) Spicy Sesame Noodles
This spicy sesame noodle dish combines noodles made from brown rice our with sauteed tofu, carrots, broccoli, green beans, mushrooms, onions, garlic, ginger, black pepper, cayenne pepper, tamari sauce, nutritional yeast, and scallions. The result is a hearty meal loaded with protein, carbs, and other vital nutrients.
2) Vegan Pad Thai
Pad thai is one of my favorite comfort foods. This version uses gluten-free brown rice pasta instead of wheat noodles. Still, it includes peanuts, cashews, coconut milk, lime juice, red curry paste, sweet chili sauce, basil leaves, jalapeno peppers, and bell pepper chunks. If you don’t like heat, use only 1/4 tsp of red curry paste.
3) Vegetable Stir Fry
A stir fry is usually one of those dishes that take hours to cook because it involves chopping up ingredients, frying everything at once, and constantly stirring until cooked. But thanks to the magic of prepping ahead, this dish requires very little prep work. Just chop up whatever vegetables you’d like to include, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, place them in individual containers, cover tightly, refrigerate overnight, and take them straight to the stovetop.
4) Creamy Quinoa Pasta Salad
Quinoa pasta salad is another excellent way to enjoy a big bowl of veggies without feeling weighed down by heavy carbohydrates. It features creamy avocado dressing mixed with warm spices, crunchy almonds, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, zucchini, celery, and hot sauce.
5) Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole
Roasting brings out the best flavors in cauliflower and broccoli florets. Plus, roasting gives them extra texture and keeps them tender throughout cooking. To prepare this healthy side dish, first steam the cauliflower and broccoli florets. Then combine them with roasted potatoes, egg whites, Parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, and breadcrumbs. Bake covered in foil for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Serve immediately topped with more parmesan cheese.
6) Easy Asparagus Risotto
Risottos are traditionally served chilled, but making risotto isn’t difficult. All you need is patience and practice. Start slowly simmering stock over medium-high heat before gradually increasing the temperature. Once the liquid starts bubbling away, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Add small amounts of Arborio rice to the pot, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. When the mixture becomes thickened and glossy, remove the pan from the heat and sit for 5 minutes.
7) Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili
Chili has always been an easy go-to recipe when I’m looking to feed a crowd or want something quick and delicious. And since most people already have all the ingredients on hand, there’s no excuse not to make your own! In this slow cooker recipe, canned diced tomatoes, kidney beans, corn kernels, salsa, oregano, cumin, coriander, chipotle chile powder, and smoked paprika are simmered together for 8hours. You can serve it as soon as it’s done or freeze portions in freezer bags later.
8 ) Spicy Sausage Baked Beans
Baked beans aren’t typically considered super nutritious, but they’re good for you. They contain lots of fiber and complex carbs, which help stabilize blood sugar levels after meals. These baked bean recipes feature sausage links, bacon, ham hocks, kielbasa, and chicken thighs. For added flavor, add fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorn, mustard seed, fennel seed, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, cloves, mace, star anise, cardamom pods, vanilla extract, lemon peel, orange rind, and cocoa nibs.
9) Coconut Curry Lentils
Curry lentil soup is classic Indian comfort food made with split red lentils, coconut milk, curry leaves, ginger, garlic, onions, and tomato paste. This vegan version uses brown lentils instead of the traditional masoor dal, along with vegetable broth, soy sauce, lime juice, and cilantro. The result is a hearty yet light meal perfect for warming you through the fall and winter months.
10) Cheesy Potato Soup
Cheese makes anything better. That’s why potato soup gets such a bad rap. But if you use low-fat cheeses, nonfat sour cream, skim milk, and whole wheat our tortillas, this cheesy potato soup will be much healthier than the original. Top each serving with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped scallions, green bell peppers, black olives, and jalapeños.
It would be best if you tried out this recipe. It’s super yummy and healthy too!