The 23 Most Popular Meatless Monday Recipes of 2022
We know this is what you’ve been waiting for all year…the most popular recipes of 2022.
The list below is a culmination of all your clicks over the past year and reflects the recipes that you found most interesting, enticing, and delicious. But what this roundup truly shows is that plant-based cooking (and eating) is continuing to push boundaries and reach new heights. Scroll through the list below and see if your favorites moved up or down the list.
Start 2023 off right by cooking up the best that 2022 had to offer!
Easy Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie may just be the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. This plant-based version uses a pound of mixed mushrooms to recreate the earthy flavor of lamb or beef. A topping of creamy mashed potatoes is the proper foil to the rich filling.
For the Easy Vegan Shepherd’s Pie recipe from Blondelish, click here.
Vegan Chorizo Quesadillas
This vegan chorizo quesadilla shows the power of plant-based cooking, and we’re happy it made it’s on the list. Adding smoky spices like chile powder and cumin elevates the flavor of premade vegan chorizo to new heights.
For the Vegan Chorizo Quesadillas from Chef Jumoke Jackson, click here.
Toasted Stuffed Hummus and Roasted Cucumber Pita Sandwich
Full of color, texture, and other goodies, this stuffed hummus pita can be customized based on your favorite ingredients (or whatever you have in the refrigerator). Roast the veggies and set aside before assembling the ultimate pita pocket sandwich, using lemon zest, herbs, pine nuts, and hummus.
For the Hummus and Roasted Cucumber Pita recipe from Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, click here.
Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk
Breakfast is back on the list! Whip up these overnight oats in no time and leave them in the refrigerator overnight until they get nice and creamy. You’ll love the combination of coconut milk, chia seeds, and honey, especially when you top your oats with fresh fruit.
For the Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk recipe from Goya, click here.
Vegan Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Creamy mushroom pasta…without any dairy? Yep. Using white wine, shiitake mushrooms, and a plant-based cream or coconut milk makes for the perfect plant-based pasta dish.
For the Vegan Creamy Mushroom Pasta recipe from Blondelish, click here.
Vegan Tikka Masala with Tofu and Cauliflower
A lot of Indian cuisine is naturally vegetarian, which makes it a great place to find inspiration for your plant-based cooking. This recipe is loaded with veggies, which simmer in a flavorful tikka masala seasoning blend.
For the Vegan Tikka Masala with Tofu and Cauliflower recipe from Blondelish, click here.
Orange Glazed Tofu
Another recipe making its debut is this sweet-and-tangy orange glazed tofu. It’s a better alternative than the takeout version and pretty easy to make at home. A little bit of orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, and soy sauce is all you need for this one!
For the Orange Glazed Tofu recipe from Alissa Musto, click here.
Banana Date Smoothie
Dates, almond milk, and bananas come together for a subtle-yet-sweet tropical smoothie with unexpectedly sophisticated flavors. Rolled oats are the secret ingredient, used to provide a luscious texture to this delicious breakfast drink.
For the Banana Date Smoothie recipe from Verdant Life, click here.
Casamiento (Black Beans and Rice)
Casamiento is a hearty Honduran dish that is deep and rich in flavor. Cooking the rice and beans together creates the perfect marriage of taste and texture.
For the Casamiento recipe from Meatless Monday Honduras, click here.
Breakfast Sweet Potato
Simple, sugary-tasting, and amazingly good for you, the sweet potato is nearly impossible to screw up. Mash it, bake it, fry it, or turn it into this yummy breakfast (or dessert) sweet potato by microwaving for 8 minutes and adding sliced banana, creamy peanut butter, chia seeds, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
For the Breakfast Sweet Potato recipe from Kroll’s Korner, click here.
Easy Burrito Bowl
This super easy burrito bowl is delicious and quick to throw together for a weeknight meal. Start with rice of your choice (brown, cilantro, cauliflower, etc.) and topped with black beans, guacamole, corn, salsa and your choice of plant-based protein (tofu or jackfruit).
For the Easy Burrito Bowl recipe, click here.
Classic Tofu Loaf
A vegan twist on a classic comfort food, this recipe for tofu loaf captures the homey feel of meatloaf without the ground beef. Tofu, oats, and lentils recreate the texture of meatloaf, while ketchup, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mimic its traditional tangy flavor.
For the Classic Tofu Loaf recipe from Chef Ayinde Howell, click here.
Lemon Mint Quinoa Salad
This lemon mint quinoa salad is simple, refreshing, and flavor-forward; it’s also a great way to introduce friends and family to quinoa. Serve it as a side dish or pack some in a Tupperware for lunch.
For the Lemon Mint Quinoa Salad recipe from Tofu n’ Sproutz!, click here.
Kale, Potato, and Carrot Curry
Coconut milk and fragrant spices make this decadent kale, potato, and carrot curry the perfect meal to cozy up to on a cold Monday night. It’s a great way to use up seasonal produce items like kale, carrots, and potatoes, plus it’s a snap to cook.
For the Kale, Potato, and Carrot Curry recipe from I Try to Eat Healthy, click here.
Caribbean Lentil and Potato Bake
Bring on the Caribbean flavor with this insanely flavorful lentil and potato bake. It’s basically a rich lentil stew that’s topped with slices of potato and baked until everything is nice and bubbly. Perfect for any occasion.
For the Caribbean Lentil and Potato Bake recipe from Kirly-Sue’s Kitchen, click here.
Coconut Curry Noodles
These coconut curry noodles will make you want to eat your veggies. The sauce uses a blend of coconut milk, curry spice, soy sauce, vinegar, and sriracha to achieve something that’s rich, smooth, and spicy. Plus, it’s chock-full of fresh vegetables, like spring onions, broccoli, bell peppers, mushroom and carrots.
For the Coconut Curry Noodles recipe from @delisheats.by.d., click here.
Ethiopian Spiced Lentils
This popular dish of Ethiopian spiced lentils is a take on a popular Ethiopian dish called misir wat. It’s basically a spicy lentil stew, but what sets this recipe apart is the use of a berbere spice blend, which uses ingredients like hot peppers, cinnamon, ground ginger, black pepper, and cardamom.
For the Ethiopian Spiced Lentils recipe from Better Food Guru, click here.
Potato Salad with Coconut “Bacon”
Need something to bring to your next picnic or potluck? Try this inventive recipe for potato salad with coconut “bacon.” Yes, you heard right. Adding some liquid smoke, soy sauce, aminos, and paprika to unsweetened coconut flakes produces something that tastes oddly similar to bacon!
For the Potato Salad with Coconut “Bacon” recipe from Migraine Relief Recipes, click here.
Golden Chickpea Noodle Soup
Capture the comfort of chicken soup…just without the chicken. This recipe for golden chickpea noodle soup is heartwarming and tasty, but it’s also a great source of nutrients and plant-based protein. Make a big pot of the stuff on a cold night and enjoy.
For the Golden Chickpea Noodle Soup recipe from Better Food Guru, click here.
Smoky Grits and Greens
Not a grits fan? Well, this recipe for smoky grits and greens will surely change your mind. Adding paprika, vegan butter, and a pinch of brown sugar to the slowly simmering grits is a bold move that creates a harmonious flavor that pairs well with the cooked greens.
For the Smoky Grits and Greens recipe from Chef Jumoke Jackson, click here.
Warming Carrot Cauliflower Stew
This carrot cauliflower stew is warm and filling thanks to the roasted carrots, chile powder, and turmeric. A can of chickpeas adds an extra punch of vegan protein, elevating this stew from soup-course to entrée status.
For the Warming Carrot Cauliflower Stew recipe from Picky Diet, click here.
The Meatball Shop’s Veggie Balls
It’s no surprise that these veggie meatballs are still high on our list of most popular recipes of all time. Lentils are rich in protein as well as other essential minerals. Adding them to these veggie meatballs makes for a filling, protein-packed dish that can be served with a side of pasta or zoodles.
For the Meatball Shop’s Veggie Balls recipe from The Meatball Shop, click here.
Breakfast Lentils
Forget avocado toast and say hello to your new brunch bestie (and second most popular recipe of 2022) — breakfast lentils. Sautéing the lentils with shallots, paprika, and fresh lemon juice makes for a savory alternative to traditionally sweet breakfast dishes.
For the Breakfast Lentils recipe from veggie.num.num, click here.
Jamaican Jerk Tofu
It looks like, once again, no recipe is able to topple our champion. And it’s clearly a favorite for a reason. Pairing tofu with the bold spices of Jerk seasoning (a blend of cayenne, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and thyme) makes this Jamaican jerk tofu a dish that will certainly wake up your palate. Serve the slabs with a vegetable and a side of rice and peas for a complete meal.
For the Jamaican Jerk Tofu recipe, click here.