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23 Vegetarian Meal Prep Recipes

Vegetarian Vegetarian Meal Prep Meal Prep
By: 19 Comments
Posted: 7/23/21 Updated: 7/23/21

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These vegetarian meal prep recipes can help you eat healthier and reduce your meal time stress. Browse through the meal prep bowls, jar salads and friendly options.

Making vegetarian meal prep recipes, whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, sets you up for healthy eating through the week. Not only that, but you will save yourself time, stress and even save some money!

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One thing I love about vegetarian meal prep recipes is that the proteins are super easy to work with, often as simple as opening a can of beans! That makes prepping your meals even more efficient.

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Meal Prep FAQ

How many days can I meal prep for at a time? 

That depends on whether you choose freezer-friendly meals or not. Most ingredients will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Check out these Freezer-Friendly Lunch Meal Prep Recipes for recipes that will keep longer!

Is rice really safe to reheat?

Absolutely! The important thing with rice is that you don’t leave it at room temperature for long periods of time. Cool it quickly, refrigerate, and do not reheat more than once. Ref

Which meal prep containers should I use? 

Check out this post I wrote about the 5 Best Glass Meal Prep Containers!

Which vegetables work best for meal prep?

You will want to check out this post on How to Meal Prep Vegetables.

Do I really have to eat the same thing four days in a row?

NO! Check out this post on 3 Ways to Add Variety to Your Meal Prep. Although I will say that the most efficient way to meal prep is to bulk prep the same meal.

Meal prep & storage tips

How to meal prep– Specific instructions are found on each individual recipe post. Stir fries, burritos, casseroles, pastas (etc) are cooked ahead. Salads- chop, portion out, and keep dressing separate until just before serving (unless otherwise stated). Soup- assemble in mason jars.

How to store– Some options for storing these meal prep recipes include:

  • 2 cup meal prep containers (my personal faves; I own 40 of these!)
  • 2 compartment meal prep containers  (great for keeping ingredients separate until just before serving)
  • 3 compartment meal prep containers (great for bento-style lunches)
  • condiment containers (great for salad dressings)
  • 1 pint mason jars (great for salads)

How to serve– rewarm until steaming hot (if recipe calls for it). Toss salad in dressings and enjoy cold. Pour hot water into mason jar soup.

QUESTION? Ask me below!

Meal prep bowls

Cauliflower Cashew Lunch Bowls
Make these cauliflower cashew lunch bowls ahead of time and have work lunches ready for the week! Roasted cauliflower, toasted cashews, barley and chickpeas are all tossed in a delicious honey-ginger vinaigrette!
Check out this recipe
cauliflower cashew meal prep
Southwestern Sweet Potato & Lentil Jar Salads
These sweet potato & lentil jar salads have the most amazing chili lime vinaigrette! Make them ahead and enjoy throughout the week for an easy, healthy on-the-go lunch.
Check out this recipe
four mason jars filled with southwestern lentil sweet potato lunch bowls
Vegan Slow Cooker Tikka Masala
This vegan slow cooker tikka masala is PERFECT for meal prep! It makes an easy freezer crockpot meal, and leftovers keep (and can be frozen) for healthy plant-based lunches.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of three glass meal prep containers filled with vegan slow cooker tikka masala
Chickpea, Barley & Butternut Squash Jar Salads
Make ahead chickpea, barley and butternut squash jar salads will have you looking forward to lunch all morning! Vegetarian, ready in under 1 hour, and tastes amazing, even on day 4.
Check out this recipe
Stack of four glass jars filled with chickpea barley and butternut squash salad
Buddha Bowl Recipe
This Buddha bowl recipe is full of healthy plant-based ingredients and works great for meal prep! Customize it using your favorite veggies and don't forget to drizzle with the delicious tahini sauce.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of glass meal prep container filled with buddha bowls
Perfect Egg Fried Rice (+ Variations)
Showing you how to cook perfect egg fried rice! Made with a simple ingredient list including rice, carrots, beans and eggs tossed in a simple soy and sesame oil sauce. It's kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and perfect for using up what you have in your fridge and pantry.
Check out this recipe
row of glass meal prep containers filled with egg fried rice
Vegan Sushi Meal Prep
This vegan sushi bowl meal prep has all the flavors of sushi without the rolling! Made with cucumber, carrots, radish, edamame, rice and a sriracha mayo dressing.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of glass meal prep containers filled with vegan sushi bowls
Farro Arugula Salad (Meal Prep)
This farro arugula salad is a delicious vegetarian meal prep recipe! With snap peas, feta cheese, egg and a tangy vinaigrette, it is filling and delicious!
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of farro arugula salad with a soft boiled egg in glass meal prep container
Moroccan Instant Pot Lentils
Moroccan Instant Pot lentils made with sweet potato, tomatoes, carrots, and warming spices! Vegan comfort food at it's finest, this recipe is gluten-free, freezer-friendly, and delicious.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of glass meal prep container filled with moroccan instant pot lentils and rice
Cold Sesame Noodles with Spiralized Vegetables
These cold sesame noodle meal prep bowls are the perfect vegan prep ahead lunch: spiralized vegetables tossed with chickpeas and whole wheat spaghetti in a spicy almond butter sauce. 
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of four meal prep containers with sesame noodles and spiralized vegetables
Spicy Tofu Noodles Meal Prep
These spicy tofu noodle meal prep bowls are made with a sweet, savory and spicy sauce, whole-wheat spaghetti, zucchini noodles, and tofu! Make it ahead and enjoy for lunch through the week.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of two glass meal prep containers filled with spicy tofu noodles
Vegan Roasted Vegetable Meal Prep with Turmeric Tahini Sauce
This vegan meal prep recipe pairs roasted vegetables, chickpeas and quinoa with a deliciously creamy turmeric tahini sauce.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of four glass meal prep containers filled with vegan roasted vegetables
Chickpea Salad Bento Box (Vegan)
Chickpea salad bento box is a vegan no cook lunch option that can be ready in under 25 minutes! 
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of glass meal prep container with chickpea salad bento box

Dinners

Freezer Cauliflower Rice Black Bean Burritos
These freezer cauliflower rice black bean burritos are lighter but just as tasty as the original!  Loaded with veggies, salsa, black beans and cheese, and so convenient to have stocked in your freezer.
Check out this recipe
cauliflower rice black bean burrito cut in half and stacked on a plate with avocado slices
Sun Dried Tomato One Pot Pasta
This sun dried tomato pasta with chickpeas, mushrooms and spinach cooks up in one pot! Give it a few stirs, and dinner is ready! Easy to assemble ahead and customize with your favorite ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Sun dried tomato pasta in a blue bowl
Slow Cooker Chickpea Tortilla Soup (Freezer to Crock Pot)
Slow cooker chickpea tortilla soup which can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer!  A great way to stay out of the kitchen this summer.
Check out this recipe
chickpea tortilla soup in blue bowl with tortilla chips, avocado slices and lime wedge
Chopped Chickpea Salad (Make Ahead)
This chopped chickpea salad has bulgur wheat, crunchy veggies, feta cheese, and a delicious honey lemon vinaigrette is a delicious vegetarian salad that tastes even better on day 2!
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of ingredients for chopped chickpea salad in large metal bowls
Lasagna Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (Make Ahead, Freezer)
Lasagna stuffed portobello mushrooms has everyone's favorite lasagna ingredients (marinara, ricotta, spinach and basil) but served up in a deliciously roasted portobello mushroom! Low carb, freezer-friendly and vegetarian.
Check out this recipe
lasagna stuffed portobello mushroom on gray plate with fork taking a bite
Freezer to Oven Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
With delicious TexMex flavors, these enchilada stuffed sweet potatoes are great for lunch or dinner. You can prep them ahead and freeze for easy meals during busy weeks.
Check out this recipe
enchilada stuffed sweet potato on gray plate with fork taking a bite
One Pot Black Bean Fajita Pasta
One pot black bean fajita pasta is creamy and delicious vegetarian pasta recipe. With bell peppers, onions, black beans and fajita seasonings, it's perfect for weeknight dinners or for meal prep.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of black bean fajita pasta in white bowl with parsley sprig and limes
White Bean & Spinach Quesadillas (Freezer Friendly)
Make these smashed white bean and spinach quesadillas ahead of time and stash them in the freezer for an easy and healthy lunch that actually fills you up!
Check out this recipe
white bean kale quesadillas on gray plate with sour cream
Chickpea Butternut Squash Fajitas (Freezer-Friendly)
Chickpea butternut squash fajitas are a tasty remix on the classic. With tender roasted butternut squash, bell peppers, red onions and chickpeas tossed in a flavorful homemade fajita seasoning, they're simple to prep and work great as a freezer meal.
Check out this recipe
white plate with chickpea butternut squash fajitas on gray counter with fresh avocado and lime
Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole (Prep Ahead)
This butternut squash enchilada casserole bakes up with the bold spices of enchilada sauce, cheese, black beans, butternut squash and tortillas. Simple to assemble, and can be frozen for later!
Check out this recipe
white bowl of butternut squash enchilada casserole and avocado chunks

Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Sherrie Hartman says

    OMG -- can't wait to try all of these! I think this is going to be my favorite post ever 🙂 Thank you for putting it all together!

    Reply

    • Denise Bustard says

      I'm so happy it was helpful! I hope you can find some winners, Sherrie!

      Reply

  2. Anni says

    Thanks for the variety of recipes Denise. I plan on prepping some of these for our long trip in our trailer this spring. #happycamper

    Reply

  3. Merna says

    Lately, I’ve been craving foods with sauce/gravy (anything saucy really HA!), and wasn’t expecting these mouth watering meals to have it incorporated. I am looking forward to meal prepping for the first time. Thank you for the motivation and inspiration!

    Reply

    • Denise says

      I hope you find some good ones! Thanks, Merna 🙂

      Reply

  4. Vicky says

    Thank you for these wonderful recipes Denise. I'm definitely going to try most of them as they will make a welcome change to my usual meals.

    Reply

    • Denise says

      Hi Vicky! I hope you find some winners!

      Reply

  5. Laura Raymond says

    Hi, Denise! These are gorgeous, healthy, delicious sounding recipes that I would love to share with my vegetarian friends and tell them about Sweet Peas & Saffron. For me, personally, none of them work because I have severe IBS and a slew of allergies, and every single one of the recipes posted relies heavily on ingredients that would have me doubled over in agony in about five to ten minutes. Such a shame, since they look soooooooooooo good!!!!! You are an awesome food designer with a great eye for recipes that work and are both healthful and tasty, even though it won't work for me personally.

    Reply

    • Denise says

      Hi Laura, apologies for my late reply (holidays!). Sorry to hear they won't work for you. I have a friend with IBS and she can't have the most random selection of foods. It must be so hard to find recipes that work for you. Thanks so much for passing on to your friends!

      Reply

  6. Kristen says

    These are awesome! Thank you!

    Reply

  7. Helen says

    5 stars
    I normally look at links like this and find half of the recipes include ingredients that are not vegetarian or the recipes are complicated or there is nothing I like the sound of. So congratulations I have just printed off 17 recipes and i will try and make a different one each week. I'm looking forward to new and exciting lunches to replace my usual sandwiches.

    Reply

    • Denise says

      So happy to hear this! Hope you enjoy!

      Reply

  8. Dee says

    5 stars
    I can't wait to try those portobellos!!!

    Reply

  9. Bella says

    These are awesome, thank you so much for posting!

    Reply

    • Denise says

      You are very welcome, Bella!

      Reply

  10. Nallely says

    I love this post, I took a picture of a couple recipes I'm so excited to try! You're awesome, I seriously enjoyed reading your posts as well, keep doing what you're doing (:

    Reply

    • Denise says

      Thank you so much, Nallely! I hope you enjoy the recipes 🙂

      Reply

  11. HeatherJeweler says

    These are some amazing sounding recipes. I have not made any yet but plan too. It can be a bit daunting to search online for great, easy, inspiring recipes. You have so many to choose from.
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Denise says

      Hi Heather! I"m glad you like the post. Thanks so much for your comment 🙂

      Reply