These 13 Plant-Based Recipes All Clock in Under 400 Calories | Livestrong.com (2024)

Adding more plant-based dishes to your diet will help you get essential nutrients, and is generally good for your health.

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Eating a plant-based diet doesn't just ‌sound‌ healthy — it is. People who eat a plant-based diet tend to weigh less, have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes and better blood pressure and cholesterol compared to their omnivorous counterparts, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

But, wait, what does "plant-based" mean? This buzzword doesn't actually have real definition beyond simply eating plants. The upshot is that you can determine how strict you want to be: Do you plan to eat all plants or will you eat more plants than animal products?

One thing is certain: Choosing to up your plant intake is healthy — and most of us fall short on eating our fruits and vegetables, per the USDA. Fruits and vegetables are important because they're how we get key vitamins (think: vitamins A, C, etc.), minerals (such as potassium) and fiber that aren't always as abundant in other foods.

So, with that said, here are 13 healthy, plant-based recipes to add to your weekly rotation. Plus, all of them clock in at under 400 calories to help you further your weight-loss goals.

Craving a spicy dish? Try this satisfying vegetarian salad.

Image Credit: Jamie Vespa MS, RD/Dishing Out Health

This 30-minute, gluten-free dish combines spicy, creamy and crunchy. It serves as a great make-ahead lunch or easy weeknight dinner. Plus, it delivers a healthy dose of protein and fiber — that's a good thing, since foods that are high in protein and fiber are quite satiating, per February 2015 research published in ‌Trends in Food Science & Technology‌.

This ingenious vegan lasagna uses hummus and tofu in place of dairy.

Image Credit: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD/Hummusapien

Yes — meatless and dairy-free lasagna! Thanks to a hummus and tofu "ricotta," even die-hard meat and dairy eaters have been known to love this lasagna. Zucchini, spinach and peas bump up the veggie count in this lasagna, plus add good-for-you phytochemical lutein and zeaxanthin, per the USDA.

This vegan soup comes together easily, and delivers plenty of flavor and filling fiber.

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There are definitely good pre-made soups on the market, but they'll never be as good as something that's homemade — in our opinion. But don't worry, this one doesn't require hours on end or masterful skills. In fact, all you'll do is dump everything into a pot, bring to a boil, then simmer for just 10 minutes.

The soup includes edamame, which have 8 grams of fiber per cup, according to the USDA. Each bowl is flavorful and filling and the finale of tortilla chips, avocado and lime zest takes it over the top!

You won't be left with a giant pile of dishes after you prepare this highly adaptable one-pot dinner.

Image Credit: Jamie Vespa MS, RD/Dishing Out Health

This recipe draws mostly on pantry staples to deliver a nutritious, flavor-packed meal. The combination of rice and beans means you get a complete source of plant protein.

Better yet, it comes together in one pot and is gluten-free. Another pro to this recipe: It's written as a blueprint versus a very specific recipe and comes with ample ingredient substitutes.

This pasta salad is delicious weeknight meal.

Image Credit: Jamie Vespa MS, RD/Dishing Out Health

This crowd-pleasing salad is an excellent choice for entertaining, and also so dead-simple that it makes for an ideal weekday meal. Mediterranean-inspired, you can enjoy it warm or chilled. And, it delivers almost one-third of your daily fiber target — that's 28 grams each day, per the FDA — in a single serving.

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A trio of plant-based ingredients — mushrooms, walnuts and chickpeas — replace meat in these vegan tacos.

Image Credit: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD/Hummusapien

Mushrooms, chickpeas and walnuts give these tacos that hearty and meaty filling we all crave. Then add some cool freshness — plus some added vitamins, minerals and fiber — with a dollop of guacamole and a sprinkling of shredded cabbage.

Try these savory oats for dinner.

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Oatmeal is no longer just for breakfast. This recipe is a perfect example. Simmer oats in water, lemon juice and sea salt, along with sliced fresh zucchini, scallion and olive oil — it's a delicious way to get soluble fiber, which helps to keep blood sugar and cholesterol in check, according to the Mayo Clinic.

You won't miss the meat with these boldly flavored tacos.

Image Credit: Jamie Vespa MS, RD/Dishing Out Health

If you think a veggie taco cannot possibly be as satisfying as a meaty one, this recipe is for you. It has meaty texture thanks to toothsome mushrooms and the lentils deliver heartiness.

Lentils also deliver some health perks: The fiber in these legumes can help quell inflammation and also lower cancer risk, according to the American Institute of Cancer Research. The adobo sauce and a few spices add bold flavor.

Use the stash of veggies in your freezer to make this decadent soup.

Image Credit: Jamie Vespa MS, RD/Dishing Out Health

This vegan (read: cream-less) soup gets its creaminess from raw cashews.

Yet it's still incredibly filling — the soup's combination of good-for-you fat and protein will help you stay full. Not only does this soup come together in one pot, but it also calls for some convenient, frozen vegetables. And, reminder, frozen veggies are just as healthy as fresh varieties, per Produce for Better Health, a non-profit aimed at upping produce intake.

Pile up these meat-free meatballs on top of your next pasta dish.

Image Credit: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD/Hummusapien

The base of these meatballs calls for protein- and fiber-filled pinto beans. Toasted walnuts and mushrooms add much-needed umami "meatiness." Round out the meal and serve these with your favorite jarred marinara sauce — either on top of your preferred pasta or sandwiched inside a roll.

This vegan version of fried rice adds chia seeds in place of eggs.

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Chinese fried rice is often a greasy side dish. But here it's transformed into a flavorful main dish, hold the greasiness. It's full of good carbs for energy. But there's also significant protein here via the tofu, brown rice and chia seeds. What's more, the chia seeds provide a burst of fiber and omega-3s, according to USDA. The seeds are used in this fried rice entree instead of eggs to keep it vegan.

You can use any kind of beans you prefer (or have on hand) to make these flavorful and fiber-filled enchiladas.

Image Credit: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD/Hummusapien

This fiber-packed main delivers half of your daily fiber goal (14 grams per serving). Plus, learn how to make "sour cream" with cashews and a couple other common ingredients. If black beans aren't your go-to, substitute with equally as good-for-you kidney beans, chickpeas or lentils.

You can make this soup in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop.

Image Credit: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD/Hummusapien

Be sure to dig this recipe out during soup season. Creamy without the cream (thanks to soaked and blended cashews, which are also a decent source of potassium and other important minerals, per the USDA), and brimming with veggies and hearty wild rice, this is a quick, easy, and healthy soup you won't want to pass up. Don't have an Instant Pot? Don't worry — there are stovetop instructions, too.