5 Easy Meatless Monday Ideas your Family will Love
March 4, 2019
Meatless Monday is a great way to add vegetarian meals to your week, cut expenses, and eat healthy (if you choose your meals wisely). It also helps reduce your global footprint. Believe it or not, Earthday.org says that global meat consumption is up 20% in the last 10 years alone. But skipping a meat meal once a week (or more if you can) helps save a significant amount of carbon and resources.
There are thousands of vegetarian meals, from intricate to simple macaroni and cheese. If you’re looking for Meatless Monday meals the family might like, consider these ideas:
Do you have spicy food lovers? Buffalo wing lovers will enjoy buffalo cauliflower! Pair the spice meatless “wings” with celery and carrot sticks and a baked potato for a new favorite meatless meal.
Make a Mexican rice bowl night. Give each person a bowl of rice (yellow or Mexican style works great here) and allow them to choose from a spread of toppings. In assorted bowls offer chopped peppers, chopped onions, beans (black, pinto, or white), shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, jalapeños, chopped hard boiled eggs, olives, and anything else your kids love. Include few dressings options such as salsa, taco sauce, guacamole, and sour cream. Let everyone pick and choose and create their own meatless bowl!
Homemade Chinese lo mein night is a great idea and fairly fast to make. In a large pot or wok, stir fry rice noodles or regular noodles in a little teriyaki or ginger sesame seed sauce. Steam three or four vegetable options and place them in bowls for everyone to add to their individual noodle bowls. I suggest peppers, baby corns, broccoli and snap peas. As a side dish, pick up some vegetable egg rolls from your local restaurant or make some brown rice at home.
Easy grilled cheese and soup night! Thick bread, extra cheese, and some homemade soup is a perfect weeknight meal for busy families on the go. Create a large pot of your family’s favorite soup and then grill the sandwiches in just a few minutes. Soup ideas can include tomato, broccoli and cheese, potato, a veggie noodle, or a stew.
Banana pancakes are a three-ingredient, fun and recipe. And what child (or adult) doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? Mash a banana and then mix in a little flour and egg to make a thick mush. Cook the mix like you would regular pancakes, a minute or two on each side. Serve with maple syrup and top with blueberries or strawberries for extra healthy, tasty benefits.
