Easy High Protein Vegetarian Pasta and Stir-Fry Recipes
Enjoy a delicious and healthy high-protein vegetarian pasta and stir-fry meal that’s packed with plant-based protein and perfect for any time of day. With protein-rich ingredients like lentils, tofu, quinoa, and chickpeas, these customizable dishes are quick, satisfying, and full of flavor. Whether you need a post-workout meal or a nutritious dinner, this combination of hearty pasta and vibrant stir-fry will fuel you for hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (for pasta), 25 minutes (for stir-fry)
- Total Time: 20 minutes (for pasta), 25 minutes (for stir-fry)
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Pasta:
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Cook the whole wheat pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes.
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Add the cooked lentils and spinach to the skillet and cook until the spinach wilts down.
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Stir in the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper.
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Serve with parmesan cheese (optional) and garnish with fresh basil.
- For the Stir-Fry:
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cubed tofu and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the sliced bell pepper, carrot, and zucchini to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, ginger, and garlic.
- Pour the sauce over the vegetables and tofu, stir to coat, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the stir-fry over cooked quinoa or rice.
Instructions
- Cook the lentil pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add chickpeas and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 5–7 minutes.
- Toss in spinach and cook until wilted.
- Add cooked pasta and nutritional yeast. Stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper. Top with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover pasta and stir-fry separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the pasta with a splash of water or olive oil to prevent it from drying out. Stir-fry can be reheated with a splash of soy sauce to keep it moist.
- Customizing: Feel free to swap out the vegetables, proteins, or pasta shape based on your preferences (e.g., using chickpeas or tempeh in place of lentils or tofu).
