Meatless ideas that a meat and potatoes man will eat

dustyhockeymom
dustyhockeymom Posts: 537 Member
edited September 25 in Food and Nutrition
I want to try to incorporate a few more meatless meals into my diet. The problem is that I am married to a real meat and potatoes guy who is also a picky eater. That has contributed to both our weight gain. I want to try to sneak in a few meatless meals here and there, but they have to satisfy him too. I am a very good cook, so I don't necessarily need really easy meals. Any ideas? Thanks.
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Replies

  • emmascott
    emmascott Posts: 249
    When you get some, pass them my way too!!! lol

    Same situation here!!!

    Em
    x
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    There's a recipe that looks yummy in the current issue of Disney's Family Fun magazine for a black bean and sweet potato chili, haven't made it yet, but it looks great!
  • GFab
    GFab Posts: 75
    Me too!!!
  • LarryPGH
    LarryPGH Posts: 349 Member
    Do ya'll like stews and chili and such? You could work on variations of these, and that way give him meat (but vary the *kind* of meat, to make it healthy) -- cutting down on the *amount* of meat* in it... that would be a cool way to work in more veggies, too!

    Is he a "I don't wanna see anything green on my plate" kind of guy, too? My one buddy's like that, and it makes me laugh...!
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    I am a vegan who is about to marry the world's biggest carnivore. My fiance LOVES lentil stew, tacos and tostadas made with mashed black beans (toast corn tortillas in the oven for low-fat tostadas), and he has become quite the fan of tempeh!

    I have found that it's less about the meal as it is the delivery ;-) They get freaked out if you say "TRY THIS SOY ITALIAN SAUSAGE!" Instead, cut some up and slip it in the lentil stew and let them figure it out!
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    We're big carnivores around here, but we all like lentil loaf (like a meatless meatloaf) and vegan falafel (my husband thinks of them kind of like meatballs). You can find lots of recipes at allrecipes.com.
  • I agree, it's all in the delivery. I made a dill salad dressing with Greek Yogurt, then told my boyfriend after he ate it what it was. He liked it. I try to sneak a salad in a couple nights a week, tonight we're having spaghetti and a salad, then they eat less of the spaghetti because they ate a salad first. :)
  • LixxiKitti
    LixxiKitti Posts: 116
    i agree with above - go with tacos/chilli beans/rice etc....filling for a guy used to eating a bigger/heavier meal and you can control your portion size/add more tomato/less cheese etc.

    also some of the vege meat substitutes out there are pretty good - depending on your partner's mindset you may not wanna jump straight into plain tofu (my ex was terrified by the idea of this but would quite happily eat a vege burger patty or fake chicken kebabs). just check the packet for nutirional info.
    good luck!
  • scagneti
    scagneti Posts: 707 Member
    I like doing a nice pasta casserole full of tons of veggies (like cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, whatever else you guys like) with pretty much just cooked whole grain penne, tomato sauce, cheese, and veggies. Calories are pretty low because there's no meat and it's super filling.

    Does he like breakfast? How about pancakes or a western omelete with whole grain toast and no ham?
  • Bridgetc140
    Bridgetc140 Posts: 405 Member
    Yeah, I second the Vegetarian Lentil "Meatloaf" I just made it for dinner last night and had some for lunch today...yum!
  • shaunshaikh
    shaunshaikh Posts: 616 Member
    Don't understand why you would want less meat (protein) in your diet. I can understand wanting to incorporate more vegetables and other things to get a better nutritional balance, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Most people don't get enough protein as it is.
  • Bridgetc140
    Bridgetc140 Posts: 405 Member
    I love to make this for lunch: rice and fat free refried beans on a whole wheat tortilla. I just sautee a little onion and green peppers add the rice (usually 1/2 cup, 1/4 cup for each of us) and 1 cup of fat free refried beans...mix up until hot. Then I put them on the tortilla sprinkle a little garlic powder and cumin, throw in some lettuce and tomato and roll those babies up!! They're huge, delicious and filling.

    Fat free refried beans 1/2 cup-90 cal
    1/4 cup brown rice --55 cal
    whole wheat tortilla--100 cal
    tomatos/lettuce/green pepper/onion---less than 35 since there is so little

    Less than 300 calories

    I usually serve it with some steamed broccoli. Great healthy and satisfying lunch.
  • Bviera
    Bviera Posts: 106 Member
    I have a recipe for a spinach rice pie that I absolutely love. Basically you prepare rice (can be brown rice) and then toss it with a couple of egg whites and some cheese (I use parm and cheddar). Then you line the bottom of a baking dish with it and bake it for about 10-15 minutes, until it takes shape and becomes a crust. Then you cook some spinach in vegetable broth (try to find a low sodium broth, cause vegetable broth tends to be high in salt), with onions, scallions, and sundried tomatoes. When the liquid is gone, pour the spinach mix into the rice crust and top it with some cheese, then broil it until the cheese browns.

    Believe me, I love my meat, but when I have this dish, I don't even miss it. I don't have the exact measurements on me right now, but I'm sure you could experiment with it and come up with something good.
  • Bridgetc140
    Bridgetc140 Posts: 405 Member
    Don't understand why you would want less meat (protein) in your diet. I can understand wanting to incorporate more vegetables and other things to get a better nutritional balance, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Most people don't get enough protein as it is.

    There are other sources of protein besides meat. I don't eat beef and rarely eat pork. I have several meatless days per week and I am usually over my protein goal.
  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
    My wife doesn't care for meat, so I have made lasagna without meat and didn't notice the difference.
  • salmonpi
    salmonpi Posts: 16
    Start with familiar things like lasagna. If he's scared of veggetables start off with just the sauce and lowfat cheeses. Burritos are good too.


    If you're not going to be completely vegetarian, then why not make some meals that have just a little meat? Bean soups made with leftover chicken or ham are very filling.
  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
    You could also try to do more chicken and turkey recipes, it's still meat but better for you. I have switched a lot of hamburger recipes to ground turkey and didn't notice the difference.
  • jmccarton
    jmccarton Posts: 2 Member
    Gardein
    Quorn
    Morningstar

    Those are some companies that make meatless meats. I've been working with Gardein's beef tips lately..........YUM. Quorn has great chik'n nuggets and chik'n patties. Morningstar makes delicious meatless crumbles you can use for chili or whatever. Good luck.
  • Bridgetc140
    Bridgetc140 Posts: 405 Member
    Gardein
    Quorn
    Morningstar

    Those are some companies that make meatless meats. I've been working with Gardein's beef tips lately..........YUM. Quorn has great chik'n nuggets and chik'n patties. Morningstar makes delicious meatless crumbles you can use for chili or whatever. Good luck.

    Yeah, there's also Boca. I have Boca burgers for lunch some days. In fact, I had that for lunch today also, because my daughter was eating more of my food than me and I was still hungry!! lol Very yummy with a toasted deli flat and a dash of BBQ sauce.
  • loro1971
    loro1971 Posts: 135
    wheat angelhair marinara with grilled mushrooms.
    fish tacos...(mahi mahi or orange roughy)
    veggie lasagna
    blackened shrimp tacos
    langastinos in hot sauce over rice
    portabellas stuffed with italian greens
    pierogies(low fat) sauteed with grilled veggies(zucchini/squash/mushrooms/broccolli/garlic)
    wheat linguine and clam sauce
    pasta with greens and hot peppers
    black bean tostadas
    veggie chili
    baked potatoes with sauteed broccoli/peppers/
    angelhair with baked cauliflower and parmesan and veggie hot sausage crumbles
    eggbeaters/hot peppers and fat free cheese sandwiches
    whole wheat pancakes sugar free syrup veggie sausage
    grilled fat free cheese english muffins and tomato soup......here's some ideas. i have the same problem but he doesnt even notice!! hope this helps!!!
  • loro1971
    loro1971 Posts: 135
    for my hubbys lunch today i grilled 2 boca veggie patties cut in half..... fat free thousand island dressing, chopped lettuce, sliced pickles and put them on low fat wheat wraps ... he said it tasted EXACTLY like the big mac wraps!!!
  • godblessourhome
    godblessourhome Posts: 3,892 Member
    check out my blog. we try to do one or two meatless meal each week. it should give you plenty of ideas.

    http://www.everythingisbetterwithcheese.blogspot.com
  • kacarter1017
    kacarter1017 Posts: 651 Member
    I've used soy crumbles in place of hamburger in casseroles and no one notices.
    Quesadillas made with black beans, corn, and low fat cheese
    Pasta, tomatoes, feta cheese, spices, bit of olive oil, onions
    Veggie spaghetti sauce
    Veggie chili
    grilled veggie sandwiches- use portabella mushrooms, peppers, onion, eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash. The portabella mushrooms are so meaty, I don't think he'll notice the "no meat"
  • shaunshaikh
    shaunshaikh Posts: 616 Member
    Don't understand why you would want less meat (protein) in your diet. I can understand wanting to incorporate more vegetables and other things to get a better nutritional balance, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Most people don't get enough protein as it is.

    There are other sources of protein besides meat. I don't eat beef and rarely eat pork. I have several meatless days per week and I am usually over my protein goal.
    That's an interesting personal choice. I still don't understand why she wants to take meat out of her and her husband's diet.

    To the OP, I'm sorry I asked. You didn't ask for a referendum on meat in your diet, you just wanted to know how to feed a meat and potatoes guy without meat. Personally, what I think you really want to know is how can you give your husband a more balanced and nutritional dinner when he is only comfortable with meat and potatoes type meals. My fiancee is actually pretty good at doing things like this. She'll use the food processor sometimes to hide vegetables in places you wouldn't often expect them. She loevs to watch me eat something and then ask me what was in it. Lasagna, chili, pasta with meat/vegetable sauce all have opportunities to sneak vegetables in without making him broccoli raw by hiding it in other mediums.
  • tristalin
    tristalin Posts: 108 Member
    Black Beans!

    Black Bean Lasagna: http://mealsmadeahead.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-bean-lasagna.html
    Black Bean Burritos: http://mealsmadeahead.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-bean-burritos.html
    Black Bean Burgers: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Homemade-Black-Bean-Veggie-Burgers/Detail.aspx
    Quiona & Black Bean Chili: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-and-Black-Bean-Chili/Detail.aspx

    Also, I'm not sure if substituting the type of meat you use is an option, but extra lean ground turkey is easy to cook with as well.

    Taco Bake: http://mealsmadeahead.blogspot.com/2011/01/taco-bake.html
    Turkey Meatballs or Meatloaf: http://mealsmadeahead.blogspot.com/2010/01/basic-meatballs-or-meat-loaf.html
    Turkey & Artichoke Stuffed Shells: http://mealsmadeahead.blogspot.com/2009/03/turkey-stuffed-shells.html
    Low-Fat Pizza Pasta Casserole (w/ground turkey): http://mealsmadeahead.blogspot.com/2009/02/low-fat-pizza-pasta-cassarole.html

    *Note: Most of these recipes are make ahead/freezable! I have tried every single one of them and they are all excellent & can easily be modified w/ ingredients to fit your lifestyle. (ie: low-fat/carb/calorie versions as you like)
  • kacarter1017
    kacarter1017 Posts: 651 Member
    Don't understand why you would want less meat (protein) in your diet. I can understand wanting to incorporate more vegetables and other things to get a better nutritional balance, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Most people don't get enough protein as it is.

    You can get plenty of protein without it being from a meat source. Changing up the source of protein can incorporate different vitamins/minerals and tastes into your diet. Also, for Catholics at this time of year, it is a religious norm.
  • salmonpi
    salmonpi Posts: 16
    That's an interesting personal choice. I still don't understand why she wants to take meat out of her and her husband's diet.


    She's not taking it out of their diet, she's just trying to lower the amount they eat. I think the average american eats about twice as much meat as they need to in order to get enough protein.
  • 1234lbsgone
    1234lbsgone Posts: 296 Member
    I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I figured I can share it first. It is from the Skinny B*tches so I can almost garauntee it is fabulous. I love their recipes.

    Sloppy Joes
    Makes 4 servings
    1 cup water, divided
    1 small onion, chopped
    1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
    1 8-ounce package tempeh, crumbled into small pieces (Or TVP, Lentils, etc.)
    1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
    2 tablespoons ketchup
    1 tablespoon agave nectar
    1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
    2 teaspoons prepared mustard
    1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    4 multigrain hamburger buns
    Heat 1/2 cup water in skillet. Add onion and bell pepper and sauté until cooked through. Add remaining 1/2 cup water and tempeh. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the tempeh to get well-done.
    Add tomato sauce, ketchup, agave nectar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic powder and cook for 15 minutes.
    Serve on buns.
    Note: You can substitute faux meat crumbles, textured vegetable protein (TVP), or even lentils in this recipe.
    Nutrition Information
    Per serving:
    273 calories
    7.9 g fat
    1.6 g saturated fat
    24.5% calories from fat
    0 mg cholesterol
    17.6 g protein
    36.6 g carbohydrate
    14.4 g sugar
    6.3 g fiber
    666 mg sodium
    143 mg calcium


    And this is a South Beach recipe. I made this for my daughter who hate lasagna and she ate it up like it was stuffed with chocolate covered sugar cubes!!!

    Vegetarian No-Pasta Lasagna

    Serves 4-6

    Ingredients
    2 large eggplants
    1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
    1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
    2 (14.5-ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
    1 large egg
    1/2 cup fresh-grated Parmesan cheese
    1/4 cup fresh basil, shredded
    2 tablespoons garlic, chopped fine
    2 tablespoons onion, chopped fine
    2 tablespoons dried oregano
    2 tablespoons dried thyme
    2 cups (4 whole) roasted peppers
    1 6-ounce can tomato paste
    4 tablespoons olive oil
    2 cups spinach (optional)
    1 large yellow squash, thinly sliced lengthwise (optional)
    salt and ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions
    Preheat oven to 450°F. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in skillet and cook garlic and onion until they become aromatic and begin to brown. Add stewed tomatoes and 1 tablespoon dried oregano. Once tomatoes begin to bubble, stir in tomato paste. Reduce heat to low, add salt and pepper to taste, cover and let simmer lightly while you continue.

    Slice eggplant lengthwise in 1/4-inch slices. Spread out eggplant on a rimmed cookie sheets sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Salt the slices generously on both sides, sprinkle with thyme, and lightly brush (fingers are fine) with the remaining oil olive. Roast eggplant in oven until tender and slightly browned. If using yellow squash, also roast briefly until soft and pliable. Remove and let cool enough to handle. Reduce oven to 375°F.

    Meanwhile, stir together ricotta cheese, egg, remaining oregano, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. In a 12x9-inch baking dish spread 1/4 cup of tomato sauce. Cover with 3 or 4 eggplant slices, then half of the roasted peppers, and then a third of the ricotta cheese mixture, followed by a third of the mozzarella. Sprinkle half the basil over cheeses, and then spinach and yellow squash (if using). Cover with more tomato sauce, eggplant, peppers, ricotta, mozzarella and basil. Top with remaining eggplant, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and any remaining Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake for about 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for about 15 minutes more or until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown. Remove and let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
    Nutritional Information:
    354.18 calories
    12.35 g sugar
    18.64 total fat (6.82 g sat)
    67.48 mg cholesterol
    35.4 g carbohydrate
    16.76 g protein
    3.55 g fiber
    754.95 mg sodium


    Also, browse through the recipes at www.vegetariantimes.com It is an awesome magazine and they recipes are to die for!!!! I try at least 1 new one each week and they never fail.

    :flowerforyou:
  • TonyaJ83
    TonyaJ83 Posts: 155
    My food diary is public & my husband and I have been Vegan almost 3 years.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    2 things I've had that were rather good for not having meat was a spinach veggie lasagna, and a portabella mushroom "burger". Very hearty meals. Sorry no recipes, I didnt cook them. But I am sure a google search would turn something up.
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