We are sharing our 10 best vegetarian recipes for kids to help your family eat a more plant-based diet this year.
You may have heard that eating a more plant-based diet is better for our overall health. Numerous studies show how eating more plant protein, fruits and vegetables is linked to better health outcomes such as lower instances of chronic disease and a healthier gut, just to name a few of the benefits.
So what does eating a more plant-based diet mean? Well, you can find any number of definitions if you try googling it (I was a little surprised myself!). Essentially it means eating more foods from plant sources and less animal meats and products. This doesn’t have to be an all or nothing proposition though. Just including more fruits and vegetables in general goes a long way to improving health and warding off chronic disease. Even if it is just one meal per week that is plant-based, it will be a good start for your body. You may have noticed if you’ve purchased any of our menu plans that we already include one vegetarian meal per week, plus plenty of fruits and vegetables with our other meals too.
And this time of year when everyone is making New Year’s resolutions to eat better, why not extend that to the whole family by serving one of these delicious vegetarian or plant-based meals featuring legumes (i.e., beans and lentils) that the whole family, kids included, will love!
Here are our 10 best kid-friendly vegetarian recipes featuring legumes:
Chickpea and Brown Rice Veggie Burgers

Who doesn’t love a good burger? And this spin on a veggie burger is packed with flavor.
Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos

Kids love nachos and these are ones you can feel good about serving your family. Sweet potatoes are the “nacho chips” then piled high with toppings like black beans, avocado and cheese.
Tomato and White Bean Soup 
We love our soups and in this one white beans are blended into the tomato soup for a creamy texture. It also pairs perfectly with our Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese Sandwich! A match made in heaven.
Slow Cooker Falafel Sandwiches

We love falafels and making them in the slow cooker couldn’t be easier! Not to mention, much healthier than fried versions.
Lentil Sloppy Joes 
Sloppy joes were a childhood favorite of mine. Even meat lovers won’t miss the meat because this sauce is packed with flavor.
White Bean and Spinach Gnocchi

I’ve been making this recipe for years. It is so simple and fast to prepare.
Zucchini, Bean & Cheese Burritos

These are the best to keep in the freezer for a quick lunch or dinner whenever they are needed. I usually make 2 batches at a time for this reason.
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One Pot Tomato and Bean Pasta

Ever tried one pot pastas? Simple to make and did we mention one pot for the entire meal?!
Peanutty Edamame Udon Noodles

My kids love udon noodles and this recipe is great hot or cold, making it perfect for leftover lunches too.
Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

Another veggie burger recipe that pleases the whole family. You can never have too many different variations to try.