5-Day Vegetarian Meal Plan: Nourish, Reset, and Energize
/Eating vegetarian doesn’t have to be complicated or boring — it can be delicious, satisfying, and full of nutrient-dense foods that support energy, wellness, and overall health. This 5-day vegetarian plan is designed to give you balanced meals with plenty of fiber, protein, and healthy fats while keeping things simple and approachable.
Think of this as a flexible guide: feel free to swap meals, double recipes you love, or adjust portion sizes to match your hunger. And remember — hydration is key! Keep a water bottle nearby throughout the day to support digestion, metabolism, and overall wellness.
In this post, we’re doing a full 5-day vegetarian reset that includes:
Breakfast recipes that are easy, satisfying, and packed with nutrients.
Lunch and dinner recipes that are hearty, flavorful, and perfect for batch prepping.
Snack ideas to keep you energized and curb cravings.
A 5-day meal plan table showing how to rotate all the recipes so you don’t have to guess what to eat each day.
Whether you’re vegetarian already or just looking to add more plant-based meals to your week, this reset will give you the structure, variety, and delicious recipes to help you feel your best.
Tips for transitioning or sticking to a vegetarian diet
Focus on protein: Include lentils, beans, tofu, tempeh, and quinoa in your meals to keep you full and support muscle maintenance.
Think colorful: The more colorful your plate, the more nutrients and antioxidants you’ll get.
Include healthy fats: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil not only keep you satisfied but also help absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Plan snacks: Having easy, nutrient-dense snacks on hand prevents reaching for less healthy options.
Experiment with flavors: Spices, herbs, and fermented foods can keep vegetarian meals exciting and support gut health.
Now, let’s dive into all the recipes and the 5-day plan!
Breakfasts
Almond Oat Bran Porridge – ~300 cal
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups oat milk, 1/4 cup oat bran, 1/16 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp stevia powder, 1 tbsp almond butter, 1 1/2 tsp shredded coconut (toasted), 1 tbsp ground flax seed, 1 tsp chia seeds
Directions:
Bring milk to a boil, stir in oat bran and salt, simmer 2 min.
Add cinnamon and stevia; stir 2–3 min.
Top with almond butter, coconut, flax, and chia.
Notes: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Add chopped nuts or fruit for variety.
Cherry & Walnut Chia Overnight Parfait – ~300 cal
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups milk (or milk alternative), 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1/2 cup quick oats, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup cherries, 2 tbsp walnuts
Directions:
Mix milk, chia, oats, and cinnamon; divide into jars and refrigerate 8+ hours.
Top with cherries and walnuts.
Notes: Refrigerate up to 3 days. Use plant-based milk for vegan.
Tomato & Pesto Bagel – ~300 cal
Ingredients: 2 tbsp pesto, 1 bagel (halved, toasted), 1/4 tomato sliced
Directions:
Spread pesto on bagel halves and top with tomato.
Notes: Add cooked protein or greens for extra nutrients.
Lunch & Dinner
Tomato & Eggplant Pasta Casserole – ~450 cal
Ingredients: 6 cups crushed tomatoes, 2 cups cooked lentils, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 cup chopped basil, 2 tbsp oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 5 cups brown rice penne, 1 large eggplant sliced
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Mix all ingredients except penne and eggplant; transfer to casserole dish.
Top with eggplant slices, bake 40–45 min.
Notes: Refrigerate 3 days; serve with arugula, or sprinkle parmesan.
Crispy Tofu Meal Prep Bowl – ~400 cal
Ingredients: 1/3 cup flour, sea salt & pepper, 15.75 oz firm tofu, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1/4 cup avocado oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp tamari, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 4 cups spinach, 4 cups coleslaw mix, 2 cups frozen mango (thawed), 1 cup frozen edamame (thawed), 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Directions:
Coat tofu in flour + salt/pepper; pan-fry in oils.
Mix balsamic, tamari, maple syrup and toss tofu.
Serve over spinach, coleslaw, mango, edamame; sprinkle sesame seeds.
Black Bean Quinoa Wraps – ~400 cal
Ingredients: 1 cup water, 4 cups black beans, 3 cups diced tomatoes, 2 cups corn, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp sea salt, 1.5 cups dry quinoa, 8 whole wheat tortillas, 4 cups spinach, 2 diced avocados
Directions:
Simmer water, beans, tomatoes, corn, and spices. Add quinoa, cook 12–15 min.
Assemble wraps with quinoa mixture, spinach, and avocado.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Quinoa Bake – ~450 cal
Ingredients: 3 small sweet potatoes, 2 cups black beans, 1 cup dry quinoa, 1 red bell pepper, 3 green onions, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 lime (juiced), 1 diced avocado
Directions:
Preheat oven 375°F. Combine all ingredients except avocado, cover with foil, bake 40 min.
Let sit 5 min, top with lime juice and avocado.
Snacks
Banana & Date Kefir Smoothie – ~150 cal
Ingredients: 1 1/3 cups kefir, 2 tbsp dates, 1/2 banana, 4 ice cubes, 1/8 tsp cinnamon
Directions: Blend all ingredients until smooth.
No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin & Chocolate Chip Bites – ~150 cal
Ingredients: 1/2 cup tahini, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup protein powder, 3/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tbsp water, 1/3 cup raisins, 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Directions: Mix, roll into balls, refrigerate 1 hour.
Apple, Brie & Walnuts – ~200 cal
Ingredients: 3 oz brie, 1/4 cup walnuts, 1 apple (sliced)
Directions: Arrange brie & walnuts on apple slices.
Notes from margot
📌 If a full 5-day meal plan feels overwhelming, start with just one plant-based meal per day. Listen to your body, get creative with swaps, and add more meals as you feel comfortable. The goal is to gradually incorporate more plant-based foods in a way that feels sustainable and enjoyable—not stressful.
Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the day to support digestion, energy, and overall wellness.
Adjust portions: Listen to your hunger cues and adjust portion sizes or swap meals as needed.
Batch prep & leftovers: Make extra portions to save time and reduce mealtime stress.
Mix and match: Feel free to rotate recipes or swap ingredients to keep your meals interesting while staying plant-powered.
This 5-day vegetarian reset is about more than just the recipes—it’s about building habits that support your energy, digestion, and overall well-being. Start small, honor your body, and enjoy experimenting with new plant-based flavors. With consistency, variety, and creativity, you’ll feel nourished, satisfied, and inspired to continue your plant-based journey.
Keep Going: Your Next Steps
Want to dive deeper? Here are a few resources to keep the momentum going:
📌 Related Posts
✓ Done-for-You Guides
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