16 hearty bean recipes that make easy meatless meals

Did you know that Ree Drummond was once a vegetarian? It’s true! Before The Pioneer Woman lived on a cattle ranch, she was meatless for a few years in college. And even though she’s been eating meat again for over 30 years, she still really loves a good vegetarian meal. In particular, she’s a huge fan of beans. They’re hearty, filling, and savory, as well as an excellent source of protein and fiber.

Plus, bean recipes can be very economical! They’re a great way to extend meals even when there’s meat in a recipe. Buy them dry in bulk (as long as you know you have to soak them in advance) or take a shortcut and buy canned beans that only need a rinse. Either way, stock up your pantry because they’re one of the best ways to get a healthy dinner on the table, whether you’re choosing to go meatless or just want to switch things up.

All of the bean recipes here are vegetarian or can easily be made vegetarian, though there are plenty in Ree’s cooking repertoire that are not. (The chili recipes alone prove that point!) You’ll find cozy soup recipes, fun twists on burgers, and classic side dishes like black beans and rice. No matter what you’ve got stocked in your kitchen storage, you’ll find something to make for dinner tonight. These bean recipes are so good, even the meat eaters will love them.

Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Ree loves black bean burgers so much that she has a few versions! This one has a bit of a kick from smoky chipotle peppers and is packed with seasoned black beans, grated zucchini and carrot for extra moisture.

Get Ree’s Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers recipe.

Cauliflower Chili

You really won’t miss the meat in this vegetarian-friendly chili. Cauliflower, sweet potatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and mushrooms make it extra hearty. Warm spices like chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika give a nice kick, too.

Get Ree’s Cauliflower Chili recipe.

Hearty Black Bean Soup

The easiest way to get your fill of Tex-Mex flavors is making black bean soup. Make a big batch, because it actually tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge. Top it with creamy avocado, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.

Get Ree’s Hearty Black Bean Soup recipe.

Pasta Fagioli

This classic Italian soup features creamy white beans, pasta, and lots of veggies like carrots, tomatoes, and kale. To make this totally vegetarian, swap out the chicken broth for veggie broth or stock. Sprinkle on as much parmesan cheese as you want.

Get the Pasta Fagioli recipe.

Buffalo Chickpea Sandwiches

Get everything you love about Buffalo chicken (hot sauce, blue cheese, celery) except the chicken. You swap it out for chickpeas! They get mashed just enough to have a perfect texture to layer on toasted bread.

Get Ree’s Buffalo Chickpea Sandwiches recipe.

White Bean Soup

Cold days call for a soup that will warm you right up. This vegetarian soup is chock-full of veggies and either cannellini or great Northern beans. It has a refreshing lemony twist and a sprinkle of crispy, cheesy breadcrumbs on top.

Get Ree’s White Bean Soup recipe.

Black Beans and Rice

This easy recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and uses common pantry ingredients like long-grain white rice, canned black beans, onions, garlic, dried spices, and stock. Use veggie stock instead of chicken to make it entirely vegetarian.

Get the Black Beans and Rice recipe.

Veggie Burritos with Black-Eyed Peas

A lot of black-eyed pea recipes use meat to flavor them, but not these burritos! They have plenty of spice, veggies, and rice to do that for you. Load these up with guac and sour cream, too.

Get Ree’s Veggie Burritos with Black-Eyed Peas recipe.

Vegetarian Enchilada Soup

Raid your pantry for cans of enchilada sauce, black beans, pinto beans, and diced tomatoes. Then throw in some frozen corn and veggie broth and you’ve got one heck of a flavorful soup. Top it off with nachos like Ree does!

Get Ree’s Vegetarian Enchilada Soup recipe.

Vegetarian Pot Pie

With hearty white beans and mushrooms, the veggie-packed pot pie will keep you full and happy for hours. Puff pastry makes for an easy, flaky, and extra-buttery topping. You can try a curried version, too!

Get Ree’s Vegetarian Pot Pie recipe.

Curried Chickpea Loaded Potatoes

Now here’s something fun to try for dinner tonight! Stuff fluffy Yukon gold potatoes with a spicy curried chickpea mixture and top with a cool yogurt mixture and fresh cilantro. A simple side salad will complete the meal.

Get Ree’s Curried Chickpea Loaded Potatoes recipe.

Tex-Mex Grain Bowls

If you’re looking for something that’s equal parts filling, healthy, and flavorful, then these grain bowls are what you should make. It’s amazing what you can make with a can of pinto beans!

Get Ree’s Tex-Mex Grain Bowls recipe.

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas

Black bean recipes for the win! Even meat lovers will immediately dig into these enchiladas. Go ahead and buy pre-cut butternut squash to make assembly that much easier.

Get Ree’s Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas recipe.

Veggie Burgers

Sometimes you just want a big, hearty burger to sink your teeth into. Well, this recipe proves it doesn’t need to be made out of meat. Instead, mushrooms and chickpeas do the work for you, along with lots of spices and rice or quinoa.

Get the Veggie Burgers recipe.

Minestrone Soup

Another classic Italian soup that will fill you up and make you happy is minestrone. Along with countless veggies, it has both kidney and white beans. Swap out the chicken broth for veggie broth for an entirely vegetarian slurp fest.

Get Ree’s Minestrone Soup recipe.

Classic Three Bean Salad

You don’t have to be attending a potluck to make this easy side dish. Traditionally, it’s made with all canned beans, but if you can find fresh green beans, it really makes a difference.

Get the Classic Three Bean Salad recipe.