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The Nine Days are here, which means many of us are suddenly trying to come up with satisfying meatless meals that the whole family will enjoy. Tack on the current high-protein craze, and you’ve got yourself a challenge. Lucky for you, here at Jews Eat Veggies, we are high-protein, high-fiber (the other current craze) year-round!
These two easy nine days recipes are practical, protein-rich, and flexible enough for busy summer evenings. The tofu pizza takes only a few minutes to assemble and can be customized with everyone’s favorite toppings. The edamame pesto pasta is colorful, filling, and works equally well warm or as a make-ahead pasta salad.
Here are two simple Nine Days recipes to add to your dinner rotation.
This tofu pizza requires only two base ingredients, the tofu and the pizza sauce, plus a couple of items from your spice cabinet, and optional toppings of your choice. I highly encourage you to use the nutritional yeast (Trader Joes’ is great). It adds a nutritional boost and a cheesy flavor, without lactose-induced side effects!
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High Protein Tofu Pizza
Description
A quick, high-protein pizza-style tofu recipe that works as a snack, lunch, or easy dinner. The tofu becomes the “crust,” and each slice gets topped like a mini pizza. This is like a no-recipe, recipe, it’s so easy!
Ingredients
- 1 pound high protein or extra-firm tofu
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Pizza sauce
- Nutritional yeast
- Toppings of choice, such as chopped spinach and diced red peppers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F convection.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the tofu into approximately 12 slices, slicing across the short side of the block.
- Place the tofu slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle each slice with garlic powder.
- Spread a spoonful of pizza sauce on top of each tofu slice.
- Sprinkle nutritional yeast over each slice.
- Add your desired toppings, such as spinach (I like to used defrosted frozen/chopped) and diced red peppers.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how browned you want the tofu and toppings.
- Serve warm.
Notes
For a crispier result, bake a few minutes longer, keeping an eye on the toppings so they don’t burn.
This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free, depending on the pizza sauce and toppings used.
The second recipe is a true one-dish meal. Like the tofu pizza, the Edamame Pesto Pasta is high-protein and can be customized with different toppings and is also a terrific lunch option. I brought it for a more sophisticated picnic lunch with some friends and it was a smashing success.
One more thing about the Jews Eat Veggies way of eating… not only can you enjoy this delicious, big bowl of pasta and colorful veggies…You can have your protein and eat your fiber too! Unlike all the bros eating chicken breasts morning, noon and night… Just sayin…. I have a stomachache just thinking about that type of diet!
High-Protein Edamame Pesto Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A colorful, protein-packed pasta salad that’s perfect for a one-dish nine days dinner, meal prep, a holiday lunch, or bringing to a friend. It works as a satisfying vegetarian main dish or a vibrant side.
Ingredients
For the pesto
- 1 tsp chopped garlic
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the pasta salad
- 1 box (8 oz) Explore Cuisine Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine
- 2 Tbsp pesto
- 3 to 4 Tbsp olive oil (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup roasted diced carrots and/or sweet potatoes (optional)
- 1 cup sliced vine-ripened cherry tomatoes
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Blend the pesto ingredients in a mini food processor until smooth.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Rinse with cold water, drain well, and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Toss the pasta with the pesto and 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil until evenly coated. Add more oil if needed after the pasta sits for a few minutes.
- Fold in the roasted carrots and/or sweet potatoes, if using.
- Top with the sliced tomatoes and finish with freshly ground black pepper before serving.
Notes
Meal Prep Tip
Roast extra carrots and sweet potatoes for dinner (the air fryer works great for this!), then save some to stir into this pasta salad the next day. It’s a simple way to turn one batch of roasted vegetables into two completely different meals. This pasta salad also travels well, making it a great dish to bring to a friend or share at a holiday gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Want another high-protein easy nine days recipe? This one is a show stopper!