7 Classic Comfort Foods That Are Somehow Even Better Without the Meat

It may surprise you, but certain meat-centric dishes — like beefy Bolognese sauce and chicken tikka masala — are actually just as tasty (if not more so!) when you lose the meat entirely. With chicken, beef, or pork out of the equation, you’re left with more room for hearty veggies, which can take on heaps of spice and flavor. Here are seven recipes that prove it.

What makes this meatless bolognese so rich-tasting is the generous amount of red wine, which lends body and flavor to the vegetables.

While chicken is the usual suspect in tikka masala, we think this mix of vegetables soaks up the creamy spiced sauce even better.

You’ll never miss the ground meat in this lasagna — the layers upon layers of colorful vegetables and melty cheese more than make up for it.

These lentil and mushroom “sausages” are spiced similarly to traditional breakfast sausage, making them a worthy substitution.

Since mushrooms are naturally meaty, they’re a great meatless choice in these rich and decadent biscuit sandwiches.

While stir-fries typically involve meat and vegetables, if you lose the former and double the latter you get a more vibrant bowl.

Thanks to a mix of beans, nuts, vegetables, and miso paste, these veggie burgers are just as “beefy” as the classic.