Contrary to popular belief, we don’t actually mock meat. We celebrate options and mediate between the “veggies” and the “carnies.” Simple enough. Which is why this week’s Mock Meat Monday is dedicated to the old school: classic recipes and favorite dishes.

What we’ve done is alter one or two ingredients to accomodate the vegetarians, while maintaining the integrity of the good home cooking everyone loves. You’ll be surprised how easy and delicious these ideas will turn out and all you need is an open mind.

Who doesn’t love lasagna? The meatless lasagna from All Recipes delivers all that cheesy tomato-y goodness that you’d expect and then some.

Again, perfect for adding or substituting your favorite veggies (or leaving them out all together – yum). One trick if you’re feeding lachanophobics, thoese who fear vegetables, the smaller you dice the veggies, the less noticeable they are.

Enchilada recipes come in endless varieties, so we’ll start you off with a basic ideas that you can expand on. Show Me the Curry has a simple bean and cheese with homemade enchilada sauce recipe that is vegetarian and delicious. Feel like spicing it up or adding your favorite vegetable? No problem, this recipe is perfect for customizing.

Thai food is always a favorite, although usually for eating out versus creating at home. Don’t let that stop you from making your own vegetarian pad thai. My Recipes features a fairly standard, not overly complicated version of pad thai that will give your dinner guests something to talk about. Toss in some extra broccoli, zucchini or edamame, or maybe leave out the egg altogether.

Last but not least, meatless meatloaf. Yes, this exists and it’s savory and oh so American (think, Roseanne Connor minus the National Anthem). Originally this recipe was featured in Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, a vegan cookbook that accompanied the vegan lifestyle book, Skinny Bitch. The Recipe Circus has leaked the recipe that has sent meat lovers (and pretty much all non-vegans) reeling. It’s wholesome and people like it and it goes great with already vegetarian mashed potatoes.

*Don’t forget you can always have some chicken breasts on the side to soothe the fussy or doubtful carnivores, be we don’t recommend it.

Have a recipe you want to share? We’d love to try it. Add a link to it in a comment below.

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