Southwest Metro's Best Meatless Meals

Photo: Emily J. Davis

Bulk up on veggies by ordering Pasta Zola's penne with vegetables in marinara sauce.

This is the month of Lent, when many observers take a break from meat on Fridays in the weeks leading up to Easter. Meanwhile, the Meatless Monday campaign (meatlessmonday.com) is gaining momentum, a non-profit movement that encourages people to declare Mondays meat-free for health and environmental reasons.

Luckily, many southwest metro restaurants don’t have a problem meeting the criteria for a meatless meal. From a casual ethnic spots to an upscale Italian restaurant, like Campiello, here is a guide to some tasty meatless meals in the southwest metro.

Vegetarian Dinner for Two

India Palace

Vegetarians are always right at home in an Indian restaurant, due to the many meat-free options that are part of the traditional cuisine. The vegetarian dinner for two at Biryani is a value-added way to sample a few of the meat-free selections. The package includes an appetizer platter and two entrees with rice and bread plus desserts, for $35.95. It’s intended to serve 2–3 people.

When deciding what to order, be sure to zero in right away on the cheese lover’s paneer tikka masala ($10.95), with chunks of cheese and a house made masala sauce with onions, tomato, ginger and garlic. Balti specialties like the alu chana dhamaka balti, with potatoes and garbanzo beans, cooked in a sauce with jalapenos, will satisfy your craving for spicy fare ($12.95). 936 Prairie Center Dr., Eden Prairie; 952.946.1923

Penne with Vegetables

Pasta Zola

Due to the build-your-own nature of the menu at Pasta Zola, diners enjoy numerous options for a vegetarian meal. The most popular is the whole wheat penne in marinara sauce with sautéed red peppers, zucchini, onion and carrot. A small box is $6.58, but don’t let the description fool you—it’s actually a heaping portion. The large box is just a buck more, but you’ll probably need a doggie bag.

Another popular meatless dish is the cavatappi with sundried tomato and garlic pesto with sautéed vegetables (also $6.58 for a small or $7.58 for a large). Of the nine sauces available at Pasta Zola, only the Bolognese has meat in it, so order any of the other eight with your choice of noodle and vegetarian fixings. Eden Prairie Center #2320; 8251 Flying Cloud Dr., Eden Prairie; 952.454.1432

Eggplant Parmigiana

Buca di Beppo

With most dishes served family-style, it’s easy to sample and share some of the vegetarian favorites at Buca di Beppo. The eggplant parmigiana runs top of the list, made with eggplant slices that have been breaded and fried, then topped with a marinara of fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. All are baked together until golden ($17.95 for a small, serves 2–3, and $27.95 for a large, serves 4–6).

The gnocchi al telefono, Italian potato dumplings tossed with fresh mozzarella and marinara with a touch of cream, is another vegetarian choice, where the mozzarella strands stretch like the cord of a telephone, hence the name ($17.95 for a small and $27.95 for a large). 7711 Mitchell Rd., Eden Prairie; 952.934.9463

Veggie Sandwich

Crumb Gourmet Deli

The veggie sandwich at Crumb Gourmet Deli is stocked full of raw veggies, topped with havarti cheese, and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette on toasted ciabatta bread ($5.95). Sautéed peppers and onions are also available as a cooked topping for sandwiches.

Salads like the Southwest with black beans are a vegetarian alternative that still packs a little protein ($6.45). They also sell loads of the vegetarian tomato basil soup ($2.95 for a cup or $3.59 for a bowl). 7910 Mitchell Rd., Eden Prairie; 952.934.1717

Three Cheese Classic

Caribou Coffee

Let Caribou be your fix for a meatless meal on the run. The three-cheese classic is a grilled cheese sandwich made with Wisconsin cheddar, Monterrey jack and fontina cheeses on sliced brioche ($3.50 - $4.25).

At daybreak, if your diet includes eggs, there’s also a breakfast sandwich with a spinach and tomato omelet, creamy fontina cheese and a roasted red pepper spread on a whole wheat brioche roll ($3). Prices may vary by location. multiple locations in southwest metro;

Pear and Smoked Blue Cheese Pizza

Campiello’s                

Neapolitan style pizzas are cooked in an oak-fired oven at Campiello. The pear and smoked blue cheese pizza with caramelized onion offers such a stunning combination of flavors you’ll never miss the meat ($14.50).

Most pasta dishes can be modified for vegetarians, or you can ask your server to have the chef create one with your choice of noodle and the vegetables that are currently available ($19). 6411 City West Pkwy., Eden Prairie; 952.941.6868

Portobello Mushroom Brie Bruschetta

Cuzzy’s Brickhouse

Portobello mushrooms have such a meaty texture that they are an apt replacement for meat in many dishes. In the Portobello mushroom brie bruschetta at Cuzzy’s Brickhouse, they are roasted and placed on a toasted garlic crostini with brie cheese, a tomato basil relish and a balsamic reduction ($8.99).

The “wicked” roasted garden veggie pizza, a wood-fired pizza topped with fire-roasted tomato, artichoke, calamata olive, Portobello mushrooms, onions, fresh basil and spinach is another winner for vegetarians. ($10.99). 2880 Chaska Blvd., Chaska; 952.448.5594

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