84 Vegetarian Recipes That Are Incredibly Easy to Make
These meatless recipes will even have carnivores begging for seconds.
This roundup of easy vegetarian recipes is anything but rabbit food. Each delicious idea is super satisfying (think: creamy spaghetti with a silky pepper and cheese sauce, tacos with goat cheese, potato pierogi with sautéed cabbage and apples, and more). We promise these meatless meals won't leave you hungry.
Cauliflower Tartine With Romesco Sauce
This tasty open-faced sandwich may look fancy, but we promise it's easy to make. You'll start with the delicious combination of Romesco and cauliflower, then add golden raisins and fresh parsley to the mix for a bright—and subtly sweet—kick. Try substituting cilantro and chopped dates for the parsley or raisins.
Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
Christopher Testani
Spaghetti squash is filled to the brim with alfredo sauce and twice-baked until tender in this comforting vegetarian dish. To make it vegan, sub the traditional alfredo sauce for this creamy cauliflower and cashew milk version.
Tofu Fried Rice
Fred Hardy
With just one pan and 25 minutes, this fried rice recipe is a breeze to get together. The rice and tofu crisp up in the pan, while absorbing flavor from ginger, turmeric, and garlic. Before serving, cilantro and lemon juice are stirred into the rice, and yogurt is drizzled on top.
Eggplant and Mushroom "Meatball" Subs
Talk about a trifecta: This vegetarian recipe combines eggplant meatballs, salty-savory mushrooms, and fluffy whole-wheat hoagie buns. These sandwiches are so flavorful your dinner dates will wonder why they ever ate meat-filled meatball sandwiches.
Mushroom White Pizza
While pepperoni and sausage are some of the most popular pizza toppings, this white pie proves that pizza night can go vegetarian. Here you'll find a blanket of ricotta and shredded mozzarella topped with sautéed mushrooms, all on a slab of convenient store-bought pizza dough. Serve your pizza with an arugula or romaine salad for a complete meal.
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes
Complete with wings, chili, and pigs in a blanket, a typical game-day spread isn't exactly a vegetarian-friendly menu. Surprise the meat lovers of the bunch with a vegetarian chili that's delicious and chock-full of hearty ingredients like beans, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. Just don't be surprised when it, too, becomes a family favorite.
Thai Curry Vegetable and Tofu Soup
You don't have to order takeout to enjoy vegetarian Thai food. To recreate this traditional favorite, all you have to do is combine the ingredients on the stovetop. Then, stir in lime juice and sprinkle with torn fresh basil leaves before serving to add a bright note.
Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds
In this Asian-inspired vegetarian recipe, the eggplants roast at high heat, making the outside skin crispy and the inside succulent. The rich miso dressing gives it a salty umami flavor that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve over a bed of cooked whole grains (like brown rice or farro) with lots of fresh herbs for an easy and impressive vegetarian meal.
Red Lentil Curry
This vegetarian curry—packed with red lentils, carrots, potatoes, and warm spices—is comfort in a bowl. While this meal requires a fair amount of ingredients (most of which are kitchen staples), it comes together in about 30 minutes. Just be sure to serve it with some naan; you'll want something to sop up every last drop of the savory broth.
Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad
Who doesn't love pasta salad? Salty olives and feta cheese combine with fresh tomatoes, pasta, and tender cubes of roasted eggplant, making this the perfect satisfying and healthy lunch or dinner. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld together, so make extra and eat well all week.
Mustardy Kale Salad With Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple
Crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at once, this hearty vegetarian main-course salad combines kale, roasted sweet potatoes, sliced apples, chopped almonds, and shaved pecorino cheese. To soften the raw kale leaves and make them easier to chew, combine them with the dressing and then rub the mixture with clean hands.
Spicy Coconut Noodles
To make this dish's easy Asian-inspired sauce, combine the coconut milk, tomato paste, chili powder, salt, and chili paste in a large saucepan. Stir the fettuccine or rice noodles into the sauce, toss, and top with scallions, sprouts, basil, and coconut to add depth of flavor.
Vegetarian Tacos With Goat Cheese
These flavorful meatless tacos are packed with good-for-you vegetables, like spinach, corn, and tomatoes. Crumbled, cooked extra-firm tofu and goat cheese give the tasty meal an added protein boost.
Parm e Pepe Spaghetti
If this creamy pasta sounds and tastes a bit like cacio e pepe, it's because it takes cues from the classic Roman dish. This version is made with a rich and bold cheese and pepper sauce, but Parmesan stands in for the typical Pecorino Romano. Top the noodles with a walnut-parsley mixture to add a crunch and freshness to the easy weeknight meal for vegetarians.
Superfood Lentil Salad
Eat more of the top superfoods with this scrumptious and satiating salad packed with charred zucchini, golden raisins, lentils, and roasted sunflower seeds. The healthy ingredients are tied together thanks to a fresh sunflower seed vinaigrette you'll want to put on everything.
Fettuccine With Asparagus, Leeks, and Mint
This vegetarian pasta is packed with some of spring's finest vegetables, such as asparagus and leeks. Fresh mint stands in for a heavy sauce, while lemon zest and red pepper flakes add some zest and a touch of spice. The best part? It's ready in just 20 minutes.
Black Bean and Oat Burger
A vegetarian burger can be surprising for even the biggest burger fan. Here, black beans and oats stand in for beef to form tasty vegan patties flavored with scallions, garlic, soy sauce, and chili powder.
Our favorite part about this meal is that the patties can be frozen, meaning you can prepare a bunch at once and freeze the rest for the ultimate quick weeknight meal.
Tofu and Mushroom Larb
If you're ready to shake up your dinner routine, try this vegetarian Thai dish starring tofu and plenty of shiitake mushrooms. The 30-minute meal also features shallots, fresh cilantro, mint, and salty cashews. Serve it warm or at room temperature with juicy lime wedges, leafy vegetables, and sticky rice.
Sweet Potato and Apple Soup With Cheese and Walnuts
Spiced with nutmeg, this cream-free soup of pureed sweet potatoes and apples makes a warm, comforting meal to enjoy on cold nights. Serve the subtly sweet fruit and veggie soup with a spread of blue cheese, walnuts, crackers, and sliced apples.
Polenta-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Stuffed peppers are typically filled with rice, but a smooth, creamy polenta filling ups the comfort level in this tasty dish. While the polenta is still warm, stir in the corn, goat cheese, and scallions. Then, fill the poblano pepper halves with a hefty scoop and bake until heated all the way through.
Slow-Cooker Black Bean and Spinach Enchiladas
This set-it-and-forget-it vegetarian dinner is full of flavor but takes minimal effort to prepare. Before you head out the door in the morning, stuff the tortillas with black beans, chopped spinach, corn, and grated Cheddar. A filling and meatless meal will be waiting for you when you get home at the end of the day.
Potato Pierogi With Sautéed Cabbage and Apples
Store-bought potato-and-onion pierogi make this comfort meal easy to prepare. While the pierogi cooks, whip up the tangy cabbage side by sautéing the onion, apple, cabbage, and vinegar until slightly wilted but still crunchy. Serve the pierogi atop the cabbage mixture with sour cream on the side for a filling vegetarian meal.
Thai Spiced Tofu
Though high in protein, cooked tofu can be downright bland. To add a burst of flavor, marinate the tofu with a bit of Thai red curry paste, sugar, and a splash of fish sauce for 15 minutes before cooking. Serve each portion with a side of tender green beans.
Eggplant Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie is traditionally made with minced meat, but this version swaps beef for a mixture of hearty eggplant, pearl onions, and carrots. The vegetarian pie is topped with the traditional mashed potato topper, making it the ultimate vegetarian comfort food dish.
Butternut Squash Bake With Wild Rice
Yes, this savory squash bake is a perfect vegetarian side dish for Thanksgiving, but it's just as delicious the other 364 days a year. In addition to butternut squash, this comforting vegetarian casserole features wild rice, caramelized onions, and mushrooms, all bathed in a rosemary-infused cream.
Zucchini Pesto Pasta
Sure, you could use store-bought pesto to dress up a bowl of pasta, or you could whip up your own zucchini-cashew pesto that perfectly clings to a heaping helping of noodles.
This dish pairs the homemade pesto with generous dollops of ricotta, fresh basil, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and a drizzle of oil. We promise you won't regret whipping up this 25-minute meal.
Yellow Squash Farro Bowl
"Healthy" might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of grain bowls, but we swear this vegetarian dish is packed with tasty, nutritious foods. You've got a hearty farro base paired with chickpeas, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, and sliced avocado. Oh, and the bowl is served alongside a rich Greek yogurt dressing.
Skillet Polenta in Creamy Tomato Sauce
You'll need to raid your pantry for this one-pan vegetarian dinner, made with cooked polenta, canned tomatoes, and white beans. Start by hand-crushing the whole peeled tomatoes before simmering them with oregano-scented onions to make a flavorful sauce. Add white beans and tuck tender pieces of polenta into the delicious sauce before popping it under the broiler to create a satisfyingly crispy top.
Vegetable Fried Rice
Put down the phone—this takeout fake-out is full of fresh vegetables and is much better than the real thing. To make this fried rice, first sauté the vegetables until tender but slightly crispy, then add cooked rice, scallions, and a homemade soy sauce mixture. To finish the dish, stir in scrambled eggs.
Crispy Mushroom Reuben Sandwiches
Believe it or not, you can have a corned beef sandwich without the beef. Well, sort of. In this version of the deli-inspired dish, healthy mushrooms stand in for meat.
These mushrooms taste meaty and savory thanks to their high umami content. What's more? This sandwich also includes a flavorful dressing made with tomato paste, horseradish, soy sauce, melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and rye bread.
Mole-Spiced Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl
Jarred mole sauce is a time-saver in this dish, which takes just 35 minutes to make. The Mexican staple is paired with roasted cauliflower, black beans, quinoa, and arugula to create a meal that is both healthy and delicious.
Roasted Butternut Squash With Tahini Sauce
It's no secret that roasted butternut squash is delicious, but pairing the gourd with tahini takes it to a whole new level. The creamy sesame paste highlights the veggie's sweet notes and creates a perfectly balanced bite. Toasted pepitas and sesame seeds add some much-needed crunch, while fresh cilantro brings a bit of freshness.
Red Lentil Squash Soup With Lemon
This veggie-filled soup combines butternut squash, lentils, carrots, a cornucopia of spices, and harissa paste, which adds some welcome heat to each bite. Top it off with roasted almonds and chopped parsley. Serve the whole thing alongside toasted pita bread and plain yogurt. You'll have a meat-free meal on the table in 35 minutes.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This vegetarian version of a classic chicken salad sandwich may use canned chickpeas instead of poultry, but the meatless mixture is still flavored with familiar ingredients such as celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
It's perfect for a quick, light dinner on nights when you don't feel like turning on the stove and also works as a tasty weekday lunch you can easily bring to work.
Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata
Frittatas are protein-packed and versatile. Don't like spinach? Just swap in your favorite veggies and herbs instead. To round out the meal—whether a light dinner, lunch, or brunch—serve a piece of the vegetarian frittata with a simple green salad and a slice of thick country bread. This is a perfect vegetarian breakfast for dinner option.
Spinach and Ricotta-Stuffed Shells
Pack jumbo pasta shells with a mixture of ricotta, chopped baby spinach, and Parmesan cheese and place in an oven-safe baking dish. Top with your favorite jarred marinara sauce, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake until the cheese begins to brown and bubble. Pair the rich and creamy dish with a simple green salad.
Chickpeas With Chard and Pan-Roasted Tomatoes
To draw out the fresh flavor of the tomatoes in this vegetarian meal, place them cut-side down and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until browned and softened. Then, add the chard, raisins, chickpeas, and fresh lemon juice and cook until fully heated. Serve the flavorful stew over a bowl of rice.
Toasted Israeli Couscous With Corn and Herbs
Combining fresh corn kernels with caramelized onions, couscous, and herbs, this salad is a satisfying vegetarian meal. Serve as-is for lunch or dinner, or top with your favorite meat alternative.
Corn and Pepper Scramble
A simple vegetarian breakfast option, these scrambled eggs feature caramelized corn kernels and roasted red peppers. Add a bit of queso fresco and cilantro for a southwestern-inspired dish. Serve with avocado or corn chips to complete the meal.
Thai Peanut Butter Ramen
Upgrade a standard package of ramen noodles with a spicy Thai peanut sauce for a quick and easy meatless meal. Add roasted mushrooms or tofu for a heartier, protein-filled dish.
Tomato, Corn, and Red Cabbage Salad
The fresh corn and tomatoes in this recipe provide a summer-like taste you can enjoy all year long. This simple yet delicious vegetarian salad works great as-is for a quick dinner or lunch. Serve alongside plant-based protein for a heartier meal.
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks With Romesco and Manchego
Providing a hearty vegetarian dinner, these cauliflower steaks are grilled for easy cooking and extra flavor. Served with a side salad and romesco sauce, you won't even realize there's no meat on your plate.
Lemony Chopped Salad With Pita
This gorgeous chopped salad from Bare Minimum Dinners by Jenna Helwig ($12, amazon.com) features roasted chickpeas and pita bread croutons. Along with fresh ingredients like radishes and cucumbers, you also get a hint of mint for a refreshing, crisp taste.
Grilled Halloumi Salad
Grilled halloumi cheese is the star of this salad—an easy, quick vegetarian dinner. When combined with romaine, chickpeas, and kalamata olives, you get a flavorful and filling salad.
Lemony Pasta Salad With Cucumber
This pasta salad is packed with fresh ingredients and requires no mayonnaise, unlike many pasta salad recipes. While fantastic as a side dish for family barbecues, you could also eat it as-is for a vegetarian meal or add tofu or chickpeas for a more filling dinner.
Mole-Spiced Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl
Use store-bought mole sauce to add extra flavor to this easy black bean and quinoa bowl full of fiber and protein. With roasted cauliflower, cheese, and arugula, you'll have a filling vegetarian meal.
Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf With Cranberries
Whole grains combine with mushrooms for a filling and hearty meal. Dried cranberries add a touch of sweetness to the dish, making this a tasty stand-alone meal or delicious side dish.
Black Bean Tostadas With Sweet Potato and Poblanos
Take advantage of canned refried beans for a quick and delicious vegetarian dish. To complete this hearty meal, combine them with a radish, cabbage slaw, and roasted sweet potatoes.
Tips
If you can’t find tostadas at your local store, use tortilla chips for nachos. You can also pan-fry tortillas in a skillet until crispy on both sides.
Summer Nachos
Called summer nachos for the variety of summer vegetables in the recipe, these vegetarian nachos are easy-to-make and will satisfy the entire family. Full of healthy veggies like zucchini, corn, and red cabbage, top them with an avocado-yogurt cream, scallions, and cilantro for tasty nachos you'll enjoy any time of the year.
Grilled Eggplant and Smoked Mozzarella Melts
Grilled eggplant, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil combine for an upgraded grilled cheese sandwich. Ready in just 25 minutes, these easy melts are perfect for any meal of the day.
Grilled Mediterranean Salad
Upgrade your typical pasta salad with grilled vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers. You could also add tomatoes or eggplants to the mix. Either way, you'll have a filling dinner-worthy salad.
Grilled Asparagus and Hot Honey Flatbreads
Store-bought naan is topped with ricotta cheese, arugula, grilled asparagus, and pistachios for a nutritious flatbread dinner recipe. A drizzle of hot honey before serving adds a special touch.
Grilled Margherita Pizza
Whether you use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, grilling your pizza will elevate its flavor and give you a welcome break from the standard pizza night. This recipe uses canned whole tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil for a simple yet delicious pizza your family will love.
Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pancakes
Breakfast for dinner is probably the best comfort food. These pancakes combine mashed sweet potatoes with traditional fall flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg for a tasty and better-for-you breakfast option. Top with a drizzle of maple syrup and chopped pecans.
Mushroom and Corn Tacos
For a vegetarian taco dinner, use wild mushrooms for a meat-like texture and flavor. Combine with fresh corn and homemade salsa, then top with your favorite taco toppings for an easy dinner.
Rigatoni With Grilled Peppers and Onions
You'll love this simple vegetarian meal that cooks in less than 30 minutes. Combine cooked rigatoni pasta with grilled vegetables for a nutritious, easy, and tasty vegetarian dinner or lunch.
Sweet Potato and Bean Burritos With Corn Salsa
Stuffed with sweet potatoes, canned beans (black or pinto), and fresh corn salsa, these burritos will not leave you feeling hungry. The best thing is you can make and freeze them ahead of time for a quick dinner solution when in a rush.
Vegetarian Tacos With Sweet Potatoes and Corn
Extra-firm tofu is crumbled to imitate ground beef in these protein-packed vegetarian tacos. Corn and sweet potatoes add flavor to the mixture, ensuring a satisfying meal. Top with salsa and cheese to complete the meal.
Vegetarian BLT With Shiitake Bacon
Shiitake mushrooms replace the traditional crispy bacon of a BLT sandwich for a vegetarian version of this lunch or dinner classic. Add homemade mayo and fresh tomatoes, then layer on your preferred whole-grain bread.
Zucchini and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Zucchini and black beans combine for a fiber-filled mixture you can use to stuff sweet potatoes. Microwave the sweet potatoes to cut down on time, and dinner will be ready in just 20 minutes.
Tomato Mushroom Pasta
Penne pasta combines with a savory mix of mushrooms and tomatoes for a tasty vegetarian pasta dinner. The great thing about this recipe is you can customize it to your liking, adding any vegetables in the fridge or pantry.
Loaded Sweet Potatoes With Coconut and Kale
A mashed sweet potato filling is stuffed back into the skins, then topped with cooked kale and toasted coconut. This vegetarian recipe has tons of flavor from the coconut, lime juice, and curry powder. Add cheese for another layer of flavor and texture.
Mustardy Kale Salad With Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple
Nutritious and packed with protein and fiber, this entree salad features a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Savory vegetables combine with sweet apples and crunchy almonds for a delicious mix you can eat for a filling dinner.
Skillet Pizza With Kale and Mushrooms
Kale, mushrooms, and fontina cheese create a delicious blend for this vegetarian pizza recipe. Cooking it in a cast-iron skillet elevates the crust and gives this homemade pizza a different texture.
Gnocchi and Sweet Potatoes With Hazelnuts
While you can certainly use homemade gnocchi for this recipe, store-bought gnocchi helps this meal get on the table in a quick 20 minutes. With just a few simple ingredients, you'll have a tasty and filling dish. Try sautéing the herbs and toasting the hazelnuts for added crunch.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes With Black Beans and Avocado
Twice-baked sweet potatoes are filled with black beans, cheese, and avocado for a delicious weeknight dinner. This recipe is full of antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein.
Farro Bowl With Pomegranate Vinaigrette
A hearty vegetarian grain bowl is perfect for a filling meatless meal any night of the week. This recipe combines farro with sweet potatoes, fennel, and spinach. It's then topped with cheese and a sweet pomegranate vinaigrette for added flavor.
Sweet Potato and Apple Soup With Cheese and Walnuts
Sweet potatoes and apples are cooked, then pureed for a comforting vegetarian soup. Serve with cheese, crackers, and walnuts for added flavor and texture.
Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Full of fiber and protein, this easy vegetarian meal calls for canned chickpeas and sweet potatoes. After baking the sweet potatoes, you'll fill them with the spiced chickpea mixture, then top with a bit of protein-filled yogurt for a filling dinner.
Quinoa With Sweet Potatoes, Kale, and Pesto
This heart vegetarian recipe includes a powerhouse combination of quinoa, sweet potatoes, and kale. Top with walnuts and pesto for added depth, and save some for dinner the next day.
Wild Mushroom and Spinach Stuffed Shells
Classic stuffed shells are tweaked for a mushroom-filled vegetarian version. Spinach adds more nutrition, while ricotta and Parmesan cheese provide a comforting taste to this baked pasta dish.
Sweet Potato Casserole With Coconut
Shredded coconut elevates traditional sweet potato casserole, giving it a sweeter flavor. Though it may seem like a dessert, this vegetarian recipe is full of the nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes, like vitamin A and potassium.
Roasted Sweet Potato and Bulgur Salad
Packed with whole grains and nutrient-rich vegetables, this salad has hunger-satisfying power. After roasting the sweet potatoes, combine them with cooked bulgur, watercress, and feta cheese. Serve with an oil and vinegar dressing.
Spiced Sweet Potato Soup With Pistachio Dukkah
Pureed sweet potato soup is topped with a pistachio-seed version of dukkah, a Middle Eastern nut and spice blend. This extra step gives the comforting and nutritious soup a bit of texture. Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish, you're sure to add this quick soup recipe to your dinner menu.
Sweet Potato Risotto
Cubed sweet potatoes are sautéed with garlic before adding Arborio rice and cooking until creamy. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of oregano for a delectable and comforting meal.
Creamy Mushroom Soup With Chives
Cremini and shiitake mushrooms give the classic mushroom soup a rich, umami flavor. Potatoes and heavy cream add a creamy texture for a rich and comforting meal.
Sweet Potato and Gruyère Turnovers
Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, and Gruyère cheese create a tasty filling for these turnovers. Use store-bought refrigerated piecrusts to help save time and serve with a hearty salad to complete the meal.
Mushroom Wonton Soup
Give your dinner routine a twist with this homemade vegetarian wonton soup. Filled with a mushroom and scallion mixture, these wontons are easy to make when using store-bought wrappers. Plus, you can assemble and freeze the wontons ahead of time to help cook this soup faster on rushed nights.
Smoky-Sweet Potato Burgers
While premade veggie burgers are a great vegetarian dinner option, you can make your own with this easy recipe. Sweet potatoes, cannellini beans, oats, and chia seeds combine to make the meatless patties. You can also pre-prep the patties and freeze them for on-the-spot cooking when you're ready.
Sweet Potato and Brie Flat Bread
Simple and easy to make, this vegetarian recipe takes advantage of store-bought pizza dough for a veggie-filled flatbread pizza. Topped with sweet potatoes, shallots, and brie cheese, you'll love the simplicity of this pizza's flavors. Serve with a light side salad to complete the meal.
Mushroom and Farro Soup
Hearty, delicious, and comforting, this mushroom soup is full of veggies and whole-grain farro. White wine balances the flavors, and rosemary adds an earthy aroma.
Tips
Pre-sliced wild mushrooms can lessen the prep time, but whole mushrooms can be less expensive.
Sweet Potato and Kale Tortilla Soup
This nutrient-packed vegetarian soup features sweet potato and kale cooked in a spiced vegetable broth. In addition to freshly-cooked tortilla strips, top with avocado, cilantro, and radishes for a warming meal.
Tofu and Mushroom Lettuce Wraps
Fred Hardy
The star of this lettuce wrap recipe is the tofu, which is grated before being browned in a skillet with umami-rich flavors like soy, shiitake mushrooms, and sweet hoisin sauce. Piled high on a lettuce cup with fluffy jasmine rice and crunchy scallions, and the protein becomes completely satisfying—and delicious.
Cheesy Heirloom Tomato Tarts
Ripe heirloom tomatoes give this recipe a hearty feel. Serve them up with a bowl of veggie soup or a garden salad for a full, well-balanced, vegetarian-friendly meal.
Related: 31 Easy Vegan Recipes to Start a Plant-Based Diet
For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Real Simple.
