These Dinner Ideas Are So Good, You Won't Even Miss the Meat
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Here's a fun fact about The Pioneer Woman that you may not have known: she used to be vegetarian! It's true! "It began my freshman year in college," Ree said in a confession, "I up and decided one day, that I was a vegetarian." While the no-meat rule didn't last long, Ree still holds a special place in her heart for vegetarian dinner recipes (just don't tell her cattle herding hubby). Whether you yourself are eating meatless or you're just looking to feed a vegetarian friend, this list of easy dinner ideas proves that you don't need to have meat for every meal.
The key to a good vegetarian dinner is that it's hearty and satisfying so you don't miss a thing! That's why there are plenty of options with protein-packed beans and pasta recipes that are sure to fill you up. If comfort food is what you're after, you'll be happy to know that eating vegetarian isn't just about salads. There are cozy soup recipes and crowd-pleasing casseroles like the vegetarian pot pie that everyone will love. Of course, most of these dishes feature beautiful vegetables, like the sweet potato chili or the sheet pan gnocchi with an assortment of broccoli, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Looking for a vegetarian twist on some popular meat dishes? Try the buffalo cauliflower sandwiches, the cabbage "steaks," or the portobello mushroom burgers. And don't forget, French fries are vegetarian too! 😉
Sheet Pan Gnocchi
Cook your veggies and your gnocchi all on one pan! This dinner isn't just colorful and beautiful to look at, it's also unbelievably tasty and easy to clean up.
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi recipe.
Sweet Potato Chili
Thanks to two different types of beans, sweet potatoes, and masa harina, this chili is just as satisfying for vegetarians and meat eaters, alike. Serve it up with your favorite toppings like diced avocado, cheese, and sour cream.
Get the Sweet Potato Chili recipe.
Black Bean Burger
Not all burgers are made with meat! This version uses black beans as the protein, plus grated onion, chili powder, and seasoned breadcrumbs to hold it all together.
Get Ree's Black Bean Burger recipe.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Not only is this fried rice vegetarian, but it's also a healthy dinner recipe. That's because Ree swaps the rice for a lower carb option: riced cauliflower.
Get the Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe.
Feta Pasta
There's a good reason why this pasta became such an internet sensation—it's both cheesy and easy! The block of feta melts into the most glorious sauce.
Get the Feta Pasta recipe.
Cabbage Steaks
We admit, these aren't your average steaks. But they're a fun new way to serve cabbage for dinner! We especially love the garlicky, almond-studded breadcrumb topping.
Get the Cabbage Steaks recipe.
Classic Cheese Pizza
You can't go wrong with a classic cheese pizza! It's vegetarian-friendly and kid-friendly, too. Of course, you can always add your favorite veggie toppings if you prefer.
Get the Classic Cheese Pizza recipe.
Vegetarian Pot Pie
This creamy, comfort food is surprisingly easy to make vegetarian! Just use hearty white beans and meaty mushrooms in the filling. A flaky puff pastry topping makes it super easy.
Get the Vegetarian Pot Pie recipe.
Spanakopita
This classic Greek dish is also known as spinach pie. Serve it up with a Greek salad for a light and tasty veggie-friendly dinner.
Get the Spanakopita recipe.
Eggplant Parmesan
This vegetarian counterpart to the classic chicken parmesan is just as delicious. The layers of crispy eggplant, tomato sauce, and cheese are always a hit.
Get the Eggplant Parmesan recipe.
Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwich
No, that's not a chicken sandwich you see! It's actually a crispy cauliflower slab that's seasoned with buffalo sauce and topped with blue cheese dressing.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwich recipe.
Vegetarian Enchilada Soup
This recipe is everything you love about veggie enchiladas, in soup form! It even has some cheesy nachos on top for crunch!
Get Ree's Vegetarian Enchilada Soup recipe.
Chickpea Salad
Protein-packed chickpeas give this bright, crunchy salad plenty of heft. It's delicious on its own, or you can serve it up as a side for pasta or veggie burgers.
Get the Chickpea Salad recipe.
Mushroom Puff Pastry Pizza
Instead of pizza dough, this recipe uses puff pastry instead. It's an easy swap that still tastes delicious with the hearty, savory mushroom topping.
Get Ree's Mushroom Puff Pastry Pizza recipe.
Huevos Rancheros
Both eggs and beans are a great source of protein for vegetarians! Here, they're combined in a fun breakfast-for-dinner recipe.
Get the Huevos Rancheros recipe.
Butternut Squash Risotto
Don't be afraid to make risotto from scratch! It's surprisingly easy with Ree's easy technique. You'll have a creamy, dreamy bowl filled with butternut squash in no time.
Get Ree's Butternut Squash Risotto recipe.
Portobello Mushroom Burgers
The meaty texture of portobello mushrooms will make these "burgers" extra satisfying. Add a creamy herbed cheese, thick slices of tomato, onion, and sprouts for the perfect stack.
Get the Portobello Mushroom Burgers recipe.
Three-Cheese Mushroom and Kale Skillet Lasagna
Ree's trick to making this skillet lasagna even easier is skipping the noodles in favor of cheese ravioli instead! It also add another layer of cheesiness you never knew you needed.
Get Ree's Three-Cheese Mushroom and Kale Skillet Lasagna recipe.
Tex-Mex Grain Bowl
A hearty bowl of quinoa is the perfect base for your favorite Tex-Mex ingredients, including pinto beans, roasted veggies, avocado, and salsa.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Grain Bowl recipe.
Veggie Burger
You can really never have too many veggie burger variations! This one uses mushrooms, chickpeas, brown rice, and sweet potatoes for the flavorful patties.
Get the Veggie Burger recipe.
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas
A flavorful mixture of butternut squash, black beans, cumin, and chili powder makes the filling for these enchiladas fun for the whole family. It comes out bubbly, melty, and hot!
Get Ree's Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas recipe.
Vegetable Soup
A cup of this flavorful soup is chockfull of good-for-you veggies! The cannellini beans make it hearty, but you can also add cooked orzo or macaroni if you prefer.
Get the Vegetable Soup recipe.
Spinach Lasagna
Between all those layers of noodles, cheese, and creamy sauce, your family won't even notice that you snuck some spinach into the lasagna!
Get the Spinach Lasagna recipe.
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