43 Vegetarian Recipes Everyone Will Love

If you're looking for vegetarian recipes, look no further. We have a variety of healthy Lenten dishes, easy options, and even vegan recipes that you and your whole family will love. You also don't have to worry about getting enough protein; these dishes are packed with plant-based proteins to keep you feeling full. Make veggie burgers, hearty vegetarian chili, and even your favorite dishes, all without meat!

Cauliflower "Kongbao"

A vegetarian version of the famous Chinese dish, "Kong Pao Chicken." Instead of chicken, cauliflower is used, which is pan-fried with other vegetables—zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. The vegetables are then coated in a sauce made from chili paste, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, sprinkled with peanuts, giving them the unique flavor of kong pao.

Recipe: Cauliflower "Kongbao"

Spaghetti squash slider burgers with barbecue sauce

These amazing barbecue-flavored burgers are meatless. The main ingredients are spaghetti squash, sauce, and fresh coleslaw.

Recipe: Spaghetti squash slider burgers with barbecue sauce

Quiche with caprese without crust

Classic Caprese—beautifully layered fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil—is both elegant and delicious (especially during peak tomato season). You'll get all of this in this delicate quiche, which is surprisingly low in calories.

Recipe: Quiche with Caprese filling

Vegetarian Tofu Bowl with Chipotle Sauce

This vegetarian bowl is made with crumbled tofu simmered in a spicy poblano pepper sauce. Even meat lovers will find it hard to resist this mouth-watering dish.

Recipe: Vegetarian Tofu Bowl with Chipotle Sauce

Buckwheat noodle salad

Bobby uses hearty buckwheat noodles as the base for an Asian-inspired cold salad.

Recipe: Buckwheat noodle salad

Stewed Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Peppers

This super-easy weeknight dinner proves once and for all that braising isn't just for meat! Spicy, tender sweet potatoes are simmered in a delicious sauce with chunky carrots and slightly crunchy kale. Vegans and meat-eaters alike will love it.

Recipe: Stewed Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Peppers

Vegetarian Enchilada

Echiladas are Mexican stuffed tubes baked in a thick tomato sauce with chili peppers and a layer of cheese. The vegetarian version of this dish uses pinto beans, spinach, and shredded cheese instead of meat in wheat tortillas. Use a mixture of cheddar and pepper jack cheese for a richer, cheesier flavor.

Recipe: Vegetarian Enchilada

Orzo pasta with mushrooms

Love risotto but don't want to constantly stir it? This creamy pasta is perfect for risotto lovers looking for a quick, vegetarian, cheesy dish.

Recipe: Creamy orzo pasta with leeks and mushroom topping

Cauliflower Wellington

Cauliflower in dough is prepared similarly to the famous Beef Wellington. A whole head of cabbage is drizzled with herb butter, then wrapped in puff pastry coated with mushroom paste and baked until done. An ideal dish for vegetarians and all cauliflower lovers.

Recipe: Cauliflower Wellington

Vegetarian Chili in a Slow Cooker

Trust your slow cooker to make this easy vegetarian chili using 4 different types of beans.

Recipe: Vegetarian Chili in a Slow Cooker

Parma-style cauliflower

This dish is a variation on the traditional Italian casserole, "Eggplant alla Parmigiana," but cauliflower is used instead of eggplant. The head of cauliflower is cut into neat steaks, then coated in breadcrumbs and fried until crispy and golden. The cauliflower slices are then placed in a baking dish, topped with tomato marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, and baked until the cheese is melted.

Recipe: Parma-style cauliflower

Red lentils for every day

Some might not think lentils are the most exciting food, but this colorful dish from Aarti is packed with vibrant flavor.

Recipe: Red lentils "Masurdal" for every day

Falafel

Perfectly seasoned balls are deep-fried until crispy. Place them in a warm pita with plenty of vegetables, drizzle with tahini, and add a little hot sauce for a wonderful weeknight dinner.

Recipe: Chickpea Falafel Pockets

Chickpea stew

This vegetarian stew is infused with the warm, fragrant spices typically found in Moroccan tagines. Roasted kale and chickpeas add texture and a pleasant flavor that balances the natural sweetness of caramelized onions and carrots.

Recipe: Chickpea stew

Portobello mushroom steaks in vegetarian gravy

Large portobello mushroom caps are the perfect substitute for steaks on a vegetarian menu. In this recipe, they're breaded and deep-fried until they're beautifully crispy. Serve with mashed potatoes and a generous dollop of delicious vegetarian gravy.

Recipe: Portobello mushroom steaks in vegetarian gravy

Baked Champignons with Parmesan

Give your traditional eggplant Parma a twist by using portobello mushrooms. They have a meaty flavor and can be dredged in flour, just like eggplant.

Recipe: Baked Portobello Mushrooms with Cheese

Oven-baked cauliflower with pomegranate and tahini

If you're looking to prepare a vegan dish for an upcoming dinner party or just want to try a new version of your favorite cauliflower, this option ticks all the boxes. This recipe is inspired by Israeli chef Eyal Shani's world-famous baked cauliflower, served at his Miznon restaurants.

Recipe: Oven-baked cauliflower with pomegranate and tahini

Vegan Chickpea "Crab" Cakes

These patties are packed with all the flavors of traditional crab cakes. They have Old Bay seafood seasoning, lemon, and that tart, salty note. But what's missing from these patties is crab. Instead, they use chickpeas.

Recipe: Vegan Chickpea "Crab" Cakes

Gazpacho with grilled tomatoes

Grilled for just a couple of minutes, the tomatoes add a deep, smoky flavor to the traditional cold soup.

Recipe: Gazpacho with grilled tomatoes

Frittata with asparagus, tomatoes and cheese

Giada's frittata is a versatile vegetarian option for brunch, snack, or dinner. It can be served hot or cold.

Recipe: Frittata with asparagus, tomatoes and fontina cheese

Sweet Potato Casserole

The traditional vegetable casserole is complemented by sweet potatoes, sliced ​​into thin rectangular slices. The spinach adds a wealth of healthy fiber and vibrant colors, creating a striking backdrop against the orange sweet potato, red tomato sauce, and melting white cheese.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Agnolotti with artichokes

This easy recipe uses frozen artichoke hearts, frozen peas, and store-bought agnolotti to save time.

Recipe: Agnolotti with sauce and artichokes

Vegetarian Chili with Cornbread in a Skillet

This delicious and filling vegetarian chili topped with cornbread is made entirely in one pan, saving you from a mountain of dirty dishes.

Recipe: Vegetarian Chili with Cornbread in a Skillet

Reuben sandwich with sauerkraut and beets

The Reuben sandwich, named after its creator, is a classic of American cuisine, though it also includes sauerkraut, a staple of the Russian diet. Like any popular dish, there are many variations. This recipe suggests adding boiled beets to the sandwich.

Recipe: Reuben sandwich with sauerkraut and beets

Miniature mac and cheese with mushrooms

Make mac 'n' cheese for grown-ups using brie and pecorino cheeses, plus some meaty wild mushrooms.

Recipe: Pasta in a creamy mushroom sauce with a crispy topping

Cheese Casserole with Tortilla Chips

This breakfast is inspired by the Mexican dish chilaquiles. Baked tortilla chips, a mixture of eggs and egg whites, and a touch of sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese make this casserole rich in flavor without the fat.

Recipe: Chilaquiles - a casserole with crispy chips, cheese and egg

Vegetarian Pad Thai Noodles

No meat? No problem! This vegetarian Pad Thai noodle recipe will surprise you with the combination of umami, sweet, and sour notes we love so much in the classic version.

Recipe: Vegetarian Pad Thai Noodles

Stir-fry with tofu and vegetables

This hearty stir-fry is packed with Asian ingredients. Serve with fluffy rice and a soy-based sauce.

Recipe: Stir-fry with shiitake mushrooms, peas, and tofu

Seven Layer Vegetarian Dipping Sauce

Place a small amount of salad on a plate, drizzle with a spoonful of dressing, and enjoy. Before assembling the dressing, juice the vegetables to remove excess moisture, preventing the layers from mixing.

Recipe: Seven Layer Vegetarian Dipping Sauce

Mac 'n' cheese "Three cheese"

This mac 'n' cheese isn't just made with Muenster, cheddar, and Parmesan; cauliflower florets are also thrown in.

Recipe: Mac 'n' cheese "Three cheese"

Vegan Sloppy Joe's Burger with Crispy Topping

Mushrooms add a meaty richness to these savory burgers. But there's no meat, so these are probably the leanest Sloppy Joe burgers you can make.

Recipe: Vegan Sloppy Joe's Burger with Crispy Topping

Vegetarian lasagna

Once you try this juicy, hearty vegetarian lasagna, you'll forget about the meat. It's made with a rich tomato-carrot sauce, layered over noodles with alternating ricotta and spinach, and topped with plenty of grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Recipe: Vegetarian lasagna

Vegetarian Spinach and Walnut Pate

The words "pâté" and "caviar" aren't exactly vegetarian, but this recipe calls for a delicious plant-based pâté garnished with pomegranate seeds, which look remarkably like caviar. This delicate vegetarian (even vegan) appetizer of spinach and walnuts is reminiscent of the Georgian dish pkhali, in which spinach is often replaced with beets or mushrooms.

Recipe: Vegetarian Spinach and Walnut Pate

Tofu tacos

Brush the tofu with taco seasoning. Homemade coleslaw adds wonderful texture to this vegetarian dish.

Recipe: Tofu tacos

Penne pasta with cheese and spinach

Giada's penne is a simple side dish and salad in one. Add some goat cheese and cream cheese to the spinach for a smooth, savory sauce.

Recipe: Penne pasta with cheese and spinach

Flatbread with baked zucchini, hummus, arugula, goat cheese and almonds

Spoon hummus onto toasted pita bread and top with roasted zucchini and arugula, adding some chopped almonds for crunch.

Recipe: Flatbread with baked zucchini, hummus, arugula, goat cheese and almonds

Lasagne with spinach and mushroom ragout

Make a ragout sauce of porcini, portobello and shiitake mushrooms and layer it in lasagna, alternating with cheese, pasta and spinach.

Recipe: Lasagne with spinach and mushroom ragout

Whole wheat spaghetti with chard and pecorino cheese

Giada uses whole-wheat pasta—it's very filling. Crushed red pepper flakes add a spicy kick to this dish.

Recipe: Whole wheat spaghetti with chard and pecorino cheese

Burgers with fried portobello mushrooms and onion jam

Horseradish and homemade onion jam make this veggie burger a gourmet treat.

Recipe: Burgers with fried portobello mushrooms and onion jam

Quinoa salad with asparagus, goat cheese and olives

Bobby offers a summer side dish alternative to traditional macaroni salad: a salad with quinoa, grilled asparagus, and creamy goat cheese.

Recipe: Quinoa salad with asparagus, goat cheese and olives

Warm salad with spelt

Spelt is a type of wheat with a nutty flavor and a moist texture. Roasted butternut squash and tomatoes complement this grain salad beautifully.

Recipe: Warm pumpkin and wheat grain salad

Fried potatoes with chickpeas

Curry powder is the secret to the superb flavor of this potato and chickpea dish. Top with a cooling sauce made with Greek yogurt, cilantro, and lime juice.

Recipe: Fried potatoes with chickpeas

Vegetarian chili with cheesy cornbread on a baking sheet

When the temperature outside starts to drop, there's nothing cozier and more comforting than a meal cooked in the oven. This warming chili is baked in the oven on a baking sheet. It's meatless, but the sweet potato and cauliflower, roasted with spices, add a rich flavor.

Recipe: Vegetarian chili with cheesy cornbread on a baking sheet