50 Vegetarian Recipes Everyone Will Love

Just because you don't eat meat doesn't mean you have to miss out. Here are some easy recipes for filling and delicious vegetable dishes that you can make any day of the week.

Mini Spaghetti Squash Sandwiches with BBQ Sauce

Does a delicious sandwich need meat? This vegetarian appetizer is sweet, savory, and doesn't require any extra precision. If you can't find mini buns, cut hot dog buns into thirds.

Recipe: Spaghetti squash slider burgers with barbecue sauce

Mapo tofu with mushrooms

Although this Sichuan dish is traditionally made with ground pork, most of its flavor and texture comes from the spicy bean paste, soft tofu, and, of course, Sichuan peppercorns. So, you can easily substitute mushrooms for the meat without sacrificing flavor. This vegan version of mapo tofu is made with dried shiitake mushrooms. If you can't find dried ones, use fresh shiitake or brown button mushrooms. Serve mapo tofu with white rice, which quickly soaks up the delicious sauce, making it a delicious dish.

Recipe: Mapo tofu with mushrooms

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

Malai-kyufta

These vegetarian meatballs (koftas) are made with mashed potatoes stuffed with a rich filling of paneer, nuts, and dried fruits, then deep-fried and served with a velvety sauce of cashews and malai (heavy cream). A hugely popular appetizer with both adults and children, it's definitely perfect for a special occasion. Hailing from northern India and rooted in Mughlai cuisine, malai kofta is served in Punjabi restaurants worldwide and pairs beautifully with naan or basmati rice.

Recipe: Malai-kyufta

Buckwheat noodle salad

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

Recipe: Buckwheat noodle salad

Papeta-par-eda

"The Parsis in India make the most amazing egg dishes, and papeta par eda (scrambled eggs with potatoes) is my favorite recipe," admits Nidhi Jalan. "This dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack. Sometimes it's even made with potato chips instead of sliced ​​potatoes! If you have leftover boiled potatoes, you can reheat them in a small frying pan and crack some eggs on top. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro, and in minutes you'll have a delicious dish."

Recipe: Papeta-par-eda

Vegetarian Enchilada

This easy enchilada contains beans, cheese, and spinach. Serve with rice.

Recipe: Vegetarian Enchilada

Cauliflower Wellington

Roasted cauliflower with butter and herbs, topped with puff pastry, is the perfect main dish for vegetarians and cauliflower lovers.

Recipe: Cauliflower Wellington

Vegetarian Tofu Burrito Bowl

This homemade version of Chipotle's sofritas is made with crumbled tofu simmered in a spicy poblano sauce. It's not just for vegetarians—meat lovers won't resist, either. Serve it as a filling for a burrito or taco, or with brown rice, black beans, and your favorite toppings, as in this recipe.

Recipe: Vegetarian Tofu Bowl with Chipotle Sauce

Menemen

Menemen is a scrambled egg dish with tomatoes and bell peppers, often served for breakfast in Turkey. Some people add onions to menemen, but this is a controversial ingredient: many argue that onions should not be included. Other variations of this dish use cheese (such as kaseri) or sujuk, a dry sausage. Traditionally, menemen is made with Turkish sweet green peppers (yeşil biber), but in this recipe, they were replaced with the more affordable Italian cubanelle. Green bell peppers or sweet banana peppers would also work.

Recipe: Menemen

Falafel

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

Recipe: Chickpea Falafel Pockets

Buddha's Delight

Traditionally eaten by Buddhist monks, Buddha's Delight (Lo Han Jai) is now popular worldwide as a healthy Chinese vegetarian noodle dish. It's especially popular on the first day of the Lunar New Year (either for lunch or as a side dish for a festive dinner), and is considered a purifying start to the new year. In this version, all the vegetables and mushrooms are selected with texture and flavor in mind, resulting in a pleasant combination of crunchy and tender ingredients. Garlic and ginger are also included, although they may not be suitable for a strictly Buddhist diet. Feel free to mix and match other vegetables to suit your taste. For example, bamboo shoots, lotus root, bean sprouts, or carrots would all work well.

Recipe: Buddha's Delight

Vegetarian Chili in a Slow Cooker

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

Recipe: Vegetarian Chili in a Slow Cooker

Parma-style cauliflower

This delicious and filling dish will please everyone, from vegetarians to the most dedicated meat eaters.

Recipe: Parma-style cauliflower

Lentil frittata

This lentil frittata is perfect for a hearty and healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The lentils add a pleasant nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the potatoes and feta. To tie all the flavors together, we top the frittata with sliced ​​Kalamata and green olives and then drizzle generously with olive oil. You can make this dish ahead of time and enjoy it for days, as it keeps well in the refrigerator and is still delicious when reheated.

Recipe: Lentil frittata

Crab Chickpea Cakes

These patties have a familiar flavor—Old Bay seasoning, lemon, and a distinct bitterness—but there's no crab meat here. Instead, chickpeas are used, which are just as delicious.

Recipe: Vegan Chickpea Crabcakes

Crispy breaded mushroom steaks

Attention, vegetarians! Now you too can enjoy this classic hot dish. Our mushroom version uses the same breading as the steak (it's perfect), and we fry the mushrooms until golden and crispy. Be sure to make a generous portion of the flavorful vegetable gravy (it can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month).

Recipe: Portobello mushroom steaks in vegetarian gravy

Quick Chana Masala

"Chana masala is my favorite chickpea dish," shares recipe author Nidhi Jalan. "There are so many variations of this curry. I love it when the chickpeas are completely covered in a delicious, thick, and savory gravy. Most recipes call for dried chickpeas to be simmered in black tea with cardamom, but in my quick version, I use canned chickpeas and steep them in the spiced tea. The curry tastes even better the next day. It's also freezer-safe."

Recipe: Quick Chana Masala

Sweet potato lasagna with mushrooms

This version of classic lasagna uses sweet potatoes instead of pasta sheets, and spinach adds vibrant color (and plenty of nutrients). The result is a filling and delicious main dish that's also vegetarian and gluten-free!

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Braised Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Peppers

This simple weeknight dinner proves that braising isn't just about meat! Tender, spicy sweet potatoes simmer in a wonderful sauce with sautéed carrots and kale. Crispy radish sticks and cilantro add a refreshing touch. Vegans and meat lovers alike will love this dish.

Recipe: Stewed Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Peppers

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

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

Chickpea stew

The warming spices of a Moroccan tagine come together in a cozy vegetarian stew. Roasted kale and chickpeas add texture and a pleasant flavor that contrasts with caramelized onions and sweet carrots. We like to top the dish with Aleppo pepper or hot paprika.

Recipe: Chickpea stew

Baked Champignons with Parmesan

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

Recipe: Baked Portobello Mushrooms with Cheese

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Tahini

Looking for a vegan main dish for a party, or a new take on a favorite vegetable? This recipe is just the ticket. It's inspired by the famous roasted cauliflower from Miznon restaurants (created by Chef Eyal Shani). For a spicy kick, we season the cauliflower with cumin and coriander, then prepare a tahini sauce to drizzle over it. Fresh herbs and tart red pomegranate seeds add vibrant color and flavor to this impressive dish.

Recipe: Oven-baked cauliflower with pomegranate and tahini

Gazpacho with grilled tomatoes

Tomatoes are grilled for a couple of minutes, adding a smoky flavor to the traditional cold soup.

Recipe: Gazpacho with grilled tomatoes

Frittata with asparagus, tomatoes and cheese

Giada's frittata is a versatile option for brunch, snack, or dinner. Serve hot or cold.

Recipe: Frittata with asparagus, tomatoes and fontina cheese

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

Hearty butternut squash chili with fluffy cornbread, made in one skillet. Serve with sour cream and pickled jalapeños for topping.

Recipe: Vegetarian Chili with Cornbread in a Skillet

Reuben sandwich with beets

Sweet beets are coated in a pastrami-style spice blend for a quick, vegetarian take on the classic store-bought 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

No meat? No problem! This dish is quick to prepare and offers the same sweet and sour flavors and umami notes as classic Pad Thai.

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

Layered Vegetarian Greek Dip

Take a plate, scoop out a portion of the dip, and enjoy. Squeezing the vegetables beforehand will remove excess moisture and prevent the layers from falling apart. Make the dip a day in advance and refrigerate to save time before you serve.

Recipe: Seven Layer Vegetarian Dipping Sauce

Mac 'n' cheese with three cheeses

This dish combines Muenster cheese, Cheddar, and Parmesan; stir in cauliflower florets to incorporate the vegetables.

Recipe: Mac 'n' cheese "Three cheese"

Sloppy Joe's Spicy Vegan Burgers

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

With this vegetarian lasagna, you won't miss the meat: a rich sauce of tomatoes, onions, and carrots is paired with spinach and creamy ricotta. This classic, comforting dish will be a favorite with the whole family.

Recipe: Vegetarian lasagna

Vegetarian spinach pate with nuts

The words "vegetarian," "pâté," and "caviar" might not usually go together, but this delicate, flavorful appetizer spreads like pâté, and the tart pomegranate seeds are slightly reminiscent of caviar. This vegetarian (or rather, vegan) dish is inspired by Georgian pkhali, a spinach spread also made 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 in spinach sauce

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 and goat cheese

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, shiitake, and portobello mushrooms and layer it in lasagna, alternating with cheese, pasta, and spinach.

Recipe: Lasagne with spinach and mushroom ragout

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Pecorino

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 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; it's soft and nutty. Roasted butternut squash and tomatoes complement it beautifully in this grain salad.

Recipe: Warm pumpkin and wheat grain salad

Potatoes with chickpeas and curry

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 made in the oven on a baking sheet. It's meatless, but the sweet potato and cauliflower, roasted with spices, add a rich flavor. Another benefit of oven-baked chili is that you can bake cornbread right on top for a complete vegetarian meal.

Recipe: Vegetarian chili with cheesy cornbread on a baking sheet





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