Going meatless? These hearty, veggie-packed dishes make it easy to put a flavorful meal on the table any night of the week.
Our Best Vegetarian Recipe Ideas
When you need to find vegetarian recipes, look no further. We have plenty of healthy meatless dishes, easy options and even vegan recipes that’ll satisfy you — and your whole family. You won’t need to worry about whether you’re getting enough protein, either; these dishes are loaded with plant-based proteins to keep you satiated. Make veggie burgers, a hearty vegetarian chili and even comfort food favorites, all without the meat! This kung pao cauliflower proves even traditionally meat-filled dishes can be made vegetarian and filled with flavor.
Beans Bourguignon
This vegan recipe is a wonderful alternative to classic beef bourguignon (and is fast, too). Dried porcinis are soaked to create a flavorful, earthy broth. Next, meaty mushrooms are browned to perfection, then added to a rich wine sauce along with carrots and the star of the show, cannellini beans, which soak up all the flavors as they simmer and naturally thicken the sauce so you can skip the usual flour. Served over herbed pasta, this dish is ideal for chilly nights when you crave a satisfying and cozy stick-to-your-ribs stew.
Vegan Mac N "Cheeze"
There's nothing better than a smooth, creamy sauce to pour over pasta for a cheesy, comforting dish! The butternut squash really makes this look like cheese sauce, the cashews make it super creamy and the nutritional yeast gives it the cheesy flavor.
Vegan Tostadas
Black beans and walnuts create the base for these tasty vegan tostadas. They're made with crispy gluten-free organic corn tortillas and topped with crunchy pepitas, sweet yellow corn and red bell peppers.
Drunken Noodles
Jet says, "Classic drunken noodles are the dish some say made me famous but my vegan friends were always angry that they could never try it. I made this version for them and I like it just as much as the original. If you prefer, you can sub in marinated firm tofu that’s vacuum packed for the tofu in water."
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers go Tex-Mex style and vegan! Filled to the brim with black beans, corn, quinoa and spinach, these peppers make a hearty addition to your weekday dinner rotation. The cilantro-lime cream adds a welcome zesty kick.
Vegan Tuna Noodle Casserole
For the vegan version of this popular homey casserole, tofu and garbanzo beans sub in for the tuna, while a sauce made from crispy sauteed cremini mushrooms and cashew milk replaces the traditional canned mushroom soup. Filled with pasta shells and sweet peas and topped with salty crackers and fresh parsley, this hearty meal ticks all the comfort boxes.
Mushroom Mapo Tofu
Though this Sichuan dish is traditionally made with ground pork, the real stars are the spicy bean paste, soft tofu and, of course, Sichuan peppercorns, which have a citrus flavor and a signature numbing effect. So switching out the meat for mushrooms is easy and delicious. Our version (which also happens to be vegan), calls for dried shiitakes so you can use the mushroom soaking liquid as stock. If you can't find dried, use fresh shiitakes or creminis and your favorite vegetable stock (or even water). Enjoy this quick meal over white rice to soak up all the tingling sauce.
BBQ Spaghetti Squash Sliders
Who needs meat to make a delicious slider? These vegetarian squash sliders are sweet, tangy and messy. If you can't find mini slider buns, slice hot dog buns into thirds.
Vegetarian Enchiladas
These easy-to-make enchiladas are filled with beans, spinach and cheese. Serve them with rice on the side.
Vegan Picadillo
Picadillo is typically made with ground beef, but plant-based meat is makes a fantastic substitute here without sacrificing one ounce of flavor! The onions, bell pepper and garlic come together with the tomato sauce to form a rich and comforting sauce that gets studded with tangy, briny olives.
Baked Ziti with Mushrooms
Baked ziti is a warming, cozy and cheesy classic. This version is generously dressed with a simple homemade tomato sauce loaded with earthy sautéed mushrooms. The ziti is filled and topped with some of our favorite vegan ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, so you don’t lose any of that creamy richness when you’re not eating dairy.
Malai Kofta
These vegetarian kofta (balls) are made up of mashed potatoes that are stuffed with a rich paneer-nut-dried fruit filling, then fried and served in a velvety cashew and malai (heavy cream) sauce. Wildly popular with both adults and children, it’s definitely something you make for a special occasion or a special person. A North Indian dish with roots in Mughlai cuisine, malai kofta is served in Punjabi restaurants all over the world. It goes wonderfully with naan or long-grain basmati rice.
Falafel
The fritters come out of the fryer super crisp and perfectly seasoned. Stuffed in a warm pita with lots of veggies, a drizzle of tahini and a dash of hot sauce, they make for a wonderful weeknight dinner.
Lentil-Mushroom Meatballs
These uber savory meatballs are packed with tons of ingredients with glutamate-the compound responsible for umami. Lentils, onions, garlic, tomato paste, soy sauce and nutritional yeast all play their part in making these vegan meatballs taste meaty. Plus they are full of protein and fiber.
Crustless Caprese Quiche
Air Fryer Chili-Garlic Tofu with Green Beans
Air fryers aren't just for French fries, and this recipe showcases their versatility with a stir-fry-like dish that uses just a fraction of the typical amount of oil. Cleanup is a breeze since any splatters are kept in the fryer, and everything is cooked in about 30 minutes. The tofu is crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside, perfect for soaking up the warming chili sauce. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Whole Cauliflower Wellington
Herb-butter roasted cauliflower gets a golden puff pastry blanket — the perfect main dish for vegetarians or cauliflower lovers.
Menemen
Turkish scrambled eggs and tomatoes is an easy breakfast dish that you can find all around the country. In Iran, the same dish is called “omelet.” There has always been a debate whether menemen should have onions or not and the result is always a 50/50 split. This dish is originally made with Turkish sweet green pepper (yeşil biber) but here we substitute an easier-to-find Italian sweet pepper (cubanelle). Other good options include green bell pepper or sweet banana pepper.
Buckwheat Noodle Salad
Papeta par Eda
Recipe developer Nidhi Jalan says, "The most amazing egg recipes in India are found in the Parsi community, but papeta par eda (eggs over potatoes) is hands-down my favorite. You can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack. Sometimes it’s even prepared with potato chips instead of sliced potatoes! If you have any leftover cooked potatoes, you can reheat them in a small skillet and poach a fresh egg on top. Sprinkle with some more chopped cilantro and you have a delicious dish in minutes."
Vegan Black Bean Enchiladas
These vegan enchiladas are loaded with flavor and great for the entire family. Made with frozen corn, black beans and canned tomatoes, the filling couldn't be easier. As it simmers, it becomes rich and thickened with just a hint of smoke (thanks to the addition of some chipotle in adobo). We doubled down on the vegan Cheddar, rolling some up with the filling in corn tortillas, and also layering it on top of the casserole so it bakes to ooey-gooey-tangy perfection. A final sprinkle of cilantro, avocado and radishes adds freshness and crunch.
Chipotle-Inspired Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
This homemade take on Chipotle's sofritas is made from crumbled tofu simmered in a spicy poblano sauce. It's not just for vegetarians — even the meat-lovers in your life will find this dish hard to resist. Serve on its own (say, as a taco or burrito filling) or, as here, with brown rice, black beans and your favorite Chipotle toppings.
Buddha's Delight
Traditionally consumed by Buddhist monks, Buddha’s delight (Lo Han Jai) is now popular around the world as a healthy vegetarian Chinese restaurant option. In our version, we chose vegetables with texture and flavor in mind, resulting in a pleasant combination of crunchy, tender and crisp elements. (We also included garlic and ginger, which may not align with a strictly Buddhist diet.) Feel free to mix and match with other vegetables, such as bamboo shoots, lotus root, bean sprouts or carrots, to name a few.
Vegetarian Chili
Cauliflower Parmesan
This delicious, hearty cauliflower parm doesn't skimp on the flavor and will satisfy everyone, from vegetarians to the most die-hard carnivore.
Lentil Frittata
Perfect for a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner, this lentil frittata is an absolute favorite. The lentils add a nice nuttiness balanced by the potatoes and feta. To bring it all together, we top the frittata with chopped kalamata and green olives plus a good drizzle of olive oil. You can make this dish ahead of time and enjoy it for a few days since it keeps well in the fridge and reheats nicely, too.
Vegan Chickpea Crab Cakes
All the flavors are here-Old Bay, lemon and that distinct brininess-but there's no crab in sight with these cakes. Instead, chickpeas stand in for shellfish, and they are just as satisfying.
Vegetarian Chicken-Fried Portobello Mushroom Steaks
Attention, vegetarians! You don't have to miss out on a classic blue-plate special any longer. Our mushroom version has the exact same breading used for chicken-fried steak (it works great), and we fry it until it's golden and crispy. Be generous with our flavor-packed veggie gravy (you can make it ahead and freeze it for up to a month).
Shortcut Chana Masala
We’ve yet to have a better chickpea dish than chana masala or chickpea curry. There are many versions of this dish. Our favorite is when the chickpeas are smothered with a delicious thick, piquant and spiced gravy. Many recipes start with dried chickpeas that are infused with black tea and cardamom. This is an easy take that starts with canned chickpeas, so you can make it even on a weekday. We like it even more the next day, and it also freezes really well.
Sweet Potato Lasagna
Sweet potatoes sub in for lasagna noodles in this twist on the classic, while spinach adds a pop of color (and plenty of nutrition). The result is a hearty and satisfying main dish that just happens to be vegetarian and gluten-free too!
Braised Chipotle Sweet Potatoes
This super-easy weeknight dinner shows once and for all that braising isn't just for meat! Spicy, tender sweet potatoes simmer in a delicious sauce with stewed carrot pieces and slightly crisp kale. Perfect for vegans and carnivores alike, it's served with a sprinkle of crisp radish sticks and cilantro for a fresh finish.
Creamy Orzo with Mushrooms
Love risotto but hate all the stirring? This creamy pasta dish is an ideal shortcut for any risotto lover looking for a quick and cheesy vegetarian version.
Mum's Everyday Red Lentils
Chickpea Stew
This dish combines the warm spices commonly found in Moroccan tagines in a comforting vegetarian stew. The roasted kale and chickpeas add texture and a pleasant bite that serve as counterpoints to the caramelized onions and sweet carrots. We love to finish it with a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper or hot paprika.
Portobello Parmesan
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Tahini
Whether you want a vegan-friendly main course for an upcoming dinner party, or a new method for cooking one of your favorite veggies, this cauliflower fits the bill. Inspired by Eyal Shani's world-famous whole roasted baby cauliflower served at his Miznon restaurants, we seasoned a head with cumin and coriander for a subtle hint of spice, then made a nutty tahini sauce for drizzling over the top. Fresh green herbs and tart ruby pomegranate seeds add a pop of color and flavor to this impressive dish.
Charred Tomato Gazpacho
Frittata With Asparagus, Tomato and Fontina
Agnolotti With Artichoke Sauce
Vegetarian Skillet Chili Topped with Cornbread
A hearty chili made with butternut squash and fluffy cornbread come together in this single-skillet meal. Serve with extra sour cream and pickled jalapenos on the side for topping.
Beet Reuben
Sweet beets get rolled in a pastrami-inspired spice rub for a quick, vegetarian version of this classic deli favorite.
Mini Mac and 'Shrooms
Chile Cheese Casserole
Vegetarian Pad Thai
No meat? No problem! This takeout standard comes together quickly and hits all the sweet, sour and umami notes of the classic dish.
Tofu-Vegetable Stir-Fry
Seven-Layer Vegetarian Greek Dip
Grab a plate, scoop and then dip. Squeezing out the vegetables before you assemble this dip removes any extra moisture, so your layers stay in place. Make the day before and refrigerate to save time on game day.
Three-Cheese Macaroni
Spicy Vegan Sloppy Joes
Vegetarian Lasagna
You will never miss the meat in this vegetarian lasagna, with its hearty sauce of tomatoes, onions and carrots layered with spinach and creamy ricotta cheese. It's a comfort classic your family will love.
Vegetarian Spinach-Walnut Pate
The words "vegetarian," "pate" and "caviar" don't necessarily go together, but this creamy, flavor-packed appetizer spreads like pate, and the tart bursts of pomegranate seeds are a little like caviar. This vegetarian (in fact, vegan) dish is inspired by the country of Georgia's dish pkhali, a spinach spread that can also be made with beets or mushrooms.
