Vegetarian
ByMelissa Gordon
Looking for more plant-based ideas for dinner? These easy, healthy vegetarian recipes are some of my favorite meatless dinners. From light soups to hearty, cheesy casseroles, we’ve got you covered. And there’s a bonus list of easy vegetarian options for our most popular meat-based recipes!
Vegetarian Recipes for Meat Eaters
These dinner ideas are so hearty that you won’t even miss the meat. There’s a 4-cheese lasagna recipe and a bean-filled chili mac that will quickly become weeknight favorites, because they are so quick and easy to prepare.
Lasagna & Texas Toast
Say cheese! This 5-layer vegetarian lasagna recipe has it all – spicy sauce, noodles and four kinds of gooey cheese. Add a slice of Texas toast for a hearty, filling meal that cooks all in one pot!
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Chili Mac
This vegetarian chili mac recipe is a creamy, spicy mix of macaroni and cheese, salsa, beans, roasted corn and jalapeño, topped with pico de gallo, green onions, and crema.
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Veggie Based Dinner Ideas
Vegetable based dinner recipes are very healthy and delicious! Here are two of my favorites:
Cauliflower Cheese Casserole
A great low carb meatless main dish, this 3-cheese cauliflower casserole is filling, delicious and oh so cheesy!
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Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan
Here’s a perfect low carb option for pasta. Simply toss parmesan cheese, butter, and parsley with cooked spaghetti squash!
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Vegetarian Girl Dinner
I love snack-based meals and boards for dinner. Here are two ideas that can be customized with lots of different accompaniments to fit your mood.
Caprese Empanadas
These are SO easy to prepare and make a great basis for a snacky dinner. Mozzarella, sun-dried tomato and basil are folded into empanada dough and baked. Add some dips and veggies and you’ve got a meal!
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Baked Camembert Board
Baked on the grill or in the oven, this ooey-gooey camembert topped with rosemary and pecans is a decadent centerpiece for your dinner board. Add crackers, baguette slices, dried fruit, and nuts to round it out.
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Meatless Soup Ideas
When the weather turns colder, I turn to soups for lunch and dinner. And I mean hearty soups that fill you up like a big meal. Check these out!
Carrot Soup
Whether in a soup maker or on the stovetop, this soup can be made in under 30 minutes. Finish off with a splash of cream, fresh dill, and croutons.
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Leek & Potato Soup
A definite favorite for all the soup lovers, this leek and potato soup is creamy and smooth. Top with croutons, fresh herbs and cream.
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Curried Parsnip Soup
The perfect blend of spices makes this soup flavorful and warming, perfect for chilly days.
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Tomato Basil Soup
The all-time classic tomato soup, this one is seasoned with fresh basil and cream. But it’s still the perfect partner to a grilled cheese sandwich!
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Spicy Parsnip Soup
Another vegetarian parsnip soup but this time with cumin, paprika, and chiles.
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Chunky Vegetable Soup
Chunks of carrot, zucchini, and cabbage float in a savory broth. You could add cream and even top it with cheese for a more hearty version.
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Butternut Squash Soup
Cooked butternut squash, broth and cream blend together into a smooth, delicious soup. Add bread slices or a grilled cheese sandwich for the perfect comfort food dinner.
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Brown Butter Parsnip Soup
Yep, another parsnip soup, and this one’s my favorite. It has a rich, creamy base of brown butter and heavy cream that is seasoned with marjoram and sage.
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Senate Bean Soup
This is a vegetarian version of the popular Senate Bean Soup. It’s hearty, healthy, and makes a deliciously filling dinner.
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Spicy Pumpkin Soup
Chipotle peppers and roasted red peppers blend together to bring the heat to this pumpkin soup recipe. Add warm-from-the-oven bread and top with a drizzle of cream.
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Recipes with Vegetarian Option
When I created these recipes, I defaulted to the meat versions to give some variety to the selection of recipes on the site. But in all honesty, I often make the vegetarian option. In fact, most of the meat-based recipes on here have a suggested vegetarian option. (This Tater Tot Casserole with a ground beef alternative is amazing!) Browse around and find your favorites!
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These perfectly steamed sweet potatoes are topped with southwest toppings, like chopped jalapeños, red peppers, and sour cream. Bacon is a suggested topping, so simply leaving it out makes this a delicious vegetarian meal.
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Buffalo Chicken Mac
This recipe is incredibly simple, since you use a boxed mac-n-cheese kit and frozen buffalo “chicken” nuggets. I used nuggets made from jackfruit in my recipe, but you use whatever your favorite meat alternative is.
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Pizza Frittata
Egg-based dishes are my favorite meatless meal ideas. This recipe combines the ultimate comfort food with a frittata. It suggests topping with pepperoni, but use whatever your favorite pizza toppings are.
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Breakfast Skillet
This classic breakfast skillet includes sausage and bacon, but most of the time I make this I use vegetarian sausage. There are lots of options for meat alternatives that are delicious in this recipe.
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Stuffed Peppers
I’ve made this recipe many times, with and without meat. To make it meatless, I’ve subbed in mushrooms, beans, or vegetarian meat crumbles.
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