67 Perfect Vegetarian Dinner Recipes – Weeknights just got easier
The best vegetarian dinners are quick, easy, healthy and delicious! No obscure ingredients or mind-numbingly long prep times. Just simple, straightforward crowd pleasers that you can fit in around your busy schedule!
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Lucky for you, you don’t even need to hunt around for an exciting, easy recipe that will charge up the taste buds and still be ready in no time. The best quick vegetarian dinner ideas are here, ready for your perusal.
This is a compilation of our favorite vegetarian meals, ranging from vegetarian casseroles to vegetarian fried rice to vegetarian pasta recipes – basically whatever you fancy!
There’s also a good deal of vegan recipes hiding amongst these delicious vegetarian dinner ideas, so there’s something for everyone.
Jump to
Vegetarian dinner ideas – where do I start?
I’ve been a vegetarian for a long time now but I haven’t forgotten how intimidating it can be to make the leap to a vegetarian diet.
The good thing is that you’ve found this blog, and we have all kinds of vegetarian recipes for beginners!
The best place to start is by checking out our guide on how to go vegetarian. If that doesn’t convince you, you could start by incorporating the vegetarian dinner recipes below into your meal plans to see how you like them.
You might have heard that it’s too hard to get all the right nutrients with a vegetarian diet, but there’s no need to worry.
If you pay attention to your diet and make sure you’re eating healthy vegetarian meals, you will have no trouble getting the nutrients you need.
Plus, these quick vegetarian dinner recipes are good for your health because they reduce heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses, AND good for the planet (the UN said so!)
So if you’re new to a vegetarian diet, check out these easy vegetarian dinner recipes to get you started.
And if you’re already a vegetarian (or a vegan), then you already know how delicious a meatless chili sin carne or a vegetarian sloppy joe can be!
Oh, and we don’t just do dinners and lunches; we can cover you for breakfast too with delicious healthy recipes like these protein overnight oats!
Before we get to our recipe collection, let’s take a quick glance at what people also ask:
- What is the most famous vegetarian dish?
Our top vegetarian dish is our chickpea curry. No doubt why, right? But we also have broccoli and cauliflower soup, and meatless chili con carne in our top hits. - What should I make for my vegetarian friend?
When coming up with recipes for a vegetarian, we’d suggest you start with what their favorite vegetable is. And also, what they are allergic to.
Now, you have got your must and don’t veg – between these two, you can come up with a veritable feast!
How about asparagus risotto, tomato and spinach pasta, or a vegetable frittata? And this vegetarian entrée, zucchini and basil soup, or this side, a Moroccan couscous salad.
Finish off with berry cheesecake or strawberry custard pudding? Tell us in the comments if you tried our suggestions and how it went!
Why are these recipes good for dinner?
Our selection of the best vegetarian dinners are all healthy, filling and easy to prepare, making them perfect vegetarian ideas for dinner.
We try to make sure all these veg meals take less than 30 minutes to prepare. We know that most people have very busy lives and don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen.
We also know how tempting it is to turn to unhealthy, but easy options, like ready meals, when you get back from a long day and just want to crash.
That’s why we try to make it as easy as possible for you to make healthy vegetarian choices at dinner time, by keeping cooking times short and ingredients simple.
These also make great dinner options because they are all hearty recipes that will fill you up after a big day.
Why not wrap up your meal with a yummy high protein popsicle for dessert?
Quick & easy vegetarian dinners
1. Easy Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce
Bonus: incredibly simple but oh so tasty
A delicious peanut sauce compliments this fantastic stir fry with simple-to-follow cooking tips. Beginner friendly and super quick to make!
2. Mexican Bean Stew
Bonus: a bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and absolutely delicious! Perfect for freezing, too.
After a high protein, high fiber, low-calorie vegetarian dinner? Our Mexican bean stew is just the ticket! Try it now!
3. Mango Curry
Bonus: easy, fast, tropical
This virtually vegan mango curry is refreshing, tropical, super-quick, and soooooo easy (it’s actually one of our top easy mango recipes ever!)! Don’t miss out on this one.
4. Arugula Lentil Salad From Heaven
Bonus: cashews, lentils, arugula benefits
High protein, iron and fiber in exotic Arugula and Lentil Salad that’s healthy and vegan. Only 12 minutes to make with easy-to-find ingredients.
Subscribe to get our FREE 7-Day Vegetarian High Protein Meal Plan for Weight Loss
5. Smoked Tofu & Hummus Buddha Bowl
Bonus: combination of flavourful rice and smoky tofu
Indulge with this smoky and savory Buddha Bowl. The combination of smoked tofu, hummus, and turmeric rice makes for a perfect vegan lunch (or dinner!)
6. Vietnamese Noodle Soup
Bonus: tasty, filling, and interesting
After a delicious and filling dinner? Try our vegan pho recipe – a healthy Vietnamese noodle soup with crispy tofu topping (this one is also one of our fave ever high protein vegan soups!)!
7. Roasted Broccoli Halloumi Traybake
Bonus: a practical weeknight dinner
Looking for a healthy vegetarian dinner? Try this simple oven-roasted broccoli with halloumi & lentils. 32g protein each!
8. Healthy Huevo Rancheros
Bonus: perfectly suited for breakfast
Quick, easy and traditional, this totally Mexican dish is one you can put together very quickly. Ideal for those midweek, post-work meals.
9. Lentil Tacos
Bonus: full of flavor, fiber, and protein
Zhuzh-up your next Taco Tuesday with these ah-mazing lentil tacos. You will never go back to mince again!
10. Smooching Mushrooms on Toast
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: nutritious, tasty, versatile
Our delicious vegan take on the trendiest cafe food of the moment, Mushrooms on Toast. It’s perfect for everything from a savory breakfast to a light dinner. Add a zingy and fresh green salad for a quick midweek supper.
11. Perfect Pizza Pancake Recipe
Bonus: easy vegetarian dinner that’s also cheesy & crispy
These pizza pancakes are perfect for lunch or dinner – super simple and full of the most exciting base and taste combos make it the best of both worlds (they even make it on our list of the best veggie pizza recipes)!
12. Easy Tomato Spinach Pasta
Bonus: a “quick and amazing” vegetarian dinner recipe
A simple but delicious dish that requires bugger all washing up! It’s also an easy way to get all that healthy spinach into your system.
13. Lentil Quinoa Salad
Bonus: a super healthy and nutritious salad
If you’re looking for healthy vegetarian quinoa recipes, then this superfood salad featuring red lentils and quinoa will be your thing ! It’s jazzed up with crunchy almonds, tangy olives, and creamy avocado.
14. Posh Baked Potatoes
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: so much flavor, in so simple a dish!
This elegant baked potato is a well of sophistication. Impress the neighbors, nay, impress anyone with this cultivated classy classic.
15. Easy Thai Green Curry
Bonus: spicy, creamy, full of herby goodness
One of our earliest recipes, it is a no-brainer why this remains a top favorite. So tasty and nourishing, it is the perfect thing to have on a cold night. Or any night!
16. Spicy Vegetarian Dragon Noodles
Bonus: Meatless Monday, here you come!
Love spice? Love noodles? Love dragons? Want all of those things in 1 healthy package? Try our delicious spicy dragon noodles now!
17. Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry
Bonus: ridiculously tasty and nutritious – packed with protein, iron, and fiber!
We are massively fond of chickpeas, in case you haven’t guessed! Here’s our awesome vegan take on the insanely popular dish.
18. Heavenly Halloumi Salad
Bonus: looooads of protein, fiber, plenty of nutrients
Full of protein, fiber, and loads of other nutrients this halloumi salad will keep you feeling full for hours – and you’ll secretly be looking forward to more!
19. Vegan Vegetable Lo Mein
Bonus: much more healthier than a takeaway
Looking for a speedy noodle dish, packed with vegetables and flavor? The search is over with this easy vegetable lo mein!
20. Black Bean Burrito Bowl
Bonus: super healthy, nutritious
In this healthy burrito bowl, we’ve got quinoa, avocado, pineapple, tofu, and Adobo sauce for a sizzling taste bud fiesta!
21. Amazing Aubergine (Eggplant) Curry
Bonus: a delicious meal in a bowl
This amazing aubergine curry (or eggplant curry) is quick, vegan, and soooo tasty. Eat as it is or on a bed of plain / jeera rice. Yum!
22. Tomato Shakshuka
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: quick vegetarian breakfast dish
This easy vegetarian shakshuka recipe breaks everything down into simple steps for a great Shakshuka result every time! High in protein and perfect for dinner or for breakfast!
23. Asparagus & Tomato with Halloumi
Bonus: simple and quick
After a healthy, quick-to-make meal? Try our roasted asparagus and tomatoes with halloumi and quinoa. Ready in 30 minutes!
24. Creamy Garlic Mushrooms
Bonus: versatile, delicious, healthy
There’s no better use for mushrooms than with garlic and cream – and if you want it, we know how to make it vegan without sacrificing taste. Your call.
25. Cheesy Microwave Sweet Potato Mash
Bonus: filling high protein
A super easy sweet potato mash meal that is going to fill you up, add protein to your diet, and taste oh so cheesy!
26. Sweet Potato and Broccoli Salad
Bonus: colourful, high protein
This time-saving traybake with sweet potato, broccoli, and quinoa is big on superfood nutrition and even bigger on taste.
27. Saucy Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Bonus: crispy, juicy, flavorful
Get excited about cabbage with these crispy panko roasted cabbage steaks. A deliciously saucy and high protein dinner for two!
28. Saucy Eggplant Tomato Pasta
Bonus: simple, vegan
A tasty vegan eggplant and tomato pasta with navy beans and kale. Super healthy and super tasty!
29. Lentils with Vegetables in Tahini Sauce
Bonus: high in fiber, full of veggies
A tasty bowl of lentils with vegetables in a tahini sauce and cashews. This veggie comfort food is just what an autumn day calls for.
30. Healthy Mac and Cheese
Bonus: light, healthy, creamy
Love mac and cheese, but wish it was healthier? Try our healthy mac and cheese now! The same nostalgic flavor – lighter!
31. Cottage Cheese Fritters with Salsa
Bonus: high protein, crispy
Looking for a healthy fritter recipe? Try these cottage cheese fritters, served with salsa. 21g protein per serving!
32. Crispy Potatoes in Oven with Feta Sauce
Bonus: simple, healthy, delicious
Looking for your new favorite dinner? Try these crispy tiktok smashed potatoes in the oven – even higher in protein!
Comfort food
33. Aubergine & Lentil Vegetarian Moussaka
Bonus: just 10 mins of prep!
This healthy high protein vegetarian moussaka is a true veggie delight with Greek soul and full of flavour and texture!
34. Spicy Corn Chowder
Bonus: easy-to-find ingredients, hearty and healthy
A spicy, creamy corn chowder that’s satisfying and filling. Simple to make, ready in 25 minutes. Vegetarian and healthy. Tastes best when it’s cold outside.
35. Mushroom Stew with Coconut
Bonus: healthy and filling
After something light and tasty for dinner? Try our high protein coconut mushroom stew – did we mention it’s vegan too?
36. Tuscan Kale & White Bean Soup
Bonus: loaded with fiber and protein
Fill up and power up on our hot vegetarian kale and white bean soup. It’s an absolute pearl for your healthy slim down diet.
37. Lentil Vegetable Soup
Bonus: when you need some Italian inspiration
Looking for lots of healthy veggies and good taste in one bowl? This lentil vegetable soup is the perfect option!
38. Leek Risotto with Cream Cheese
Bonus: creamy, hearty, simple
This creamy leek risotto is easy to make, filling, and oh-so comforting. We show you how to speed it up, too – ideal for an easy weeknight dinner!
39. Meatless Chili Sin Carne
Bonus: a nutritional powerhouse
Who said meatless meals can’t deliver? This meatless (aka vegan) chili proves that you can still enjoy your favourite meals, but in a new, animal friendly way.
40. Dal Khichdi & Kachumber Salad
Bonus: diet-friendly dish
The perfect comfort food in a bowl! Rice and creamy lentils come together in this wonderful one-pot dish. A filling and delicious meal!
41. Easy Baked Feta with Veggies
Bonus: healthy, nutritious and lots of flavor!
Melted Feta and Veggie Bake. Easy and quick. 10 minutes prep time, then for 30 minutes in the oven. High in vitamins A, C and B6, protein and fiber.
42. Mexican Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
Calories: 278 kcal per serving
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: MightyMrs
Bonus: quick, easy, cheesy
Quinoa Enchilada Bake is a perfect vegetarian main dish that is filling and delicious. Filled with quinoa, black beans, corn and melted cheese.
43. Sexy Vegan Lentil Stew
Bonus: nutritious, healthy
The sexiest lentil stew you have ever eaten. A nutritional powerhouse, this recipe is here to kickstart your year – and your health.
44. Roasted Fennel & Carrots with Chickpeas
Bonus: sweet, distinctive flavour
Looking for new sheet pan ideas? Try this delicious roasted fennel and carrots with chickpeas! 22g protein per serving!
45. Curried Lentil Soup with Coconut
Bonus: one pot soup, for those busy nights!
Follow our fool-proof simple cooking steps for the perfect coconut curry lentil soup. Packed with protein, fiber and a high-summer taste!
46. Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Bonus: great cooking tips!
This cheesy, crispy, oven favourite broccoli cheese casserole is low effort and high reward – complete with cheat tips!
47. Vegetarian Toad in the Hole
Bonus: light, fluffy, with delicious veggie sausages
Vegetarian toad in the hole paves the way for a meat-free future – why eat meat when you can have this instead?
48. Sweet Potato & Beetroot Salad
Bonus: hearty vegan salad
Smooth and hearty meets sweet and crunchy, this sweet potato and beetroot salad has got it going on!
49. Stuffed Bell Peppers in Mediterranean Sauce
Bonus: packed with vitamins and nutrients, very easy
Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers baked in a delicious tomato sauce – foolproof instructions and packed with vitamins and nutrients – bring the health back!
Family favorites
50. Mexican Vegetarian Tacos
Bonus: perfect for family dinner nights
One of the most delicious vegetarian recipes I’ve ever made. With loads of veggie fiber and protein means this recipe makes you wonder why you ever wanted meat in the first place.
51. Sweet & Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Curry
Bonus: sweet, spicy and vegan
An exciting fusion of Pakistani spices come together with crunchy roasted cauliflower in this classically cooked dish. Eat it with rice or roti, for a delicious and easy vegetarian dinner.
52. Spaghetti with Arrabbiata Sauce
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: easy vegetarian dinner for busy weeknights
After a healthy pasta arrabbiata recipe? Try ours! With aubergine and a crushed almond topping, this is the best out there!
53. Beetroot Pasta
Bonus: full of beetroot-y goodness, vitamins and minerals
The beets are bangin’ in this eye-catching dish. Highly nutritious, beetroots are an awesome addition to any pasta meal – including this beauty!
54. Sweet Potato Burritos
Bonus: easy, family-friendly recipe
Bursting with sweet potatoes and tantalising Mexican flavors, this authentic burrito recipe is easy to make for one or the whole big family!
55. Sweet Potato Tacos
Bonus: light, healthy and quick to whip up!
Watching your weight but love Mexican food? Give taco night a healthy twist with these light, tasty sweet potato tacos!
56. The King of Jacket Potatoes
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: a delicious meal, with warm spices to add some zip
There are jacket potatoes, and there’s our version – loaded with fresh vegetables like red bell peppers and zucchini and spiced with fajita seasoning for a nice, zingy flavor. What’s not to love?
57. Mexican Vegetarian Tacos
Bonus: tacos from wraps hack
These awesome high-protein vegetarian lentil patties can be used as lentil burgers or fritters, and even made vegan, too!
58. Vegan Lentil Bolognese
Bonus: easy dinner that’s vegan and dairy-free
Love a good bolognese but trying to eat less meat? Try our healthy, plant-based lentil bolognese – you’ll never look back!
Leftovers special
59. Bean & Pasta Vegetarian Casserole
Bonus: high protein, vegan
A dump and bake dish that will please everyone, this bean and pasta vegetarian casserole makes a perfect healthy dinner (and if you like this, you should try some of our other healthy vegetarian dinner ideas here).
60. Healthy Refried Beans & Tortillas
Bonus: protein, fiber, and bean-y benefits
These healthy refried beans are our take on the traditional Mexican dish, with a health-conscious twist!
61. Kimchi Fried Rice
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: TheVegConnection
Calories: 368 kcal per serving
Bonus: simple ingredients and leftovers come together in a delicious recipe
This recipe brings the comfort food goodness of fried rice and the spicy tang of kimchi together in this Korean twist on an old classic. It’s a quick and easy way to turn your leftover rice into a stunning new meal!
62. Vegetarian Fried Rice
Bonus: quick and easy weekday dinner recipe
Everybody should know how to make veggie fried rice. Hands down one of the most delicious and easiest ways to use up leftovers.
Dinner party recipes
63. Jackfruit Burgers
Bonus: quick, easy, and delicious
This easy jackfruit burger is the vegan alternative to pulled pork – and it rocks! Mega-tasty and no little piggies are harmed anywhere along the line. Perfect recipe if you are looking for an impressive dish for a special barbeque!
64. Black Bean Burgers
Bonus: doesn’t fall apart, a fabulous source of protein
A black bean burger recipe that doesn’t fall apart, tastes awesome and can even be made vegan (check out these plant-based burger recipes for more vegan specific options)! These veggie burgers would be perfect for your dinner BBQ (or any of these veggie burgers too).
65. Poke Bowl with Sesame Tofu
Bonus: many tofu and veggie benefits
Need a fresh and healthy new recipe for lunch or dinner? Our vegan poke bowl with sesame tofu is for you – try it now!
66. Paneer Jalfrezi
Calories: 285 kcal per serving
Ready in: 22 minutes
Recipe by: IndianAmbrosia
Bonus: simple, healthy, and tasty
Paneer Jalfrezi is a colorful vegetarian stir fry made with cottage cheese, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and powdered spices (not our only veggie stir fry recipe either). Couple it with rice or roti for one of the best vegetarian meals!
67. Cauliflower Steak with Red Pepper Sauce
Bonus: gluten-free, grain-free
The most scrumptious cauliflower steak, served with yummy red bell pepper and ricotta sauce. Crunchy, creamy, unctuous – just a winner of a dish! See for yourself!
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower (15-16 oz = approx. 400g)
- 9 oz potatoes (9 oz = 250g)
- 9 oz skim or low fat ricotta (1 block = 9 oz = 250g) (can be replaced for firm tofu or silken tofu)
- 1 ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup roasted bell peppers (200g)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp parsley, fresh (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 C.
- Cut potatoes (with skin on) into wedges and cauliflower into steaks 1 inch thick.9 oz potatoes, 1 cauliflower
- Place cauliflower, potatoes and ricotta block in a baking sheet. Mix onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and olive oil; evenly coat cauliflower, ricotta and potatoes with the help of a brush.9 oz skim or low fat ricotta, 1 ¼ tsp salt, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until cauliflower and potatoes are fork tender and ricotta is slightly golden. Halfway through (about 15 min. in) turn cauli steaks over.
- Meanwhile blend roasted bell peppers, garlic clove, sugar and ¼ tsp salt. Reserve until needed.1 cup roasted bell peppers, 1 clove garlic, 1 ½ tsp sugar, 1 ¼ tsp salt
- Serve cauliflower steaks and potatoes with roasted bell pepper sauce and baked ricotta. Finish with a dash of salt, black pepper and parsley.1 tbsp parsley, fresh, Black pepper
NOTES
Nutrition
What is a vegetarian?
A vegetarian is someone who doesn’t eat meat or fish, usually for ethical reasons such as the environmental impact of animal agriculture, or animal cruelty.
There are some variations in vegetarian’s food when it comes to eggs and dairy, however!
Did you know there are 3 types of vegetarian?
Lacto vegetarians don’t eat eggs but do eat dairy like milk and cheese. Ovo vegetarians do eat eggs but don’t eat dairy.
Lacto-ovo vegetarians (the most common type) eat both eggs and dairy.
Then, of course, there are the vegans who are out there eating no animal products at all!
Vegetarian friendly foods include all fruit and veg, eggs, milk, cheese, beans, chickpeas, lentils, tofu, seitan, tempeh and other ‘fake’ meats.
How many people are vegetarian across the globe?
The number of vegetarians in the world is estimated at around 1.5 billion! That’s a lot!
While vegetarianism feels like a relatively new thing for those of us in Europe and the USA, a lot of those 1.5 billion people are in countries like India where there is a long cultural history of vegetarianism for religious reasons.
In the USA, the popularity of the vegetarian diet is pretty recent! In 2013 a poll showed that only 3% of respondents were vegetarian. In 2020 that number had gone up to 6% as strict veggie and 12% as flexitarian.
Any questions?
That’s all folks! Hopefully one of these vegetarian dinner recipes will quell the hunger in your belly or solve your dilemma of what to make as a vegetarian main meal.
If you have any questions, please do give me a shout.
Since there’s everything from vegetarian tacos, to vegetarian jambalaya, to vegetarian curry, we’re pretty sure you can find the perfect addition to your rotation of vegetarian weeknight dinners on this list.
If you’ve got leftovers, check out these recipes to make with leftover veggies!
Hauke Fox
I’m always on the lookout for these damn smart recipes. You know, those that only take a few minutes to put together and taste delicious. Vegetarian Cooking at home is a way to take back control over what I eat. I don’t like what many companies do to animals and the environment with their products.
This article has been medically reviewed by James LeBaigue MSc Learn More
James LeBaigue MSc
James has a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Human Nutrition.
He loves combining his scientific knowledge along with food in the real world, and these recipes are the result.
He’s on top of all the latest evidence and guidelines to make sure our nutrition advice on the website is as accurate as it can be.
By day he works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in a busy NHS GP Practice.
Each recipe is tested and then eaten (much to James’ delight), many times before it is deemed worthy to be published. Bon appetit!
Comments
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50 comments
Such an informative post. Thank you for posting.
You’re welcome! 🙂
It looks Yummy! I saw the post but where is the recipes link? I want to saw.
Hi Henry, which recipe link do you mean? You can just click on the button underneath each recipe image and it’ll lead you straight to it 🙂
Great post you wrote. Actually I’m also vegetarian and I love to know about various recipes. Thanks for your post. It means alot.
Really glad this is helpful, Daniel!!
Hey!
Thank you so much for sharing so wonderful recipes I have to say I am definitely coming back to you because its is really helping me to prepare a nice dinner for my clients it a second time that I am cooking a completely vegetarian whole month I find it challenging a little but hey I think its the future! Thank you so much from private chef in Barcelona
That’s really good to hear you find this round up helpful, Matej! Saludos to Barcelona! 🙂