Hurry The Food Up Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes For Busy People
When your to-do list is as long as your arm, the kids aren’t in bed and you can’t be bothered to spend the next hour in the kitchen, the best thing you can have is a quick and easy vegetarian dinner recipe.
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 favourite quick-to-prepare, 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.
Vegetarian Dinner Ideas – where do I start?
I’ve been 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 start 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 – they help to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses, AND good for the planet (the UN said so!)
And if you are looking to lose weight, then these dinner recipes would make the perfect addition to our vegetarian weight loss meal plan.
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!
Bonus: incredibly simple but so tasty
592 calories per serving
A delicious peanut sauce compliments this fantastic stir fry with simple to follow cooking tips. Beginner friendly and super quick to make!
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: FlavorMosaic
Bonus: delicious, filling, can be stored for a while in the fridge
486 calories per serving
This Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole is like a Mexican Tortilla Casserole that is packed with vegetables and melted cheese! It is an easy Make-Ahead Mexican dinner that freezes well and your family will love!
Bonus: easy, cheesy, crispy
405 calories per serving (1 medium pizza)
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!
Bonus: creamy, hearty, simple
579 calories per serving
This creamy leek risotto is easy to make, filling and oh-so comforting. We show you how to speed it up, too – good food shouldn’t be slow!
Ready in: 22 minutes
Recipe by: IndianAmbrosia
Bonus: simple, healthy and tasty
285 calories per serving
Paneer Jalfrezi is a colorful vegetarian stir fry made with cottage cheese, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and powdered spices.
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: SaporitoKitchen
Bonus: light, easy and delicious recipe
327 calories per serving
Creamy Sundried Tomato Pasta is a light and easy weeknight dinner that can be made in just 20 minutes! Rigatoni pasta is mixed with goat cheese and sundried tomatoes for a light and creamy sauce that the whole family will love.
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: nutritious, tasty, versatile
329 calories per serving
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.
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: high in protein, easy to make, versatile
848 calories per serving
Melted cheese and baked beans is a UK favourite when it comes to baked potatoes – and we have the perfect recipe and cooking instructions!
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: TheVegConnection
Bonus: fresh and satisfying
368 calories per serving
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!
Ready in: 1 hour 20 minutes (just 10 min prep)
Recipe by: DeliciousLittleBites
Bonus: delicious, satisfying, and budget-friendly
389 calories per serving
Tuscan Spaghetti Squash is an easy vegetarian meal perfect for busy week nights. With only 18 net carbs per generous serving, it’s naturally low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free.
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: ChefSavvy
Bonus: versatile and super easy
219 calories per serving
Crispy Parsley Pesto Gnocchi! Homemade potato gnocchi pan fried then tossed with an easy parsley pesto sauce. This dish is bursting with flavor and is surprisingly easy to make!
Bonus: quick, easy and delicious
462 calories per serving
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.
Bonus: easy, fast, tropical
580 calories per serving
This virtually vegan mango curry is refreshing, tropical, super-quick and soooooo easy! Don’t miss out on this one.
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: ForkfulOfPlants
Bonus: mega delicious and filling
These vegan pierogi mimic traditional Polish pierogi ruskie, with mashed potato, tofu cottage cheese, and smoky mushroom bits. Eat them as they are, or enjoy them as fried or baked pierogi!
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: WholeSomeYum
Bonus: mega quick
106 calories per serving
The ultimate guide for how to make stir fry vegetables! This healthy vegetable stir fry recipe with simple sauce takes just 10 minutes. Plus, get a full list of the best stir fry veggies and lots of tips.
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: simple but so satisfying dish
678 calories per serving
This elegant baked potato is a well of sophistication. Impress the neighbours, nay, impress anyone with this cultivated classy classic.
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: CozyCravings
Bonus: tasty, filling and tasty
452 calories per serving
These Poblano Black Bean Quesadillas are SO good if you’re looking for a veggie quesadilla, and even if you’re not. Delicious sautéed poblano peppers, black beans, and onions, stuffed between melty jack cheese in a crispy tortilla.
Ready in: 1 hour 25 minutes (just 10 minutes prep)
Recipe by: EatSomethingVegan
Bonus: simple and crispy
213 calories per serving
These Garlic Smashed Potatoes are full of flavor and really tasty. Perfectly browned and deliciously crispy, they’re just the side dish you want to add to your dinner table.
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: PipingPotCurry
Bonus: easy and quick, can be made ahead and frozen
391 calories per serving
Healthy Vegetarian Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole is easy to make and filled with cheesy goodness, along with brown rice and lots of veggies. This is an easy gluten free & vegetarian casserole for a weeknight dinner or your next party!
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: HealthySeasonalRecipes
Bonus: quick, hearty and flavorful
319 calories per serving (2 tacos)
These Vegan Tacos are ready in just 20 minutes. They are made with sautéed veggies and black beans and topped with all the best plant-based toppings.
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: GoodFoodBaddie
Bonus: sweet, tangy, ridiculously good
302 calories per serving
Say goodbye to take-out as you revel in the glorious flavors of these Baked Orange Cauliflower Wings! Enjoy the wonderful taste of crispy baked cauliflower drenched in sticky, sweet, and savory orange sauce! This easy recipe will quickly become your favorite! Plus, it’s Vegan and completely Gluten-Free!
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: TheRisingSpoon
Bonus: creamy, light, healthy
A creamy tomato basil soup that’s cozy, healthy, and quick to prep. If you love Panera Bread’s tomato soup, you’ve got to try my easy homemade version! This uses simple ingredients from your pantry & fridge, so you can make it all year long when you’re craving comfort food.
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: LoveAndGoodStuff
Bonus: fun to make and eat 😉
681 calories per serving
A vegetarian spin on Taco Bells’ classic wrap with lentils and guacamole.
Bonus: mega healthy and nutritional
505 calories per serving
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.
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: ThePowderedApron
Bonus: a bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and absolutely delicious!
413 calories per serving
These vegetarian mushroom tacos are packed with flavor and topped with a sweet pineapple salsa, easy pickled red onions, crunchy cabbage, and buttery avocado.
Bonus: easy to make, versatile, full of taste
240 calories per serving
No longer will your Brussel Sprouts with balsamic cream or vinegar lay unloved at the table. These are the BEST sprouts ever and MUST be tried by all!
Ready in: 30-40 minutes
Recipe by: TheGourmetRD
Bonus: delicious, healthy, and satisfying salad
460 calories per serving
Taco salad made with spicy roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, tortilla chips and avocado-cilantro dressing.
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: TheCleverMeal
Bonus: delicious, satisfying, and budget-friendly
329 calories per serving
Scrumptious and full of flavor, this pasta with peppers makes a terrific vegetarian pasta dish. The slowly cooked peppers mingle with the sweet red onion, the garlic and the savory Kalamata olives. Finish with balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive and fresh basil. All BIG flavors!
Bonus: nutritious, healthy
420 calories per serving
The sexiest lentil stew you have ever eaten. A nutritional powerhouse, this recipe is here to kickstart your year – and your health.
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: high protein, quick, delicious
354 calories per serving
This easy vegetarian shakshuka recipe breaks everything down into simple steps for a great Shakshuka result every time!
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: NourishPlate
Bonus: light, easy and delicious recipe
107 calories per serving
Simple and delicious lentil dhal made with just a few pantry ingredients. It is healthy and packed with plant-based protein.
Bonus: super healthy and nutritious salad
520 calories per serving
In this superfood salad red lentils and quinoa are jazzed up with crunchy almonds, tangy olives and creamy avocado.
Ready in: 50 minutes (only 5 min prep)
Recipe by: AddSaltAndServe
Bonus: super easy and hearty Italian soup
231 calories per serving
Pasta e Fagioli is an easy 50 minute soup that is full of Italian flavor and accented with ditalini, orzo, or other small pasta cooked al dente.
Bonus: versatile, delicious, healthy
326 calories per serving
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.
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: DriveMeHungry
Bonus: quick, easy yet tasty
270 calories per serving
Try this easy and fast recipe for vegetarian Thai basil tofu stir fry aka Tofu Pad Krapow. Stir fried ground tofu with garlic, ginger, and veggies in a spicy, savory soy sauce!
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: EatTheGains
Bonus: easy and fun
225 calories per serving
Eggplant slices topped with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese, this low carb Grilled Eggplant Pizza makes a perfect easy, light, and gluten free meal!
Ready in: 1 hour (just 10 minutes prep)
Recipe by: GirlHeartFood
Bonus: super comforting and delicious
This vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash recipe is loaded with lots of veggies, pasta sauce and generously covered with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s filling, delicious and simply a family favourite!
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: WentHere8This
Bonus: spicy, creamy, simple
282 calories per serving
Spicy Potato Curry (Aloo Curry) is made with tender chunks of potato and tomatoes cooked in a rich and creamy, spicy coconut curry sauce. It comes together in about 30 minutes and is incredibly simple to make!
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: MightyMrs
Bonus: quick, easy, cheesy
278 calories per serving
Quinoa Enchilada Bake is a perfect vegetarian main dish that is filling and delicious. Filled with quinoa, black beans, corn and melted cheese.
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: WholeSomeYum
Bonus: quick and easy prep
239 calories per serving
This easy zucchini gratin recipe is a cheesy zucchini casserole that everyone will love! Healthy, low carb, gluten-free, and absolutely delicious.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: Watch What U Eat
Bonus: yummy and nutritious
350 calories per serving
Filled with greens, beans and carbohydrates all-in-one pot spinach rice recipe. It is healthy and full of proteins, fibers and vitamins. Ideal recipe for busy times.
Bonus: simple and healthy dish
596 calories per serving
This cheesy, crispy, oven favourite broccoli cheese casserole is low effort and high reward – complete with cheat tips!
Bonus: hearty, healthy, easy
487 calories per serving
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.
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: ContentednessCooking
Bonus: super easy and delicious
300 calories per serving
It is an amazing entirely vegan and gluten free Mexican inspired dish. Made with a creamy and spicy Enchilada sauce, and full of fresh vegetables. Comfort food that you can easily customize to your taste.
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: PinchAndSwirl
Bonus: combination of sweet and savory
442 calories per serving
This salad is a savory, salty, sweet, tangy combination that will have you nodding your head in satisfaction with every bite.
Bonus: colourful and full of health benefits
494 calories per serving
Quick and creamy Avocado Pasta that’s healthy and vegan. High in fiber, vitamin C, iron and good fats. Easy to make in under 15 minutes.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: StaceyHomemaker
Bonus: easy and freezer-friendly
249 calories per serving
Vegan lentil sloppy joes are sure to be a hit because they’re classic comfort food that everyone knows and loves! The flavorful tangy sauce has two secret ingredients that will make you want to lick every last drop of sauce off the plate.
Bonus: simple to make, tasty and flavourful
619 calories per serving
Everybody should know how to make veggie fried rice. Hands down one of the most delicious and easiest ways to use up leftovers. Ready in max. 15 minutes!
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: NourishNutritionBlog
Bonus: mega easy and nutritious
Amazingly delicious and easy tacos! You can add whichever veggies you have on hand, and love them all the same! This is a great idea for a tasty vegetarian dinner.
Bonus: creamy and comforting
287 calories per serving
This is not some bland version of a traditional potato soup, but a full blown delicious recreation built from scratch – all vegan of course!
Bonus: exciting flavours and quick prep
383 calories per serving
Pineapple Fried Rice. Some food pairings were just meant to be together, and this is one of them. Get your sweet, crunchy and tropical hit right now!
Bonus: super quick preparation, delicious and healthy, can be stored for a while in the fridge
315 calories per serving
This low-carb pie that’s keto-friendly is incredibly tasty – and the best thing – it takes only five minutes to prep! Seriously!
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: MyKitchenLove
Bonus: creamy, easy, healthy
Comfort food defined pasta packed with vegetables and that family-friendly Alfredo flavour.
Bonus: easy, healthy, fun
610 calories per serving
The beets are bangin’ in this eye-catching dish. Highly nutritious, beetroots are an awesome addition to any pasta meal – including this beauty. Get your vegetarian dinner ideas right here!
Bonus: creamy, cozy and spicy
442 calories per serving
So comforting you want to sit in it. Only vegan ingredients, great taste and ready in 20 minutes. High in protein and fiber. You won’t be disappointed!
Bonus: simple, healthy, delicious
289 calories per serving
Crispy Tortilla Pizza. A healthier way to eat pizza with the same great taste that you love. Ready in just 25 minutes, you won’t look back!
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TheKitchenGirl
Bonus: easy and so delicious
180 calories per serving
Healthy black beans, sweet potatoes, homemade enchilada sauce, and corn tortillas are baked with a stretchy cheese on top.
Bonus: quick, healthy, refreshing and satisfying taste
367 calories per serving
Who said meat free recipes can’t deliver? This meatless (aka vegan) chili proves that you can still enjoy your favourite meals, but in a new, animal friendly way.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TheStingyVegan
Bonus: mega easy and healthy
331 calories per serving
This vegan jambalaya is quick and easy to make, full of spice and flavour and a great one-pot meal. Beans and mushrooms stand in for shrimp and sausage for a totally plant-based, gluten-free and oil-free version of Southern comfort food that’s just as good as the original!
Bonus: easy, tasty and full of health benefits, can be stored for a while in the fridge
301 calories per serving
This coconut curry is the easiest one we’ve ever made, but mixes it up with the top brass. You won’t find a better effort vs taste curry ANYWHERE!
This is one of our all-time favourite quick vegetarian dinner recipes. Try it out now:
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup broccoli (or use green beans)
- 1 spring onions
- 1 sweet potato
- 2 carrot
- ½ zucchini
- 2 sticks lemongrass
- 2 tsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp yellow curry paste (or red for hotter, green for hottest!)
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 can chickpeas (15 oz = 435g, drained and rinsed)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 lemon (juiced; lime works too!)
Optional:
- 1 cup basmati rice (cooked; whole grain rice is nice too)
- ½ cup cashews (roasted; or use peanuts)
Instructions
- If serving with rice, get that cooking now according to package instructions.
- Grate the sweet potato and the carrots.
- Chop the spring onion, broccoli, and zucchini.
- Add the olive oil to a large pan and fry all the veg on a medium heat. This needs about 5-7 minutes.
- Next, add the curry powder and curry paste, and the beaten (smack it with a heavy spoon a few times to let out the flavour) lemongrass.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
- Stir and fry for another couple of minutes then add the coconut milk, chickpeas, lemon juice, maple syrup and salt. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Alright, that's it. Take out the lemongrass. Serve with rice and top with roasted cashews or peanuts. Easy. Awesome.
Nutrition
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.
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.
Looks like I’ve got a whole line up of veggie packed dishes! Yum! Thanks for including my Cauliflower Alfredo!
Your’re very welcome Samantha! It’s an awesome dish 😀
Trying this tonight! Can not wait 😀
Yay, enjoy, Kylie!
Hauke…thanks so much for including my skillet enchiladas in this healthy lineup! I’m having a proud moment – I really value your content. Keep rockin it! Thanks again and Happy 2018 to you…Cheers!
You’re very welcome, Traci! Glad you like the lineup, all the best in 2018 to you too 🙂
woah, I love the huge variety of options you give here.. Being a vegetarian this is surely going to be helpful in the coming days, in terms of ideas on what to make.
I am 12 years old and a vegitarian and this provides many helpful and easy ideas for my family. I will try to make as many as I posobly can!!
You’re very welcome Natalie. Enjoy cooking for your family!
Where are the recipes ? I see the photos, but no links to the recipes.
Hi KeeKee, just click the blue link in the ‘recipe by’ section and you’ll be taken straight to each one 🙂
These look and sound amazing, yum! I am going to attempt a vegetarian diet for a month and these are definitely going to help, thanks Dave!
Sounds like a plan to me, Jessica! Going veggie is great – and easy when you know where to look 🙂
how did you vegetarian month go?
What a great list! Saved almost every recipe on here!
Thanks Julie, really glad you’ve found some inspiration! 😀
Just made the coconut curry rice and vegggy dish and it was outstanding!
My 16 yr old daughter and I are going green to help save the planet anyway we can !
Thank you for the quick and great recipes!
That’s so awesome Paula! Really glad you enjoyed – and are doing whatever you can for the planet. Us too, one step at a time! Thanks for writing 🙂
What a great site! And what you say: tasty does not have to be complicated at all
I really like the Vegan Coconut Curry. It looks so fancy and delicious, I want to try it now. Definitely try the remaining recipes when I have time. Thank you for sharing the best recipe!
Glad you like the recipes!! Yep, deffo worth a try that Coconut Curry 😀
Thanks for the Amazing recipes. Just loved the Black Bean Tacos recipe and I am gonna try that tonight.
Hope you have an amazing 2020 !
You’re very welcome Harpreet, and the same to you. Enjoy the recipe and have a great 2020!
Thank you for such a great site! I’ve found several recipes here that I am going to try. Great ideas.
Oh, and I’m making your fried rice tonight. Have the rice cooking now so it will be cooled and ready for later. This sounds amazing! I’ll be adding firm tofu pieces as well. Can’t wait!
Thanks Gail! Really glad you like the ideas. Enjoy the rice – I’m sure the tofu will be very tasty in there too!
The rice dish was out-of-this-world delicious! That sauce is really excellent! I’M on your site again, looking for more inspiration. Thanks again. 🙂
Hey Gail! Good to have you back – and I’m glad you found something! Keep enjoying!
Made the fried rice last night – appreciate the quick and easy walk-through! Bookmarked this page for sure 🙂
Woop, yay! Glad you enjoyed it and found us, Alexa 🙂
Wow! amazing list. I’ve found some good recipes here that I am going to try.
Thanks! Awesome stuff.
yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got hungry just by seeing this pictures, they all look delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipes, they’ll save a lot of week meals.
Oh finally !!!
Healthy veggie easy tasty recipes for real people with kids cats dogs and normally work – so hard to get the time to eat right and find inspiring veggie recipes that you know are going to taste of something !!!!
Thank you for sharing these x
Thanks Vicky! Really glad you’ve found the recipes useful and your comment is much appreciated!
Thanks for the vegetarian dinner recipes.
You’re very welcome 🙂
Hello, Hauke! The vegetarian challenge isn’t working on the link provided. Also, where is your facebook group as I would like to join?
Thank you!
Hi Jela! Thank you for the comment! I’m not sure to which link you refer. Did you purchase a course on our website? Would love to help further. Feel free to write in at daveandhauke@hurrythefoodup.com