Hurry The Food Up Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes For Busy People
Compared to lots of other European cuisines, there are tons of vegetarian Italian recipes! There are lots of cheesy, creamy dishes that are the ideal comfort food for the vegetarians out there.
Sure, there are lots of Italian dishes that center on meat, but a whole lot of them can be made vegetarian if you just take out the meat, like vegetarian lasagna.
Better yet, there are a whole host of recipes that are vegetarian to begin with, like the crispy and delicious eggplant parmesan.
Basically, the Italians have lots of different options for vegetarian meals, and most of them are pretty fabulous comfort food.
So, if you’re still seeking a little coziness this spring, try our list of Vegetarian Italian Recipes below.
Pasta: the ultimate vegetarian Italian recipe – Or is it?
Turns out, pasta is not nearly as Italian as we think!
In fact, pasta, as we know it today, is likely a variation on Asian noodles, since noodles have been recorded in Asia for millennia.
You might have heard that Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy, but that’s a pretty heated debate in the very serious world of pasta historians (I’m not joking).
So the deliciousness that is Cacio e Pepe can be traced to ancient Asian traditions!
On top of that, tomatoes weren’t present in Europe until the 1500s because they originate in Mesoamerica and didn’t become popular in Europe until the 1800s (because people thought they were poisonous!).
That means that part of the credit for a delectable bowl vegan spaghetti bolognese goes to tomatoes from Latin America and noodles from Asia. It’s the combination that makes it Italian!
Regardless of whose idea it was, you have to admit that sitting down to a plate of pasta after a long day is one of the most comforting things in the world.
Keep scrolling to find our favourite vegetarian pasta recipes in this list of vegetarian Italian recipes!
Mains
Bonus: creamy, delicious, and not as hard as you might think
Awaken the Italian in You! Quick to make, so satisfying and tasty to eat. We’ve also included the key surprisingly easy tips to getting the perfect risotto.
Bonus: warm, cozy, classic
Vegan Bolognese. It was about time we veganized the Italian classic. And we’re proud to say we were successful. Please welcome: the amazing Anti Bolognese!
Bonus: faster and healthier than takeout
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!
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: TheRusticFoodie
Bonus: warm, cozy and packed with protein
This Italian Tuscan Vegetable Soup recipe is easy and healthy. It’s vegetarian and made with kidney beans, kale, and gluten free pasta.
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: BowlOfDelicious
Bonus: Gluten-free but packed with flavour
These roasted eggplant parmesan stacks are lighter, easier, and faster than traditional eggplant parmesan recipes, and they’re gluten-free too! Just roast the eggplant slices, layer with sauce and cheese, and bake!
Bonus: creamy and effortless
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. Vegetarian and ready in 25 mins.
Bonus: low-calorie, protein packed and gluten free
Healthy vegetarian recipe for gluten-free socca pizza made with chickpea (besan) flour. It’s loaded with plant-based protein, easy to make and a delicious low-calorie treat!
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: LittleSunnyKitchen
Bonus: easy, and versatile
This 4-ingredient creamy pesto gnocchi dinner is a family-friendly vegetarian meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes! Pillowy and tender gnocchi smothered in a creamy basil and dried tomato sauce. An easy comforting dinner that you’ll keep making over and over again!
Bonus: earthy, intriguing and surprisingly easy
Follow Kat’s simple instructions for the creamiest vegan mushroom risotto this side of an animal product.
Ready in: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Recipe by: ASimplePalate
Bonus: dreamy and cheesy
This baked rigatoni is the ultimate pasta dinner! Thick pasta noodles layered with a blend of melted cheeses and tossed with a medley of delicious roasted vegetables.
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: spicy, tasty and totally vegan
This easy pasta arrabiata can be made just as spicy as you like it – you’re in control with our step by step guide. Sugo all’arrabbiata here we come!
Bonus: the perfect vegetarian comfort food
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!
Bonus: tasty, colourful and vegan
Red Pesto Pasta – The natural evolution of a classic dish. The pesto is all vegan and has received so much praise already you won’t believe it!
Bonus: cheesy and delicious
Having a good lasagna recipe under your belt means you’re really getting somewhere in the culinary world. And this the Best Lasagna Ever. Go on, shine.
Bonus: easy, and versatile
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: 15 minutes
Recipe by: AnnaBanana
Bonus: light, fresh and easy
Fresh, quick and delicious lemon pappardelle with super nutritious basil and kale pesto. Great for mid-week dinner or lunch.
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: Carolyn’sCooking
Bonus: full of flavour and totally homemade
These smoky baked eggs are on regular rotation in my house. Beans, ricotta, and spinach make this dish nice and hearty—perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Bonus: quick and nutritious
Creamy Broccoli Pasta. This vegetarian combo is a real nutrition powerhouse. Ready in 25 minutes, super versatile, and sooooo tasty! Enjoy!
Ready in: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Recipe by: FromAChef’sKitchen
Bonus: crispy and healthy
Italian Summer Vegetable Casserole is the best of summer produce in a beautiful Mediterranean-inspired dish! The vegetables are grilled first for a touch of smokiness, then smothered and layered with marinara sauce and cheese.
Bonus: colourful and full of health benefits
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: 1 hour
Recipe by: FeastingNotFasting
Bonus: nutritious and delicious
This healthy brown rice risotto is so good! It’s satisfying as either a main dish or side with roasted butternut squash, mushrooms, spinach, and sage.
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: EverydayDelicious
Bonus: a classic roman dish for good reason
Spaghetti cacio e pepe is an amazing Italian pasta dish made with just 2 main ingredients: pecorino cheese and black pepper. It’s very quick to make and so flavorful! With my well-tested method it will work every time.
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: TheHealthyToast
Bonus: healthy, tasty weeknight meal
Dinner doesn’t get much easier than this Italian Tortellini Soup. Simmer together chicken broth, fire roasted tomatoes, baby spinach, and cheesy tortellini for a nutritious meal to keep you warm throughout the winter.
Appetizers, sides, and sauces
Bonus: crispy and delicious
Tomato Mozzarella Bread. Easy to make Italian tomato and mozzarella bread. High in calcium and Mediterranean flair. Delicious.
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: LittleSunnyKitchen
Bonus: elegant, simple and delicious
Caprese salad is a simple and classic Italian salad made with juicy ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, drizzled with olive oil, and seasoned with salt and pepper. It’s an easy throw-together salad that makes a wonderful appetizer any time of the yea
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: SheLovesBiscotti
Bonus: healthy, smooth and tasty
This vegan Sauteed Swiss Chard Recipe is not only healthy, but it tastes great and is so easy to prepare. You are going to love this easy Italian side dish!
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: Carolyn’sCooking
Bonus: crunchy, creamy and fresh
This bruschetta is great to make for a party or picnic. Not only because they are easy to make and super tasty, but they are supposed to be served at room temperature so they’ll do well sitting out.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: EndOfTheFork
Bonus: an easy, nutritious side dish
Verza Stufata or Braised Savoy Cabbage is a traditional peasant dish, inexpensive and simple to make. It’s a popular Italian winter dish, usually served as a side.
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: BowlOfDelicious
Bonus: exciting and flavourful
These Italian Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms are a great make-ahead recipe for dinner or an appetizer! They’re packed with flavor from the fresh herbs, shallots, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
Bonus: full of flavour and totally homemade
Easy Basil Pesto. A super simple and tasty basil pesto. Great with any type of pasta or bread and made in just five minutes.
You can give it a go right now!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Chop the basil leaves and nuts and place in a large glass.
- Grate the garlic and cheese (if using) and add to the mixture, along with the salt and pepper.
- Add the oil and mix well with a spoon. Alternatively you can use a hand blender or food processor to mix everything together.
- If necessary, transfer to a smaller glass for storing, and pour on a little more oil to seal the pesto.
- Cover in cling wrap and it should keep for up to two weeks in the fridge.
Nutrition
This compilation of vegetarian Italian recipes covers all the important elements of good Italian food, from Italian appetizers like caprese salad and Italian sauces like homemade pesto, to Italian dinner recipes like mushroom risotto.
So pick your favorite recipe from this list and settle into a light snack of bruschetta or a comforting meal of pesto gnocchi. Either way, these vegetarian Italian recipes are sure to hit the spot.
