25+ Vegetarian Dinner Recipes That Don’t Take Forever to Make (2024)

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Kelli Foster

Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor

Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.

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updated Nov 30, 2023

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Our arsenal of 30-minute meals is your ticket to getting a satisfying dinner on the table, fast, no matter what dietary restrictions you might have. For you vegetarians, here are 25+ veggie-filled weeknight dinners — from stir-fries and curries to pastas and salads— you can get on the table in half an hour or less.

In This Article

  1. Pastas
  2. Soups and Salads
  3. Stir-Fries and Curries
  4. Tortillas and Flatbread
  5. Quick Vegetarian Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner

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Pastas

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7

Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Veggies

A one-pan dinner of roasted gnocchi and vegetables that doesn't even require you to boil the dumplings.

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2

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7

Tuscan Tortellini Skillet

A quick tomatoey tortellini skillet dinner that calls for just 5 ingredients.

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3

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7

Pasta with Hummus, Olives, Feta, and Red Pepper

A quick vegetarian pasta that's tossed in a creamy hummus sauce and filled with olives, feta, and roasted red peppers.

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4

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7

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Fettuccine

Goat cheese is a one-ingredient shortcut in this seriously decadent sauce and easy weeknight pasta.

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5

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7

Lemony Broccoli Pasta

A weeknight-friendly pasta made with broccoli, peas, and lots of olive oil.

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7

Creamy Tortellini with Sweet Potato and Spinach

The more vegetables you throw into the skillet with your pasta, the better the dish tastes in the end.

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7

Herbed Gnocchi and Mushrooms

If I had to sum up my ideal weeknight dinner, this recipe is as close as it gets.

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Soups and Salads

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5

Tomato Tortellini Soup

This creamy, tangy tomato soup is studded with tender tortellini and comes together in just 20 minutes.

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5

Red Lentil Sweet Potato Soup

You only need a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients to make this hearty vegan soup.

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3

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5

Easy Green Minestrone

Here’s an easy minestrone that can be made almost any time of year, as long as you have a few vegetables in the fridge and some broth to cook them in.

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5

Vegetarian Taco Salad

How about a taco salad that really celebrates an assortment of raw, crunchy vegetables? Let’s make a no-lettuce taco salad instead.

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5

Chickpea Waldorf Salad

This simple chickpea Waldorf salad takes a lighter approach with flavors that take you from the warmer weather into fall and winter.

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Stir-Fries and Curries

1

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7

Weeknight Vegetable Stir-Fry

This easy weeknight veggie stir-fry is more template than recipe. Make it once a week to clear out the crisper and ensure you're eating your veggies!

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2

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7

Vegan Stir-Fried Cabbage in Peanut Sauce

In this vegan dish, sweet, tender Napa cabbage simmers in a coconut-peanut sauce. One bite and you’ll wonder why you don’t cook cabbage more often.

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3

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7

Cauliflower Fried "Rice"

This finely chopped cauliflower is one of those cheater ingredients that actually tastes legit.

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4

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7

Weeknight General Tso's Tofu

If you’re tempted to order takeout tonight from your favorite Chinese restaurant, squash that urge and try this sweet and spicy tofu stir-fry instead.

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7

Quinoa Bowl with Kung Pao Edamame

With quinoa, edamame, and peanuts, it’s supremely satisfying, but more importantly this is the most flavorful grain bowl I’ve ever made.

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7

Quick Butternut Squash Curry

Saucy Thai curries always hit the spot, and this one is no different. Store-bought red curry paste instantly infuses the dish with a heap of earthy flavor, while a little extra fresh ginger and garlic add a pungent edge.

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7

In just 30 minutes you’ll have a meal that’s nothing short of hearty, fresh, and satisfying.

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Tortillas and Flatbread

1

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5

Chickpea and Cheddar Quesadillas

To make these quesadillas desk-lunch-friendly, we ditched the wedge cut for a technique that keeps the chickpeas and cheese nestled in a closed tortilla.

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2

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5

10-Minute Black Bean Tacos

You’re starving and cranky and you need dinner fast, after all. Luckily there’s a fourth option: these 10-minute tacos.

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3

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5

Spinach and Refried Bean Quesadillas

Stuffed into quesadillas, adding a much-needed dose of green vegetables to a normally cheese- and meat-heavy dish.

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5

Huevos Rancheros Tacos

Pile cheesy scrambled eggs, roasted red peppers, and black beans and you've got a kid-friendly dinner made in minutes.

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5

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5

Trader Joe's Flatbread Pizza

Easy artichoke, pesto, and spinach flatbread personal pizzas made from Trader Joe's ingredients.

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Quick Vegetarian Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner

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3

Spinach and Feta Frittata

This classic spinach and feta frittata is made with fresh greens, cheese, and dill, and is just as delicious straight from the oven as it is chilled.

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2

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3

Mushroom-Asparagus Frittata

It’s a one-skillet meal that’s easy to clean up, and with the perfect combination of protein and vegetables, it’s absolutely satisfying and delicious.

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3

Savory Vegetable Pancakes

These savory vegetable pancakes make an even better (and healthier) treat.

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25+ Vegetarian Dinner Recipes That Don’t Take Forever to Make (2024)

FAQs

How to make vegetarian meals more filling? ›

To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

What should I eat for dinner in vegetarian? ›

Easy Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
  • Coconut Curry Ramen. ...
  • Crock-Pot Vegetable Lasagna. ...
  • Roasted Cauliflower Tacos. ...
  • Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta. ...
  • Three-Ingredient Tomato Sauce.

What are vegetarian foods examples? ›

Vegetables: leafy greens, asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots. Grains: quinoa, barley, buckwheat, rice, oats. Legumes: lentils, beans, peas, chickpeas. Nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews, chestnuts.

What to cook for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What to cook when you have almost nothing? ›

15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
  1. Buttery, gooey grilled cheese. ...
  2. PB&J because duh. ...
  3. Tuna melt tostadas. ...
  4. Pancakes! ...
  5. Scrambled eggs. ...
  6. Waffles. ...
  7. A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal. ...
  8. Spaghetti carbonara.
Apr 28, 2020

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

13 Emergency Dinners for When You Don't Have Time to Cook
  1. 01 of 14. Broiled Tilapia Parmesan. ...
  2. 02 of 14. Asian Beef with Snow Peas. ...
  3. 03 of 14. Vegetarian Chickpea Tacos. ...
  4. 04 of 14. Sicilian Spaghetti. ...
  5. 05 of 14. Waffle Pizzas. ...
  6. 06 of 14. Shrimp and Peanut Butter Noodles. ...
  7. 07 of 14. Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups. ...
  8. 08 of 14.
Jul 26, 2021

What is the most nutritious vegetarian meal? ›

Our 10 Healthiest Vegetarian Dinners
  1. Vegetarian Kale and Cannellini Bean Stew. ...
  2. Vegetarian Paella with Red Peppers & Chickpeas. ...
  3. How To Make the Best Lentil Dal. ...
  4. Tofu Chickpea Stir-Fry with Tahini Sauce. ...
  5. Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Herbs. ...
  6. Roasted Broccoli & Cheddar Soup. ...
  7. Sweet Potato Fajitas.
May 1, 2019

What is a typical vegetarian menu like? ›

What to Eat on a Vegetarian Diet
  • Beans and lentils.
  • Nuts, nut butters and seeds (including chia and flax)
  • Whole grains (quinoa, bulgur, freekeh, whole-wheat, oats, brown rice and more)
  • Soy (tofu, edamame, tempeh)
  • Fruits.
  • Vegetables.
  • Dairy (yogurt, kefir, cheese and milk)
  • Eggs.
May 15, 2023

What are 5 healthy food vegetarian? ›

Vegetarian sources of iron
  • pulses, such as kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils.
  • dried fruit, such as apricots.
  • dark green vegetables, such as watercress, broccoli and spring greens.
  • wholemeal bread and flour.
  • fortified cereals (with added iron)
  • nuts.

What do vegetarians eat instead of meat? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  • Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  • Soya beans. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Seeds. ...
  • Cereals and grains. ...
  • Quorn™ ...
  • Dairy.

Do vegetarians eat eggs? ›

Unless they are vegan (meaning they don't eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products which are derived from animals), some vegetarians do eat eggs and belong to a group known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians which according to the Vegetarian Society is the most common type of meatless diet.

How do vegetarians get full? ›

Eat a protein serving with each meal to keep you feeling full. Great vegan and vegetarian protein sources are beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, quinoa, lentils, whole grains, and starchy vegetables. As long as you focus on whole foods (rich in nutrients) and avoid processed foods and oils, it will be hard to overeat.

What vegetarian foods are filling? ›

Healthful foods that are high in protein, fiber, or both tend to be filling. Rich sources of protein for vegans include foods such as soybeans, pulses, and some nuts and seeds. Oats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit are all good sources of fiber.

What can I add to my meal to make it more filling? ›

Adding fruit such as peaches or strawberries will provide the necessary sweetness, with the added benefits of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Toppings like low-sugar granola or nuts can also provide some added fiber, as well as well as punching up the satiety factor. Avocados are a nutrient-dense food.

Is vegetarian food more filling? ›

A plant-based (i.e., vegan or vegetarian) meal will lead to better mood, higher satiety, and less stress compared to an omnivorous meal. Higher fiber content in the meals will mediate higher mood and satiety and lower stress, whereas higher unrefined sugar and fat content will mediate the opposite.

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