As more people choose vegetarianism as a lifestyle or for social responsibility reasons, the variety of dishes served merely for sustenance has exited to become an experience that encourages healthy lives and safe, delicious meals. There are dozens of vegetarian recipes that are easy to make, filling and flavorful. Here are ten vegetarian recipes that will excite taste buds and treat guts, including vegetarian chili, mushroom stroganoff, spinach and feta stuffed portobello mushrooms, quinoa and black bean salad, pad Thai, lentil soup, ratatouille, vegetable stir fry, butternut squash soup, and vegetable lasagna.
10 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes for a Meatless Meal
As more people keep choosing vegetarianism as a lifestyle preference or as a means to social responsibility, food has exited being a variety of dishes served merely for sustenance, to become an experience that encourages healthy lives, safe and healthy choices, and delicious meals. However, this doesn’t mean that vegetarians and vegans can’t participate in creating shared and fulfilling meals with friends and families. In fact, there are dozens of vegetarian recipes that are flavorful, filling, and easy to make. Here are ten vegetarian recipes that will excite your taste buds and treat your guts.
1. Vegetarian Chili
Chili is an American staple that is perfect for a meatless meal. It is also great for making ahead, which means that you will have leftovers for the next few days. Here’s a quick recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 can of beans (black, kidney, or pinto)
- 2 cans of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup of vegetable broth
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 teaspoons of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
Method:
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is soft.
- Add in the beans, tomatoes, vegetable broth, bell pepper, chili powder, and cumin.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot with tortilla chips or crackers.
2. Mushroom Stroganoff
Mushroom stroganoff is a creamy and hearty dish that is perfect for vegetarians. Here is a quick recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of mushrooms, sliced
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 cup of vegetable broth
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons of butter
Method:
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is soft.
- Add in the mushrooms and cook until they are tender.
- Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir well.
- Gradually add in the vegetable broth, stirring constantly until sauce thickens.
- Stir in the sour cream and cook until heated through.
- Serve hot with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
3. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
This recipe is a healthy but filling meal that can be served at any dinner party. Here is a quick recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 Portobello mushrooms, stems removed
- 2 cups of spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup of feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Combine the spinach, feta cheese, and olive oil in a bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the mushrooms with the spinach and feta mixture.
- Place the stuffed mushrooms in a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
- Serve hot with a side salad.
4. Butternut Squash Soup
This recipe is healthy, filling, and perfect for a winter dinner. Here is a quick recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and chopped
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup of vegetable broth
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is soft.
- Add in the butternut squash and cook until tender.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and coconut milk, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Puree the soup using an immersion blender, seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.
- Serve hot with crusty bread.
5. Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
This protein-packed recipe is perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. Here is a quick recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 diced red pepper
- 1 diced yellow pepper
- 1 diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, black beans, red pepper, yellow pepper, cucumber, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve chilled.
6. Pad Thai
This recipe is a classic Thai dish that is easy to prepare and packed with flavors. Here’s a quick recipe:
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces of rice noodles
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 3 cloves of minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons of grated ginger
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
Method:
- Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, peanut butter, honey, and lime juice.
- Add the sauce to the skillet and cook until heated through.
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Serve hot garnished with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
7. Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is an excellent source of protein, is hearty and flavorful. Here’s a recipe that is easy to follow:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of dry lentils
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 diced carrots
- 1 diced celery stalk
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Method:
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and cook until the onion is soft.
- Add in the cumin, lentils, and vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
- Serve hot with crusty bread.
8. Ratatouille
This traditional French dish is delicious and healthy. Here’s a recipe that is easy to follow:
Ingredients:
- 1 diced eggplant
- 1 diced yellow squash
- 1 diced zucchini
- 1 diced onion
- 1 diced red pepper
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of chopped basil
Method:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and garlic, sauté until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the eggplant and cook until it is tender.
- Add in the yellow squash and zucchini and cook until the vegetables are nearly cooked through.
- Add the red pepper and cook for a minute or so.
- Stir in the tomatoes, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes.
- Serve hot with crusty bread and garnish with chopped basil.
9. Vegetable Stir Fry
Veggies add crunch, flavor, and variety to your meals. A vegetable stir-fry is a quick and healthy meal that can be made with different vegetable variations. Here is a quick recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of broccoli florets
- 1 chopped carrot
- 1 chopped bell pepper
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
Method:
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the broccoli, carrot, bell pepper, onion, and garlic, and stir-fry until the vegetables are tender-crisp, two to three minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and cornstarch.
- Add the sauce to the skillet and cook until heated through, approximately two minutes.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles.
10. Vegetable Lasagna
This recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to the meat-filled version. Here is a classic recipe that is easy to follow:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of spinach, chopped
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 diced bell pepper
- 1 diced zucchini
- 2 cups of cooked lasagna noodles
- 2 cups of marinara sauce
- 2 cups of ricotta cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook until soft.
- Add in the garlic, bell pepper, and zucchini and cook until tender.
- Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about one minute.
- In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, one-half cup of parmesan cheese, and the spinach mixture together.
- Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer the cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Add another layer of noodles and top with the remaining marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and remaining parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional ten minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve hot with garlic bread.
Final Thoughts
These vegetarian recipes are nutritious and delicious, and many of them can be made ahead, which is perfect for busy weeknights. They are also perfect for families and for entertaining. By using these recipes as a starting point, try new variations and make them your own. Cooking vegetarians doesn’t have to be challenging; it can be enjoyable, tasty and healthy.