10+ Easy Vegetarian Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Finding quick and tasty meals can be a challenge, especially when you’re looking for vegetarian options.

Easy vegetarian recipes can make cooking enjoyable and stress-free, allowing you to create delicious dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. These recipes are great for busy weeknights or anyone wanting to add more plant-based meals to their diet.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, you will discover that preparing hearty vegetarian meals can be simple and fun.

From salads to pasta dishes, there are countless ways to enjoy vibrant flavors while staying healthy. Get ready to explore easy vegetarian recipes that can transform your mealtime experience!

1) Coconut & Squash Dhansak

Coconut & Squash Dhansak is a delicious and easy vegetarian curry. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something healthy and satisfying. You’ll love the creamy coconut milk combined with tender butternut squash and lentils.

This recipe is simple to make and packed with flavor. Spinach adds a nice touch, making the dish even more nutritious. You can enjoy it with rice or bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 500g butternut squash, peeled and chopped
• 100g diced onions
• 4 heaped tbsp lentils
• 400ml coconut milk
• 100g fresh spinach
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add diced onions and sauté until soft.
3. Stir in the butternut squash and lentils.
4. Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
5. Cook for about 20 minutes until squash is tender.
6. Add spinach and stir until wilted.
7. Season with salt and serve warm.

2) Falafel Burgers

Falafel burgers are a tasty and easy vegetarian option for dinner. Made from chickpeas and fresh herbs, they are both healthy and satisfying. You can enjoy them with your favorite sauces and toppings.

To make falafel burgers, you only need a few simple ingredients. They are great for a quick meal or when you want to impress your friends with something delicious. You might serve them with yogurt dill sauce for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas (15 oz), drained and rinsed
• 1/2 red onion, roughly chopped
• 1 cup spinach
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 1/4 cup parsley
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, onion, spinach, cilantro, parsley, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Pulse until the mixture is combined but still chunky.
4. Form the mixture into patties.
5. Place patties on a greased baking sheet and brush with olive oil.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.

3) Creamy Courgette Lasagne

Creamy courgette lasagne is a delicious and simple vegetarian dish. It’s perfect for dinner parties or a cozy night at home. The layers of lasagne are filled with tender courgette and creamy cheese, making it both satisfying and flavorful.

You start by sautéing onions and garlic. Then, you layer the courgette and the rich cheese mixture between the lasagne sheets. Bake until golden and bubbly, and enjoy a dish that’s sure to impress everyone at the table.

Ingredients

• 2 large courgettes
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Lasagne sheets
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh basil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Chop the onion and garlic.
3. Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
4. Slice the courgettes thinly.
5. In a bowl, mix ricotta, salt, and pepper.
6. Layer your ingredients in a baking dish.
7. Top with mozzarella and parmesan.
8. Bake for about 30-40 minutes until golden.

4) Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls

Spaghetti squash burrito bowls are a fun and healthy meal. They are flavorful and perfect for a quick dinner. You can easily customize them with your favorite ingredients.

To start, roast the spaghetti squash until it’s tender. Scoop out the strands and use them as a base for your bowl.

Next, fill the bowl with black beans, corn, salsa, and any veggies you enjoy. Top it all with cheese if you’d like.

These bowls are not only delicious, but they’re also vegetarian and gluten-free. Enjoy them any night of the week!

Ingredients

• 1 spaghetti squash
• 1 can black beans (drained)
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, or sour cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds.
3. Place it cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes.
4. Once cooked, scrape out the strands with a fork.
5. Fill the squash with beans, corn, salsa, and cheese.
6. Optional: broil for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
7. Serve warm.

5) Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

Vegetarian tortilla soup is a warm and comforting meal. It combines the flavors of black beans, corn, and spices. You can customize it with your favorite toppings.

To make this soup even heartier, add quinoa for extra protein. You’ll find that the crispy tortilla strips give it a nice crunch. A squeeze of lime juice brightens up the flavors.

This recipe is simple and quick, perfect for a weeknight dinner. Serve it with avocado and cheese for added richness. Enjoy this delicious bowl of soup any time!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup corn
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla strips, for serving
• Avocado and lime, for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft.
3. Stir in black beans, vegetable broth, corn, cumin, and chili powder.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Serve hot, topping with tortilla strips, avocado, and lime juice.

6) Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a delicious and colorful dish made with eggs and a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any meal of the day. This dish comes from North Africa and is loved by many.

To make Shakshuka, you’ll need some basic ingredients. Fresh bell peppers, onions, and garlic create a tasty base. Add canned tomatoes for that rich sauce. Poach your eggs right in the sauce, and they’ll soak up all those bold flavors.

You can adjust the heat by adding spices like cumin or paprika. Serve your Shakshuka warm, with crusty bread for dipping. It’s an easy way to enjoy a hearty vegetarian meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) whole tomatoes
• 4 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: spices (cumin, paprika)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and bell pepper until soft.
3. Add garlic and spices, cooking for a minute.
4. Pour in tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Make small wells and crack eggs into them.
6. Cover and cook until eggs are set, about 5-7 minutes.
7. Serve warm with bread. Enjoy!

7) Eggplant Caponata Pasta

Eggplant Caponata Pasta is a tasty and easy dish to make. This recipe combines tender pasta with a flavorful eggplant mixture that brings out sweet and savory flavors.

You’ll need ingredients like eggplant, tomatoes, and onions. These provide great taste while keeping the dish healthy.

Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 8 oz pasta of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onions and garlic, cooking until soft.
3. Stir in the eggplant and bell pepper.
4. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
7. Combine the pasta with the vegetable mixture. Serve warm.

8) Chickpea and Spinach Stew

Chickpea and spinach stew is a hearty dish that’s easy to make. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner and is packed with flavors.

You will need canned chickpeas, fresh spinach, and some tomatoes. Aromatic spices like garlic and onion make this stew even better.

Start by sautéing the onions and garlic until they are soft. Then, add the tomatoes and chickpeas.

Simmer everything for about 15 minutes. Finally, stir in the fresh spinach and cook until it wilts.

This stew is delicious served with bread or over rice.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot.
2. Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until soft.
3. Add diced tomatoes and chickpeas.
4. Simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted.

9) Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa

Stuffed bell peppers with quinoa are a tasty and healthy choice for any meal. You can fill them with a mix of quinoa, beans, vegetables, and cheese for extra flavor. They are colorful, nutritious, and easy to prepare.

You can customize the filling based on what you like or have at home. This dish is not only vegetarian but also gluten-free if you choose the right ingredients.

These peppers can be a great option for meal prep. Simply bake them in the oven, and you’ll have healthy meals ready to go!

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers (any color)
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 can black beans, rinsed
• 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
3. In a bowl, mix quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill each bell pepper with the quinoa mixture.
5. Top with cheese, if using.
6. Place peppers upright in a baking dish.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the peppers are tender.

10) Zucchini and Corn Fritters

Zucchini and corn fritters are a tasty and easy vegetarian dish. They combine fresh zucchini and sweet corn for a perfect flavor mix.

This recipe is great for lunch or a light dinner.

To make these fritters, you’ll need some simple ingredients. You can serve them with yogurt or a light dip for extra taste. They also make a delightful snack for any time of the day.

You will enjoy making these fritters as they cook quickly and are satisfying to eat.

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchinis, grated
• 1 cup sweet corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (like parsley or chives)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Grate the zucchini and squeeze out excess moisture.
2. In a bowl, mix zucchini, corn, flour, baking powder, herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat (around 350°F or 180°C).
4. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the pan.
5. Fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.