Here are our top picks when it comes to easy vegetarian dinner recipes! These healthy meatless meals please everyone around the table.
Looking for meatless meals? Vegetarian dinners appear often on our table, as authors of a vegetarian cookbook. It can be difficult to find vegetarian meal ideas that are easy, filling, tasty, and healthy all at once. So we’ve combed through our website to find the very best of the best vegetarian meals that we know you’ll love!
Here are our top 40 vegetarian dinner recipes! These recipes are filled with colorful healthy veggies and enough plant-based protein to keep you full. All of them have received top marks from readers, and remain in our short-list for regular cooking, too. Ready to get started?
Easy Eggplant Parmesan
It’s got bubbly cheese, garlicky tomato sauce, and savory, meaty breaded eggplant: it’sEggplant Parmesan! This classic vegetarian dinner recipe is hearty, filling, and pleases just about everyone. This baked Eggplant Parmesan is faster and easier to make at home than most recipes and full ofincredibleflavor.
Baked Quesadillas
Need a fast and easy vegetarian dinner recipe?Enter:baked quesadillas! This recipe makes the humble solo meal into a delicious dinner, resulting in a big batch all at once on a sheet pan. They come out with a beautifully crispy exterior. In fact, it feels like a whole new version of this classic: like Quesadillas 2.0.
Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara
Some vegetarian dinner recipes stand a head above the rest, and this is one of them. Try thischeese tortellini in creamy marinara sauce! In just 15 minutes, you’ve got a pasta skillet that’s a true symphonyflavor.
Epic Vegetarian Fajitas
Here’s a Tex Mex favorite vegetarian dinner that no one can turn down…and it’s a great way to infuse loads of veggies without giving it a second thought. Try theseVegetarian Faijtas! These are so full flavored and satisfying, they please everyone around the table: even the meat lovers.
Best Vegetarian Chili
In just 30 minutes you have a fast andeasy vegetarian dinner: this vegetarian Chili! All you have to do is chop an onion and garlic: otherwise it’s dump and stir. It's one of our fan favorite recipes! Even better: serve it overSweet Potato Wedgesfor chili-Loaded sweet potatoes!
Also try:Ultimate Vegan Chili
Lasagna Roll Ups
What’s more fun than a classic lasagna? Whip up a pan ofLasagna Roll Ups! This unique spin on the iconic Italian dish is a fun way to put a spin on dinner. This recipe features a comforting vegetarian filling of spinach, basil and ricotta, topped with a garlicky easy homemade tomato sauce. Roll up the noodles and cover them in melty mozzarella cheese, and it’s fun, a crowd-pleasingdinner recipe.
Mushroom Pasta with Parmesan
You won’t want to stop eating this mushroom pasta recipe! Its savory, buttery flavor pops with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan. This dish has just the right proportion of ‘shrooms to pasta, so that each bite has a generous pop of flavor.
Coconut Tofu Curry
Here’s a vegetarian dinner that takes just 30 minutes and results in so much flavor…you’ll put it on your regular rotation immediately. Try thisThai-style Tofu Curryrecipe! The brilliant red broth is flavored with coconut milk and red curry paste, with the zing of lime and a hint of spicy sweetness.
Eggplant Rollatini
Here’s a delightful vegetarian recipe that makes dinnertime more special:Eggplant Rollatini! It’s like a combination ofeggplant Parmesanandlasagna roll ups. Tender strips of eggplant are wrapped around a creamy three-cheese filling, then baked in homemade tomato sauce and more cheese.
Mediterranean Bowl
Looking for fresh and healthy vegetarian dinner ideas? Try thisMediterranean Bowl, bursting with colorful veggies! It’s a simple “meal in a bowl” that stars spiced roasted vegetables, seasoned with an irresistible mix of cumin, coriander, garlic and a hint of cinnamon. Add to that quinoa or couscous, fresh cucumber and tomato, and top it all off with a creamylemon tahini sauce.
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
You know those recipes where people rave and only you know the secret that it’s actually easy to make? That’s the case with thisCreamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta! There’s major wow-factor to this pasta, which comes together in just 30 minutes. Earthy, fruity sundried tomatoes lend a meaty quality to thiseasy vegetarian dish, which is bathed in a Parmesancream sauce.
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Need a healthy vegetarian dinner idea? Look no further than this trusty trick:Stuffed Sweet Potatoes! Bake the spuds whole until they’re moist and tender, then top with savory fillings to make a hearty dinner recipe. The way the savory black beans contrast with the sweet orange flesh makes magic, in our opinion.
Easy Vegetarian Enchiladas
Here’s a vegetarian dinner recipe we designed to work in 30 minutes flat: these easyVegetarian Enchiladas! The filling takes no time to whip up: it’s just spiced pinto beans and spices. Roll ’em up, bake until golden and cheesy, and load with all your favorite toppings.
Quattro Formaggi Pizza
Here’s a vegetarian dinner recipe that’s one of the Italian greats:Quattro Formaggi! This classic Italian combination of four cheeses makes one completely irresistible slice! There’s the melty mozzarella, sharp and salty Parmesan and Pecorino cheese, and the subtle funk of gorgonzola.Combine it all on pillowypizza crustwith zingypizza sauceand it’s a match made in pizza heaven.
Peanut Noodles
Need dinnertime inspiration? Cozy up to a bowl of these creamy, zingypeanut noodles! This is one of our favorite fresh,easy dinnerrecipes and it comes together in less than 30 minutes. Thepeanut butter sauceis lusciously creamy, bursting with flavor from soy sauce, fresh lime juice and honey or maple syrup. Mix it together with luscious noodle strands and crunchy veggies and top with loads of fresh cilantro and crunchy peanuts.
Crispy Tofu
Over the years, we’ve become huge fans of tofu. And here’s a way to prepare it that we cannot get enough of: thiscrispy tofurecipe! It’s easy to make and comes out perfectly seasoned, with extra crunchy edges and a tender interior. There’s no need to even press the tofu! It’s actually pretty amazing that it can go from bland to meaty, savory cubes in just 20 minutes.
Broccoli Mac and Cheese
The best way to eat mac and cheese, in our opinion?Broccoli mac and cheese! Why eat broccoli on the side when you can stir it right in? This makes a tasty one pot meatless meal that kids and adults alike will go mad for. It comes out creamy, cheesy, and loaded with broccoli for a dose of nutrients and fiber. What’s not to love?
Eggplant Lasagna
Got eggplant and want to turn it into a meal? Try thisEggplant Lasagna, a tasty vegetarian dinner recipethat swaps out the traditional noodles for roasted eggplant! This gooey pan holds layers of eggplant, homemade marinara, and a flavorful three-cheese filling. Lemon zest and nutmeg takes it to restaurant-style flavor.
Easy BBQ Tofu
Here’s a must-make recipe for tofu fans: and eaters on the fence, too. Try this irresistibleBBQ Tofurecipe! Each bite has just the right chewy texture, bathed in a silky, sweet, savory sauce. You’ll want to keep eating it for days.Serve with rice, or Southern-style sides like coleslaw and cornbread.
Cauliflower Stir Fry
Here’s our favorite way to use these tasty florets: in a cauliflower stir fry! Fry it until lightly charred and tender, then add bell peppers and a punchy stir fry sauce. It’s the best way to make eating your veggies irresistible!
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Here’s a recipe that doubles as a vegetarian dinner or a stunning side dish: and it couldn’t be more delectable. Try thesespinach artichokeStuffed Portobello Mushrooms! Yes, that’s right. It combines the deliciousness of spinach artichoke dip with the meaty, savory goodness of a baked portobello mushroom.
Also try: Portobello Mushroom Pizza
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Let’s make stuffedZucchini Boats! This recipe is a vegetarian dinner masterpiece!. Hollow out zucchini into shells, then stuff it with vegetarian sausage, tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Top with some crispy breadcrumbs, bake until golden brown, and wow! These are packed with intensely savory flavor.
Vegetarian Meatballs
Here’s a go-to when you need a plant based dinner that’s protein-packed: Meatless Meatballs! This recipe takes under 30 minutes to make, and it’s packed with protein! Even better: the flavor is outstanding. Serve with pasta and your favorite marinara sauce!
Tofu Soup with Spinach
You’ll love this simpletofu souprecipe, a tasty, nourishing vegetarian dinner! Cubes of tofu float in a savory broth flavored with miso, ginger, dried mushrooms, and fresh mushrooms. Add crunchy carrots and green onions just before serving, and it’s a satisfying combination of hearty earthiness with crisp, fresh vegetables.
Vegetarian Taco Salad
Here’s an easy dinner recipe that seems to please just about everyone:Taco Salad! This Tex-Mex salad has been impressing for decades, and it gives us all the 1990’s nostalgic vibes. Top it off with our deliciously satisfying vegan taco meat.
Easy Sheet Pan Dinner
Here's a vegetariansheet pan dinner to load on the veggies! This recipe has 4 of ourbest vegetables to eatall at one time: and it’s seriously tasty, too. It’s perfect to meal prep for healthy dinners or lunches throughout the week.
Falafel Burger
Meet a favorite vegetarian dinner recipe: theFalafel Burger! We don’t always have the energy to fry up a batch ofauthentic falafel. So eating it in burger form is the next best thing! The combination of a cumin and coriander-scented chickpea patty with cool cucumber sauce and all the fixin’s is pretty darn epic.
Easy Lettuce Wraps
Need a fresh dinner idea or crowd-pleasing appetizer? Try thislettuce wrapsrecipe! The punchy, savory filling is infused with hoisin, soy sauce and rice vinegar, mixing savory tofu with cashews and green onions. Throw it into tender leaf of crunchy green lettuce with a few more colorful veggies, and it’s to die for!
Easy Soba Noodle Bowl
This one the ultimate quick weeknight meal, a filling vegetarian dinner that comes together in 20 minutes flat. Meet thissoba noodle bowl! It’s filled with stir fried broccoli, red pepper and onion, mix with a savory sauce with creamy peanut butter.
Easy Chickpea Curry
Here's a fan favorite easy weeknight vegetarian dinner: chickpea curry! It takes only about 20 minutes to make, which is a speed demon move on weeknights. Warm spices and coconut milk make it one the most tastiest things you can make in that short time window—hands down.
Mediterranean Grain Bowl
A good grain bowl is an easy vegetarian dinner! This one is loaded with fresh veggies, chickpeas and our favorite creamy Tahini Sauce. It makes a fast and easy dinner in 30 minutes!
Crispy Avocado Tacos
Ready for a stunning vegetarian dinner? You’ve gotavocado fries, breaded and baked in a hot oven until crispy, with a texture reminiscent of a friedfish taco. Then top that with spiced black beans, pico de gallo, and the refreshing crunch of romaine lettuce. Drizzle on a creamy lime and cilantro sauce, and it’s heaven on a plate.
Vegetarian Lasagna with Ricotta
Meet our bestvegetarian lasagna! We’ve been honing meatless lasagna recipes for years. This one is the culmination of all of our research: and damn, is it good (if we may say so ourselves). The tomato sauce has just the right zing and garlic nuance, and the spinach ricotta cheese filling is classic and creamy.
Best Ever Lentil Soup
Are you on the lentil train? Lentils are low in calories, high in nutrition, and budget friendly. And, they make40 times less greenhouse gases than a burger. Impressive, right? So here’s a favorite way to eat them: this Best Ever Lentil Soup.
Roasted Eggplant Pasta
This eggplant pasta has got it all! It’s packed with savory and zesty flavor: tender roasted eggplant, zesty marinara sauce, and peppery basil. It’s 100%plant-based, but lacking nothing in the flavor department. Even better, thisvegetarian dinner is incredibly versatile: it works for weeknightsandfor serving to company!
Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
Here’s aquick dinner ideathat’salwayssatisfying and works for nearly every diet. That’s right, the good oldBurrito Bowl! Throw rice, veggies, and burrito fillings in a bowl and call it meal! Here’s the thing: a good burrito bowl can actually take a while to make at home with all the components. Want a burrito bowl that’slightening fastto make? Try this one.
Baked Rigatoni Pasta
Here’s a vegetarian dinner idea that marries basic Italian flavors into a mess of garlicky, gooey goodness:Baked Rigatoni! It’s a pasta bake that’s got all the comfort of tomato sauce and cheese, but has intrigue and uniqueness in the flavors. The tomato sauce is full of garlic and a little fennel for meatiness, and it’s got lots of fresh peppery basil for a herbaceous kick.
Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
What better to please a crowd than Sloppy Joes? These vegetarian Sloppy Joes have a zingy lentil filling that tastes just as good as the meaty version. Put it on a toasted bun with some bread and butter pickles, and WOW!
Creamy Cavatappi with Cauliflower Sauce
Here’s a tasty pasta recipe that’s comfort food with a healthy spin: our creamy cavatappi pasta! It’s one of Alex and my favorite pasta shapes, paired with a creamy cauliflower sauce that coats the noodles perfectly. It’s cheesy but not too rich, made with a secret ingredient to infuse nutrients.
Best Wild Rice Soup
Last up...a vegetarian dinner recipe that's a hands down fan favorite: Creamy Wild Rice Soup! This one is impossibly creamy, packed with flavor and full of tender veggies and hearty rice. Everyone asks for the recipe—it’s that good.
There are lots more ideas where these come from! Outside of these vegetarian dinner recipes, we’ve got ideas for every meal…and everything in between. Browse some of these ideas: