40 Top Vegetarian Dinner Recipes (2024)

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?

40 Top Vegetarian Dinner Recipes (1)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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!

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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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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:

40 Top Vegetarian Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular vegetarian dish in the world? ›

Here are 10 of the best vegetarian dishes from around the world:
  • Falafel. ...
  • Spanakopita. Country: Greece. ...
  • Ratatouille. Country: France. ...
  • Käsespätzle. Country: Austria and Germany. ...
  • Humitas. Country: All across South America! ...
  • Khachapuri. Country: Georgia. ...
  • Zaru Soba. Country: Japan. ...
  • Trofie al pesto. Country: Italy.

Does Gordon Ramsay have vegetarian dishes? ›

Cooking a meat-free meal no longer means sticking to the same tired dishes. Our collection of tantalising and varied vegetarian recipes will encourage you to turn to vegetables next time you're ready to experiment or are short on dinner inspiration.

Which country is full of vegetarian? ›

No other country or part of the world has anywhere close to the number of vegetarian people as India, either in percentage of the population or in total number. India is the unique outlier. Going by percentage of the population, Mexico is the second most vegetarian country, at 19%, then Brazil and Taiwan at 14%.

Which country has tastiest vegetarian food? ›

However, there are vegetarian-friendly countries in the world that naturally excel in meat-free cuisine, such as India, Japan and Australia. Some places have a national palate that naturally tends towards veggie options.

What foods are surprisingly vegetarian? ›

Top Accidentally Vegan Foods
  • Cinnamon Life.
  • Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.
  • SkinnyPop White Cheddar Flavored Popped Popcorn.
  • Airheads.
  • Cracker Jack.
  • Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili–Flavored Tortilla Chips.
  • Fritos.
  • Fruit by the Foot.

What do most vegetarians lack? ›

The nutrients of concern in the diet of vegetarians include vitamin B(12), vitamin D, ω-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, and zinc. Although a vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients, the use of supplements and fortified foods provides a useful shield against deficiency.

What is the most nutritious vegetarian food? ›

To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods. These include whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Nuts and legumes, such as lentils, beans and peanuts, also are considered healthy plant-based foods. At the same time, cut back on less healthy choices.

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.
Apr 16, 2024

What do vegetarians eat to replace 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.

Can vegetarians eat eggs? ›

Well, the short answer is yes! 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.

Do vegetarians eat cheese? ›

Given that dairy — including cheese — does not require the slaughtering of an animal, it's usually permitted by lacto- and lacto-ovo-vegetarians, as well as some pescatarians. On the other hand, vegans avoid all animal products or animal byproducts, including dairy and milk.

Are eggs vegetarian? ›

Are Eggs Considered Vegetarian? By definition, vegetarianism is classified as excluding any form of animal flesh (the tissue, muscles or meat of an animal). The humble egg doesn't fall into this category and is therefore included in a vegetarian eating pattern.

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