7 Vegetarian-Friendly Family Recipes

Veggie Balls w/Pesto Sauce. A110111 Meatball Book

Veggie Balls w/Pesto Sauce. A110111 Meatball Book

Photo by: John Kernick ©John Kernick 2011

John Kernick, John Kernick 2011

Whether you partake in Meatless Mondays or want to include more vegetarian fare in your weeknight meals, here are options your whole family will love!

Vegetarian Meatballs (pictured above)

Lentils, walnuts and Parmesan cheese create delicious flavor in these meat-free meatballs. Serve with a basil-spinach pesto over whole-grain pasta for a complete meal.

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Filled with a rainbow of vegetables including fennel, Japanese eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, artichokes and string beans, this paella is a great way to introduce all kinds of fun vegetables to your family.

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Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Before you start perusing the frozen burrito aisle, make your own and store them in the freezer. You can even teach your kids how to defrost them in the microwave and let them make dinner for you!

Walnuts, tofu, mushrooms, eggplant, wheat germ, oats and herbs are blended together to give you a flavorful meatloaf packed with whole grains, protein and tons of veggies.

This pot pie is filled with a delightful tofu-vegetable mixture and topped with lightly buttered and toasted potato bread.

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Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Have extra beans in your pantry? Toss them together, along with some staples, like red wine vinegar, garlic, chili powder and crushed roasted tomatoes, to get a quick and easy 30-minute meal. Serve over brown rice for a meal that provides all your essential amino acids.

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As much as you may love cooking, the hustle and bustle of weeknights makes it tough to spend hours in the kitchen. These simple grilled cheese sandwiches are a great way to end the day when paired with a homemade tomato soup (which could be made in advance).

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. She is the author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: More Than 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Day.

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