50 Vegetarian Recipes Everyone Will Love

Going meatless? These hearty, veggie-packed dishes make it easy to put a flavorful meal on the table any night of the week.

Updated on August 04, 2023

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Our Best Vegetarian Recipe Ideas

When you need to find vegetarian recipes, look no further. We have plenty of healthy meatless dishes, easy options and even vegan recipes that’ll satisfy you — and your whole family. You won’t need to worry about whether you’re getting enough protein, either; these dishes are loaded with plant-based proteins to keep you satiated. Make veggie burgers, a hearty vegetarian chili and even comfort food favorites, all without the meat! This kung pao cauliflower proves even traditionally meat-filled dishes can be made vegetarian and filled with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Cauliflower

BBQ Spaghetti Squash Sliders

Who needs meat to make a delicious slider? These vegetarian squash sliders are sweet, tangy and messy. If you can't find mini slider buns, slice hot dog buns into thirds.

Get the Recipe: BBQ Spaghetti Squash Sliders

Mushroom Mapo Tofu

Though this Sichuan dish is traditionally made with ground pork, the real stars are the spicy bean paste, soft tofu and, of course, Sichuan peppercorns, which have a citrus flavor and a signature numbing effect. So switching out the meat for mushrooms is easy and delicious. Our version (which also happens to be vegan), calls for dried shiitakes so you can use the mushroom soaking liquid as stock. If you can't find dried, use fresh shiitakes or creminis and your favorite vegetable stock (or even water). Enjoy this quick meal over white rice to soak up all the tingling sauce.

Get the Recipe: Mushroom Mapo Tofu

Crustless Caprese Quiche

The classic caprese salad — a composed arrangement of fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil — is as pretty as it is delicious (especially when tomatoes are at their peak). This creamy quiche brings all that to the table and more, for shockingly few calories.

Get the Recipe: Crustless Caprese Quiche

Malai Kofta

These vegetarian kofta (balls) are made up of mashed potatoes that are stuffed with a rich paneer-nut-dried fruit filling, then fried and served in a velvety cashew and malai (heavy cream) sauce. Wildly popular with both adults and children, it’s definitely something you make for a special occasion or a special person. A North Indian dish with roots in Mughlai cuisine, malai kofta is served in Punjabi restaurants all over the world. It goes wonderfully with naan or long-grain basmati rice.

Get the Recipe: Malai Kofta

Buckwheat Noodle Salad

Bobby uses filling buckwheat noodles as the base for his Asian-inspired cold salad.

Get the Recipe: Buckwheat Noodle Salad

Papeta par Eda

Recipe developer Nidhi Jalan says, "The most amazing egg recipes in India are found in the Parsi community, but papeta par eda (eggs over potatoes) is hands-down my favorite. You can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack. Sometimes it’s even prepared with potato chips instead of sliced potatoes! If you have any leftover cooked potatoes, you can reheat them in a small skillet and poach a fresh egg on top. Sprinkle with some more chopped cilantro and you have a delicious dish in minutes."

Get the Recipe: Papeta par Eda

Vegetarian Enchiladas

These easy-to-make enchiladas are filled with beans, spinach and cheese. Serve them with rice on the side.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Enchiladas

Whole Cauliflower Wellington

Herb-butter roasted cauliflower gets a golden puff pastry blanket — the perfect main dish for vegetarians or cauliflower lovers.

Get the Recipe: Whole Cauliflower Wellington

Chipotle-Inspired Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

This homemade take on Chipotle's sofritas is made from crumbled tofu simmered in a spicy poblano sauce. It's not just for vegetarians — even the meat-lovers in your life will find this dish hard to resist. Serve on its own (say, as a taco or burrito filling) or, as here, with brown rice, black beans and your favorite Chipotle toppings.

Get the Recipe: Chipotle-Inspired Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

Menemen

Turkish scrambled eggs and tomatoes is an easy breakfast dish that you can find all around the country. In Iran, the same dish is called “omelet.” There has always been a debate whether menemen should have onions or not and the result is always a 50/50 split. This dish is originally made with Turkish sweet green pepper (yeşil biber) but here we substitute an easier-to-find Italian sweet pepper (cubanelle). Other good options include green bell pepper or sweet banana pepper.

Get the Recipe: Menemen

Falafel

The fritters come out of the fryer super crisp and perfectly seasoned. Stuffed in a warm pita with lots of veggies, a drizzle of tahini and a dash of hot sauce, they make for a wonderful weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe: Falafel

Buddha's Delight

Traditionally consumed by Buddhist monks, Buddha’s delight (Lo Han Jai) is now popular around the world as a healthy vegetarian Chinese restaurant option. In our version, we chose vegetables with texture and flavor in mind, resulting in a pleasant combination of crunchy, tender and crisp elements. (We also included garlic and ginger, which may not align with a strictly Buddhist diet.) Feel free to mix and match with other vegetables, such as bamboo shoots, lotus root, bean sprouts or carrots, to name a few.

Get the Recipe: Buddha's Delight

Vegetarian Chili

Let the slow cooker do all the work with easy vegetarian chili, complete with four different types of beans.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

Cauliflower Parmesan

This delicious, hearty cauliflower parm doesn't skimp on the flavor and will satisfy everyone, from vegetarians to the most die-hard carnivore.

Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Parmesan

Lentil Frittata

Perfect for a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner, this lentil frittata is an absolute favorite. The lentils add a nice nuttiness balanced by the potatoes and feta. To bring it all together, we top the frittata with chopped kalamata and green olives plus a good drizzle of olive oil. You can make this dish ahead of time and enjoy it for a few days since it keeps well in the fridge and reheats nicely, too.

Get the Recipe: Lentil Frittata

Vegan Chickpea Crab Cakes

All the flavors are here-Old Bay, lemon and that distinct brininess-but there's no crab in sight with these cakes. Instead, chickpeas stand in for shellfish, and they are just as satisfying.

Get the Recipe: Vegan Chickpea Crab Cakes

Vegetarian Chicken-Fried Portobello Mushroom Steaks

Attention, vegetarians! You don't have to miss out on a classic blue-plate special any longer. Our mushroom version has the exact same breading used for chicken-fried steak (it works great), and we fry it until it's golden and crispy. Be generous with our flavor-packed veggie gravy (you can make it ahead and freeze it for up to a month).

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chicken-Fried Portobello Mushroom Steaks

Shortcut Chana Masala

We’ve yet to have a better chickpea dish than chana masala or chickpea curry. There are many versions of this dish. Our favorite is when the chickpeas are smothered with a delicious thick, piquant and spiced gravy. Many recipes start with dried chickpeas that are infused with black tea and cardamom. This is an easy take that starts with canned chickpeas, so you can make it even on a weekday. We like it even more the next day, and it also freezes really well.

Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chana Masala

Sweet Potato Lasagna

Sweet potatoes sub in for lasagna noodles in this twist on the classic, while spinach adds a pop of color (and plenty of nutrition). The result is a hearty and satisfying main dish that just happens to be vegetarian and gluten-free too!

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Lasagna

Braised Chipotle Sweet Potatoes

This super-easy weeknight dinner shows once and for all that braising isn't just for meat! Spicy, tender sweet potatoes simmer in a delicious sauce with stewed carrot pieces and slightly crisp kale. Perfect for vegans and carnivores alike, it's served with a sprinkle of crisp radish sticks and cilantro for a fresh finish.

Get the Recipe: Braised Chipotle Sweet Potatoes

Creamy Orzo with Mushrooms

Love risotto but hate all the stirring? This creamy pasta dish is an ideal shortcut for any risotto lover looking for a quick and cheesy vegetarian version.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Orzo with Mushrooms

Mum's Everyday Red Lentils

People might think lentils aren't very exciting but Aarti's colorful version explodes with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Mum's Everyday Red Lentils

Chickpea Stew

This dish combines the warm spices commonly found in Moroccan tagines in a comforting vegetarian stew. The roasted kale and chickpeas add texture and a pleasant bite that serve as counterpoints to the caramelized onions and sweet carrots. We love to finish it with a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper or hot paprika.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Stew

Portobello Parmesan

Mix up your usual eggplant Parmesan by swapping in large portobello mushrooms instead. They're meaty and can be dredged in flour just like eggplant.

Get the Recipe: Portobello Parmesan

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Tahini

Whether you want a vegan-friendly main course for an upcoming dinner party, or a new method for cooking one of your favorite veggies, this cauliflower fits the bill. Inspired by Eyal Shani's world-famous whole roasted baby cauliflower served at his Miznon restaurants, we seasoned a head with cumin and coriander for a subtle hint of spice, then made a nutty tahini sauce for drizzling over the top. Fresh green herbs and tart ruby pomegranate seeds add a pop of color and flavor to this impressive dish.

Get the Recipe: Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Tahini

Charred Tomato Gazpacho

Charring tomatoes only takes a few minutes and adds a smoky depth of flavor to this twist on the traditional cold soup.

Get the Recipe: Charred Tomato Gazpacho

Frittata With Asparagus, Tomato and Fontina

Giada's frittata is a versatile choice for a vegetarian brunch, snack or dinner. It can be served hot or cold.

Get the Recipe: Frittata with Asparagus, Tomato, and Fontina

Agnolotti With Artichoke Sauce

This easy recipe relies on frozen artichoke hearts, frozen peas and store-bought agnolotti to save you time on dinner prep.

Get the Recipe: Agnolotti With Artichoke Sauce

Vegetarian Skillet Chili Topped with Cornbread

A hearty chili made with butternut squash and fluffy cornbread come together in this single-skillet meal. Serve with extra sour cream and pickled jalapenos on the side for topping.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Skillet Chili Topped with Cornbread

Beet Reuben

Sweet beets get rolled in a pastrami-inspired spice rub for a quick, vegetarian version of this classic deli favorite.

Get the Recipe: Beet Reuben

Mini Mac and 'Shrooms

Make a grown-up version of macaroni and cheese by using Brie and pecorino plus some meaty wild mushrooms.

Get the Recipe: Mini Mac and 'Shrooms

Chile Cheese Casserole

This breakfast dish was inspired by the Mexican dish of chilaquiles. By using baked tortilla chips, a mixture of eggs and egg whites and just a bit of sharp cheddar and pepper Jack, the fat is low while the flavor is high.

Get the Recipe: Chile Cheese Casserole

Vegetarian Pad Thai

No meat? No problem! This takeout standard comes together quickly and hits all the sweet, sour and umami notes of the classic dish.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Pad Thai

Tofu-Vegetable Stir-Fry

This substantial stir-fry is full of Asian-inspired ingredients. Serve over fluffy rice and top with a soy-based sauce.

Get the Recipe: Tofu-Vegetable Stir-Fry

Seven-Layer Vegetarian Greek Dip

Grab a plate, scoop and then dip. Squeezing out the vegetables before you assemble this dip removes any extra moisture, so your layers stay in place. Make the day before and refrigerate to save time on game day.

Get the Recipe: Seven-Layer Vegetarian Greek Dip

Three-Cheese Macaroni

This macaroni and cheese uses more than Muenster, cheddar, and Parmesan; stir in cauliflower florets to get your veggies, too.

Get the Recipe: Three-Cheese Macaroni

Spicy Vegan Sloppy Joes

Mushrooms make these kicked-up sloppy joes ultra-meaty. But there's no meat here, making this vegan sandwich one of the lightest sloppy joes you'll probably every make.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Vegan Sloppy Joes

Vegetarian Lasagna

You will never miss the meat in this vegetarian lasagna, with its hearty sauce of tomatoes, onions and carrots layered with spinach and creamy ricotta cheese. It's a comfort classic your family will love.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Lasagna

Vegetarian Spinach-Walnut Pate

The words "vegetarian," "pate" and "caviar" don't necessarily go together, but this creamy, flavor-packed appetizer spreads like pate, and the tart bursts of pomegranate seeds are a little like caviar. This vegetarian (in fact, vegan) dish is inspired by the country of Georgia's dish pkhali, a spinach spread that can also be made with beets or mushrooms.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Spinach-Walnut Pate

Tofu Tacos

Brush tofu with taco seasoning for this vegetarian-friendly recipe that gets great texture from the addition of homemade coleslaw.

Get the Recipe: Tofu Tacos

Penne With Spinach Sauce

Giada's penne is a no-fuss side dish and salad in one. Add a touch of goat cheese and some cream cheese to spinach for a smooth and tangy sauce.

Get the Recipe: Penne with Spinach Sauce

Roasted Zucchini Flatbread With Hummus, Arugula, Goat Cheese and Almonds

Scoop hummus onto toasted pita bread and top with roasted zucchini, arugula and some chopped almonds for crunch.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Zucchini Flatbread with Hummus, Arugula, Goat Cheese, and Almonds

Spinach Lasagna With Mushroom Ragu

Make a ragu sauce with porcini, portobello and shiitake mushrooms and layer it into lasagna with cheese, pasta and spinach.

Get the Recipe: Spinach Lasagna With Mushroom Ragu

Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Swiss Chard and Pecorino Cheese

Giada uses whole wheat pasta — which will fill you up quickly — for this dish that gets a kick from crushed red pepper flakes.

Get the Recipe: Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Pecorino Cheese

Grilled Portobello Burger With Onion Jam

Horseradish and homemade onion jam make this vegetables-only burger a gourmet dinner option.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Portobello Burger with Onion Jam

Quinoa Salad With Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Olives

Bobby's alternative to a traditional pasta salad as a summer side dish is this quinoa salad that's full of grilled asparagus and creamy goat cheese.

Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Black Olives

Warm Farro Salad

Farro is a type of wheat that is both nutty and moist. Roasted butternut squash and tomatoes are great complements to it in this grain-filled salad.

Get the Recipe: Warm Farro Salad

Curried Potatoes and Chickpeas

Curry powder is the key to great flavor in this mixture of potatoes and chickpeas. Top with a cooling sauce made from Greek yogurt, cilantro and lime juice.

Get the Recipe: Curried Potatoes and Chickpeas

Sheet Pan Vegetarian Chili with Cheesy Cornbread Biscuits

Our favorite kitchen hack when the temperature starts dropping? Making chili on a sheet pan instead of standing over the stovetop. In this meat-free version, sweet potatoes and cauliflower are broiled with spices and bulked up with black beans and canned tomatoes. Topped with from-scratch cornbread biscuits studded with corn and cheese, this one-pan dinner hits every note.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Vegetarian Chili with Cheesy Cornbread Biscuits