34 Easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

Whether you’re new to vegetarianism or you’re just looking for something new to eat, finding interesting vegetarian dinner recipes can be difficult.

Meat has been a staple of American dinners for centuries now but there are just as many delicious meat-free recipes out there.

Even if you don’t want to spend hours cooking, you can find vegetarian dinner recipes that are quick and easy to make.

In this article, we have found 34 easy vegetarian dinner recipes (see also ‘38 Simple But Classic Dinner Recipes For Two’). They’re listed in alphabetical order and many are also vegan.

1. Beet Wellington

Beef Wellington is a famous meat dish, however, this recipe puts a vegan twist on this dish by swapping beef for beets (see also ‘37 Fresh Beet Recipes To Make Your Dish Bright And Colorful!‘). As well as a filling of beets, it also has a filling made from shallots, chestnut mushrooms, and breadcrumbs. 

2. Black Bean Burgers

Eating vegetarian doesn’t mean that you have to leave delicious burgers behind. These black bean burgers are not only delicious but they’re also packed with protein (see also ‘28 Easy High Protein Lunch Ideas‘) and they can be served the same way you’d serve traditional hamburgers.

You may need to prepare some of this recipe a day in advance, however, as dried beans will need to soak overnight before they can be used.

3. Cauliflower Alfredo

Cauliflower is a versatile ingredient that is commonly used in vegetarian and vegan dishes and you will see it several times throughout this article.

The sauce in this dish is made from cauliflower and vegetable stock that is blended with a couple of extra ingredients. Serve the sauce with some pasta for a delicious and healthy meal.

4. Cauliflower Tacos

Tacos are always a great choice for an easy and quick dinner. In this recipe, the taco filling (see also ‘25 Best Taco Fillings For The Best Taco Bar‘) is made from cauliflower and cilantro lime slaw. The cilantro lime slaw uses a yogurt and mayonnaise base and is also easy to make.

5. Chickpea Noodle Soup

Noodle soup is a delicious and filling meal that is ideal for cold days or as comfort food when someone isn’t feeling very well. The combination of chickpeas, vegetables, and noodles, is sure to make anyone feel warmer and better.

6. Cranberry Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

The inclusion of cranberries, pecans, and ground cinnamon in this casserole makes it the ideal dish for the festive season. The sweet potatoes had some substance to the casserole (see also our favorite potato casserole recipes) and match perfectly with the sweeter flavors of the sauce.

7. Creamy Parmesan Risotto

No wine is required for this risotto but that doesn’t stop it from being delicious. Risotto is quick and easy to make and is a versatile dish that can be eaten on its own or as a side for something more substantial.

It uses arborio rice that is cooked in vegetable stock and then served with Parmesan cheese.

8. Easy Creamy Peanut Sauce Stir Fry

Stir-fries are one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a delicious meal and this vegan stir fry will only take 25 minutes. Both the stir-fry and the sauce rely heavily on peanuts but you can choose whichever vegetables you want to use. 

9. Eggplant Cutlets

The cutlets in this recipe are made from breaded eggplants (see also ‘27 Eggplant Recipes You Need To Try‘) that are then cooked in a skillet for two to three minutes on each side.

You can then top the cutlets with a slice of tomato and some mozzarella cheese, which should be baked in an oven until the cheese is melted.

10. Green Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a traditional dish that originated in North Africa but is now commonly associated with Israeli cuisine.

This new take on the recipe uses roasted tomatillos, eggs, and Swiss chard and adds in some Mexican spices courtesy of some jalapeñoes.

It takes only 10 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to bake in the oven.

11. Lentil Quinoa Salad

This recipe is high in protein thanks to the combination of both lentils and quinoa. There are many different types of lentils and this recipe calls for red lentils as well as almonds, baby spinach, and green olives.

12. Mango Curry

One of several curries on this list, this mango curry gives you the mix of spice and sweetness that only curries can.

It’s important that you use a mango that is at the right degree of ripeness but you can also use frozen mango if fresh mangoes aren’t readily available. The curry itself is smooth and thick due to the addition of coconut milk (see more coconut curry recipes here). 

13. Mediterranean Veggie Pasta

As well as being vegetarian, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free spaghetti if you wish.

The sauce is made from tomatoes, red pepper, artichokes, and olives. Later in the recipe, you will also add spinach and basil to give the sauce that Mediterranean flavor. 

14. Mexican Bean Stew

Similar to, but not quite a chili, this Mexican bean stew is vegan and includes a spicy kick thanks to the addition of jalapeño and a couple of other spices.

As the name suggests, the main ingredients are beans and this recipe calls for black beans and chickpeas, as well as corn. It’s best served with brown rice but you can use white rice if you wish. 

15. Minestrone Soup

Nothing is better on a cold winter day than a hearty soup and minestrone soup is one of the most delicious vegetarian soups you can make. It’s not only nourishing and filling, but also very healthy.

You can also make it in bulk and freeze portions for up to three months. The broth is made from fresh tomatoes and tomato sauce and the soup also includes pasta and a variety of vegetables.

16. Quinoa, Cauliflower, and Chickpea Meatballs

This is meatballs without the meat but with all of the hearty flavors. The quantities in the recipe will produce around 40 meatballs so if this is too much, you can freeze the extras and eat them at a later date.

The meatballs are made from cauliflower, quinoa, chickpeas, breadcrumbs, garlic, and a handful of different seasonings and spices.

17. Pesto Penne Pasta

This pasta dish needs only five ingredients and can be made in around 15 minutes. You can even eat any leftovers the next day as a pasta salad.

As well as penne pasta, you will need basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and some salt and pepper. 

18. Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a classic French dish that is full of vegetables and is very healthy. The vegetables in this recipe include eggplant, zucchinis, onions, and bell peppers and they’re cooked in tomato paste and white wine.

Ratatouille is best served hot with crunchy bread.

19. Red Lentil Dahl

Curries are a great vegetarian or vegan dish that even meat eaters can enjoy. They’re also pretty easy to make and the dahl itself can all be made in just one pot.

This dahl is vegan and uses red lentils as well as chopped tomatoes, coconut milk, and a variety of spices to make a delicious and smooth curry. It can be served with rice or naan bread, depending on your preference.

20. Sesame Noodles

This recipe is best made with dried wheat noodles. The sauce is deliciously nutty thanks to the sesame paste and peanut butter.

Once the noodles are cooked and the sauce prepared, it can be served with slivers of cucumber and roasted peanuts for toppings.

21. Sheet-Pan Burrata Caprese Gnocchi

Fresh gnocchi that can be roasted in the oven is the best type of gnocchi to use in this recipe. Preparation is quick and only takes five minutes as you simply add the ingredients to a sheet pan (see also ‘27 Sheet Pan Dinners‘), add seasonings, and then allow it to bake.

It will take around 30 minutes to roast in the oven and the combination of gnocchi, bell peppers, and seasoning make for a delicious and filling meal.

22. Skillet Pizza

Also known as pizza pancakes, this is a lighter take on pizza that has a thinner base so it won’t make you feel as sluggish. The pizza base is made from yeast, water, and flour that is spread thinly and evenly into a pan and flipped like a pancake.

Coat this with a tomato sauce and add mozzarella and olives as the topping.

23. Smoked Tofu & Hummus Buddha Bowl

Hummus is a popular ingredient in vegetarian and vegan dishes and for good reason. It’s healthy, delicious, and quick to make. This Buddha bowl includes not only hummus, but also tofu, basmati rice, lettuce, and turmeric to give it some flavor. 

24. Spicy Corn Chowder

This corn chowder only needs 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook. It uses a can of sweet corn and vegetable broth and gets the spice from a mix of chili peppers (see also ‘13 Banana Pepper Recipes‘), cumin, and curry powder.

Despite the spice, it’s a smooth and creamy dish that tastes delicious and is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants.

25. Spinach Lasagne

Lasagne is a homemade favorite for many people and this vegetarian recipe takes out the meat layers and replaces them with spinach.

It does still include dairy products, however, so make sure any guests can eat cheese and eggs before you prepare it.

Once cooked, you will have a delicious and healthy lasagne that is filling and healthy.

26. Thai Green Curry

Thai green curry is famous for its deliciously strong flavors. It’s made from vegetable broth, coconut milk, and a variety of frozen vegetables.

You will need some green curry paste for that authentic flavor and it can be served over brown or basmati rice.

27. Tofu and Mushroom Stir Fry

Another stir fry that uses two of the more common vegan ingredients in tofu and mushrooms. It’s best made with baby bok choy but you can substitute this with either sui choy or spinach. When cooked, it can be served over rice.

28. Vegan Pho Recipe

Pho is a popular Vietnamese noodle soup. The dish only takes 20 minutes in total to make but is a delicious and different recipe that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

The soup uses a vegetable broth base with rice noodles (see also ‘18 Surprisingly Healthy Rice Noodle Recipes‘) and the recipe also calls for tofu and a topping of bean sprouts and spring onions. It has a little spice thanks to the addition of jalapeño and you can also add sriracha sauce.

29. Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are a common vegetarian dish and no list of easy vegetarian dinners would be complete without a recipe for them. The bell peppers are stuffed with rice and a mixture of vegetables such as carrots and zucchini.

Once stuffed, the bell peppers take around 25 minutes to bake and can be served with some parsley sprinkled on top.

30. Vegetarian Chili

Chili is hearty comfort food that is easy to make and is always delicious and filling. The main ingredients are canned tomatoes, black beans, and pinto beans and the spice comes from chili powder and smoked paprika (see also ‘Does Smoked Paprika Have A Taste?‘).

You can adjust the number of spices used depending on your preferences.

31. Vegetarian Enchiladas

Make your own vegetarian enchiladas with this easy recipe. The filling is made from ingredients such as zucchinis, corn, and black beans and is spiced with chili powder and cumin.

When baked, you can top the enchiladas with grape tomatoes and avocado.

32. Vegetarian Moussaka

Moussaka is an eggplant-based dish that originated in Greece (see also our favorite Greek desserts). It’s usually made with meat, but this recipe substitutes the meat ingredients for lentils.

It’s a hearty and filling dish that is also delicious and is topped with a creamy bechamel sauce made from milk, butter, and Parmesan cheese.

33. Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is famously made with meat, however, this recipe swaps out the meat and replaces it with delicious vegetables. It’s a hearty and hot meal that will be warming and filling during the colder months.

For the filling, the recipe uses carrots, mushrooms, and shallots, and this is layered with potatoes.

34. Veggie Loaded Flatbread

This recipe uses onions, tomatoes, tahini (see also ‘7 Substitutes For Tahini‘), and chickpeas to make a delicious loaded flatbread. It’s quick and easy to make and you can add some feta cheese and olives for that tasty finishing touch. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are These Recipes Vegan?

Some of the recipes on this list are vegetarian and vegan. Many of the recipes that are vegetarian but not vegan can be made vegan by substituting a couple of ingredients.

In many cases, you can change regular cheese for vegan cheese, for example. Don’t be afraid to change ingredients to suit your dietary needs.

Can The Dishes Be Frozen?

Many of the dishes on this list can be frozen. The recipes usually make enough for four people but if you’re not cooking for four, you can either scale back on ingredients or, in some cases, freeze the extras to eat later.

The full recipes usually state if they can be frozen.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we listed 34 easy vegetarian dinner recipes. No matter what your tastes are, there is bound to be a recipe here that will please your taste buds. We hope that you enjoy making these easy vegetarian dinner recipes.