33 One-Pot Recipes Perfect For Vegetarians

One-pot meals are the ultimate way to make simple, healthy, and delicious food without overcomplicating things.

One glance online will find you countless recipes, but many of these will contain meat.

Being a vegetarian can feel difficult at times, but this doesn’t have to be the case!

If you’re looking for easy one-pot meals that will be delicious, easy, and vegetarian, then you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’re going to give you a list of 33 one-pot recipes from different parts of the world.

We’re going to include links to these recipes, as well as some information to help you get started.

We’ve also included a short Frequently Asked Questions section that will help answer any additional questions you may have left over at the end.

So let’s get right into it!

What Is A One-Pot Recipe?

A one-pot meal is one of the most comforting ways to eat. It means minimal work, a relaxing prep time, and something you can simply remove from the oven and tuck into right away.

One-pot meals are prevalent around the world and have their roots in simpler points of history when it was easy to cook for a large family with a singular pot.

Some of the most popular one-pot meals include stews, casseroles (see also ‘23 Super Easy Vegetable Casserole Recipes‘), risottos, and roasts.

You might be wondering about some of the advantages of a one-pot meal, and how they could be beneficial to your life.

We’re going to list some of the reasons why people opt for one-pot meals:

• Time: These days everyone is busy, and there’s nothing worse than coming home from a long, difficult day at work to having to cook right away. It’s extremely time-consuming and takes away from the period of the day when you should be relaxing. A one-pot meal cuts cooking time down massively, and also lessens the number of dishes you’ll have to clean once you’re done!
• Diet: One-pot meals are a perfect way to add a long list of different ingredients which will promote a healthy diet. Many of these recipes lend themselves to adding a few additional vegetables without ruining the overall composition of the dish.
• Comfort: Many of these one-pot recipes are home-cooked family meals that will make you feel very comforted, especially on cold nights in the winter (see also ‘33 Tasty And Cozy, Winter Dinner Ideas‘)! You may associate many of these dishes with winter childhood evenings!

1. One-Pot Vegan Jambalaya

To kick off our list, we have a rice dish that has its origins in the state of Louisiana. Jambalaya is a great mix of different traditional foods and something that is simple to make and very comforting.

Unfortunately for vegetarians, Jambalaya usually comes with some kind of seafood, but we’re going to simply swap this out for Kidney beans.

This is a great recipe that is easy to make and packed with positive nutrients.

2. One-Pot Mediterranean Risotto

Rissoto is one of the most perfect comfort foods there are, and this simplistic vegetarian recipe is sure to be a hit – whether that’s for guests or just yourself.

It has a few simple ingredients, including tomatoes, basil, and risotto rice, and is perfect for the summer months.

If you’re looking for something light and tomatoey then this is a great pick!

3. One-Pot Spring Vegetable Risotto

On our next risotto-based dish we have a gorgeous mix between mushroom, asparagus, onion, and vegetable broth.

This is a very simple risotto that you can easily throw together with a few of the items in your pantry.

Keep in mind that you can always add additional vegetables, or swap out some of the ones listed. Just make sure you have mushrooms as that’s the central focus of this recipe.

4. One-Pot Vegetable Risotto

This is another simplistic risotto that can be made with just a few ingredients.

The main difference here from the previous risotto is that this recipe includes some additional root vegetables such as carrots.

You can add cheese to this also if you’d like, but to make it vegan simply avoid this ingredient.

5. Vegetarian One-Pot Chilli

Chilli is one of the best comfort foods that can be made in a variety of different ways.

One of the main problems in making it is finding a good substitute for the beef mince used as a protein.

The recipe we’ve chosen here solves this by using a series of beans to make an incredible vegetarian delight.

6. Mushroom Pot Roast

If you’ve recently gone vegetarian, you might be thinking that pot roasts are a thing of the past.

Luckily vegetarians still have some options in this area that revolve around the magnificent mushroom.

This recipe uses a portobello mushroom to simulate beef and you’ll find something that very closely resembles a long home-cooked favorite.

7. Vegan Pot Roast

This is another pot roast that gives you the same experience as a meat-based recipe, with the one exception of adding vegan beef seitan instead of actual beef.

This wonderful beef substitute allows you to cook something simple and easy that will remind you of pot roasts from the past!

8. Jackfruit Pot Roast

So let’s introduce you to a great meat substitute that you might now have ever considered. Jackfruit (see also ‘29 Vegetarian And Vegan Jackfruit Recipes‘) is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia.

It is known for its sweet taste, soft texture, and nutritional value.

Jackfruit contains high levels of vitamin C, fiber, protein, iron, and potassium. In addition, jackfruit is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Jackfruit is often referred to as “the king of fruits” due to its versatility and popularity. It is commonly eaten raw, cooked, or dried.

You can eat it alone or add it to soups, salads, curries, stir-fries, smoothies, juices, desserts, and even ice cream!

This recipe uses jackfruit as a substitute for beef, an incredible, simple one-pot recipe that will astound you!

9. Vegetarian Stew

Next up we’re going to give you a series of stews that you can make.

This first recipe is very simple and includes a series of rustic vegetables that are perfect for warming you on cold nights in the winter.

This is probably the most traditional European stew on our list, packed with a series of hearty vegetables in a rich broth.

10. Chinese Vegetable Stew

Vegetable stews might seem simplistic, but there are so many different things you can do with this basic concept.

This recipe is a traditional Chinese stew that includes mushrooms, beans, and tofu.

If you’re new to tofu – don’t be afraid! It’s a very versatile food that you can do a lot with and is an excellent source of protein.

11. Tofu Stew

To move on from our last comment about tofu, let’s consider this recipe that is based solely on this gorgeous food type. Tofu is a food product made from soybeans.

Soybeans are a legume, which means they have pods containing seeds inside them.

When these beans are processed, the outer layer of the bean is removed, leaving only the inner core.

This core is then pressed into blocks and dried. After drying, tofu is cut into cubes or slabs and packaged for sale.

This recipe here includes onion, garlic, cabbage, courgettes, chopped tomatoes, bay leaves, and tofu!

It’s a little more complicated than some of the other recipes on this list but the effort is going to be worth it!

12. Caponata Pasta

Next up we have a Sicilian dish that is a perfect mix of various vegetables with an eggplant base.

This is a simple dish that you can easily make in one pot and includes a series of different ingredients.

You can change the ingredients by adding a variety of different Mediterranean vegetables depending on what you have in your pantry.

13. Pineapple Fried Rice

If you’re looking for something very quick, then this pineapple fried rice is something you can throw together without much effort.

It consists of a few simple ingredients that blend together to make a sweet-savory mix of flavors.

14. Lentil Pasta With Mushrooms

Lentils are another favorite vegetarian substitute for meat. They are cheap, simple to cook, and give you a lot of the nutrients you’ll need for a healthy life.

This recipe is very simple and has a series of different ingredients that make it delicious and easy to make!

You can always swap the mushrooms out for something else if they’re not your thing, but just remember to swap them out for some other vegetable that goes well with the overall theme of the recipe.

15. Skillet Vegetarian Lasagna

When you think of lasagna, you might think of deep oven dishes and long baking times.

Well, the good news is that there is a way to make a lasagna with nothing but a skillet and some choice ingredients.

This recipe allows you to do this and consists of only a few ingredients such as ricotta, spinach, and onions.

This one might be a bit more of a pain to make than some of the other recipes on our list, but it’s worth it to make a quick, easy lasagna without the difficult baking time.

16. Vegetarian Ramen

Next up we’re going to introduce you to the wonderful world of ramen. Ramen Soup is a Japanese noodle dish that originated in Japan.

Ramen noodles are often eaten with a broth called “ramen.

Ramen soup is usually served warm and topped with various ingredients, such as vegetables, meat, seafood, eggs, and cheese

One of the main problems with ramen is that it is traditionally made with either chicken or pork bone, and this can take a lot of time and be difficult to make.

Thankfully, since we’re looking for vegetarian recipes we won’t need to do this, and that makes the process a lot faster.

This first recipe is simple vegetarian ramen that you can make in a few hours!

17. Vegan Ramen

Ramen can also be vegan! This recipe uses a series of different ingredients including tofu as its main protein.

It might take a bit of work (especially all of the prep) but it’s a lot shorter than a traditional ramen recipe and you’ll end up with something that is packed with nutrients and delicious!

18. Spicy Miso Ramen

For our second miso-based ramen we have a little bit of spice to add some punch!

This is probably the most simplistic of all the ramen recipes (see also ‘6 Best Ramen Subscription Boxes‘) we’ve linked, including corn, simple greens, shitake mushrooms, and thin noodles!

This is a great one to throw together if you have only a few ingredients and can be a great alternative if you have some leftover ramen ingredients hanging around your pantry.

19. Bean And Pepper Chilli

We’re cheating a little with this one, as you’ll probably need another pot to make the rice with, but the central chili is very easy to make and is packed with flavor.

Instead of using meat for this chili, we’re instead using a series of beans and peppers.

Providing you follow the steps perfectly, you’re going to create a dish that is light but hearty, with all of the nutrients you’ll need.

20. Lentil Curry

Curries often require more than one pot to make, but this is a simple recipe you can make very easily.

Swapping out some of the more meat-based ingredients of traditional curries, this uses lentils and potatoes to create something hearty and easy to make.

This is great served with rice, but if you don’t want to have to make anything additional it works great on its own since it already has potato as a carbohydrate.

21. Broccoli Pasta

Whilst broccoli is simple food, there are a lot of different things you can do with it!

This recipe is a simple way to add broccoli, vegan cheese, and pasta to make something easy and delicious in one single pot!

22. Vegan Tomato Soup

One of the easiest soups to make is tomato, and this simple one-pot soup recipe is going to be a great comfort to you when you need something hearty and warm.

The creaminess here comes from coconut milk, and you won’t miss out on anything that you’d normally expect from a good soup.

23. Coconut Curry

Speaking of coconut, here is a simple curry recipe. Curry is something you can easily throw together in a singular pot.

This recipe uses a few simple ingredients, including chickpeas to give you all the nutrients you’ll need.

It’s suggested to be served with rice, but you can always skip out on that if you want to keep it all in one pot.

24. Tomato Basil Pasta

If you’re looking for an incredibly simple pasta recipe (see also ‘23 Tastiest Vegetarian Pasta Recipes‘) – there’s nothing easier than tomato basil pasta.

This can be made in one pot. Simply boil off your pasta, drain, and add the few ingredients and warm over a low heat.

25. Vegetable & Egg Scramble

This is an easy skillet meal you can make at any time of the day. One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to add anything you have lying around in your pantry.

The only ingredient you have to have are eggs, almost all of the others ingredients can be swapped out as and when you need.

Still, if you want to be safe make sure to stick to the recipe.

26. One Pan Mexican Quinoa

This recipe uses quinoa as a base and is a great way for you to use a long list of ingredients to give you a health boost.

This is perfect for a heavy breakfast, lunch or a light dinner on warm summer evenings (see also ‘27 Summer Dinner Ideas For Warm Nights‘).

27. Butternut Chilli

Butternut chilli is a type of mexican stew that swaps out beef for butternut and a series of black beans.

This one requires some strict preparations, but is fairly easy to cook once you know what you’re doing.

Make sure to not skip out on the red wine here – it really adds to the flavor!

28. Tofu Scramble

Tofu scramble is a simple but hearty meal if you’re looking for a quick alternative to scrambled egg. It can be made with one pot without any difficulty.

Like the egg scramble we added above, you can also add a long list of different vegetables and carbohydrate to this if you want something more.

29. Vegetarian Gumbo

Whilst gumbo is traditionally made with a series of sea-food products, we’ve found a recipe that allows you to create it as a vegetarian.

To make it, you have to create a simple roux which then is added with a series of additional vegetables, herbs and black-eyed peas.

30. Cabbage Soup

This is a traditional recipe that can be difficult to make right, but it’s incredibly simple and you can make it in well under an hour.

One note here – it uses chicken stock as a base, but all you have to do to make this vegetarian is swap it out for vegetable stock or any other meat-free alternative of your choice.

31. Mediterranean Frittata

Frittatas (see also ‘16 Frittata Recipes For A Delicious Brunch‘) are a gorgeous, comforting one skillet meal that can be made with a few simple ingredients.

Make sure to get the full selection of vegetables – bell peppers, green onions, zucchini, broccoli – and that you have some good quality feta cheese to ensure the right textures, nutrients and flavors.

32. Vegetarian Linguine

Linguine can be difficult to make right, but this recipe makes the process simple.

It uses zucchini, mushrooms, tomato and onion, alongside two different types of cheese and some additional herbs and spices to make something fast and packed with flavor.

33. Easy Pesto Pasta

We thought we’d end off with something really simple. Pesto pasta is one of the ultimate italian-inspired, lazy one pot meals that dosen’t take long at all.

Simply add the pesto to your pasta once it’s cooked off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Cooking Implement For One-Pot Meals?

There are several cooking tools that you can make one-pot meals with, we’re going to outline each of them here:

Pressure Cooker

A pressure cooker is a great tool for cooking meals at home. It is a versatile device that can cook many different types of food.

It is especially useful for making soups, stews, and sauces. You can use it to make any type of meal and it does not require much effort.

If you do not have a pressure cooker, then you should consider getting one.

Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is a great kitchen appliance to help you save time while preparing meals.

It cooks food slowly over low heat, which means you can prepare a lot of dishes without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

A slow cooker can be used to make anything from soup to stew to chili.

Stovetop

If you want to make simple meals, then a stovetop is probably the best option. It is a small countertop appliance that heats water and oil together to create a sauce.

It is perfect for making pasta, rice, and other foods. You can find these appliances at thrift stores and garage sales.

Electric skillet

An electric skillet is similar to a stove top, except it uses electricity instead of gas. It is a good alternative to a stovetop if you do not have access to natural gas.

An electric skillet is great for making pancakes, omelets, and other breakfast items.

What Is Important For A Skillet?

One of the most important things when purchasing a skillet is to check if it has a non-stick surface.

When cooking food, you want to avoid sticking to the pan, especially if you’re using high heat. If you do get stuck, you’ll need to use a lot of oil or butter to loosen it up.

Another thing you’ll want to make sure you get is a heat-resistant handle, this will ensure that your handle doesn’t melt and can be easily handled when cooking at high heat.

What Is The Best Protein For Vegetarians?

There are a few different proteins you can go for, check a short list below:

Soybeans

Soybeans are considered to be the best protein for vegetarians due to their high content of complete protein.

A complete protein contains all nine essential amino acids.

These amino acids are not only necessary for human nutrition, but they are also critical for the proper functioning of the body.

Soybeans are also rich in iron, zinc, vitamin B-complex, and fiber.

Peanuts

Peanuts are also a good source of protein for vegetarians.

They have about 20% protein, which is higher than soybeans. In addition, peanuts are low in fat and cholesterol.

Beans

Beans are also a great source of protein for vegetarians. They are relatively
inexpensive and easy to prepare.

You can either boil them or use canned beans.

Lentils

Lentils are also a good source for vegetarians. They are relatively cheap and easy to cook.

Tofu

Tofu is also a good source of vegetarian protein. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to make.

Tempeh

Tempeh is also a good source. It is made from fermented soybeans and has a nutty flavor.

Final Thoughts

One-pot meals are an incredible addition to your working life, one that makes cooking great meals simplistic and healthy without much effort.

We hope that this article has given you some ideas for what you can make and that you’re now a lot more confident about the options you have available to you.