50 Best Vegetarian Recipes

Find our best vegetarian recipes below! Ranging from hearty veggie burgers to healthy grain bowls, they're easy, flavorful meals that everyone will love.

vegetarian recipes

If you want to find vegetarian recipes, you’re in the right place! ALL the recipes on Love & Lemons are vegetarian, and after 10+ years of blogging, I have hundreds of easy vegetarian meals on the site.

To get you started, I’ve rounded up 50 of my most popular vegetarian recipes. They include meatless classics like vegetarian lasagna and hearty vegetarian chili, protein-packed veggie burgers, healthy grain bowls, easy comfort foods, and more. Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian looking to refresh your dinner rotation or you’re experimenting with vegan or vegetarian meals for the first time, you’re sure to find something you love.

My Top 5 Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

The recipes below are vegetarian essentials—think a crowd-pleasing lasagna, seriously flavorful falafel, and the best-ever veggie burger. If you’re looking for veggie-packed meals that everyone (meat eaters included!) will love, you can’t go wrong with these.

vegetarian lasagna

Vegetarian Lasagna

This freezer-friendly lasagna is one of my favorite recipes for entertaining! Filled with creamy ricotta, marinara sauce, and roasted veggies, it’s always a hit.

best falafel

Falafel

This easy homemade falafel bakes in the oven (no frying required!). Stuff it into pita with tahini sauce, pickled onions, herbs, and fresh veggies for a flavorful vegetarian meal.

frittata

How to Make a Frittata

Ready in 30 minutes, a frittata is a quick and easy vegetarian breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This recipe is super flexible—have fun customizing it with whatever veggies, herbs, or cheese you have on hand!

best veggie burger

Best Veggie Burger

With over 350 5-star reviews, this vegan burger is a serious fan favorite. Made with mushrooms, walnuts, and brown rice, it has a smoky, savory flavor and AMAZING meaty texture.

eggplant parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan

Don’t like eggplant? This comforting dish might change your mind. Readers call it “outstanding,” “superb,” and “WONDERFUL!” Try it to see why!

Healthy Vegetarian Recipes

These vibrant vegetarian meals put plants at the center of the plate.

best vegan ramen

Vegan Ramen

A fragrant mushroom broth creates the flavorful base for this nourishing vegan ramen. Load up your bowl with toppings like scallions, baked tofu, and chili crisp!

Vegetarian stuffed peppers

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Tip: Prep the rice and bean filling a few days ahead and store it in the fridge. That way, these tasty stuffed peppers will be easy to assemble on a weeknight!

Vegetarian dinner ideas - Cauliflower Fried Rice

Cauliflower Fried Rice

This extra-veggie fried rice features cauliflower rice instead of regular. Quick, fresh, and SO flavorful, it’s one of my favorite vegetarian dinner recipes.

Healthy vegetarian recipes - Soba noodles

Sesame Soba Noodles

These nutty, savory noodles are ready in 20 minutes, so they’re a great dinner for a busy weeknight. Save any leftovers for lunch the next day. They pack up perfectly!

Vegetarian meals - Cauliflower tacos

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

A creamy avocado sauce loads these meatless tacos with flavor.

Pasta primavera

Pasta Primavera

This 30-minute recipe is almost more veggie than pasta. Make it for a bright, energizing weeknight meal!

Vegetarian Bibimbap

Vegetarian Bibimbap

Seasoned vegetables add exciting textures and flavors to this Korean-inspired rice bowl. Topped with a fried egg and spicy gochujang sauce, it’s a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Easy vegetarian recipes - Buddha bowl

Best Buddha Bowl

If you want to find vegetarian recipes that are as healthy as they are delicious, then these Buddha bowls are for you! They’re packed with good-for-you ingredients like brown rice, chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes, and kale. A sunny turmeric tahini sauce adds tons of flavor.

Vegetarian dinner recipes - Whole roasted cauliflower

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

This “roast” is a stunning vegetarian main dish for a dinner party or special occasion. Serve wedges over farro with a handful of arugula to make them a meal.

30-Minute Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

Meet my Meatless Monday heroes! These vegetarian dinner recipes cook up in 30 minutes flat, so they’re perfect for busy weeknights.

Shakshuka recipe

Best Shakshuka

Pass the pita! Shakshuka is traditionally eaten for breakfast, but because it’s delicious, filling, and cooks in a single skillet, it’s an excellent vegetarian dinner too.

Vegetarian recipes - Sheet pan gnocchi

Sheet Pan Gnocchi

Hate doing the dishes? You’ll love this recipe. Vegetables, feta, and store-bought gnocchi roast together on a single sheet pan. No boiling required!

avocado sweet potato tacos

Avocado Sweet Potato Tacos

Tip: Don’t skip the pickled onions! They add a pop of bright flavor that takes these tacos over the top.

Easy vegetarian recipes - Mediterranean quinoa bowl

Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl

Quinoa is one of my favorite plant-based proteins. A grain-like seed, it’s delicious in salads, stews, and bowls like this one. This refreshing recipe makes a great weeknight dinner, but you can also meal prep the components for a healthy lunch!

High protein vegetarian recipes - Lentil pasta

Lentil Pasta

This pantry pasta is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s bland. Cremini mushrooms and balsamic vinegar add rich flavor to the hearty tomato sauce.

Peanut noodles

Peanut Noodles

My creamy, tangy peanut sauce is the star of this easy noodle bowl. It tastes great on pretty much anything, so feel free to change up the veggies here. I love adding roasted broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas, to name a few!

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

They’re juicy, meaty, umami, and so easy to make. Serve these 20-minute burgers on toasted buns with all the fixings.

High Protein Vegetarian Meals

These vegetarian recipes don’t skimp on protein. Hearty ingredients like beans, tofu, and eggs make them satisfying meatless meals.

Vegetarian chili

Vegetarian Chili

This smoky, spicy plant-based chili is delicious on its own, but fixings like Greek yogurt and pickled onions make it even better. Serve it with a slice of jalapeño cornbread or a handful of tortilla chips.

Vegetarian banh mi sandwich

Banh Mi Sandwich

This vegetarian version of a Vietnamese banh mi is stuffed with tamari-lime tofu instead of meat. Fixings like pickled veggies, cilantro, and spicy mayo make it bright and refreshing. You won’t find a better plant-based sandwich!

Vegetarian dinner recipes - Spinach quiche

Spinach Quiche

With a custardy egg filling and flaky, buttery crust, this simple spinach quiche is a luxurious vegetarian meal. I love it with a little green salad on the side!

Vegetarian Burrito bowl

Burrito Bowl

This epic burrito bowl features not one, but TWO plant-based proteins: black beans and Chipotle-inspired tofu sofritasTip: The sofritas freeze well. Keep a batch on hand so that you can quickly assemble burrito bowls for weeknight dinners and lunches!

Black bean burger

Black Bean Burger

You can have these easy homemade veggie burgers on the table in 30 minutes. They’re smoky, spicy, and delicious with almost any fixings. Top yours with classic ketchup and mustard, a scoop of guacamole, or even chipotle sauce!

Vegan meatballs

Vegan Meatballs

These meatless balls are crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, and filled with wonderful savory flavor. Just add spaghetti and tomato sauce for a comforting vegetarian dinner.

vegetarian stuffed acorn squash recipe

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Ever tried tempeh? It’s a plant-based protein made from fermented soybeans, and it’s the secret ingredient in this recipe. It adds satisfying texture and nutty flavor to the herb and mushroom filling!

Sesame Tofu

Crispy Sesame Tofu

Why get takeout when you can make irresistible sesame tofu at home?! Serve it over cilantro lime rice with steamed veggies and spicy mayo.

Comforting Vegetarian Recipes

We’re talking creamy pastas, cheesy pizzas, and a fragrant weeknight curry.

Vegetarian dinner ideas - Stuffed shells

Stuffed Shells

These vegetarian stuffed shells are filled with creamy spinach ricotta and nestled in marinara sauceTip: They pair perfectly with homemade garlic bread!

Vegetarian cheese enchiladas

Easy Enchiladas

These easy, cheesy enchiladas are a hit with the whole family! Our kiddo always asks for more. Make the enchilada sauce a day ahead (or use store-bought) so that the recipe is quick and easy to assemble.

Easy vegetarian recipes - Fettuccine alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo

There’s no heavy cream in this creamy pasta. Instead, blended cauliflower creates its luscious texture! Trust me, it totally works. Readers call it “amazing” and “a winning recipe!”

Vegetarian coconut curry

Easy Coconut Curry

Don’t feel tied to the butternut squash and cauliflower in this recipe—almost any veggies taste delicious in the aromatic coconut broth. Add carrots, bell peppers, or whatever’s in your fridge!

Baked mac and cheese

Homemade Mac and Cheese

It’s the ultimate comfort food…and it just so happens to be vegetarian.

Mushroom risotto

Mushroom Risotto

This simple, elegant risotto is perfect for a date night in.

Easy vegetarian recipes - Baked ziti

Easy Baked Ziti

This baked pasta might be comforting, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on veggies! There’s a full pound of spinach mixed in with the noodles, sauce, and cheese.

Best veggie pizza

Favorite Veggie Pizza

Don’t order delivery! Topped with roasted red peppers, artichokes, and fresh basil, this homemade veggie pizza is so much better.

Popular Vegetarian Soup Recipes

Readers love these meatless soups! Serve one with crusty bread or a gooey grilled cheese sandwich for a delicious vegetarian meal.

Minestrone soup

Minestrone Soup

An herb-flecked tomato broth surrounds tender veggies, noodles, and beans.

Butternut squash soup

Butternut Squash Soup

With 1500 5-star reviews, this creamy soup is one of the most popular recipes on Love & Lemons. Make it on a cold day. Seasoned with ginger, rosemary, and sage, it’s the best way to warm up!

Healthy vegetarian recipes - Cabbage soup

Cabbage Soup

Yes, it is possible to use a whole head of cabbage! This recipe pulls it off in one go.

Broccoli cheddar soup

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

One of Jack’s favorite vegetarian recipes! Tip: Top your bowl with homemade croutons. They offer a great crunchy contrast to the creamy, cheesy soup.

Tomato soup

Tomato Soup

You can make this recipe two ways. Use heavy cream for a classic tomato soup, or swap in coconut milk for a dairy-free version. Surprisingly, you can’t taste the coconut one bit!

Instant Pot lentil soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

This hands-off recipe is a dream on busy nights. The Instant Pot does most of the work for you!

More Easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

These recipes prove that meatless cooking doesn’t have to be fussy. They’re quick, easy, and delicious. Trust me, you want them in your dinner rotation!

Vegetarian dinner recipes - Baked Feta

Baked Feta

Feta fans, get ready. You’re going to LOVE this meatless dinner idea! Simmer chickpeas and kale in a spiced tomato sauce. Then, add slabs of feta and bake until tender. Finally, scoop it all up with pita or crusty bread. YUM, right?!

Vegan mac and cheese

Vegan Mac and Cheese

No cheese here! Sweet potatoes, cashews, and nutritional yeast blend into the ooey gooey vegan cheese sauce. Kids and adults will love it!

Vegetarian okonomiyaki recipe

Okonomiyaki

These Japanese savory pancakes are easy to make with 5 ingredients. But to take them to the next level, you’ll need toppings. Dress them up with mayo, pickled ginger, nori, and more!

Spaghetti aglio e olio

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

An Italian classic with a twist. I add fresh kale and lemon juice (is anyone surprised?) to this 20-minute garlic and parsley pasta.

Bok Choy Stir Fry

Bok Choy Stir Fry

We all need an easy stir fry recipe in our back pockets, and this one’s mine. I like to add noodles, but the vibrant veggie mixture would be equally tasty over rice.

Baked Potato

Perfect Baked Potato

With crispy skin and fluffy insides, this baked potato will be the best you’ve had. For a crave-worthy vegetarian meal, load it up with vegan sour cream, tempeh bacon, and ALL the fresh chives.

Margherita pizza

Margherita Pizza

It’s a classic for a reason! San Marzano tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and fresh basil combine to create a perfect pizza.

More Vegetarian Recipes to Try

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50 Best Vegetarian Recipes

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5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to the package instructions, cooking until al dente. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until softened. Add the mushrooms, garlic, salt, and several grinds of pepper and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the mushrooms are tender.
  • Stir in the balsamic and tamari, then add the lentils and marinara. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until the sauce is well-combined and heated through.
  • Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Portion onto plates and serve with Parmesan and fresh parsley for garnish.

1 comment

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  1. Sabrina from newkitchenlife.com
    01.02.2024

    thank you for all of these, the bok choy stir fry is a nice reminder, baked feta too!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.