Looking for some tasty vegetarian meals that are easy to prepare on busy weeknights? Look no further than these ten delicious recipes! They’re perfect for those who want to eat more plant-based foods, but don’t have a lot of time or energy to spend in the kitchen.
Recipe #1: One-Pot Tomato and Basil Pasta
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Crushed tomatoes
- Vegetable broth
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Add spaghetti, olive oil, garlic, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, basil leaves, salt and pepper into a large pot.
- Bring mixture to a boil over high heat until the pasta has cooked through.
- Serve hot with additional fresh basil as garnish.
Cooking Time:
25 minutes
My Pro-tips:
The pasta may seem dry at first due to the tomato sauce being absorbed by the noodles. But keep stirring it around; the residual starches in the pasta will create a glossier finish-and ensure you get every last drop of rich tomato sauce!
Seasoning Options:
Add some red pepper flakes if you want a bit of heat!
Recommended Tools:
Large Pot
Recipe #2: Vegan Lentil Chili
Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Bell peppers
- Garlic clove
-Lentils
-Canned tomatoes
-Vegetable broth
-Chili powder
-Cumin
-Dried Oregano
-Salt
### Directions:
- In a large pot over medium-high heat add onion and bell peppers sauté until onions softened about 5 minutes add garlic cook stirring frequently about 30 seconds (you dont want it too brown).
2.Next stir lentils canned chopped tomatoes with juice vegetable broth chili powder cumin oregano and salt.
3.Then bring to boil then reduce heat to low and simmer stirring occasionally about 25 – 30 minutes, until lentils are soft.
Cooking Time:
30 minutes
My Pro-tips:
Top chili with chopped onions cilantro or vegan sour cream!
Seasoning Options:
Use fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoky flavor!
Recommended Tools:
Large Pot
Recipe #3: Avocado Caprese Salad
###Ingredients
– Butterhead lettuce
– Cherry tomatoes
-Bocconcini cheese
-Avocado slices
-Fresh basil leaves
-Olive oil
-Balsamic vinegar
-Salt
### Directions:
- In a bowl add butter lettuce halved cherry tomatoes bocconcini cheese balls sliced avocado and fresh basil leaves then drizzle with olive oil balsamic vinegar salt.
2.Toss ingredients gently until everything is evenly coated in dressing.
3.Serve immediately.
### Cooking Time:
10 minutes
My Pro-tips:
You can swap out the butter lettuce for any type of leaf you prefer !
### Seasoning Options: None needed, this salad is perfect as-is!
Recommended Tools: Large Bowl
Recipe #4: Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Tart
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
-Unsalted butter
-Water
-Salt
-Onions
-Mushrooms
-Thyme
-Garlic
-Ricotta Cheese
-Egg
-Parmesan Cheese
Directions:
For the crust :
1.In a food processor pulse together flour, salt and unsalted butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.Add water pulse just until dough comes together.Separate into pieces flatten them into disks wrap each in plastic wrap chill at least an hour. Then preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2.Roll out your chilled pie dough onto lightly floured surface fit it in your desired tart pan then trim the edges.
For the filling:
-
In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook onions for 10 minutes before adding mushrooms thyme and garlic until no liquid remains then set aside off heat.
-
In a separate bowl mix together ricotta cheese egg parmesan cheese salt and pepper to taste
5.Pour mixture into prepared crust. Top with onion-mushroom mixture; spread evenly.
6.Bake in preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cooking Time:
1 hour
My Pro-tips:
Use any pie dish as an alternative !
Seasoning Options:
Add some red pepper flakes if you want a bit of spice!
Recommended Tools: Food Processor, Tart Pan
Recipe #5: Chickpea and Spinach Stew
### Ingredients
-Onion
-Garlic
-Olive oil
-Cumin
-Tomatoes
-Chickpeas
-Vegetable broth
-Spinach Leaves
-Salt
### Directions:
1.Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat.Add onions seasoning with cumin until fragrant (about a minute), follow up by adding garlic too cook.
2.Then add cooked chickpeas canned diced tomatoes vegetable broth cover bring to simmer let stew for 15 minutes on low.
3.Finally stir in washed spinach leaves allowing them to wilt gently into the warm stew.Season with salt .
### Cooking Time:
30 -40 Minutes
My Pro-tips:
Serve over rice or quinoa !
### Seasoning Options:
Use smoked paprika instead of cumin for smoky flavor !
Recommended Tools:Lare Pot
Recipe #6: Spicy Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:
-Onions
-Olive oil
-Fresh ginger
-Pumpkin puree
-Coconut milk
-Vegetable broth
-Salt
-Pepper
-Cilantro
-Lime juice
Directions:
1.Cook onions in a large pot over medium high heat, stirring occasionally for about 4-5 minutes until soft.
2.Then add fresh ginger , pumpkin purée coconut milk and vegetable broth. Mix well and bring to slow boil, then simmer on low for 15-20 minutes.
3.Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4.Remove from heat and let cool for few minutes before blending using immersion blender or regular blender.
5.Garnish soup with chopped cilantro, lime juice and more chili flakes (optional).
### Cooking Time:
30 Minutes
My Pro-tips:
Serve the soup with some crusty bread !
### Seasoning Options:
Add red pepper flakes or chilli powderfor extra spice !
Recommended Tools:Large Pot
Recipe #7: Vegetable Stir Fry
Ingredients:
-Mixed vegetables
-Garlic cloves
-Onion
-Olive oil
-Soy sauce
-Rice vinegar
-Honey
-Sesame oil
-Cornstarch
-Water
Directions:
1.Make the stir fry sauce by mixing soy sauce , rice vinegar,honey sesame oil cornstarch,and water together in a bowl until it’s smooth.
2.Clean all of your mixed veggies to have them ready.Add olive oil into your wok /pan on medium high heat saute onion garlic..until they are slightly golden brown color(around 3 min) .
3.Next add mixed vegetables into the pan continue cook around another 5 mins,stirring frequently until veggies tender yet still crisp .
4.Pour in stir fry sauce mix everything well till all coated evenly .Allow cook additional minute or two.
Serve while hot!
Cooking Time:
20 -25 Minutes
My Pro-tips:
Brown rice makes great companion for stir fry !
### Seasoning Options:
Sprinkle some sesame seed on top for added nuttiness !
Recommended Tools: Wok/ Pan
Recipe #8: One-Pot Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients:
-Spaghetti
-Mushrooms
-Onion
-Butter
-Chopped garlic
-Vegetable broth
-Cream cheese
-Half and half
-Ground pepper
-Parmesan cheese
Directions :
1.Cook spaghetti according to the package directions in a pot.
2.In a separate pot or deep pan, sauté mushrooms and onions in butter over medium-high heat until tender then add chopped garlic.
3.Pour vegetable broth into the same pan and add cream cheese, stirring constantly. Once it has melted down, pour in half-and-half with some freshly ground pepper.
4.Add al dente cooked spaghetti into mushroom sauce along with parmesan cheese till everything is coated evenly .Serve hot !
Cooking Time:
20 -25 Minutes
My Pro-tips:
You can use other types of pasta noodles such as penne!
### Seasoning Options:
Add red pepper flakes if you want a bit of spice !
Recommended tools :2 large pots.
Recipe #9: Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Ingredients:
-Black beans
-Rolled oats
-Shredded carrots
-Chopped onion
-Finely chopped celery
-Egg
-Ground cumin
-Garlic powder
-Salt
-Paprika
-Wheat germ
-Vegetable oil
Directions :
1.Mash black beans together in a bowl
2.Stir rolled oats , carrots onion celery egg cumin paprika,tomato paste,g arlic powder salt wheat germ all together
3.Form mixture into patties shapes.
4.Heat skillet over medium high heat ,add vegetable oil swirl around.
5.Brush each side of patty with extra oil.
6.Cook black bean patties for 3-4 minutes ,flip once and cook an additional minute or until golden brown.
### Cooking Time:
30 Minutes
My Pro-tips:
Serve on a bun with all your favorite burger toppings !
### Seasoning Options:
Add some chipotle in adobo for smokey flavor !
Recommended tools :Skillet.
Recipe #10: Sweet Potato Tacos
Ingredients:
-Sweet potatoes
-Olive oil
-Onion
-Garlic
-Chili powder
-Paprika
-Cumin
-Salt
-Black beans
-Taco shells
-Lettuce
-Avocado
-Feta cheese
Directions :
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Peel sweet potato, cut into bite-size pieces,and put them on the baking sheet.Line it with parchment paper.
2.Sprinkle olive oil over your chopped up onions garlic chili powder,paprika cumin and salt, toss everything together
3.Roast for about 20 -25 minutes till tender stirring halfway .
4.Then add black beans in roasting pan heat thru good around 5 mins .
5.Serve hot filling up taco shells top each one with shredded lettuce cubed avocado crumbled feta cheese.
### Cooking Time:
35 -40 Minutes
My Pro-tips:
Use corn or flour tortillas as well!
### Seasoning Options:
Add chipotle peppers for spice !
Recommended tool:Baking Sheet.
To sum Up: These ten delicious vegetarian recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. From One-Pot Tomato and Basil Pasta to Sweet Potato Tacos, there’s something here for everyone! Each recipe features wholesome ingredients and is easy to make, so you can enjoy a flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
FAQs
Can I make these recipes ahead of time and reheat them later?
Yes! Many of the recipes on this list are meal prep-friendly and can be made in advance to save time during busy weeknights. Simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and reheat when ready to eat.
Do these recipes require any special ingredients or equipment?
Most of the ingredients used in these vegetarian recipes are fairly common and can be found at most grocery stores. However, some may require more specialized ingredients like nutritional yeast, miso paste or chickpea flour, which may need to be purchased at health food stores or online retailers. As for equipment needs, all you really need is basic kitchen tools like pots and pans, a sharp knife and cutting board.
Are these vegetarian dishes suitable for kids?
Certainly! These meals feature plenty of kid-friendly options such as pasta dishes with flavorful sauces that will help introduce your little ones to new flavors while still providing recognizable favorites like macaroni & cheese or spaghetti bolognese without any meat.
