20 Comforting Vegetarian Recipes to Add to Your Plant-Based Dinner Rotation (2024)

20 Comforting Vegetarian Recipes to Add to Your Plant-Based Dinner Rotation (1)

It can sometimes be challenging to find new cozy, comforting main-course vegetarian meals to add to the dinner rotation. We're here to help infuse your usual mealtime routine with a number of options for flavorful, gorgeous vegetarian dishes. Best of all, these meat-free dinner recipes are also impressive enough for casual entertaining when you're hosting friends or family who don't eat meat.

How to go about adding some new vegetarian dinner recipes to your repertoire, you ask? Start by thinking about what your usual dinner recipes are missing. Looking for more one-pot meals? The beautiful Cannellini Beans and Greens Stew that's pictured here is a surefire winner, and the fact that it's vegetarian makes it even more appealing. It's a true one-pot wonder: Even the garlic toasts served on the side are made in the same skillet as the beautiful stew.

Another option is to serve vegetarian twists on the dishes you know and love. Turn your usual gnocchi into your new favorite baked pasta with our Baked Gnocchi with Ricotta and Marinara recipe. Looking for a twist on risotto? Ditch the stirring and try baking risotto instead—our Butternut Squash Baked Risotto is the perfect starting point. The best part about it is that you'll realize that you can bake this traditional rice and still get the lovely creamy texture you expect with far less work. Traditionally, risotto is made with a short-grain rice, such as Arborio. This recipe uses barley instead of rice for a nice change.

Delight friends and family with these Vegan Meatballs made with rice, lentils, and mushrooms. You can stir them into marinara sauce and pile over spaghetti, stuff them into sandwiches, or turn them into Swedish meatballs served over buttered noodles. The options truly are endless. And, while we're on the topic of vegetarian takes on Italian classics, we'd be remiss not to mention lasagna. Our rich Mushroom-Eggplant Lasagna is made with three kinds of cheese as well as umami packed cremini mushrooms and silky eggplant for a hearty dish that even devout omnivores will be thrilled by.

These many dishes will help you bring a little variety to the vegetarian dishes you bring to your table, regardless of whether you are a vegetarian or are simply honoring Meatless Monday.

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Pressure-Cooker Tamales

20 Comforting Vegetarian Recipes to Add to Your Plant-Based Dinner Rotation (2)

These tamales are stuffed with roasted poblano chiles and Monterey Jack cheese. And the pressure cooker makes quick work of cooking this traditional Mexican dish—they take just 15 minutes!

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Spring Ragout with Asparagus and Poached Eggs

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For the ultimate springtime vegetarian dinner, turn to this one-pot recipe that's packed with asparagus, spinach, plenty of cilantro, and both chickpeas and poached eggs for protein.

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Barley Risotto Mushrooms and Dill

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Pearled barley stands in for the usual rice in this risotto and pairs wonderfully with the mix of mushrooms (we used a combination of shiitake, oyster, and beech.).

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Cannellini-Bean and Greens Stew

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This comforting, healthy stew can be made with just about any greens you find at the grocery store, or even a combination of a few different types. The sage adds a lovely flavor, but if you are not a fan, fresh thyme sprigs would be a fine substitute.

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Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

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Lentils and cremini mushrooms are combined with the traditional carrots and peas to make the hearty filling for this delicious vegetarian take on the traditional British potato-topped meat pie.

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Mushroom-Eggplant Lasagna

20 Comforting Vegetarian Recipes to Add to Your Plant-Based Dinner Rotation (7)

Three types of cheeses, meaty cremini mushrooms, and umami-rich eggplant make this a super satisfying vegetarian take on a classic baked pasta. Using no boil noodles streamlines the prep.

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Spinach and Gruyére Soufflè

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Sometimes you just need a soufflé. This elegant recipe with sautéed spinach, melted Gruyère cheese, and breadcrumbs is especially gorgeous and totally delicious.

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Vegan Meatballs

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Everyone loves a good bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, whether they're beef- or vegetable-based. Try this variation with lentils, brown rice, and mushrooms.

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Baked Gnocchi with Ricotta and Marinara

20 Comforting Vegetarian Recipes to Add to Your Plant-Based Dinner Rotation (10)

Potato, cheese, and tomato sauce: Is there a more perfect combination? Use the broiler for this melty, cheesy dinner.

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Acorn Squash with Mixed-Grain Stuffing

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This elegant, hearty vegetarian entrée not only tastes as good as it looks, but both the roasted squash and the stuffing, made with mushrooms, wheatberries, and millet, can be made ahead, too. Just combine them and heat through when you want to eat.

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Vegetarian French Onion Soup

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Liven up your soup life with this vegetarian twist on the classic French onion recipe—it uses mushrooms for deep flavor.

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Roasted Cherry Tomato Clafoutis

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This garlicky clafoutis will be your new go-to vegetarian dinner. It's packed with protein and made all the more flavorful with a splash of coconut milk.

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California-Style Veggie Burgers

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These are our favorite veggie burgers. Not only are they healthy and hearty, made with bulgur, pinto beans, and shiitake mushrooms, but they also hold together when eaten and have a satisfyingly crunchy exterior.

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Butternut Squash Baked Risotto

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This revolutionary risotto cooks in the oven, not on the stovetop, leaving you free while it bakes. Packed with winter squash, kale, shallots, and a little cheese, it's just right for a casual dinner party—guests will thank you whether they're vegetarians or not.

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Squash, Sage, and Ricotta Cannelloni

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Butternut squash, shallots, sage, nutmeg, ricotta: The flavors of this cannelloni blend perfectly together for a cozy yet refined and totally crave-worthy vegetarian meal that will satisfy even the pickiest eater.

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Vegetarian Chili

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Warm up with a bowl of tomato-based chili that cooks in just 35 minutes. It's full of beans, zucchini, and all the flavors of a spicy chili—sans meat.

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Spinach-Feta Pizza Slab Pie

Who doesn't love pizza or slab pie? This easy entrée brings these two favorites together: Store-bought pizza dough is the base for this greens-and-cheese packed pie. We love it served for warming dinner with ratatouille.

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Freekeh with Roasted Butternut Squash, Seared Kale, and Caramelized Onion Jam

20 Comforting Vegetarian Recipes to Add to Your Plant-Based Dinner Rotation (18)

Protein-rich freekeh, young wheat berries that have been sun-dried and roasted, are beautiful in this warm salad.

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Bold Beet Pasta with Ricotta

Whole-grain spaghetti gets striking color from a quick toss with beets. Sun-dried tomatoes lend the sauce a caramelized sweetness that will leave everyone speechless.

20 Comforting Vegetarian Recipes to Add to Your Plant-Based Dinner Rotation (2024)

FAQs

What are some examples of plant-based meals? ›

41 Easy Plant-Based Recipes You'll Make Again and Again
  • Green Bean Pasta with Cashew Pesto. ...
  • Thai Rice Salad Bowls. ...
  • Tex-Mex Pita Pizzas. ...
  • Chickpea Flour Pizza Crust (Gluten-Free), Plus Topping Ideas. ...
  • Sneaky Chickpea Burgers. ...
  • Lentil Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Kale Arrabbiata-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. ...
  • Hearty Vegan Red Bean Chili.
Oct 31, 2022

What to eat for dinner as a vegetarian? ›

Vegetarian Recipes
  • Parmesan Zucchini Fritters.
  • 45 Best-Ever Bean Recipes.
  • Summer Squash Sheet-Pan Tacos.
  • Greek Salad Cottage Cheese Bowl.
Apr 1, 2024

What are good vegetarian foods? ›

To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods. These include whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Nuts and legumes, such as lentils, beans and peanuts, also are considered healthy plant-based foods. At the same time, cut back on less healthy choices.

How to make plant-based eating easy? ›

Start by experimenting with plant-based foods that taste and look familiar, rather than jumping to unfamiliar ingredients and dishes. If you like cereal for breakfast, switch to a plant-based milk. If you like chili for lunch, use your usual recipe but just stick with beans or swap in a ground beef substitute.

What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...

What are 5 plant-based foods? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier! Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber.

What is the most famous vegetarian dish? ›

Originating in the Middle East, falafel is one the most popular vegetarian foods in the world! As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction! However, the origin of these beloved patties is rather controversial.

What can vegetarians eat instead of meat? ›

Eat beans, pulses, eggs and other sources of protein

Pulses are particularly important for people who don't get protein by eating meat, fish or dairy products. Other non-dairy sources of protein include eggs and meat alternatives, such as tofu, mycoprotein (such as Quorn), textured vegetable protein and tempeh.

What is a typical vegetarian menu like? ›

What to Eat on a Vegetarian Diet
  • Beans and lentils.
  • Nuts, nut butters and seeds (including chia and flax)
  • Whole grains (quinoa, bulgur, freekeh, whole-wheat, oats, brown rice and more)
  • Soy (tofu, edamame, tempeh)
  • Fruits.
  • Vegetables.
  • Dairy (yogurt, kefir, cheese and milk)
  • Eggs.
Apr 16, 2024

What do vegetarians eat instead of seafood? ›

Tofu, banana blossom, and jackfruit are popular substitutes for fish due to their texture. In addition, seaweed, soy sauce, and mushrooms can help to give an authentic taste. Plant-based fish alternatives can provide essential nutrients such as protein and minerals to someone eating a vegan or plant-based diet.

How to get protein without meat? ›

5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
  1. Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
  2. Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
  3. Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. ...
  4. Soy. ...
  5. Yogurt.

Do vegetarians eat eggs? ›

Unless they are vegan (meaning they don't eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products which are derived from animals), some vegetarians do eat eggs and belong to a group known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians which according to the Vegetarian Society is the most common type of meatless diet.

What are the most common plant-based foods? ›

List of Whole-Food, Plant-Based Foods
  • Nuts and seeds.
  • Starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, squash, and peas.
  • Fruits such as berries, apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, figs, bananas, and kiwi.
  • Whole grains such as oatmeal, buckwheat, quinoa, and rice.
  • Legumes such as chickpeas, beans, and lentils.

What are the 4 types of people who eat mostly plant-based foods? ›

Below is a summary of the more popular types of plant-based diets: semi-vegetarian or flexitarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan, and whole-food, plant-based. Semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diets are primarily vegetarian but include a small amount of meat, poultry, fish, and seafood.

Can you eat pasta on a plant-based diet? ›

You can eat true 100 percent whole-grain cereals, pasta, and bread and follow a WFPB diet, but you also need to be careful and read labels closely. Foods labeled as multi-grain, made with whole grain and 100 percent wheat are not pure 100 percent whole-grain foods.

Is peanut butter plant-based? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

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