Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Healthy Meals 35 Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes That Are Incredibly Easy to Make Even the die-hard carnivores at your table will be begging for seconds. By Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is a food writer and editor with more than a decade’s experience working on titles such as Food Network Magazine, Bon Appetit, and Good Housekeeping. She is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple and is currently overseeing all food and nutritional content for Well+Good as senior food editor. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Instagram Website Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple.com. Prior to joining Real Simple, she wrote and edited stories about food trends, plant-based food, nutrition, and new product releases for Food Network, LIVEKINDLY, and Eat This, Not That. She also launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. She is a graduate of New York University as a University Honors Scholar. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 23, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: CAITLIN BENSEL Whether you've been a vegetarian for years or you're just in the mood for something meat-free this evening, we've got you. This roundup of easy-to-make meatless recipes is anything but rabbit food. Each delicious idea is super satisfying (think: creamy spaghetti with a silky pepper and cheese sauce, tacos with goat cheese, potato pierogi with sautéed cabbage and apples, and more) and—we promise—won't leave you wondering whether you should order a pizza to get full. So grab that chef's knife (chopping ahead!) and let's get after it. 22 Easy Vegan Dinner Recipes to Start Your Plant-Based Journey 01 of 35 Cauliflower Tartine With Romesco Sauce Caitlin Bensel This delicious open-faced sandwich may look fancy, but we promise it's super easy to make. You'll start with the delicious combination of Romesco and cauliflower, then add golden raisins and fresh parsley to the mix for a bright—and subtly sweet—kick. Don't love one (or both)? No problem: you can use cilantro and chopped dates instead. get the recipe 02 of 35 Eggplant-Mushroom Meatball Sub Caitlin Bensel Talk about a trifecta: this recipe combines eggplant meatballs, salty-savory mushrooms, and fluffy whole-wheat hoagie buns. These sandwiches are so flavorful, your dinner dates will wonder why they ever ate meatball sandwiches with actual meat in them. get the recipe 03 of 35 Mushroom White Pizza Greg DuPree Sure, pepperoni and sausage are some of the most popular pizza toppings, but this white pie proves that pizza night doesn't have to be packed with meat. Here you'll find a blanket of ricotta and shredded mozzarella topped with sautéed mushrooms, all on a slab of convenient store-bought pizza dough. Serve your pizza with an arugula or romaine salad and you're set! get the recipe 04 of 35 Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes Con Poulos Complete with wings, chili, and pigs in a blanket, the typical game day spread isn't exactly vegetarian-friendly. Surprise the meat-lovers of the bunch with a vegetarian chili that's delicious and chock-full of hearty ingredients like beans, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. Just don't be surprised when it, too, becomes a family favorite. get the recipe 05 of 35 Thai Curry Vegetable and Tofu Soup Christopher Baker Bring a taste of Thailand home with you—and, no, not in the form of take out. To recreate this traditional favorite, simply combine the ingredients on the stovetop. Then, stir in fresh lime juice and sprinkle with torn fresh basil leaves before serving to add a fresh, bright note. get the recipe 06 of 35 Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds Antonis Achilleos In this Asian-inspired recipe, the eggplants roast at high heat, making the outside skin crispy and the inside succulent. The rich miso dressing gives it a salty umami flavor that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve over a bed of cooked whole grains (like brown rice or farro) with lots of fresh herbs for an easy and impressive vegetarian meal. get the recipe 07 of 35 Red Lentil Curry José Picayo This vegetarian curry, which is packed with red lentils, carrots, potatoes, and warm spices, is comfort in a bowl. While this meal requires a fair amount of ingredients, (most of which are pantry staples) it comes together in about 30 minutes. Just be sure to serve it with some naan, because you're going to want something to sop up every last drop of the savory broth. get the recipe 08 of 35 Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad Greg DuPree Who doesn't love pasta salad? Salty olives and feta cheese combined with fresh tomatoes, chewy pasta, and tender cubes of roasted eggplant make this the perfect satisfying and healthy lunch or dinner. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld together, so make extra and eat well all week long. get the recipe 09 of 35 Mustardy Kale Salad With Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple Christina Holmes Crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at once, this hearty main-course salad combines kale, roasted sweet potatoes, sliced apples, chopped almonds, and shaved pecorino cheese. To soften the raw kale leaves and make them easier to chew, combine them with the dressing and then rub the mixture with clean hands. get the recipe 10 of 35 Spicy Coconut Noodles Beatriz da Costa To make this dish's easy Asian-inspired sauce, simply combine the coconut milk, tomato paste, chili powder, salt, and chili paste in a large saucepan. Stir the fettuccine or rice noodles into the sauce, toss, and top with scallions, sprouts, basil, and coconut to add depth of flavor. get the recipe 11 of 35 Vegetarian Tacos With Goat Cheese Con Poulos These flavorful meatless tacos are packed with good-for-you vegetables, like spinach, corn, and tomatoes. Crumbled, cooked extra-firm tofu and goat cheese give the tasty Mexican meal an added boost of protein. get the recipe 12 of 35 Parm e Pepe Spaghetti Caitlin Bensel If this creamy pasta sounds and tastes a bit like cacio e pepe, it's because it is taking cues from the classic Roman dish. This version is made with a rich and bold cheese and pepper sauce, but Parmesan stands in for the typical Pecorino Romano. Top the noodles with a walnut-parsley mixture to add a crunch and some freshness to the easy weeknight meal. get the recipe 13 of 35 Superfood Lentil Salad Victor Protasio Up your superfood intake with this scrumptious and satiating salad that's packed with charred zucchini, golden raisins, lentils, and roasted sunflower seeds. The healthy ingredients are tied together thanks to a fresh sunflower seed vinaigrette you'll want to put on everything. get the recipe 14 of 35 Fettuccine With Asparagus, Leeks, and Mint Victor Protasio This meat-free pasta is packed with some of spring's finest vegetables, such as asparagus and leeks. Fresh mint stands in for a heavy sauce, while lemon zest and red pepper flakes add some zest and a touch of spice to the dish. The best part? It's ready in just 20 minutes. get the recipe 15 of 35 Black Bean-Oat Burger Greg DuPree No meat in your burger? No problem. Here, black beans and oats stand in for beef to form tasty vegan patties that are flavored with scallions, garlic, soy sauce, and chili powder. Our favorite part about this meal is that the patties can be frozen, meaning you can prepare a bunch at once and freeze the rest for the ultimate easy weeknight meal hack. get the recipe 16 of 35 Tofu and Mushroom Larb Caitlin Bensel If you're ready to shake up your dinner routine, try this vegetarian Thai dish that stars tofu and plenty of shiitake mushrooms. The 30-minute meal also features shallots, fresh cilantro, mint, and salty cashews. Serve it warm or at room temperature with juicy lime wedges, leafy vegetables, and sticky rice and you're good to go! get the recipe 17 of 35 Sweet Potato and Apple Soup With Cheese and Walnuts William Brinson Spiced with nutmeg, this cream-free soup of pureed sweet potatoes and apples makes a warm, comforting meal to enjoy on cold autumn nights. Serve the subtly sweet soup with a spread of blue cheese, walnuts, crackers, and sliced apples. get the recipe 18 of 35 Polenta-Stuffed Poblano Peppers Dana Gallagher Stuffed peppers are typically filled with rice, but a smooth creamy polenta filling ups the comfort level in this tasty dish. While the polenta is still warm, stir in the corn, goat cheese, and scallions. Then, fill the poblano pepper halves with a hefty scoop and bake until heated through. get the recipe 19 of 35 Slow-Cooker Bean and Spinach Enchiladas Marcus Nilsson This set-it-and-forget-it dinner is full of flavor, but takes minimal effort to prepare. Before you head out the door in the morning, stuff the tortillas with black beans, chopped spinach, corn, and grated Cheddar. A filling and meatless meal will be waiting for you when you get home at the end of the day. get the recipe 20 of 35 Potato Pierogi With Sauteed Cabbage and Apples Kana Okada Store-bought potato-and-onion pierogi make this comfort meal easy to prepare. While the pierogi cooks, whip up the tangy cabbage side by sautéing together the onion, apple, cabbage, and vinegar until slightly wilted but still crunchy. Serve the pierogi atop the cabbage mixture with sour cream on the side. get the recipe 21 of 35 Thai Spiced Tofu Stefen Andersen Tofu may be high in protein, but it can be downright bland. To add a burst of flavor, marinate the tofu with a bit of Thai red curry paste, sugar, and a splash of Asian fish sauce for 15 minutes before cooking. Serve each portion with a side of tender green beans. get the recipe 22 of 35 Eggplant Shepherd's Pie Caitlin Bensel Shepherd's Pie is typically made with, well, minced meat, but this version swaps beef for a mixture of hearty eggplant, pearl onions, and carrots. The pie is topped with the traditional mashed potato topper, making it the ultimate vegetarian comfort food dish. get the recipe 23 of 35 Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Bake Victor Protasio Yes, this savory squash bake is the perfect vegetarian Thanksgiving dish, but it's just as delicious on the other 364 days a year too. In addition to butternut squash, this comforting casserole features wild rice, as well as caramelized onions and mushrooms, all bathed in a rosemary-infused cream. get the recipe 24 of 35 Zucchini Pesto Pasta Caitlin Bensel Sure, you could use jarred pesto to dress up a bowl of pasta, or you could whip up your own zucchini-cashew pesto that perfectly clings to a heaping helping of noodles. This dish uses the latter pesto and pairs it with generous dollops of ricotta, fresh basil, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and a drizzle of oil. We promise you won't regret whipping up this 25-minute meal. get the recipe 25 of 35 Summer Squash Farro Bowl Caitlin Bensel "Healthy" might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of grain bowls, but we swear this one is packed with tasty, nutritious foods. You've got a hearty farro base paired with chickpeas, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, and sliced avocado. Oh, and the bowl is served alongside a rich yogurt dressing. get the recipe 26 of 35 Skillet Polenta in Creamy Tomato Sauce Caitlin Bensel You'll need to raid your pantry for this easy vegetarian meal, which is made with cooked polenta, canned tomatoes, and white beans. Start by crushing the whole peeled tomatoes with your hands. Then simmer the tomatoes with oregano-scented onions to make a flavorful sauce before adding the white beans. Finally, tuck tender pieces of polenta into the delicious sauce before popping it under the broiler to create a satisfyingly crispy top. get the recipe 27 of 35 Vegetable Fried Rice Dana Gallagher Put down the phone—this takeout fake-out is full of fresh vegetables and so much better than the real thing. To make your own, first sauté the vegetables until tender but still slightly crispy, and then add cooked rice, scallions, and a homemade soy sauce mixture. To finish the dish, stir in scrambled eggs. get the recipe 28 of 35 Crispy Mushroom Reuben Sandwiches Greg Dupree Believe it or not, you can have a corned beef sandwich without the beef. Well, sort of. In this version of the deli-inspired dish, healthy mushrooms stand in for meat. Thanks to their high umami content, these shrooms taste both meaty and highly savory. What's more? This sandwich also includes a flavorful dressing made with tomato paste, horseradish, and soy sauce, melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and rye bread. Eat up! get the recipe 29 of 35 Mole-Spiced Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl Jen Causey Jarred mole sauce is a real time-saver in this dish, which takes just 35 minutes to make. The Mexican staple is paired with roasted cauliflower, black beans, quinoa, and arugula to create a meal that is both healthy and delicious. get the recipe 30 of 35 Roasted Butternut Squash With Tahini Sauce Caitlin Bensel It's no secret that roasted butternut squash is delicious, but pairing the gourd with tahini takes it to a whole new level. The creamy sesame paste highlights the veggie's sweet notes, and creates a perfectly balanced bite. Toasted pepitas and sesame seeds add some much-needed crunch, while fresh cilantro brings a bit of freshness. get the recipe 31 of 35 Red Lentil Squash Soup With Lemon Caitlin Bensel This veggie-filled soup combines butternut squash, lentils, carrots, a cornucopia of spices, and harissa paste, which adds some nice heat to each bite. Finish it off with some roasted almonds and chopped parsley, and serve the whole thing alongside toasted pita and plain yogurt, and you've got a meat-free meal on the table in 35 minutes. get the recipe 32 of 35 Chickpea Salad Sandwich Alison Miksch This vegetarian riff on a classic chicken salad sandwich uses canned chickpeas instead of poultry, but flavors the meat-free mixture with familiar ingredients such as celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. It's perfect for a quick, light dinner on nights when you don't feel like turning on the stove, but also works as a tasty weekday lunch you can easily bring to work. get the recipe 33 of 35 Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata Marcus Nilsson Frittatas are protein-packed and versatile. Don't like spinach? Just swap in your favorite veggies and herbs instead. To round out the meal—whether a light dinner, lunch, or brunch—serve a slice of the frittata with a simple green salad and a slice of thick country bread. get the recipe 34 of 35 Spinach and Ricotta-Stuffed Shells Marcus Nilsson Pack jumbo pasta shells with a mixture of ricotta, chopped baby spinach, and parmesan cheese and place in an oven-safe baking dish. Top with your favorite jarred marinara sauce, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese, and bake until the cheese begins to brown and bubble. Pair the rich and creamy dish with a simple green salad. get the recipe 35 of 35 Chickpeas With Chard and Pan-Roasted Tomatoes Romulo Yanes To draw out the fresh flavor of the tomatoes (even out-of-season fruits), place them cut-side down and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until browned and softened. Then, add the chard, raisins, chickpeas, and fresh lemon juice and cook until heated through. Serve the flavorful stew over a bowl of rice. get the recipe Was this page helpful? 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