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60 Vegetarian Dinner Recipe Ideas You Need to Try

Yay, you’re trying to cut back on meat. But don’t fall into the salad, pasta and stir-fry boredom spiral. Here are 60 vegetarian dinner recipe ideas you absolutely need to try.

For more veggie meal inspo, head to our vegetarian recipes board.

RELATED 35 Hearty Vegetarian Meals to Enjoy All Year Long


1. Pizza With Zucchini And Bell Peppers

This cheater’s veggie ’za starts with store-bought seeded flatbread which helps it stay crisp and cuts down on cooking time.


2. Butternut Squash And Black Bean Enchilada Skillet

How much protein can we pack into one skillet? (Answer: a lot.)

3. Grilled Peach And Halloumi Salad With Lemon-pesto Dressing

Introducing a salad that’s worthy of your Instagram page and won’t leave you feeling hungry.

4. Grilled Zucchini Chickpea Tacos

Just because you’re going meatless doesn’t mean you have to stick with salad. Bring on Taco Tuesdays. 

5. Healthy Vegetarian Stir Fry

Trust us—you’re going to want to put this decadent cashew cream sauce on everything

6. Cauliflower Meatballs

7. Quick Guacamole Quinoa Salad

Looking for a meal that’s fast, easy and protein-rich? You’ve found it. (Oh, and it’s totally delicious, of course.)  

8. Caprese Salad

The addition of zucchini adds a certain non lo so (that's Italian for je ne sais quoi) to this classic dish. Look at you, all fancy. 

9. Turkish Egg And Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Sometimes you’ve just gotta eat breakfast for dinner. Tonight is one of those nights.

10. Baking Sheet Quesadillas

Making dinner for a crowd? Easy. Just don’t forget the salsa.

11. Whole-wheat Spinach And Artichoke Pizza

Delivery? We laugh in the face of delivery. (And it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish.) 

12. Blackberry-peach Grilled Cheese

A summery update on a classic. (But it’ll still pair nicely with your favorite soup.) 

 

13. Thai Salad With Peanut Tempeh

Get to know tempeh, guys. It’s plant-based, full of protein and super easy to cook with.

14. Poblano And Portobello Fajitas

Fajita lovers rejoice—this family favorite is loaded with vegetables and flavor (and you can make it as spicy as you like). 

15. Tomato Basil Soup

So much better than the stuff you can get from a can. Don’t forget extra bread for dipping. 

16. Creamy Garlic Herb Mushroom Spaghetti

Swap out the boring marinara in a jar for something a little more interesting—and so much more decadent.

17. Cauliflower Fried Rice

Our favorite vegetable never disappoints, especially in this better-for-you-than-takeout dish.

18. Hearty Chickpea Noodle Soup

Loaded with veggies, chickpeas and hearty pasta, this guy is sure to fill you up. 

19. Zoodle Stir-fry

Swap out regular noodles for extra veggies. (Psst...It’s OK if there are no leftovers.) 

20. Orecchiette With Spring Greens

Topped with roasted almonds for extra crunch. So simple, yet sooo good. 

21. Garlicky Kale Salad With Crispy Chickpeas

Tip: Make extra chickpeas and sprinkle them on everything.


22. Peanut Noodle Soup With Lime Mango

Easy enough for a weeknight but elevated enough for a weekend dinner party.

23. Gazpacho With Cucumber, Red Pepper And Basil

A refreshing warm weather soup that’s ready in just 15 minutes. 

24. Rainbow Collard Wraps

Get your five-a-day in one sitting. Served with peanut dipping sauce because why the hell not? 

25. Toasted Gnocchi With Mushrooms, Basil And Parmesan

Got dinner guests? Whip up this super-impressive meal in 30 minutes.

26. One-pot Stove-top Macaroni And Cheese

Love cheese but hate doing dishes? This one’s for you.

27. Cauliflower Rice Bowl With Curried Lentils, Carrots And Yogurt

Who says eating healthy has to be boring? Not us.

28. One Pot Cacio E Pepe Israeli Couscous

We’re big fans of this cheese and pepper combo. Keep it simple and serve this guy on its own or dish it up as a hearty side. 

29. Chickpea And Vegetable Coconut Curry

Got a curry craving? Ditch the takeout menu and whip this guy up instead.  

30. Watermelon Poke Bowls

Crunchy, refreshing and fish-free. 

31. Catalan Chickpeas And Spinach

Just because you’re going meatless doesn’t mean you have to stick with salad. 

32. Irish Pub Spinach And Artichoke Melt

The homemade potato chips are a must. 

33. One-pan Eggs With Asparagus And Tomatoes

Proof that you don’t need meat to get your protein fix. And the best part? Practically zero dishes to wash up after. 

34. Vegetable Lo Mein With Crispy Tofu

Add whenever veggies your heart desires. 

 

35. Vegetarian Meatballs

The secret? Cauliflower, brown rice and quinoa. Even your meat-loving friends will be impressed. 

36. Squash Coconut Curry

A hearty main dish that’s even better the next day for lunch. 

37. Thai Salad And Cauliflower Rice Wrap

These guys are delicious on their own but you could also serve them with a side salad to make them even more filling. 

38. Grilled Vegetables With Balsamic And Basil

Aka a taste of summer. You might wanna make extras of this one. 

39. Vegan Tacos With Chipotle Lime Mayo

Well, doesn't that look spectacular? Hint: For extra creaminess, add smashed avocado on top.

40. Cacio E Pepe Pasta

Made with just four ingredients, this one’s a definite crowd-pleaser.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas mini spanish tortilla for one recipe1
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

41. Mini Spanish Tortilla With Zucchini

We give you permission to eat directly from the skillet.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas 5 ingredient corn soup recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

42. Easy 5-ingredient Corn Soup

We’re obsessed with the crunchy sesame seed topping.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas microwave mug mac and cheese recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

43. 10-minute Macaroni And Cheese In A Mug

This is the stuff that dreams are made of.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas clean eating bibimbap bowls recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

44. Bibimbap Bowls

This traditional Korean dish gets a vegetarian twist.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas watermelon steak

45. Grilled Watermelon Steaks

No barbecue is complete without a few thick slabs of spiced watermelon on the grill.


vegetarian dinner recipe ideas skewers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

46. Rainbow Vegetable Skewers

No filter necessary—they’re as naturally gorgeous as they are delicious.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas big batch veg quiche
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

47. Quiche With Gluten-free Sweet Potato Crust

Same eggy, cheesy deliciousness, but with a crispy crust made of sweet potato slices. Now it’s your chic, tasty go-to for dinner.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas baked suchhini spirals
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

48. Baked Zucchini ‘ziti’ Spirals With Mozzarella

This lightened-up version of baked ziti has all the cheesiness but none of the carbs.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas sushi cups
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

49. Vegetarian Sushi Cups

These little guys are the cutest.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas nicoise salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

50. Veggie Niçoise Salad With Red Curry Green Beans

Bright, vibrant and colorful, just like you.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas spicy whole roasted cauliflower
Erin McDowell

51. Spicy Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Veggie steaks are so in right now.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas pesto zoodles
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

52. Pesto Zoodles

Is it cool if we swim in this sauce?

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas vegetarian chili
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

53. Vegetarian Chili

Make a double batch and freeze it for a rainy day.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas roasted beet tartare
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

54. Roasted Beet Tartare

Ooh, aren’t you fancy?

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas cucumber tostadas
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

55. Butter Baked Cucumber Tostadas

Never tried baked cucumbers? You’re totally missing out.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas roasted cauliflower sliders
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

56. Roasted Cauliflower Sliders

Our favorite veggie strikes again.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas egg and veggie breakfast bowl
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

57. Egg And Veggie Breakfast Bowl

It's perfect for any time of day, in our opinion.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas pan con tomate recipe
Kylie Mazon-Chambers/Share + Savor

58. Heirloom Pan Con Tomate

You’ve indulged in Italian bruschetta more times than you can count. But have you met its Spanish cousin, pan con tomate?

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas seasoned steamed eggplant
Betty Liu/My Shanghai

59. Seasoned Steamed Eggplant

Eggplant has never been more silky soft, tender and delicious.

vegetarian dinner recipe ideas roasted mediterranean vegetables recipe

60. Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables

Spoon over polenta, pasta or a pile of greens for a veggie-friendly main dish.



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Freelance Editor

From 2015-2020 Lindsay Champion held the role of Food and Wellness Director. She continues to write for PureWow as a Freelance Editor.

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