50 Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These easy vegetarian dinner ideas are perfect for your meat-free Monday. All simple and easy to make, they are hearty and healthy and will be loved by the whole family.

A generous notion for a balanced healthy lifestyle is to enjoy a couple of meat-free meals each week. Low in saturated fat and less processed than a lot of meat dishes, vegetarian recipes are a great way to support your family’s well-balanced diet. Turn them into freezer meals for a quick and easy way to enjoy vegetarian dishes more often.

Vegetarian meals go beyond just salads and vegetables. Find savory, wholesome dinners that include burgers, hearty chilis, tacos, and nutritious pasta dishes that incorporate meat-free alternatives.

Below you’ll find 50 of my favorite vegetarian dinner recipes and a few desserts that are popular on our weekly meal rotation and will certainly satisfy any hungry eater.

What is vegetarian food?

Vegetarian food consists of plants such as grains, vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and legumes. It eliminates meats like beef, pork, poultry, and seafood. Vegetarians can and do consume some dairy products and eggs, and even seafood, depending on one’s preference, but it is common to exclude these products from this diet as well. 

With that being said, vegetarian food is full of delicious, wholesome, flavor-packed recipes. They’re healthy meals that the whole family will love, even the meat eaters!

Tips for cooking vegetarian meals

1. Use plant-based protein. You can easily get your protein from sources other than meats. Beans, legumes, nuts, and tofu are all high in protein.
2. Use seasonings. Make a flavorful vegetarian meal with the use of herbs and spices, don’t just stick to salt and pepper. Use fresh and dried herbs, seasoning blends, and some spicy spices if you like a little heat.
3. Don’t just stick to one vegetable. Use a variety of vegetables of different colors and seasonal veggies to get the widest range of vitamins and minerals.
4. Make your dinner balanced. Your vegetarian dinner shouldn’t just include vegetables. Build it with protein and carbs like rice, pasta, and legumes.

Tips for making vegetarian dishes

1. Wash your vegetables well before chopping them. Some vegetables, especially root vegetables, will have loose dirt on them. Rinsing vegetables will clean away any bacteria.
2. Canned beans should be rinsed and drained. Canned beans are often quite salty and can also taste metallic, so it’s best to run them under cold running water before using them.
3. Choose freezer-friendly dishes. Recipes like chili and burgers can easily be frozen, so all you need to do is thaw and heat through to serve. Perfect for dinner after a busy day.
4. Stock your kitchen with food. Vegetarian cooking is made more accessible by stocking the pantry and the freezer and organizing your refrigerator. You’ll find this helps prepare healthy meals with access to everything you need.
5. Customize it. It’s easy to make vegetarian dinners unique to your tastes. Swap the beans and veggies to match whatever you have to hand.

Best vegetarian weeknight dinners

This list of vegetarian meals for dinner highlights some of my family’s favorites and my readers, too. From soups to burgers, pasta, casseroles, and Lebanese recipes, you’ll find a variety of wholesome, nutritious vegetarian dishes to satisfy even the pickiest meat eaters. I also share a few dessert recipes to enjoy afterward.

vegetarian Soups, Chilis, and Stew

• Vegetarian Black Bean Chili – Hearty and filling, this perfectly spiced black bean chili with quinoa is a meatless wonder! This bean chili is delicious and full of flavor, oh, and healthy, too!
• Zucchini Orzo Soup – This bright and flavorful soup recipe is full of veggies, including zucchini, carrots, and tomatoes. It’s made with all vegetarian ingredients – perfect for a weeknight meal.
• Sweet Potato Soup – Warm and full of flavor, this soup is made with sweet potatoes, creamy coconut milk, and wonderfully aromatic with ginger and curry.
• Vegetarian Lemon Rice Soup – A bright and comforting soup loaded with veggies and rice for a quick and nutritious recipe.
• Roasted Red Pepper Soup – Snuggle up with this tomato and roasted red pepper creamy soup. It’ll warm your belly and is a share-worthy recipe.
• Cassava Stew (Yabeh) – Spicy tomato broth, chunky sweet potatoes and cassava, and the best West African flavors make up this hearty vegetarian stew.

Healthy Vegetarian Lunch & Dinner Bowls and Grains

• Quinoa Buddha Bowl – This Buddha Bowl is filled with nourishing roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, crispy chickpeas, creamy avocado, and a tangy tahini dressing!
• Mediterranean Hummus Bowl – These delicious hummus bowls are a great healthy dinner option made with fresh and vibrant ingredients. Easy and quick to make, these bowls are vegetarian and gluten-free.
• Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl – Chickpea gyro bites are served with lettuce, pita, bell peppers, and creamy tzatziki for one yummy meat-free recipe that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
• Vegetarian Gyro Bowl – Full of superfoods, roasted vegetables, and an abundance of herbs, this simple veggie bowl is packed with nutrients, fiber, and protein!
• Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad – Made rich with colors, flavors, and nutrition, this butternut squash recipe is a delicious seasonal vegetarian dinner.
• Southwest Quinoa Salad – Loaded with fresh, zingy, and healthy ingredients, this vegan Southwest quinoa salad is all kinds of delicious.

Vegetarian Burgers and Tacos

• Quinoa Burger – Even meat-lovers will crave this loaded plant-based quinoa and black bean burger as a meatless option. It holds up great on the grill, too!
• Salsa Black Bean Burger – This is a great meat-free burger alternative that is healthy, tasty, and packed full of flavor.
• Chickpea Burger – Filled with delicious Mediterranean flavor, this vegetarian meat-free burger is so simple and easy to make
• Tofu Tacos – Seasoned tofu is served in tortillas with a fresh and zesty cabbage slaw and ready to serve in less than 20 minutes. These street-style tacos are irresistibly delicious.
• Tempeh Tacos – Full of flavor and quick to make, these tempeh tacos are a delicious meat-free alternative. Load them with your favorite toppings for a vegan taco that the whole family will love.
• Walnut Tacos – Walnuts are seasoned and cooked as a great alternative to ground beef. Quick and easy to make, these walnut tacos are a delicious and filling meatless recipe!

Easy Vegetarian Pasta Dinners

• Pasta with Peas – This pasta is so easy to make and bursts with fresh and vibrant flavors. You’ll have a delicious dinner on the table quickly and effortlessly! 
• Vegan Pumpkin Pasta – A savory fall-inspired pumpkin recipe made with a dairy-free sauce that is full of nutrients and vitamins.
• Eggplant Pasta Casserole – Enjoy this cheesy vegetarian casserole with extra veggies for a variety of textures, nutrition, and flavor the whole family will love! Use vegetarian-friendly cheese alternatives to fit your diet.
• Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta – This pasta recipe is made with only 6 ingredients ready in under 30 minutes. It’s vegan, simple-to-make & customizable with any protein for an easy meatless weeknight meal.
• Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes – Blistered cherry tomatoes is the star of this gorgeous pasta dish. Add chickpeas or tofu for a protein addition.
• Creamy Vegan Cashew Tomato Pasta – If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, then this silky cashew pasta sauce is sure to please.

Vegetarian Lebanese Dinner Recipes

• Lebanese Mujadara – Try new flavors with this Middle Eastern lentil and rice recipe. Just 3 ingredients for a protein-rich meal.
• Lebanese Spinach Stew – Wholesome, well-balanced, and perfect for feeding a family, this spinach stew with chickpeas is a hearty vegetarian Lebanese recipe full of rich flavor.
• Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves – The recipe is full of Lebanese flavor with rice and vegetables rolled in brined grape leaves. Pair with a side dish for a full meal.
• Lebanese Crushed Lentil Soup – Just 30 minutes for authentic, healthy Lebanese comfort food.
• Oven Roasted Chickpea Shawarma – Load up this bowl with plant-based protein cooked in one pan for a tasty, easy weeknight vegetarian dinner.

Other Vegetarian Main Meals

• Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie – Make this classic comfort food hearty with mushrooms and quinoa instead of meat smothered in a rich gravy and topped with creamy potatoes.
• Red Lentil Curry – Aromatic Indian spices in a savory tomato broth with red lentils are wholesome and full of some serious flavor.
• Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats – Full of color, flavor, and texture, this recipe has 10 grams of protein per serving and is easy to customize with leftover quinoa and whatever veggies you have on hand.
• Vegan Meatballs – Add these meatless meatballs on top of your favorite pasta for hearty vegetarian comfort food.
• Ratatouille – A wonderfully light and fresh dish loaded with color and nutrient-dense veggies for a one-pot meal.
• Quinoa Stuffed Peppers – We loaded these peppers with plant-based protein for a hearty, healthy, delicious vegetarian meal.
• Eggplant Lasagna – Meat-free, low-carb, and absolutely delicious, this lasagna recipe is a tasty dinner loaded with flavor.

Vegetarian Side Dishes

• Whole Roasted Cauliflower – Rich, buttery is the perfect side dish for any meal. Just a few ingredients to make this garlic butter-crusted cauliflower.
• Mushroom & Peas Risotto – Skip the labor and enjoy the simplicity of this quick method of making a creamy risotto.
• Vegan Macaroni Salad – Grill up some veggie burgers and pair them with a classic creamy vegan mayo macaroni salad.
• Green Bean Casserole – Scratch-made mushroom soup is delicate and savory, tossed with crisp green beans and a crunchy panko topping. If you prefer, replace the dairy milk with unsweetened non-dairy.
• Potato Cauliflower Bake – This bake is a crowd favorite and perfect as a weeknight dinner side or served at Thanksgiving.
• Tomato Rice Pilaf – Serve as a side dish or bulk it up with chickpeas or baked tofu for a main meal.
• Lemon Rice – Bursting with lemony flavor, you can pair this vegetarian side dish with vegetables and baked sweet potatoes.
• Baked Beans – These are so easy to make and have the best sweet, rich flavor. Baked beans are the perfect side dish for a cookout!
• Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice – Low carb and bursting with fresh Mediterranean flavors, cauliflower rice is the perfect accompaniment to so many meals.

Vegetarian Dessert Recipes

• Banana Nice Cream – Try a dairy-free ice cream four different ways with this easy dessert recipe.
• Bite-size Pumpkin Pies – These mini pies are filled with the best pumpkin filling, perfect for a holiday dessert.
• Oatmeal Apple Cookies – Rich molasses, brown sugar, and fresh apples come together for a sweet and soft oatmeal cookie you’ll want to make again and again.
• Lemon Bars – These vegan lemon bars are bright, creamy, and delicious, made with a walnut oatmeal crust.
• Chocolate Peppermint Mousse – Only 3 ingredients for a wonderfully decadent vegetarian dessert recipe. You’ll swoon over every bite of this mint-infused chocolatey goodness.

HOW TO keep food warm

• Oven: As long as you’re not cooking anything in the oven, you can set it to 200°F and store dishes in there to keep them warm.
• Aluminum Foil: If your oven is not free, you can simply use aluminum foil, which has reflective properties that protect the food from light and oxygen. The foil reflects the thermal energy back to the food, which maintains the moisture, flavor, and texture.
• Crock Pots and Instant Pots: Think of recipes that can be made in your crock pot or instant pot that will keep food warm during the party. You can even use them to keep foods warm even if you don’t cook in them.
• Insulated coolers: You can use a cooler to keep food hot as well as cold. The insulation technology that keeps out the heat to maintain cold foods also works to trap heat in and keep food hot for hours at a time. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results.

frequently asked questions

Take your dinners back with a plethora of meatless meals. These vegetarian dinner ideas will get you on track to eating healthily without the loss of tasty meals the family will love. There are so many ways to eat a vegetarian, with pasta recipes, meat-free burger alternatives, hearty soups and stews, tacos, and so much more.

full list of recipes

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipe cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundups of recipes, be sure to check out: 70 Best Lebanese Recipes, Healthy Recipes with Canned Beans, 10 Date Night Dinner Ideas, and my Thanksgiving Dinner Menu.

If you found this recipe roundup for Vegetarian Dinner Recipes helpful or if you try any recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipes! It helps others who are thinking of trying out this tutorial and we would love to hear about your experience. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!