All-Time Best Vegetarian Recipes That Won't Break The Bank (2024)

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by Jenny Potter and Lara Buchar

updated February 2, 2023

We’re making it easier than ever to cook up a seriously delicious vegetarian meal the entire family with enjoy. From fully loaded vegan nacho recipes to unbelievably tasty grilled za’atar carrots with halloumi, these protein-filled vegetarian recipes are nutritious, flavourful and filling — truly making them the best of the best!

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1/18

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Enchiladas

Comfort food meets healthy eating in this easy vegetarian recipe: a hearty slow cooker dinner that’s packed with nutrition. Sweet potatoes star in the dish, which is smothered in a silky spice-filled sauce that’ll fill your kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma.

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2/18

Coconut-Crusted Cauliflower Tacos

Take your taco game to the next level by coating cauliflower florets in a shredded coconut batter. Then, whip up a quick avocado crema and mango cabbage slaw. The end result: a vegetarian flavour explosion with every bite.

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3/18

Slow Cooker Saag Paneer

All you need is 10 minutes and a slow cooker to prep this drool-worthy vegetarian main. Loaded with spinach, paneer (Indian cheese), coconut milk and a whole host of herbs and spices, it’ll warm up your insides. Don’t forget to serve with a side ofnaan bread!

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4/18

Fully Loaded Vegan Nachos

For your next movie night, gather your family around this pile of towering and irresistible nachos made gooey with creamy vegan cheese and topped with guac!

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5/18

Make-Ahead Vegetable Strata

Whether you’re hosting a family brunch or you’re looking for a no-fail weekday breakfast or dinner staple, this hearty veggie-packed casserole is it. Featuring gooey goat cheese and chunks ofsourdough bread, it takes less than an hour to whip together.

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6/18

Creamy Gluten-Free Kabocha Squash Gnocchi

You heard it here: gnocchi is far easier to make at home than the average cook assumes. This version uses nutrient-rich Japanese kabocha squash instead of white potato for a gorgeous hue and bold flavour. It’s also gluten-free thanks to a mix of brown rice flour and buckwheat flour. Plus, the garlic sage cream sauce is seriously addictive. Bon appetit!

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7/18

Pumpkin Fettuccine Alfredo

Forget standard fettucine alfredo. Adding a can of pumpkin puree into the mix elevates the vegetarian pasta dish to a new level of creamy and comforting (plus, it only takes 15 minutes to make!)

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8/18

Grilled Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

When it comes to hearty and nutritious vegetarian recipes, these grilled zucchini boats stuffed with lentils and rice make the perfect summer meal. For an extra pop of flavour, add some crumbled feta when serving.

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9/18

Vegetarian Cacciatore

You don’t need the meat to make this satisfying hunter-style meal. Wine, capers and fresh herbs infuse meaty mushrooms, carrots, zucchini and peppers with flavour as they bubble away in a beautiful tomato-based medley. Serve over rice or egg noodles for a filling Italian, vegetarian dinner.

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10/18

Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Galette

This vegetarian galette (read: an all-butter pastry filled with roasted butternut squash, onions, sage and goat cheese) is just as satisfying in flavour as it is show-stopping in appearance.

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11/18

Grilled Za’atar Carrots With Halloumi and Mint

Even tried and true carnivores tire of meat at some point during barbecue season. One of summer’s best vegetarian recipes that you just have to try combines sweet grilled carrots, salty halloumi, fresh mint, honey and za’atar.

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12/18

Hearty Vegetarian Chili With Butternut Squash

With a few different beans and butternut squash (containing complex carbohydrates for sustained energy), this lightened-up version of chili is a make-ahead, family-friendly dinner for both vegans and meat-eaters alike. Replace sour cream and cheese with creamy avocado to keep it fully plant-based (and even more satisfying!).

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13/18

Fully Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Stuff your sweet potatoes with this vegetarian chili-inspired filling that starts with black beans and tomatoes before adding earthy cumin and bright lime for lots of flavour. Keep filling them as much as you can — as long as they can stand up for the second bake, you’re good.

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14/18

Cauliflower Puttanesca

Filled with the umami flavours of capers, olives, tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, this simple pasta puttanesca is finished with golden, crispy cauliflower.

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15/18

Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Bites

Turmeric gives these tasty bites a bright, golden hue. The cool yogurt sauce is the perfect compliment to this warm and flavourful appetizer or side dish.

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16/18

20-Minute Tuscan White Bean Skillet Dinner

Take your tastebuds to Italy with this quick and easy vegetarian recipe that’s ready in 20 minutes. Made with simple ingredients like white beans, Tuscan kale, artichoke and cherry tomatoes, it’s a satisfying dinner for any night of the week.

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17/18

Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

A velvety sauce is made from cauliflower and nutritional yeast for a vegan, dairy-free version of a classic comfort meal. Mix the sauce into your cooked macaroni and serve it straight from the pot. For an extra special touch, top it with breadcrumbs and shredded vegan cheese, then bake it until golden and bubbly.

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18/18

Grilled Halloumi Salad

Halloumi elevates any dish, and this fresh salad makes for the perfect vegetarian dinner. Make enough of this hearty salad and you’ll find yourself with plenty left over for lunch the next day.

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  • dinner
  • healthy eating
  • quick and easy
  • vegetarian
All-Time Best Vegetarian Recipes That Won't Break The Bank (2024)

FAQs

All-Time Best Vegetarian Recipes That Won't Break The Bank? ›

To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

How to make vegetarian meals more filling? ›

To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

What to eat when you don't know what to eat vegetarian? ›

50 Vegetarian Dinner Ideas For When You Don't Know What To Cook
  • Ratatouille. ...
  • Kung Pao Tofu Puffs. ...
  • Easy Chickpea and Potato Curry. ...
  • Butternut Squash Cavatelli. ...
  • Quinoa and Lentil Stuffed Peppers. ...
  • Balsamic Mushroom and Onion Grilled Brie Sandwich. ...
  • BBQ Tempeh Ribs. ...
  • Sesame Noodles With Spicy Peanut Sauce.
Jan 3, 2022

How can I be a better vegetarian cook? ›

How to Make Flavorful, Healthy Vegetarian Meals
  1. Embrace Alterna-Protein. This (hopefully) goes without saying: A vegetarian recipe needn't be comprised exclusively of vegetables. ...
  2. Get a Little (or a Lot) Spicy. ...
  3. Build Deep, Dark Flavors. ...
  4. Use All of the Colors. ...
  5. Don't Be Afraid of Fat. ...
  6. Fill Up on the Good Stuff.
Jan 19, 2015

What is the most filling food to eat? ›

Whole, unprocessed foods that are high in protein and fiber will generally leave you more sated, which means you feel full for a longer period of time. Some of the most filling foods include boiled potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, and popcorn.

What do most vegetarians lack? ›

The nutrients of concern in the diet of vegetarians include vitamin B(12), vitamin D, ω-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, and zinc. Although a vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients, the use of supplements and fortified foods provides a useful shield against deficiency.

What happens to your body when you become vegetarian? ›

Vegetarian diets tend to have fewer calories, lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, and more fiber, potassium and vitamin C than other eating patterns. Vegetarians tend to weigh less than meat-eaters, and to have lower cancer rates.

What foods are surprisingly vegetarian? ›

Top Accidentally Vegan Foods
  • Cinnamon Life.
  • Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.
  • SkinnyPop White Cheddar Flavored Popped Popcorn.
  • Airheads.
  • Cracker Jack.
  • Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili–Flavored Tortilla Chips.
  • Fritos.
  • Fruit by the Foot.

What do vegetarians need the most? ›

Most vegetarians usually have enough protein and calcium (found in dairy products) in their diet. But if you don't plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients. For example, vegetarians need to make sure they get enough iron and vitamin B12 in their diets.

What is the best thing to eat as a vegetarian? ›

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.

What's the hardest thing about being vegetarian? ›

While you can get plenty of protein and fiber as a vegetarian, you may have a harder time getting some specific nutrients. Iron and omega-3s can be hard to get enough of, even though there are plant-based sources.

What vegetarian food makes you full? ›

Plant-based foods you can add to your meals to help improve satiety
  • Lentils. Lentils are an economical and readily available ingredient that are used as staples in most plant-forward meals. ...
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Walnuts or Almonds. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Avocado.

What vegetarian foods keep you full for longer? ›

Oats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit are all good sources of fiber. Including more filling foods in the diet can decrease the amount that a person eats or how often they consume food. As a result, their total daily calorie intake may become lower.

How to bulk up with vegetarian food? ›

For bulking on a vegetarian diet, aim for 0.7 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight or more, through protein-dense, plant-based options including tempeh, tofu, seitan, beans, lentils, chickpeas, and plant-based protein powders.

Is vegetarian food more filling? ›

A plant-based (i.e., vegan or vegetarian) meal will lead to better mood, higher satiety, and less stress compared to an omnivorous meal. Higher fiber content in the meals will mediate higher mood and satiety and lower stress, whereas higher unrefined sugar and fat content will mediate the opposite.

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