21 Vegetarian Recipes So Good You Won't Miss the Meat
Chicken? Beef? Pork? None of the above, thank you! Whether you're considering reducing your meat intake or cooking for a vegetarian friend or loved one, these recipes ensure you don't need meat to make the most of dinner! These 21 Vegetarian Recipes So Good You Won’t Miss the Meat may draw inspiration from carnivorous fare, but we assure you, no animals were harmed when making these fabulous dishes!
1. Creamy Cauliflower Bake
Mmmm, Creamy Cauliflower Bake! Just sounds heavenly, doesn't it? Mild, tender cauliflower swimming in a rich, buttery cream sauce with notes of garlic all come together to create a veggie dream, the pinnacle of vegetarian cooking! Plus, there's a cheesy, crunchy breadcrumb topping! How could anyone say no to Creamy Cauliflower Bake? We certainly can't resist a second helping!
Click Here >>2. Prime-Time Pasta
This dish isn't just ready for prime time, it IS Prime Time! Prime-Time Pasta is an incredible vegetarian meal, with wonderfully tender pasta and beefy, hearty mushrooms, so every bite is nourishing and intriguing! But that's not all! Everything is coated in rich, tangy, aromatic miso-butter! Whenever you're ready to take dinner to the next level, this Prime-Time Pasta is THE way to go!
Click Here >>3. Pasta Primavera Bake
Classic American dish in a classic American preparation; nothing could be better! Pasta Primavera Bake takes the distinct vegetarian favorite and elevates it with warm and inviting tender pasta, fresh vegetables, a wonderfully creamy cheese sauce, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping all baked together! Enjoy Pasta Primavera Bake and feel all the nourishing, homey goodness wash over your taste buds!
Click Here >>4. Monterey Veggie Bake
It's easy to think of vegetables as a side dish rather than the main course, but the Monterey Veggie Bake will change your mind about that! Hearty mushrooms, savory onions, and bright red peppers are mixed with aromatic garlic and smoky-sweet brown sugar to bring out the best in the garden flavors. Layered with melty sharp cheese and topped with crunchy, herby breadcrumbs, the Monterey Veggie Bake is vegetarian cooking like you've never tasted before! It's a wonderful way to become excited about eating your veggies.
Click Here >>5. Falafel
Falafel is a versatile vegetarian and vegan dish made from chickpeas and herbs. It's lightly fried and absolutely delicious wrapped in pita, on top of salads, or eaten by itself! Crispy and hearty, Falafel is best served with hummus, tahini, or tzatziki as dipping sauces.
Click Here >>6. Singapore Noodles
Singapore Noodles are a classic stir-fry dish, ready to satisfy your cravings for Asian-inspired cuisine whenever you want! This vegetarian dish doesn't need meat to amaze your taste buds with its sweet and savory, tangy sauce, tender vegetables, and curry heat and flavor. The noodles themselves are tender and the perfect way to get each bit of flavor to your tastebuds. Singapore Noodles taste like they should come out of one of those classic white boxes... in fact, they taste even better!
Click Here >>7. Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie is a classic comfort food for a reason — it's hearty, delicious, and warms you up from the inside out. Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie has all the comforting goodness of the classic dish but is made extra nutritious from the extra veggies! The creamy mashed potato filling pairs perfectly with the sautéed, savory veggies, with mushrooms bringing their own unique beefiness. Better yet, the whole dish is popped into the oven to broil for a golden-brown top. Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie is a scrumptious, filling meal that you can feel good about eating!
Click Here >>8. Vegetarian Lasagna
So many lasagna recipes feature meat, especially in the sauce. Turns out, you don't need meat to have a good time at the dinner table! Vegetarian Lasagna doesn't even feature pasta; instead, it uses layers of tender sweet potatoes, in their sunset-orange and caramellike glory, to support the vibrant tomato sauce, garden fresh spinach, and melty cheese. Yes, Vegetarian Lasagna breaks all the lasagna rules, all while looking (and tasting) good doing it! This might become your new favorite way of making the Italian classic!
Click Here >>9. Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
Burrito bowls are pure culinary joy, and this Vegetarian Burrito Bowl ensures that everyone can join in on the fun. Instead of meat, pan-fried tofu offers a crisp texture while a distinct homage to Tex-Mex cuisine is seen in the poblano, garlic, and tomato flavors. Served on a bed of warm rice, and topped with vibrant pico de gallo, this Vegetarian Burrito Bowl provides the nourishment, the nutrition, and the taste that will make every part of you happy! That's what makes it pure joy!
Click Here >>10. Easy Vegetarian Enchiladas
Making vegetarian food that tastes fantastic shouldn't be a challenge. In fact, it should be a snap, just like making these Easy Vegetarian Enchiladas! These rolls of rollicking-good flavor, each filled with creamy, tangy, hearty beans, cheese, and sour cream, perfectly paired with the bright and spicy tomato sauce, will have you rolling with the good times! A little extra melted cheese on top and a drizzle of a creamy lime sauce rounds out Easy Vegetarian Enchiladas and makes them endlessly enjoyable! You might just make this vegetarian triumph a regular in your dinner rotation!
Click Here >>11. Vegetable Bolognese
Whether you're vegetarian, cooking for someone who is, or just watching your meat consumption, this Vegetable Bolognese ensures you can enjoy the classic Italian dish, without missing out on the flavor! The sauce is as vibrant, rich, and sweet as ever, enhanced by butter (because what doesn't butter make better?) and loaded with pan-seared vegetables that add wonderful texture. The mushrooms, in particular, add the beefy flavor of a traditional Bolognese, are an ideal complement for the tender, cheesy tortellini swimming in the luxurious sauce. Vegetable Bolognese is light and delightful, while still being hearty and satisfying!
Click Here >>12. Vegetarian Moussaka Bake
The Vegetarian Moussaka Bake draws from a rich heritage. Although the most famous version in America is Greek, similar dishes can be found in the Balkans and the Middle East in various forms. And good thing too, because this Vegetarian Moussaka Bake is so delicious that everyone should get to try it! The eggplant is tender and sweet, the potatoes are fluffy, the saucy is bubbly and creamy, and there's plenty of savory, aromatic, garden-fresh flavor to go around! It does require a bit of time, but the reward is so worth it!
Click Here >>13. Ethiopian Dinner Bowl
The Ethiopian Dinner Bowl is some of the heartiest and most flavorful vegetarian cuisine around! The protein-powered lentils are cooked tender and loaded with plenty of zesty, spicy, and fragrant flavors. A touch of sunny lemon and deeply sweet tomato paste helps bring out the best in these once-humble beans! Speedy and breezy, this Ethiopian Dinner Bowl will become a classic in your kitchen in no time!
Click Here >>14. Blistered Tomatoes
This might be one of the best side dishes we've ever seen, and the fact that it's so easy and fast to make? That's just the cherry (tomato) on top! Blistered Tomatoes sauté bright, juicy tomatoes until softened and sweetened, pairing the vibrancy with tangy vinegar and savory red onion for an exquisite balance of flavors. It's warm, summery, filling, and so, so enticing... something you may not expect from a vegetarian dish! Blistered Tomatoes will become a go-to in your house, no question about it!
Click Here >>15. Arborio Soup
It only takes half an hour or less to make an amazing vegetarian soup that can satisfy and nourish at the same time! That's the beauty of Arborio Soup: it's filled with hearty rice, swimming in a delicately seasoned broth with plenty of garden-fresh vegetables and fragrant garlic. For protein, Arborio Soup brings in the creamy, tender flavor of cannellini beans and wonderfully wilted spinach! Find a new wonder without stress; just enjoy the warm scrumptiousness!
Click Here >>16. Vegetarian French Onion Soup
Would you just love to visit a true French bistro, but life keeps interfering with your travel dreams? Take a mental break from your hectic day with this world traveler: Vegetarian French Onion Soup. That bistro will have nothing on you when you have this comfort-in-a-bowl on your table. It's filled to the brim with caramelized onions and then topped with toasty, crusty bread and melted cheese gooeyness that make this gourmet masterpiece a signature dish. You won't believe what you've been missing! Don't put it off any longer... take your tastebuds on a relaxing, peaceful trip with this Vegetarian French Onion Soup, and you just might end up finding the time to make that real trip after all. Beret, optional.
Click Here >>17. Vegetarian Quiche
Whether you're hosting an elegant gathering for a group or an intimate setting for two, this dish is sure to please the most discriminating of tastes. Our light, but full-bodied Vegetarian Quiche will be a wonderful addition to your brunch spread. The weighty-ness of the wild mushrooms melds seamlessly with the creamy mixture of fluffy eggs and salty cheese, creating the most delightful and (mostly) guilt-free collaboration for your breakfast buffet. This lovely and captivating addition to any brunch banquet or best-friend breakfast will leave your guests absolutely enamored. Vegetarian Quiche is extremely easy to throw together, all while retaining the sophistication and charm your distinguished guests desire!
Click Here >>18. Kung Pao Cauliflower
Kung Pao Cauliflower might just be one of the best vegetarian sides ever invented. It's truly amazing and surprising just how good it tastes! The cauliflower has a mild flavor that blends into the background, all while the more prominent crunch of the fried batter and the punch from the sweet, tangy, spicy, and savory sauce take center stage. Pile this Kung Pao Cauliflower atop white rice, or serve it alongside pickled vegetables and get ready for a kick to the tastebuds!
Click Here >>19. German Potato Soup
Guten tag! It really is a fine day if you're cooking up some German Potato Soup! This hearty, vegetarian soup (which can easily be made vegan if you prefer) is designed to be as thick as possible, making each bite feel substantial and satisfying rather than watery. The fluffy potatoes, bright carrots, and savory onion all combine with the delicate sweetness of the marjoram for a flavor reminiscent of the high hinterlands of Europe. Throw a few sausage slices (meat or vegetarian) on top and you have a full meal in a bowl just inviting you to sit down and enjoy! Guten appetit on your German Potato Soup!
Click Here >>20. Buffalo Cauliflower
Let’s be honest; chicken wings are a lot of work to eat. Gnawing your way around the thin bones and cartilage to get to the good stuff? Kind of a chore. This Buffalo Cauliflower is poppable — no bones needed. It has a full serving of veggies with the same spicy flavor and crunch you love from regular wings. The mild taste of the cauliflower means you can just enjoy the pure crunch and spice of the crust Plus, it’ll win over your vegetarian friends.
Click Here >>21. Vegetarian Skillet Chili
It might be hard to dig into this Vegetarian Skillet Chili—not because it's bad but because it just looks so amazing. If the first bite is with the eyes, as they say, then this is a visual feast only matched by how it tastes. The golden medallions of sweet, savory, and cheesy cornbread sit atop the spicy, hearty, and bright vegetable chili, which is just so filling and flavorful you won't even notice it doesn't have any meat in it. Pretty as a picture and tasty as only a chili can be, Vegetarian Skillet Chili shows that meat-free can be majestic!
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