Heart-Healthy Vegetarian Recipes

Our collection of delicious, heart-healthy vegetarian recipes fill your nutritional needs sans meat.

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Nutritious Vegetarian Recipes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Vegetarians can easily meet daily protein needs by eating an array of plant-based foods. Fill out your meals with beans, lentils, nuts, rice, and soy products like tofu and tempeh, and avoid relying on a hefty portion of cheese to fill the protein gap.

First up are our Red Lentil-Rice Cakes with Simple Tomato Salsa. Crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside, these salsa-topped, red-lentil rice cakes make a lovely vegetarian entrée. They offer a great way to use leftover basmati rice; if you're starting with cooked rice, use about 1 1/2 cups. Add mixed greens to the plate for even more color.

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White Beans with Roasted Red Pepper and Pesto

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: White Beans with Roasted Red Pepper and Pesto

Add a green salad and crusty bread to this simple rustic dish for a satisfying supper. Simmer the beans on the stovetop if they're still not tender after cooking under pressure for 12 minutes.

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Cavatappi with Arugula Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Peppery arugula complements the sweetness of ripe tomatoes. Use heirloom tomatoes, if available, for even better flavor. Substitute fusilli for cavatappi, if desired. Serve immediately.

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Pasta with Zucchini and Toasted Almonds

Photo: Randy Mayor

Pair flavorful pasta with olive tapenade breadsticks for a superfast and delicious meal in minutes.

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Sautéed Vegetables and Spicy Tofu

Photo: Oxmoor House

Thanks to a seasoned packaged of tofu, this easy stir-fry comes together in a snap. This dish is delicious served alone, but for heartier fare, serve it on top of rice noodles.

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Summer Squash Pizza

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

You can use all zucchini or yellow squash for this grilled pizza. Serve one slice as an appetizer or two with a salad for a simple supper.

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Black Lentil and Couscous Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Black Lentil and Couscous Salad

This zesty side is modeled after tabbouleh, the Middle Eastern salad of bulgur wheat, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, lemon juice, and olive oil. Here, we use couscous instead of bulgur and add black lentils for color and texture. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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Black Bean Soup

Photo: Randy Mayor

Cumin and fiery serrano chile infuse this simple soup as it cooks, and a dollop of sour cream provides a refreshing foil for the spicy flavors. For less heat, seed the chile first or use a milder pepper, such as jalapeño. You can also omit the chile altogether, if you prefer.

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Falafel with Avocado Spread

Photo: Lee Harrelson

View Recipe: Falafel with Avocado Spread

The beauty of this Latin twist on the classic Middle Eastern falafel sandwich is its simplicity, and of course, flavor. Garnish with microgreens and sliced red onion.

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Bulgur Salad with Edamame and Cherry Tomatoes

Photo: Randy Mayor

The vitamin C from lemon juice aids iron absorption. Serve bulgur salad with grilled chicken, lemony hummus, and toasted 100 percent whole-wheat pita wedges to round out the meal. Substitute fresh shelled fava beans for edamame, if you like. Fava beans also supply protein, fiber, and B vitamins.

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Feta and Green Onion Couscous Cakes over Tomato-Olive Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

An authentic Greek trio of tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese accompanies these couscous cakes.

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Grilled Vegetable Pitas with Goat Cheese and Pesto Mayo

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Grilled Vegetable Pitas with Goat Cheese and Pesto Mayo

For these filling pitas, you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand—eggplant, summer squash, bok choy, or sweet onion. Here we use portobellos, red bell peppers, and Vidalia onions.

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Lentil-Edamame Stew

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Lentil-Edamame Stew

Fava beans are traditional in this stew, which we updated with edamame. You can also substitute green peas for the edamame, if you like. Scoop up the thick stew with Teff Injera Bread or pita. Halve the portion if you'd like to serve this as a hearty side dish.

Replay gallery

Heart-Healthy Vegetarian Recipes

1 of 14

Nutritious Vegetarian Recipes

2 of 14

White Beans with Roasted Red Pepper and Pesto

3 of 14

Cavatappi with Arugula Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

4 of 14

Pasta with Zucchini and Toasted Almonds

5 of 14

Sautéed Vegetables and Spicy Tofu

6 of 14

Summer Squash Pizza

7 of 14

Black Lentil and Couscous Salad

8 of 14

Black Bean Soup

9 of 14

Falafel with Avocado Spread

10 of 14

Bulgur Salad with Edamame and Cherry Tomatoes

11 of 14

Feta and Green Onion Couscous Cakes over Tomato-Olive Salad

12 of 14

Grilled Vegetable Pitas with Goat Cheese and Pesto Mayo

13 of 14

Lentil-Edamame Stew

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Heart-Healthy Vegetarian Recipes

1 of 14

Nutritious Vegetarian Recipes

2 of 14

White Beans with Roasted Red Pepper and Pesto

3 of 14

Cavatappi with Arugula Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

4 of 14

Pasta with Zucchini and Toasted Almonds

5 of 14

Sautéed Vegetables and Spicy Tofu

6 of 14

Summer Squash Pizza

7 of 14

Black Lentil and Couscous Salad

8 of 14

Black Bean Soup

9 of 14

Falafel with Avocado Spread

10 of 14

Bulgur Salad with Edamame and Cherry Tomatoes

11 of 14

Feta and Green Onion Couscous Cakes over Tomato-Olive Salad

12 of 14

Grilled Vegetable Pitas with Goat Cheese and Pesto Mayo

13 of 14

Lentil-Edamame Stew

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