Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Holidays
  • Cooking 101
  • Healthy Living
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More Next
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More Next
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More Next
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See all Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See all Holidays
    • New Year, New You
    • Super Bowl
    • Valentines
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See all Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See all Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow us

CookingLight diet CookingLight diet
  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Recipes Chevron Right
  3. 113 Vegetarian Meals

113 Vegetarian Meals

May 30, 2013
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Grocery store shelves are packed with exciting new plant proteins and vegetarian convenience foods that make substituting meat easy and delicious. As more Americans turn toward plant-based eating, incorporating meat-free dishes into your weekly menu plan is an easy way to cut meat consumption, increase your intake of vital nutrients and phytochemicals you can only find in plants, and reduce your carbon footprint. This collection of healthy vegetarian recipes features a broad variety of global flavors, as well as favorite dishes, like burgers, pasta, and hearty casseroles.
Start Slideshow

1 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

113 Vegetarian Meals

1 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Meatless Masterpieces

Credit: Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Pappardelle with Mushrooms

When entering into a vegetarian lifestyle or simply looking to go meatless a few nights out of the week, it is important to remember the value of protein to a well-balanced diet. Our vegetarian recipes are full of flavor and provide tasty meatless options without sacrificing the nutrients your body needs.In one of our favorite mushroom and pasta dishes, Pappardelle with Mushrooms, truffle oil is used to impart rich, earthy flavor and complement the savory porcini mushrooms. Leftover oil also serves as a great dressing for a small side salad to accompany the meal.

2 of 114

3 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Beer-Brushed Tofu Skewers with Barley

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Beer-Brushed Tofu Skewers with Barley

If you don't have barley on hand, serve with brown rice, quinoa, or farro. You can also cook the tofu on a stovetop grill pan—just be sure to turn your oven vent on high, as the honey-based glaze is sure to create some smoke.

3 of 114

Advertisement

4 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Double Barley Posole

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Double Barley Posole

This hearty soup gets its name from the pearl barley used in the soup as well as the barley used to produce the beer that's stirred in.

4 of 114

5 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Broccolini, Red Pepper, and Roasted Garlic Frittata

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Broccolini, Red Pepper, and Roasted Garlic Frittata

Frittatas lend themselves easily to vegetarian meals, allowing you to load in practically any veggies you like. Combining the eggs, cottage cheese, and roasted garlic in a food processor helps distribute the roasted garlic throughout the mixture for maximum favor. You can substitute broccoli rabe (for a pleasantly bitter bite) or broccoli florets (for a family-friendly take) in place of the Broccolini, if you like. Serve this colorful frittata with a simple green salad or oven-roasted potatoes.

5 of 114

6 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mushroom Bolognese over Spaghetti Squash

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Mushroom Bolognese over Spaghetti Squash

We swap traditional pasta for gluten-free spaghetti squash in this meatless main. Roasted until tender and scraped with a fork, the squash comes apart in noodle-like strands that hold the sauce well. Roast an extra squash, scrape out the flesh, and store in ziplock plastic bags for a quick side during the week. A blend of mushrooms—dried porcini and fresh cremini and button—mimic the texture of ground beef while adding plenty of savory depth. You could substitute 1/4 cup of the canned tomato liquid for a dry red wine to add even more body to the sauce.

6 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Supercrunch Tofu Tacos

Credit: Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Supercrunch Tofu Tacos

Pickled daikon radishes and carrots plus a spicy Sriracha sauce set these Asian-inspired tacos apart. Pan-sautéed cashews lend meaty crunch to this vegetarian dish.

7 of 114

8 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine
View Recipe: Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

The simple, scalloped shell made from thinly sliced rounds of sweet potatoes makes this version of a popular brunch (or supper) dish gluten-free. Choose potatoes with comparable diameters to create uniform slices for the easy-to-make crust. A mandoline makes slicing quick and precise, but a sharp chef's knife will work too. You can also slice the potatoes in the food processor using the slicing blade.

8 of 114

9 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Penne with Herbs, Tomatoes, and Peas

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Penne with Herbs, Tomatoes, and Peas

Our Penne with Herbs, Tomatoes, and Peas is an ideal dish for entertaining or to serve to company, this pasta dish is full of only the freshest flavors of the season.

9 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eggs in Purgatory

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Eggs in Purgatory

We're not entirely certain about the history of this classic recipe's name, but perhaps it has something to do with the spicy kick of the sauce. Our version is a shakshuka-like dish in which fiery harissa paste and heady spices slowly infused a rich tomato sauce where eggs gently poach. Look for jars of harissa with the Middle Eastern foods in your supermarket; you can substitute a half to full teaspoon of crushed red pepper in a pinch. The cook time for the eggs depends on the specific heat of your slow cooker. We offer a range of 15 to 20 minutes, so start checking at 15 minutes (or a couple minutes earlier) to ensure the eggs get done to your liking. Serve with warm whole-wheat pita.

10 of 114

11 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Veggie and Hummus Wraps

Credit: Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Grilled Veggie and Hummus Wraps

Make the most of summer's fresh vegetables and grilling by preparing these meatless wraps to take along on a picnic. Serve with a side of potato or pasta salad.

11 of 114

12 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Butternut-Cauliflower Coconut Curry

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Butternut-Cauliflower Coconut Curry

A range of textures—crunchy peas, tender vegetables, and silky coconut broth—makes this cool-weather main incredibly satisfying. The chickpea mixture can also be a delicious gluten-free snack: After baking, toss with a little kosher salt, ground cumin, and ground red pepper. Serve with Cilantro-Chile Couscous.

12 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eggplant Parmesan

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan

This perfect version of a classic Italian meatless dinner, Parmigiana, will quickly become a family favorite. Add a glass of vino for a Sicilian-style date night or a scoop of gelato for a kid-friendly Italian night.

13 of 114

14 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

White Bean & Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: White Bean & Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs

This easy bowl of brothy goodness is loaded with both veggies and umami depth—it's comfort food you can feel good about. It's also great for times when the food budget is tight, as it costs only about $11 for 4 servings.

14 of 114

15 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Soba Noodles with Miso-Glazed Tofu and Vegetables

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Soba Noodles with Miso-Glazed Tofu and Vegetables

Soba noodles lose about 80% of their sodium when cooked in unsalted water. Rinse and drain the soba thoroughly after cooking to remove any lingering salt.

15 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lentil Shepherd's Pie

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Lentil Shepherd's Pie

The bulgur releases just enough starch to bind the lentil- and mushroom-packed filling together. The skin of the potato contains about half the total fiber; we love the rustic edge and earthiness it adds to our creamy tater topper. Even better—our plant-packed pie saves 282 calories, 20g sat fat, and 244mg sodium over traditional meat-based shepherd's pie.

16 of 114

17 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fried Chickpea and Arugula Pita Sandwiches with Lime Tzatziki

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Fried Chickpea and Arugula Pita Sandwiches with Lime Tzatziki

With flavors reminiscent of a falafel, these pita sandwiches take less work, are tasty with lots of texture, and an easy weeknight meal to put together.

17 of 114

18 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Kale and Mushroom Quinoa with Romesco

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Kale and Mushroom Quinoa with Romesco

You'll have plenty of smoky romesco sauce—enough for a generous dollop on top. Meaty, no-prep mushrooms add richness and earthiness to gravies, sautés, and stir-fries.

18 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Butternut-Kale Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Butternut-Kale Lasagna

Gruyere-spiked Bechamel drapes over the noodles and squash to give this dish velvety richness. Hearty, earthy kale perfectly balances the sweet squash, and crunchy, toasted pecans crown the top of this luscious lasagna.

19 of 114

20 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Vegetable Paella

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Vegetable Paella

"Paella may sound like something fancy, but it is a humble dish, made from ingredients that are fresh and healthy," says star chef José Andrés, whose restaurants in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, and California helped spark America's celebration of Spanish cuisine. The classic Spanish rice dish is a crowd-pleaser in his celebrated restaurants and at home. The heat for this paella starts high and reduced gradually, making the rice perfectly al dente and then crisping it at the bottom.

20 of 114

21 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Linguine with Spinach-Herb Pesto

Credit: Photo: Francesco Tonelli
View Recipe: Linguine with Spinach-Herb Pesto

Here is a lovely twist on beloved pesto for spring. Baby spinach takes the place of most of the basil to give the sauce an earthy flavor. The thick, emerald sauce beautifully coats the flat noodles and serves up big flavor in every forkful.

21 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Black-Eyed Pea Cakes

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea Cakes

We've turned two Southern slides, black-eyed peas and greens, into a substantial vegetarian meal. You could also substitute black beans or Great Northern beans for the black-eyed peas. Form the cakes and make the salsa a couple of days ahead, and refrigerate; then simply sear the cakes and serve. Complete the meal with Sautéed Tomato and Onion Kale. Traditional Collard can take an hour or more to cook; hearty lacinato kale takes just 3 minutes. For some punch, add a dash of hot sauce or red wine vinegar.

22 of 114

23 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Veggie and Tofu Stir-Fry

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Veggie and Tofu Stir-Fry

Our meatless stir-fry gives you that delicious seared, slightly smoky taste that you enjoy in a good Chinese restaurant, but are the results from your own wok.

23 of 114

24 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Egg-Topped Quinoa Bowl

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Egg-Topped Quinoa Bowl

Here, the yolk of the fried egg serves as a dressing (without you having to do anything extra) to coat nutrient-dense quinoa. Pancetta adds a snap of savory satisfaction to earthy kale, while all-season cherry tomatoes, meaning you can make it whenever, lend a fresh pop of bright flavor. Sub steel-cut oats, bulgur, or leftover brown rice for quinoa. The hot sauce gives this simple dish a kick in the pants.

24 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pasta Giardiniera

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Pasta Giardiniera

Fresh lasagna noodles offer silky texture without the work of making your own pasta. Here we cut the sheets into thick noodles. Sub pappardelle or fettuccine, if necessary.

25 of 114

26 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chickpea Curry with Basmati Rice

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Chickpea Curry with Basmati Rice

Look for garam masala–an Indian blend–in the spice aisle; Spice Islands and McCormick make it.

26 of 114

27 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fettuccine with Seared Tomatoes, Spinach, and Burrata

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Fettuccine with Seared Tomatoes, Spinach, and Burrata

Don't skimp on the oil: There's a good bit here, but it creates a gorgeous tomato sauce that coats the noodles nicely. Burrata is rich, delicious fresh mozzarella cheese filled with cream. Although it was originally a hard-to-find imported Italian ingredient, now Bel Gioioso (an American cheese producer) makes and sells it in the gourmet cheese section at many major supermarkets.

27 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Korean Chilled Buckwheat Noodles with Chile Sauce

Credit: Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Korean Chilled Buckwheat Noodles with Chile Sauce

This dish is most popular in the summer but delicious year-round. Korean naengmyun noodles are made from wheat and buckwheat and are wonderfully chewy; Japanese soba is an adequate substitute but lacks the chewy texture. Because of the noodles' firm texture, the dish comes to the table with scissors, and you are to snip a few times and then mix everything together after enjoying the initial presentation.

28 of 114

29 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Three-Cheese Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Three-Cheese Lasagna

Ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella combine to give this lasagna an irresistible gooey factor. Store-bought tomato sauce offers convenience and is perked up with a little fresh basil, garlic, and ground red pepper.

29 of 114

30 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

Any short pasta can be substituted here—rotini and farfalle are good choices.

30 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eggs with Chickpeas, Spinach, and Tomato

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Eggs with Chickpeas, Spinach, and Tomato

If you can find them, use farm-fresh eggs to make this quick one-skillet ­supper really shine.

31 of 114

32 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Nuts

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Nuts

Kids like the chewy gnocchi, sweet broccoli, and crunchy nuts. Look for shelf-stable packaged gnocchi with the dried pasta. To cut costs, swap in chopped almonds or pecans for pine nuts. Spinach, cauliflower florets, or green beans would also work nicely here. If you use spinach, simply stir it in when you add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet.

32 of 114

33 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spanish Potato and Spinach Tortilla with Red Pepper Sauce

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Spanish Potato and Spinach Tortilla with Red Pepper Sauce

Shake the pan gently while the egg and potato mixture cooks to help prevent the omelet from sticking.

33 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Orzo Salad with Spicy Buttermilk Dressing

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Orzo Salad with Spicy Buttermilk Dressing

This tasty and colorful salad gets a spicy kick from its dressing, which includes chili powder and ground red pepper.

34 of 114

35 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Spinach Pesto

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Butternut Squash Ravioli with Spinach Pesto

Our recipe uses supermarket wonton wrappers to create a shortcut weeknight ravioli treat.

35 of 114

36 of 114

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Creamy Butternut, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Cavatappi

Credit: Photo: John Autry and Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Creamy Butternut, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Cavatappi

Cavatappi pasta offers a fun element to an easy weeknight dish. Full of exquisite flavors from the walnut and blue cheese, this dish offers a pleasant palate of tastes and textures.

36 of 114

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 114

Pin
Facebook