When you’re on a vegetarian diet, it can sometimes be difficult to know what to make. So many classic recipes involve some sort of meat and maybe you don’t know exactly what to do to make those tasty meals, but without the meat. I’ve gathered some healthy vegetarian recipes that are easy to make and are basic dishes that most people enjoy. You can still make favorite recipes, but with a vegetarian twist!
Weeknight Two-Bean Chili
This delicious chili takes a mere 30-min to make, so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight. Get the full recipe here.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)
1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional
Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)
Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus
This creamy pasta is usually served with chicken or shrimp mixed in, but you can enjoy it instead with some great asparagus. Check out the recipe here.
Ingredients:
8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon vodka or water
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1.5 ounces vegetarian Parmesan cheese, grated (about 6 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Butternut Squash Pizza
Personal pizzas are delicious and simple ways to avoid meat! It’s easy to not add meat to them, just don’t put it on top. Here’s a delicious pizza with butternut squash, spinach, and goat cheese.
Ingredients:
2 cups precut peeled butternut squash (about 12 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 (8-ounce) prebaked thin pizza crust
5 tablespoons refrigerated light alfredo sauce
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
6 cups fresh baby spinach
1 ounce goat cheese, crumbled (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a staple meal and are fairly simple to make. Unfortunately, most recipes involve using some sort of ground meat. Luckily for you, here’s a great recipe you can use to make some stuffed peppers the vegetarian way.
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
1 cup water
2 red bell peppers
1/2 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 cup chopped tomatoes
3 green onions, thinly sliced
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Cheesy Squash Casserole
A casserole is one of the simplest things to make, so it’s useful to have a few vegetarian casserole recipes that you can make in a pinch. Add this recipe to your collection.
Ingredients:
2 pounds yellow squash, sliced
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon reduced-calorie margarine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup fat-free milk
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Cooking spray
1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs, toasted