Maybe you're trying to eat less meat in 2021, or perhaps you want to cut it out of your diet all together. In any case, these vegetarian recipes are affordable, flavorful, and best of all, loaded with protein so you can eat well and feel satisfied as the new year arrives.
1. White Bean Chili
Canned white beans, chopped green chiles, and frozen corn form the base of this hearty vegetarian chili. Canned coconut milk adds a deliciously creamy taste and texture. Finish your bowl with avocado, jalapeño, tortilla chips, or any of your favorite toppings.
Recipe: White Bean Chili
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2. Vegetarian Bolognese
Simmered in a homemade tomato sauce, this combination of quinoa and chopped walnuts seriously mimics the taste and texture of a traditional Bolognese meat sauce.
Recipe: Vegetarian Bolognese
3. Sweet Potato Black Bean Casserole
All the best flavors of enchiladas in a casserole, this comforting dinner comes together in a single baking dish.
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4. Chickpea Shakshuka With Red Peppers and Goat Cheese
Red pepper, chickpeas, and creamy goat cheese make classic shakshuka — a flavorful dish of baked eggs in tomato sauce — even more filling. Make sure to grab some bread or pita for dunking.
5. Spinach Stuffed Shells
This easy and tasty meatless pasta is guaranteed to please the whole family. You can even make a big batch of the spinach-stuffed shells ahead of time and store them in the freezer for lazy nights.
Recipe: Spinach Stuffed Shells
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6. Sheet Pan Veggie Tacos
This recipe calls for potatoes and mushrooms tossed in chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and other spices. You can get creative though and use whatever veggies you like best — from sweet potato to cauliflower.
Recipe: Sheet Pan Veggie Tacos
7. One-Pot Mushroom Stroganoff
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to whip up this cozy pasta dish. If you're following a vegetarian diet, swap the beef broth for vegetable or mushroom broth. You won't lose any of the flavor.
Recipe: One-Pot Mushroom Stroganoff
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8. Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs
This meatless balls are made from a mixture of wild rice, mushrooms, eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices. Simmer them in a homemade five-ingredient creamy gravy.
Recipe: Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs
9. Creamy Thai Sweet Potato Curry
This Thai-inspired vegetarian curry comes together with only a few ingredients. You can start with sweet potatoes and spinach and add whatever other veggies you have on hand.
Recipe: Creamy Thai Sweet Potato Curry
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10. Air Fryer Tofu With Honey Garlic Sauce
Tofu is one of my favorite things to make in my air fryer. Once it gets golden brown and crispy, toss it into a sweet and tangy sauce made of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
11. Instant Pot Cauliflower Tikka Masala
This Indian-inspired recipe is usually made with chicken, but cauliflower is the perfect vegetarian substitution. Best of all, this dish comes together quickly (and with very little effort) in the Instant Pot.
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12. Vegetarian Niçoise Salad
This traditional French salad is usually made with tuna fish, but this recipe calls for canned white beans instead. Served with green beans, radishes, hard boiled egg, potatoes, tomatoes, and artichokes, this salad will fill you up and keep you feeling satisfied.
Recipe: Vegetarian Niçoise Salad
13. Okonomiyaki (Savory Japanese Pancakes)
This Japanese vegetable pancake is a popular street food in cities like Osaka and Kyoto, but it's actually simple enough to make in your own kitchen. The main ingredients you need are cabbage, scallions, egg, and breadcrumbs, and you can top the pancakes with just about anything.
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14. Sweet Potato Coconut Stew With Lentils and Kale
Coconut milk, vegetable broth, and spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic form the base of this creamy soup. It's packed with tender sweet potatoes, lentils, and leafy kale.
15. Roasted Cauliflower Burrito Bowls
Load up these burrito bowls with all your favorite Mexican-inspired toppings like avocado, pico de gallo or salsa, refried beans, and more.
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16. Mexican-Style Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Rice or quinoa, black beans, and diced tomatoes are mixed with lots of spices and stuffed into bell peppers, then they're topped with Monterey Jack cheese and baked in the oven.
17. Black Bean Burgers
These burgers are made with black beans, bell pepper, onion, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Mix all the ingredients together, mash it with a fork, shape it into patties, and grill.
Recipe: Black Bean Burgers
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18. Vegetarian Ramen
The only ingredient you should go out of your way to buy for this veggie-packed ramen is white miso because it adds a savory, creamy element. Go for whatever add-ins you like best — from mushrooms and scallions to tofu and soft boiled egg.
Recipe: Vegetarian Ramen
19. Vegetarian Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna
Classic lasagna gets a vegetable-packed twist. Cremini and shiitake mushrooms are layered between lasagna noodles with tomato sauce and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture.
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20. Rainbow Vegetarian Pad Thai
Rice noodles are stir-fried with zucchini, shredded carrots, onion, and egg. If you don't want to make the sauce from scratch, just grab your favorite store bought pad Thai sauce.
Recipe: Rainbow Vegetarian Pad Thai
21. Kale Caesar Salad With Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas
Roasted sweet potato, crispy chickpeas, and avocado turn Caesar salad into a filling meal. Make the Parmesan tahini dressing from scratch if you're feeling ambitious, or just pick up your favorite pre-made dressing if you want something faster.
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22. Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Roasted Vegetables
You can use any of your favorite vegetables to make this sheet pan gnocchi. Toss everything in simple three-ingredient sauce made of butter, sage, and garlic.
23. Tempeh Egg Roll Bowls
Tempeh is a great substitute for chopped pork in these egg roll bowls because it crumbles. It's marinated in tamari, rice wine vinegar, and sriracha, then it's stir fried with vegetable slaw and scallions.
Recipe: Tempeh Egg Roll Bowls