53 Vegetarian Recipes We Love

January 13, 2015
You can be a vegetarian while still enjoying a filling meal—it's better for your overall health and your waistline. Here are 53 mouthwatering and meat-free recipes.
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Meat-free meals

Swap out your usual beef patties for a meatless alternative your whole family will enjoy.

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Stir-Fried Baby Bok Choy

Jennifer Causey

The takeout classic gets an upgrade with radishes, cashews, and chili.

Ingredients: Baby bok choy, dark sesame oil, spring onions or scallions, low-sodium soy sauce, sugar, Fresno chili, chopped cashews, small radishes, sesame seeds

Calories: 138

Try this recipe: Stir-Fried Baby Bok Choy

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Super Green Salad

Jennifer Causey

Shaved asparagus looks very elegant. But if your spears are really thin, don’t bother.

Ingredients: Kosher salt, asparagus spears, edamame, English peas, extra-virgin olive oil, almonds, garlic, lemon zest, basil, mint, tarragon, lemon, Manchego cheese

Calories: 226

Try this recipe: Super Green Salad

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Arugula Salad with Shaved Artichokes

Jennifer Causey

Artichokes—which are rich in magnesium and folate—are related to thistles and sunflowers.

Ingredients: Cider vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, Kosher salt and black pepper, ramps or scallions, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, spring garlic or garlic, lemon, artichokes

Calories: 125

Try this recipe: Arugula Salad with Shaved Artichokes

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Greek-Style Baby Potatoes

Jennifer Causey

Poaching potatoes in olive oil makes for a luxurious side to serve with a light main dish.

Ingredients: Red bell pepper, olive oil, baby new potatoes, bay leaves, Castelvetrano or other large olives, flat-leaf parsley leaves, Kosher salt and black pepper

Calories: 368

Try this recipe: Greek-Style Baby Potatoes

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Radish and Turnip Sauté

Jennifer Causey

This dish uses radish and turnip greens. (Or you can sub in mustard greens.)

Ingredients: Radishes, butter, unsalted butter, extra-virgin olive oil, turnips, turnip greens, cider vinegar, Kosher salt and black pepper

Calories: 127

Try this recipe: Radish and Turnip Sauté

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Spring Beets with Rhubarb Vinaigrette

Jennifer Causey

One cup of rhubarb packs 10 percent of your daily calcium.

Ingredients: Rhubarb, red wine, honey, red wine vinegar, shallot, thyme, kosher salt and black pepper, beets, olive oil, goat cheese, pistachios

Calories: 207

Try this recipe: Spring Beets with Rhubarb Vinaigrette

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Coastal Carrot "Fettuccine"

Lauren Volo

Slash carbs and boost fiber by shaving carrots into colorful "noodles" in this Paleo pasta dish.

Calories: 114

Try this recipe: Coast Carrot "Fettucine"

Recipe adapted from Eating Clean ($25; amazon.com). Copyright © 2016 by Amie Valpone.

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Fabulous Lemon Basil Millet Burgers

Lauren Volo

The luscious sauce gets its creaminess from cashews, not dairy. Drizzle any leftover sauce over steamed vegetables, or use it to liven up a roasted sweet potato.

Calories: 261

Try this recipe: Fabulous Lemon Basil Millet Burgers

Recipe adapted from Eating Clean ($25; amazon.com). Copyright © 2016 by Amie Valpone.

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Golden Bell Pepper Soup

Lauren Volo

This soup freezes well, so store leftovers in single-serve containers for quick weeknight meals.

Calories: 188

Try this recipe: Golden Bell Pepper Soup

Recipe adapted from Eating Clean ($25; amazon.com). Copyright © 2016 by Amie Valpone.

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Sunrise Nori Wraps with Spicy Tahini Drizzle

Lauren Volo

The miso in this dish is made from chickpeas instead of soybeans (find it in natural-food stores). You can sub in classic white miso paste.

Calories: 158

Try this recipe: Sunrise Nori Wraps with Spicy Tahini Drizzle

Recipe adapted from Eating Clean ($25; amazon.com). Copyright © 2016 by Amie Valpone.

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Mixed Greens With Roasted Figs and Pistachios

Getty Images

This delicious salad contains fresh figs (although dried figs work too), extra-virgin olive oil, minced shallots, and dry-roasted pistachios.

Simple to make, just toss the figs with olive oil and place on a baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes. Cool, and cut in half lengthwise.

Then just toss the ingredients and enjoy! This recipe contains about 244 calories per serving, plus 97 mg of calcium and 6 grams of fiber.

Try this recipe: Mixed Greens With Roasted Figs and Pistachios

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Sweet Potato-and-Ginger Soup

Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber and vitamin A, both essential nutrients to a healthy diet. Use fresh sweet potato and ginger to make this healthy comfort food. Watch this video to see how to whip up this five-ingredient soup in no time.

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Crunchy Zucchini Rounds With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

Ben Fink

Take advantage of zucchini's vibrant green color, and work it into bite-size appetizers like these crunchy rounds. Topped off with sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese, they'll look almost as good as they taste.

Each mouthful of this savory starter promises a ton of flavor for very few calories (86 for three zucchini rounds).

Try this recipe: Crunchy Zucchini Rounds With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

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Smoked Cheddar and Lentil Burgers

Not only does this recipe contain 6 grams less fat than a Burger King hamburger, but it also contains 2 grams more protein. Talk about filling and flavorful!

Ingredients: Dried lentils, bay leaves, olive oil, onions, carrots, smoked cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, thyme, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper, eggs, stone-ground mustard, whole-wheat buns, tomato, arugula

Calories: 354

Try this recipe: Smoked Cheddar and Lentil Burgers

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Creamy Polenta With Artichoke, Caramelized Onion, and Olive Ragoût

Beatriz Dacosta

You'll never miss meat in this sophisticated dish full of Italian herbs and spices. Plus, polenta, an Italian version of grits, is a good source of iron, magnesium, and vitamin B6.

Ingredients: Butter, cornmeal, frozen corn, fresh Parmesan, fat-free sour cream, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, onions, red bell pepper, garlic, Hungarian sweet paprika, white wine, artichoke hearts, ripe olives

Calories: 366

Try this recipe: Creamy Polenta with Artichoke, Caramelized Onion, and Olive Ragout

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Black-Bean-and-Corn-Topped Potatoes

Oxmoor House

Take your favorite vegetarian ingredients on a vacation to the Southwest. Chili powder, salsa, and cilantro add flavor to hearty potatoes, beans, and corn. Plus you'll get 11 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber.

Ingredients: Baking potatoes, chopped onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, black beans, frozen corn, salsa, cheddar-jack cheese, cilantro

Calories: 332

Try this recipe: Black-Bean-and-Corn-Topped Potatoes

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Orecchiette With Chickpeas and Broccoli Rabe

Antonis Achilleos

Ready in a little more than 20 minutes, this recipe is an excellent Friday night dinner option. Best served with a glass of Pinot, you'll enjoy a low-fat pasta dish that packs almost one-third of your DRI (dietary reference intake) of iron.

Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, chickpeas, garlic, crushed red pepper, broccoli rabe, vegetable broth (substitute for chicken broth), orecchiette, Parmesan cheese

Calories: 456

Try this recipe: Orecchiette With Chickpeas and Broccoli Rabe

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Fragrant Red Lentils With Rice

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Lentils are a rich source of protein and fiber, and the variety of Indian spices keeps this dish low-cal yet filling.

Ingredients: Vegetable oil, onion, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, garlic, bay leaves, dried small red lentils, butter, green onions, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, cilantro, garam masala (Indian spice blend), brown rice, low-fat plain yogurt

Calories: 409

Try this recipe: Fragrant Red Lentils With Rice

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Maple Spiced Nuts

Yunhee Kim

This recipe is quick, easy, and full of heart-healthy fats.

Ingredients: Mixed nuts, maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, chili powder

Prep: 5 minutes; cook: 15; let the nuts dry for at least 10 minutes

Try this recipe: Maple-Spiced Nuts

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Tempeh Fajitas

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Tempeh, a soybean-based food, is an excellent source of protein (this dish contains 14 grams!). And because of its mild, slightly nutty taste, tempeh absorbs the flavors of the dish without overpowering it.

Ingredients: Tempeh, pineapple juice, low-sodium soy sauce, lime juice, cumin, canola oil, garlic, onion, green bell pepper, whole-wheat tortillas, chipotle salsa

Calories: 259

Try this recipe: Tempeh Fajitas

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Pear, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Salad

Randy Mayor

Besides being delicious, walnuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids.

Ingredients: Bibb lettuce, pears, orange juice, red onion, blue cheese, walnuts, cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, sugar, ginger

Prep: 15 minutes

Try this recipe: Pear, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Salad

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Pumpkin Ravioli

This ravioli recipe combines comfort food with yummy pumpkin flavors. And although pumpkin is typically a fall vegetable, this recipe calls for canned pumpkin—meaning you can make it year-round whenever the craving strikes.

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Cheesy Squash Casserole

Oxmoor House

Low-fat dairy products allow you to enjoy this meal guilt free.

Ingredients: Yellow squash, onion, margarine, flour, skim milk, reduced-fat cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs

Prep: 20 minutes; cook: 20–25 minutes

Try this recipe: Cheesy Squash Casserole

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Three-Cheese-and-Sage Ravioli

Yunhee Kim

The name of this dish may be deceiving—it also contains vitamin-rich Swiss chard.

Ingredients: Shallots, red Swiss chard, part-skim ricotta cheese, goat cheese, Parmesan cheese, sage, wonton wrappers, pesto

Prep: 30 minutes; cook: 10 minutes

Try this recipe: Three Cheese and Sage Ravioli

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Linguine Frittata With Greens

Jim Franco

Linguine adds a hearty texture (and fiber) to this quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients: Butter, leeks, eggs, low-fat milk, Parmesan cheese, oregano, linguine, frozen collard greens, part-skin mozzarella cheese

Calories: 330

Try this recipe: Linguine Frittata With Greens

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Warm Eggplant and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Karry Hosford

Eggplant and tomatoes are low-purine foods that blend deliciously with creamy goat cheese for a savory sandwich that packs anything but boring for lunch.

To boot, veggies tend to be alkaline (the opposite of acidic), meaning they may help neutralize uric acid.

Calories: 299

Try this recipe: Warm Eggplant and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

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Roasted Squash Stuffed With Corn Bread Dressing

Becky Luigart-Stayner

This hearty dish will satisfy your need for comfort food while still sneaking in plenty of veggies.

Ingredients: Maple corn bread, acorn squash, cranberries, currants, onion, celery, carrots, sage, garlic, vegetable broth, pecans, parsley

Prep: 1 hour 35 minutes; cook: 30 minutes

Try this recipe: Roasted Squash Stuffed With Corn Bread Dressing

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Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mushrooms recreate the savory taste of meat in this rich dish.

Ingredients: Shallots, sugar, mushrooms, Marsala, low-fat sour cream, parsley, thyme, phyllo dough, breadcrumbs, butter

Prep: 45 minutes; cook: 20 minutes

Try this recipe: Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel

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Grilled Salad Pizza

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Your classic pizza taste, loaded with antioxidant-rich veggies, balsamic vinegar, and low-fat cheese.

Ingredients: Dry yeast, olive oil, flour, sugar, oregano, thyme, part-skim mozzarella cheese, arugula, tomatoes, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, artichoke hearts

Calories: 357

Try this recipe: Grilled Salad Pizza

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Lasagna With Fall Vegetables, Gruyere, and Sage Bechamel

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Although this protein-packed dish involves several steps, most can be done a couple of days in advance.

Ingredients: Flour, skim milk, onion, sage, shallots, bay leaf, garlic, fresh spinach, portobello mushrooms, sweet potato, Gruyère cheese, Parmesan cheese, lasagna noodles

Prep: 40 minutes; cook: 30 minutes

Try this recipe: Lasagna With Fall Vegetables, Gruyère, and Sage Béchamel

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Baby Carrots With Dill Butter and Lemon

This dish is the definition of simple, yet satisfying. And it packs plenty of vitamin A.

Ingredients: Vegetable broth, carrots, butter, dill, chives, lemons

Prep: 10 minutes; cook: 10 minutes

Try this recipe: Baby Carrots with Dill, Butter, and Lemon

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pecans

John Kernick

Brussels sprouts are a good source of vitamin K and folate.

Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, pecans, garlic

Prep: 10 minutes; cook: 20–25 minutes

Try this recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pecans

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Champagne-Glazed Cipollini Onions

Antonis Achilleos

Champagne and a touch of sugar bring out the sweetness in these vitamin C–packed cipollini onions.

Try this recipe: Champagne-Glazed Cipollini Onions

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Sweet Potato Casserole

Whip sweet potatoes until they're smooth and top with a buttery brown sugar and pecan mixture for a satisfying cool-weather casserole. Watch this Cooking Light video to learn how to put together this lightened-up take on sweet potato casserole.Get the recipe:Sweet Potato Casserole

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Cloverleaf Honey-Wheat Rolls

Karry Hosford

These rolls are light, slightly sweet, and only 150 calories.

Ingredients: Dry yeast, bread flour, whole-wheat flour, honey, butter, an egg

Prep: 1 hour 50 minutes; cook: 12 minutes

Try this recipe: Cloverleaf Honey-Wheat Rolls

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Gluten-free: Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Leigh Beisch

There's no need for guests to worry about their diets while enjoying this dessert, as it has half the fat of other popular puddings. The pumpkin offers a surprisingly sweet treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients: Reduced-fat milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, eggs, pumpkin, salt, pumpkin-pie spice

Serves: 6

Calories: 168 per 6 oz. serving

Try this recipe: Pumpkin-Pie Pudding

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Miso-Marinated Tofu and Eggplant Over Soba Noodles