10+ Healthy Vegetarian Recipes You’ll Love to Try Today
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up tasty meals. If you go for vegetarian recipes, you’ll find fresh, nutritious food that actually supports your well-being.
Healthy vegetarian recipes offer simple, balanced meals made mostly from plants, helping you feel better and stay energized.
You can easily find recipes that fit your lifestyle, whether you want quick dinners or something a bit more filling. Trying out different vegetables, grains, and legumes keeps your meals healthy and, honestly, a lot more interesting.
1) Lentil Soup with Spinach and Tomatoes
Lentil soup with spinach and tomatoes is a simple, healthy meal you can whip up any day. It’s full of protein and vitamins, so it’s great for vegetarians.
The soup is easy to prepare and always warms you up on chilly days. Start by cooking onions and garlic in olive oil for extra flavor.
Add lentils, diced tomatoes, and a few spices. Stir in fresh spinach at the end so it stays bright and nutritious.
You can make a big batch and have leftovers for quick meals later. There’s a recipe similar to this at Aggie’s Kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry lentils
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add lentils, diced tomatoes, broth, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted.
- Serve warm.
2) Veggie Burgers with Black Beans and Quinoa
Veggie burgers made with black beans and quinoa are a tasty and healthy choice. They’re packed with protein and fiber to keep you full longer.
They’re easy to make and work for any meal. You can bake, pan-fry, or grill these burgers—whatever sounds good.
Have them on a bun or toss one on a salad. Making them at home means you control the ingredients and skip the extra oils or preservatives.
If you want a gluten-free, vegan meal that’s actually flavorful, these burgers are a solid option. Add spices, onions, or smoky sauce for even more taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and mashed
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water (flax egg)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flaxseed and water, let sit 5 minutes.
- Add quinoa, mashed beans, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form mixture into 4 patties.
- Place patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve warm on buns or over a salad.
You can find similar recipes for black bean quinoa burgers that are easy and healthy at Emilie Eats.
3) Hearty Three-Bean Chili
This three-bean chili is easy to make and full of flavor. It’s perfect when you want a warm, healthy meal that actually fills you up.
Use pinto, kidney, and black beans for a solid mix. Add bell peppers, tomatoes, and spices like cumin and chili powder for extra depth.
You can cook it on the stove, in a slow cooker, or even in an Instant Pot. It usually takes about 30 minutes or less.
Ingredients
- 1 can pinto beans, drained
- 1 can kidney beans, drained
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup vegetable broth
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook until soft.
- Add chili powder and cumin, stirring for 1 minute.
- Add beans, tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
For more details, check this vegan three-bean chili recipe.
4) Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado
These tacos are a tasty and healthy pick for a vegetarian meal. Roasting the cauliflower gives it a crispy texture that works surprisingly well in tacos.
Top your tacos with a creamy avocado sauce. It adds coolness and a bit of tang to balance out the spices.
You can throw on pickled onions or your favorite salsa for extra flavor. They’re easy to make and ready in about 30 to 60 minutes—pretty quick for dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt or vegan alternative
- Optional: pickled onions, fresh cilantro
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss cauliflower with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Spread cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and slightly crisp.
- Mash the avocado with lime juice and yogurt to make the creamy sauce.
- Warm the tortillas in a pan or oven.
- Fill each tortilla with roasted cauliflower and drizzle with avocado sauce.
- Add pickled onions or cilantro if you like. Serve immediately.
For more details, see roasted cauliflower taco recipes with avocado crema.
5) Sesame Soba Noodles with Stir-Fried Vegetables
You can make a simple but tasty meal with sesame soba noodles and fresh stir-fried vegetables. The noodles cook quickly, and the vegetables add color and crunch.
A light sesame sauce brings everything together with a nutty kick. This dish is great for those busy days when you want something healthy but don’t have much time.
Try mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, and edamame for a veggie-packed meal. It’s a nice way to enjoy a plant-based dinner that feels filling but not heavy.
You can add tofu or swap in your favorite veggies. If you pick the right noodles, it’s gluten-free too.
Ingredients
- 8 oz soba noodles (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
Cooking Instructions
- Cook soba noodles according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
- Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir-fry mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, and edamame until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add cooked noodles to the pan. Pour soy sauce and rice vinegar over everything. Toss to combine.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
6) Stuffed Bell Peppers with Brown Rice and Chickpeas
Stuffed bell peppers are a tasty, healthy pick for a vegetarian meal. Fill sweet bell peppers with a mix of brown rice, chickpeas, and herbs.
This dish is high in fiber and protein, so it’s filling and good for you. Add spices like turmeric and fresh herbs such as cilantro or mint for a little extra flavor.
Bake the peppers until they’re tender, but the filling stays moist and firm. It works well for meal prep or a simple weeknight dinner.
Try tossing in a bit of cheese or tomato paste if you want a different taste. The recipe mixes Indian and Mediterranean flavors for a twist that’s hard not to like.
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or mint, chopped
- 1/2 cup tomato paste or diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup shredded cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds.
- Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté onion until soft.
- Stir in chickpeas, cooked rice, turmeric, tomato paste, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff peppers with the mixture.
- Place peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until peppers are soft.
- Add cheese on top in the last 5 minutes if using.
- Serve warm.
Try this recipe for a delicious and healthy meal that’s easy to make!
(Vegan option available by skipping cheese, recipe inspired by recipes with brown rice and chickpea stuffed peppers).
7) Cauliflower Fried Rice with Peas and Carrots
Cauliflower fried rice lets you enjoy a filling meal without all the carbs. Just grate up some cauliflower and toss it with peas and carrots.
Add garlic and onions if you want a little more punch. A splash of olive oil keeps it light but still satisfying.
You can serve this as a main or a side. Honestly, it’s so quick and easy, you’ll probably end up making it on repeat.
Frozen peas and fresh carrots make prep a breeze. You can get this dish on the table in about 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Grate the cauliflower or pulse it in a food processor until it looks like rice.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Toss in onion and garlic; cook until they’re soft.
- Add carrots and peas; cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the cauliflower rice, salt, and pepper. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
- Take off the heat and serve warm.
8) Vegetarian Ramen with Miso Broth
You can whip up a cozy vegetarian ramen with miso broth that’s both rich and simple. The broth gets its deep flavor from miso paste, garlic, ginger, and vegetable stock.
Toss in some noodles, mushrooms, and leafy greens like kale or spinach. A soft boiled egg on top? Totally up to you, but it adds a nice touch.
This meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner. You can cook everything in one pot, which means less mess.
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 3 tablespoons miso paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 servings ramen noodles
- 1 cup kale or spinach
- 2 soft boiled eggs (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Pour vegetable stock into a pot and add garlic and ginger.
- Stir in miso paste until it dissolves.
- Add mushrooms and let them simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Cook ramen noodles according to the package, then drain.
- Add noodles and greens to the broth and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Serve in bowls and, if you like, top with soft boiled eggs.
9) Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Grain Bowl
This quinoa and roasted vegetable bowl is honestly one of my favorite healthy meals. It’s packed with flavor and easy to throw together.
Roasted veggies give it that satisfying texture, and quinoa brings plenty of protein and fiber. You can use sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or whatever’s hanging out in your fridge.
A quick lemon garlic dressing really brightens everything up. This bowl works for lunch or dinner—maybe even both if you’re meal prepping.
Toss in some avocado or spinach for an extra nutrient boost. It’s vegan and gluten-free, so it fits a lot of diets.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (sweet potato, cauliflower, etc.)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast the veggies for 25-30 minutes, until they’re tender.
- Rinse quinoa and cook it in 2 cups water for 15 minutes.
- Mix lemon juice and garlic for a quick dressing.
- Combine the cooked quinoa, roasted veggies, and spinach.
- Drizzle the dressing over the bowl and add avocado slices on top.
10) Green Shakshuka with Fennel and Spinach
Green shakshuka gives the classic dish a fresh spin. You’ll cook eggs gently in a bed of greens—think spinach and fennel.
Fennel brings a sweet, mild crunch that really works with soft spinach. Toss in some parsley if you want extra flavor.
It’s a great pick for breakfast or whenever you want something light and warming. Sauté the veggies first in olive oil, then poach the eggs right in the greens.
One pan, less hassle, and honestly, the flavors meld together so well.
Ingredients
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 fennel bulb, halved and sliced
- 2 small leeks, sliced
- 250 g spinach, washed
- 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 4 eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
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Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Toss in the fennel and leeks. Let them cook until they’re soft, which usually takes around 5-7 minutes.
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Add the spinach and parsley next. Stir everything together and cook until the greens wilt.
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Make a few small wells in the mixture. Crack the eggs right into those spaces.
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Cover the skillet. Keep the heat low and let the eggs cook until they’re set—should be about 8-10 minutes, but keep an eye on them.
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Sprinkle salt and pepper on top before serving. That’s it.
If you want the full recipe, here’s the link: Green Shakshuka with Leek, Fennel and Spinach.