Vegetarian meals aren't just for vegetarians. This National Vegetarian Week, we are showing you some easy and delicious ways to include more vegetarian recipes in your diet. Forget about just eating tofu, these vegetarian meals are seriously tasty, and even meat eaters will love them!
Vegetarian Meal Ideas
I think most of our generation grew up in houses where meat was always on the menu. Every dish had meat in it and people didn't really know how to have a meal without meat. Fast forward several years and vegetarian is no longer a word associated with hippies and more and more meals are becoming meatless.
But still, there are many people out there that think that vegetarian meals are all tofu and kale. Far from it! There are tons of vegetarian meals out there that even the biggest meat eaters will enjoy, so we are sharing our favourite vegetarian meal ideas with you.
National Vegetarian Week
It is National Vegetarian Week in May, so we are celebrating by sharing our 40 favourite vegetarian meals for you to try out. National Vegetarian Week isn't just for vegetarians - it's a time for meat eaters to make some small changes and include more vegetarian meals in their diets.
The benefits of eating more vegetarian meals each week are huge! No one is expecting you to become a vegetarian overnight, but eating a few more vegetarian meals each week can make a massive difference to your health and the environment.
Eating more vegetarian meals doesn't have to be difficult either, and these 40 recipes are simple, delicious and show that vegetarian meals are for everyone!
Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Stew
This Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Stew is made using store cupboard staples, so you might not even need to go shopping to make it!
Check out this Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Stew recipe
Cheesy Spinach, Mushroom & Potato Crust Pie
Vegetarian Cheesy Spinach and Mushroom Pie in a Potato Crust.
Check out this Cheesy Spinach, Mushroom & Potato Crust Pie recipe
Spicy Black Turtle Bean Burgers
You'll really wonder why you've been eating beef burgers all these years after tasting these Spicy Black Turtle Bean Burgers packed with sweetcorn, sriracha and coriander.
Check out this Spicy Black Turtle Bean Burgers recipe
Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad
This Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad is a salad for people that think salads aren’t filling or they think they are boring. It’s the salad for people that think they don’t like salads!
Check out this Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad recipe
Mushroom Baked Risotto
A creamy and delicious baked risotto – no stirring required! Prepare ahead then put your feet up while it cooks. Easy and impressive.
Check out this Mushroom Baked Risotto recipe
Bean Burritos
Burritos are always a crowd pleaser and these Bean Burritos are made with cupboard staples for a quick and simple budget friendly meal.
Check out this Bean Burritos recipe
Pastitsio - Greek Macaroni Cheese Pie
In this variation of Greek pastitsio, layers of ooey gooey macaroni cheese sandwich a spiced lamb mince topped with more cheese.
Check out this Pastitsio - Greek Macaroni Cheese Pie recipe
Savoury Pancakes with Caramelised Onion
Pancakes don't have to be sweet, and if you are wanting to go down the savoury pancake route then these Caramelised Onion and Cheddar Savoury Pancakes are the ones to put on your table.
Check out this Savoury Pancakes with Caramelised Onion recipe
Super Greens, Halloumi and Avocado Skewers
Go GREEN for St Patrick’s Day (17th March) with my Vegetarian Heck Super Greens, Halloumi & Avocado Skewers served with Thai Green Rice, Flatbread and Raita
Check out this Super Greens, Halloumi and Avocado Skewers recipe
Easy Cheesy Vegetable Lattice Pie
A pretty Easy Cheesy Vegetable Lattice Pie that is inexpensive and easy to make. Impressive enough to serve for Sunday lunch but easy enough to make for a mid-week dinner
Check out this Easy Cheesy Vegetable Lattice Pie recipe
Spring Green Vegetable Gnocchi
This Spring Green Vegetable Gnocchi is all the flavours we love about spring in one bowl. It’s light and fresh and a quick and easy weeknight meal that will boost your vegetable intake.
Check out this Spring Green Vegetable Gnocchi recipe
Baked Feta with Tomatoes
This super easy Baked Feta with Tomatoes has all the Greek flavours you know and love in a simple one pan dish.
Check out this Baked Feta with Tomatoes recipe
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Lentil Lasagne
A warming and comforting recipe for slow cooker butternut squash and lentil lasagne, a delicious vegetarian crockpot recipe your family will love
Check out this Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Lentil Lasagne recipe
Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Portobello mushrooms make the best veggie burgers. They’re seriously simple to make, too.
Check out this Portobello Mushroom Burgers recipe
Slow Cooker Vegetable Stew with Mushroom Dumplings
Recipe for a rich flavoursome vegan vegetable stew with mushroom dumplings. Uses up all the odds & ends of the late season vegetable garden.
Check out this Slow Cooker Vegetable Stew with Mushroom Dumplings recipe
Easy Chickpea Pasta
This Easy Chickpea Pasta is ready in under 15 minutes and is a budget friendly, protein packed vegetarian meal that is easy to adapt.
Check out this Easy Chickpea Pasta recipe
Easy Lentil Dahl
This is seriously the Best Red Lentil Dahl recipe! It’s a tasty easy 1-pot restaurant-style Indian dhal curry that’s ready in just 25 mins.
Check out this Easy Lentil Dahl recipe
Vegetarian fishcakes
Vegetarian ‘fishcakes’ - quick and easy to make, and perfect served with chips, peas and tartar sauce! No fish were harmed in the making of this recipe.
Check out this Vegetarian fishcakes recipe
Vegan Jacket Potato Shepherds Pies
These Vegan Jacket Potato Shepherds’ Pies are a vegan twist on the British classic, with a red wine, puy lentil & mushroom gravy filling.
Check out this Vegan Jacket Potato Shepherds Pies recipe
Creamy Halloumi Curry
This Halloumi Curry is so simple but seriously delicious. It's a nice change from the usual chicken curry and it can be easily adapted to use up whatever.
Check out this Creamy Halloumi Curry recipe
Shiitake Mushroom Pasta
If you’re looking for a simple, creamy shiitake mushroom pasta sauce recipe, this is the one! Absolutely easy, delicious and ready in 15 minutes!
Check out this Shiitake Mushroom Pasta recipe
Butternut Squash Risotto
A satisfying vegan Butternut Squash Risotto is a dinner that uses an easy risotto recipe and gives it an autumnal twist.
Check out this Butternut Squash Risotto recipe
Spicy Chickpea Freekeh Buddha Bowl
This vegan Spicy Chickpea Freekeh Buddha Bowl is the ultimate healthy lunch or dinner. It’s ready in 30 min and packed with veggies and fresh flavors!
Check out this Spicy Chickpea Freekeh Buddha Bowl recipe
Healthy Eggplant Parmesan
This Eggplant Parmesan is a classic comforting Italian dish makes great use of the wonderful purple vegetable.
Check out this Healthy Eggplant Parmesan recipe
Easy Vegetable Stir-Fry
When you are looking for a quick and nutrient dense lunch, an easy vegetable stir-fry can be a delicious and colourful option.
Check out this Easy Vegetable Stir-Fry recipe
Easy Halloumi Fajitas
Halloumi is such a versatile cheese, but one of our favourite ways to use it is in these Easy Halloumi Fajitas.
Check out this Easy Halloumi Fajitas recipe
Cheesy Veggie Chickpea Burgers
Cheesy Veggie Chickpea Burgers - easy to prepare and taste amazing!! Coated in breadcrumbs and lightly fried until crisp. Meat free and easy to make ahead!
Check out this Cheesy Veggie Chickpea Burgers recipe
Gigantes Plaki
If you have not heard of Gigantes Plaki before, then you are in for a treat. It is a quick and easy dinner that is bursting with flavour.
Check out this Gigantes Plaki recipe
Refried Beans - Frijoles Refritos
Refried beans, also known as Frijoles Refritos, is a staple of Mexican cuisine. Easy to prepare and super healthy, it can be used in various exciting ways.
Check out this Refried Beans - Frijoles Refritos recipe
Garlic Mushroom Nachos
These Garlic Mushroom Nachos are super quick vegetarian nachos topped with garlic mushrooms, chilies and crumbly Lancashire cheese! A great vegetarian appetizer or party dish!
Check out this Garlic Mushroom Nachos recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry
A simple Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry that's loaded with colour, nutrient dense, vegan and as easy as mixing everything together and leaving it to cook away.
Check out this Easy Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry recipe
Vegetable and Halloumi Kebabs
No BBQ or summer party should be complete without some kind of halloumi dish and these Vegetable and Halloumi Kebabs are our favourite way to serve them.
Check out this Vegetable and Halloumi Kebabs recipe
Veggie Sausage, Lentil and Red Pepper Bake
A simple bake that almost makes itself. Roast veggie sausages, onions, red peppers and lentils in a red wine and onion gravy. Suitable for vegans.
Check out this Veggie Sausage, Lentil and Red Pepper Bake recipe
Easy Naan Pizza
Make pizza in 15 minutes with ready made naan bread - add your favourite sauces, cheeses, and vegetables for a personal mini pizza!
Check out this Easy Naan Pizza recipe
Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry
If you think that tofu is bland and boring, then you need to make this Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry, so I can change your mind!
Check out this Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry recipe
Soy Sauce Noodles (Easy Noodle Sauce)
These Soy Sauce Noodles are so easy to make, they are perfect for the nights that you don't know what to make for dinner.
Check out this Soy Sauce Noodles (Easy Noodle Sauce) recipe
Lentil and Mushroom Vegan Sausages
A really simple and quick recipe for the most satisfying and delicious vegan sausages. Chill them until you need them, they happily sit in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze them and always have a quick meal to hand.
Check out this Lentil and Mushroom Vegan Sausages recipe
Mushroom Bolognese
Spaghetti Bolognese is always a family favourite, but this mushroom bolognese is a vegan version of the classic Italian dish.
Check out this Mushroom Bolognese recipe
BBQ Portobello Mushroom and Black Bean Burgers
These BBQ Portobello Mushroom and Black Bean Burgers are, rich, full of flavour and chunky! Whether you’re a long-term veggie or looking for #MeatlessMonday inspiration you will love these meaty burgers!
Check out this BBQ Portobello Mushroom and Black Bean Burgers recipe
Vegetable Thai Green Curry
Thai Green Curry is mild, fragrant and light and this vegetarian version is bursting with goodness. Easily adapted to add chicken, beef or fish, it’s the perfect way to save money from ordering a takeaway.
Check out this Vegetable Thai Green Curry recipe
Have you seen our post on 10 Vegetarian Crumpet Toppings?
Want more vegetarian recipes?
Check out our vegetarian recipes and Vegan Recipes.
If you’ve any of these recipes, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Sarah Bailey says
Oh yum what a great round up of some delicious sounding dishes, I have to admit I don't have enough meat free days perhaps these recipes will remind me to do it more often.
Kate | Veggie Desserts says
So many great recipes! Thanks for including my red lentil dahl.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Ahh I'm in heaven, fab round up of yummy veggie meals! I hope National Vegetarian Week encourages lots of people to try more veggie food :)
Choclette says
Haha, I think you're a different generation to me. In my day, most of us only ate two or three times a week as it was so expensive. I guess that gave me a head's start when I became a vegetarian :)
There's some great meal inspiration here. Thanks for including one of mine.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
A great roundup of recipes Dannii. Let's hope it inspires people to try a vegetarian diet at least once a week. Thanks for including a couple of my recipes.
Beth @ Binky's Culinary Carnival says
What a lovely roundup of meatless dishes! Vegetarian dishes are so much more colorful than dishes including meat!
Nicky says
Fab round up Dannii! Thanks for including my chickpea burgers and mushroom nachos. I fancy trying those savoury pancakes!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I teeter on the brink of becoming a vegetarian constantly ~ all this gorgeous meatless inspiration is calling to me!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy says
Even though I grew up in a meat eating family, my mother made sure we ate vegetables every day of the week, and restricted meat to just the weekends! So turning full-time vegetarian wasn't that much of a stretch for me... thank you for this wonderful roundup! I can't wait to try them all!
[email protected] says
I like to eat vegetarian at least twice a week and always looking for new recipes. Thank you for sharing.
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
Fantastic selection of recipes! Looks like that's a few MONTH's worth of meal plans sorted for me :)
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
My hubster is a hard-core, dyed-in-the-wool meativore. It's a constant struggle to sneak in a meat-free meal once a week, which I insist upon doing because, hello, it's HEALTHY. I've had the most success with curries and stir-frys—this post just radically expanded my horizons. THANK YOU.
Carly Beln says
The carrot hot dog idea is fab! I am not sure my kids would be convinced, but I am going to give it a try at the weekend when we have a BBQ. We are trying to reduce the amount of processed meat we have.
Lorna says
My husband and I are those people that could really eat more vegetarian meals, we are just not sure where to start really. There is lots of inspiration here and those nachos have caught my eye.
Anna @AnnaTheApple says
Oh wow this line-up is STRONG. Looks so good. I do enjoy a veggie meal occasionally but I do always feel like it's missing something (i.e. meat/fish). I know this is entirely a psychological thing though as veggie meals are just as tasty and filling!