Figuring out what to cook on a busy weeknight can feel impossible. These 29 vegetarian recipes make it easy to get dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. They use simple ingredients and straightforward steps that keep cooking quick and stress-free. From hearty pastas to colorful veggie bowls and easy side dishes, there are options that are satisfying and full of flavor. These meals are designed to keep weeknights simple while still making dinner something to look forward to.
Risotto with Peas and Lemon. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Cheesy stuffed shells are filled with soft, melted cheese that creates a hearty, comforting meal. The pasta holds the filling perfectly, giving every bite a rich and satisfying texture. The dish comes together with simple steps that fit a busy weeknight schedule. These shells make a filling and satisfying choice for anyone looking for an easy vegetarian dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Bok choy cooks quickly and takes on flavor beautifully when tossed with a simple Asian-style marinade. Grilling or sautéing brings out a crisp-tender texture that pairs with pasta, grains, or sandwiches. Its mild taste adapts to seasonings, letting the dish stay interesting and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Hearts of Palm Salad
Hearts of palm salad is crisp, fresh, and full of contrasting textures from tomatoes, cucumbers, and tender hearts of palm. A light vinaigrette ties the flavors together without weighing the salad down. It comes together in just a few minutes and can be made ahead for convenience.
Get the Recipe: Hearts of Palm Salad
Veggie Pasta Salad
Cold pasta salad balances roasted corn, tomatoes, olives, and herbs for a bright and satisfying dish. It stays light while still feeling substantial enough for a main or side. Preparing it a little ahead lets the flavors blend and saves time in the kitchen. This pasta salad is a fresh and flavorful choice for a quick meatless main or side.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pasta Salad
Tomato Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salad with tomatoes and cucumber is simple, wholesome, and filling. The mix of textures keeps each bite satisfying, while it can be prepped ahead to save time on busy nights. The combination of grains and vegetables makes each portion hearty and complete.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Instant Pot risotto with peas and lemon creates creamy, flavorful rice with minimal hands-on work. Peas add freshness and texture, while a hint of lemon keeps the dish bright and appealing. The recipe comes together quickly and doesn’t require constant attention at the stove.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Baked Kale Chips
Baked kale chips are crisp, light, and full of flavor while staying healthy. Baking enhances the natural taste of the kale while keeping it crunchy and fun to eat. The prep takes just a few minutes, making them easy to repeat any night. These kale chips make a crunchy, tasty addition to a simple vegetarian meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Garlic Sesame Kale
Garlic sesame kale is tender, flavorful, and pairs with many main dishes. Garlic and sesame add depth to the greens while keeping the taste approachable. It cooks quickly and maintains a fresh texture while still feeling filling. This side dish brings bright flavor and effortless greens to a meatless dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Sesame Kale
Vegan Couscous Salad
Couscous with mixed vegetables is hearty and versatile, giving a full meal with minimal effort. The tiny grains absorb herbs and seasoning, while vegetables add color and texture. It can be served as a main or alongside other dishes for variety.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad
Avocado Tomato Salad
Avocado tomato salad combines creamy avocado, crisp romaine, and juicy tomatoes for a balanced, fresh dish. A light dressing pulls the flavors together while keeping the salad simple and quick. The salad comes together in minutes and is ready to serve immediately.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Nicoise Omelet
Layers of vegetables, eggs, and seasonings come together in a Nicoise omelet that’s filling and full of flavor. Each ingredient contributes texture and taste while cooking quickly for an approachable meal. The omelet works equally well at breakfast or dinner and comes together in minutes. It’s a balanced, satisfying vegetarian option that doesn’t need extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Nicoise Omelet
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Crispy tortillas serve as the base for a quick air fryer pizza that’s ready almost instantly. Toppings melt together while staying fresh and flavorful, giving each slice a satisfying crunch. Minimal prep keeps it fast and approachable for any mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Spinach Soufflé
Spinach transforms into a light soufflé that feels elegant but stays simple to make. It rises gently while keeping a creamy, satisfying texture in every bite. Assembly is quick and doesn’t require complicated techniques, fitting easily into a busy schedule.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Soufflé
Caprese Panini
Fresh tomato, basil, and melted cheese stack up in a caprese panini with crunch and soft filling in every bite. Toasting the bread adds texture while keeping the sandwich balanced and flavorful. Quick to prepare and easy to handle, it comes together with minimal fuss. This panini makes a filling, approachable vegetarian meal.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Apple Puff Pancake
Try this twist on breakfast for dinner with tender apple slices baked right into a fluffy pancake. The pancake stays light but filling, and every bite has a gentle sweetness and soft texture that feels comforting any time of day. It comes together with simple steps and doesn’t need any extra ingredients, making it a quick and satisfying meal for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Apple Puff Pancake
Lemon Kale Salad
Crisp kale is tossed with lemon dressing and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a salad that’s fresh and flavorful. The combination balances brightness and richness while keeping each bite satisfying. It takes only minutes to prepare and stays tender without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cucumbers and tomatoes mix with Mediterranean herbs in a panzanella salad that’s crisp, bright, and refreshing. The light dressing ties the flavors together while keeping the textures interesting. Tossing it takes only minutes and leaves the vegetables fresh.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Cheese and sauce come together in soft lasagna roll-ups that make a classic comfort dish easier than ever. Each roll holds plenty of flavor and texture while skipping long cooking times, so dinner is quicker without losing any satisfaction. The assembly is simple and approachable, and the finished dish is hearty, filling, and perfect for serving straight from the oven.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Potato Gnocchi
Potato gnocchi delivers soft, pillowy dumplings that feel rich and satisfying while staying easy to make. The light texture works well with simple sauces or fresh pesto, letting each bite feel balanced and comforting. Preparing gnocchi at home takes minimal effort and still provides a hearty result.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Spinach Caprese Salad
Fresh spinach, tomatoes, and mozzarella create a caprese salad that’s crisp, bright, and satisfying. Every bite offers a balance of textures that feels filling without heavy sauces. The ingredients stack naturally, making the salad quick to put together and easy enough for any weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Caprese Salad
Creamy Pea Pasta
Tender pasta is coated in a creamy sauce with sweet peas for a dish that feels indulgent without meat. The flavors are gentle and comforting, letting the natural sweetness of the peas stand out while keeping each bite filling. Simple ingredients come together quickly, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Bigoli pasta cooks in just 30 minutes alongside grape tomatoes and creamy ricotta for a fresh and simple meal. The tomatoes burst with flavor while the cheese creates a smooth coating on every strand. Minimal ingredients keep preparation easy while still giving a full, balanced plate. This combination of creamy cheese and juicy tomatoes makes a straightforward, approachable meatless dish.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe pairs tender pasta with a creamy, cheesy sauce flavored with black pepper for a fast and satisfying dish. It comes together in about 15 minutes while staying rich and filling without complicated steps. The simplicity highlights how comfort food can be approachable.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Quinoa blends with fresh spinach and sharp Parmesan in a meal that’s fresh, hearty, and satisfying. The textures work together to create a filling bowl while staying light and approachable. It comes together quickly and can be adjusted easily for busy schedules.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Pizza Dough
Homemade pizza dough forms a soft, chewy base that handles any combination of toppings with ease. The dough is forgiving and approachable, making it simple to shape and bake without stress. Adding toppings is straightforward, letting flavors and textures come together naturally. The dough provides a foundation for an easy, flexible vegetarian pizza night.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Dough
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Quinoa and beans cook together with corn, salsa, and spices to create a one-pot meal that’s hearty and flavorful. The mix of textures from the grains and vegetables makes each bite satisfying while staying easy to prepare. Minimal cleanup and simple steps make it manageable for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Simple Marinara Sauce
Ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a touch of garlic become a smooth, flavorful marinara sauce that can top pasta or act as a dip for bread. The sauce is rich and tangy without being heavy, offering depth with minimal effort. Simple steps bring out the freshness of the ingredients, keeping it approachable.
Get the Recipe: Simple Marinara Sauce
Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Crisp pizza crust supports tender asparagus and creamy goat cheese in a pizza that feels fresh and unique without needing a sauce. Minimal cheese allows each ingredient to shine while keeping the bite rich and satisfying. Assembly is simple, and baking is quick, giving a flavorful result without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Calzones
Cheese and vegetables fill golden calzones that are portable, hearty, and easy to enjoy. The fillings combine textures and flavors that feel rich and satisfying while keeping preparation simple. Baking gives a crisp exterior and warm, flavorful interior in every pocket. These calzones make a convenient, filling vegetarian option for dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Calzones