Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (2024)

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (1)

Looking for some inspiring new vegetarian recipes to try out? We've got you covered with our pick of the most delicious meat-free meals to add to your repertoire.

With the growing rise of vegetarianism, veganism and a 5:2 approach to meat eating called flexitarianism comes a greater understanding of vegetarian recipes, with brilliant spices and flavour mixes enhancing humble veg to a whole new level.

So whether you're cutting down on animal products, or simply wanting to liven up your veggie recipes repertoire, our best vegetarian recipes round-up has you covered with inspiring ideas. There's an impressive tomato baklava that'll feed a hungry family, Provencale quiche that works for dinner and lunch the next day and the ultimate comfort food: Gordon Ramsay's courgette and mushroom risotto.

Plus, food writer and cook Clodagh McKenna has shared her favourite vegetarian recipes – from a 10-minute won-ton soup to crispy galette with butternut squash. And they all look delicious! Buy her new book, Clodagh's Weeknight Kitchen here.

The secret to satisfying vegetarian suppers is to make dishes so filling that nobody thinks to notice they don't contain any meat. Go long on rice, grains and beans, experiment with herbs and spices and don't be afraid to step out of our your comfort zone to find a new favourite.

We've got plenty of mouthwatering vegetarian recipes right here...

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1

Best vegetarian recipes: Sweet potato bubble-and-squeak cakes recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (2)

Enjoyed as a light lunch or supper with peppery winter salad leaves, these bubble-and-squeak cakes are a great way of using up Sunday lunch leftovers.

Try sweet potato bubble-and-squeak cakes recipe

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2

Best vegetarian recipes: Clodagh McKenna's vegetable wonton and ginger broth recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (3)

Every few weeks I crave this dish – the broth feels so healing and the ginger and chilli are so uplifting. I use shop-bought wontons as there are so many good ones readily available. This is my 10-minute go-to midweek supper, and you can add any green vegetables that you have to hand.

Try Clodagh's vegetable wonton broth recipe

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3

Best vegetarian recipes: Clodagh McKenna's coconut & cauliflower chickpea curry

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (4)

This vegan curry is oozing with wonderful flavours – earthy cumin, coriander and turmeric are lifted by the chilli and fresh ginger. It’s a great, easy supper. The sauce makes a versatile base and you can add in your favourite veggies, such as aubergines, courgettes, tomatoes, broad beans and peas. You can also add chicken, fish or meat to this dish, if you wish. I love to serve it with a spoonful of cooling coconut yogurt.

Try Clodagh's curry recipe

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4

Best vegetarian recipes: Clodagh McKenna's crispy galette with butternut squash, feta and olives

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (5)

How beautiful does this galette look? Just in case you are wondering, a galette is a rustic free-form tart, and so much easier to make than a traditional pastry tart. I use shop-bought filo pastry made with butter, which is important as it gives that buttery flavour and great crispy texture.

The roast butternut squash brings a delicious caramel flavour which works really well with the sharpness of the feta and earthiness of the olives. I sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on top but you can use rosemary or dried oregano instead. The butternut squash can be swapped with courgettes, tomatoes or asparagus.

Try Clodagh's crispy galette recipe

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5

Best vegetarian recipes: Tomato baklava recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (6)

This savoury baklava makes an excellent vegetarian main, served with a watercress, olive and caper berry salad. For the best results, make the filling the day before to allow the flavours to infuse.

Try Maria Elia’s tomato baklava recipe.

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6

Best vegetarian recipes: Barley and vegetable pilaf recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (8)

This is an earthy yet refreshing pilaf that’s packed full of butternut squash, red peppers, and fresh herbs. Drizzled with a cumin dressing, serve as a vegetarian side dish or a main.

Try this barley and vegetable pilaf with cumin dressing recipe.

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7

Best vegetarian recipes: Kale and cheese tart recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (10)

This savoury tart makes the most of the kale’s mineral notes with toasted almonds, lemon zest, capers and plenty of Pecorino cheese. It’s lovely warm with buttery potatoes, or works well cold with a crisp salad.

Try this kale and cheese tart recipe.

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8

Best vegetarian recipes: Beetroot risotto recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (12)

This vibrant beetroot risotto is so easy to make. Serve as a dinner party dish topped with some goat’s cheese, a drinking of pepper, and accompanied with a green salad and warm, crusty bread.

Try this beetroot risotto recipe.

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9

Best vegetarian recipes: Creamy mushroom and blue cheese pies recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (14)

A golden pie is the ultimate in comfort food and this tasty vegetarian pie is well worth the effort. Beautifully creamy, the earthy mushroom and slightly salty cheese combine beautifully with the buttery puff pastry and is delicious served with a crisp green salad.

Try this creamy mushroom and blue cheese pies recipe.

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10

Best vegetarian recipes: Vegetarian paella recipe

To make this dish truly authentic, try using Spanish paella rice as it will absorb all the liquid but won’t become sticky and dense. This is the perfect dinner party dish to serve if you’ve got a vegetarian guest coming. Serve with plenty of lemon wedges to give it a zing and freshness.

Try this vegetarian paella recipe.

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11

Best vegetarian recipes: Rustic vegetable tart recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (18)

This wonderful vegetable tart is well worth the effort. Packed full of veg and drizzled with a spinach pesto, it will make the perfect dinner served with a big green salad.

Try this rustic vegetable tart with spinach pesto recipe.

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12

Best vegetarian recipes: Nigel Slater’s fig and goat’s cheese focaccia recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (20)

The combination of sweet figs, melted goat’s cheese and crisp bread in this delicious recipe from Nigel Slater is truly hard to beat.

Try Nigel Slater’s fig and goat’s cheese focaccia recipe.

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13

Best vegetarian recipes: Vegetarian comfort pie recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (22)

Inviting friends over for a hearty Sunday lunch? This vegetarian pie is a comforting treat and makes a delicious dinner table centrepiece.

Try this vegetarian comfort pie recipe.

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14

Best vegetarian recipes: Provencale quiche recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (24)

This quiche deserves only the freshest ingredients. Ripe tomatoes and courgettes add wonderful depth of flavour, conjuring aromas from Provence in the South of France.

Try this Provençale quiche recipe.

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15

Best vegetarian recipes: Onion tart tatin recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (26)

Deceptively easy to make, this sumptuous onion tart tartin is flavoured with smooth honey and tangy balsamic vinegar – the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Try this onion tart tartin recipe.

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16

Best vegetarian recipes: Gordon Ramsay's courgette and mushroom risotto recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (28)

Risotto is the obvious choice for a vegetarian meal, but this Gordon Ramsay version won’t leave anyone feeling dissatisfied and is incredibly quick to prepare.

Try Gordon Ramsay's courgette and mushroom Risotto.

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17

Best vegetarian recipes: Potato and leek soup with goats cheese recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (30)

A decadent topping of crispy leeks elevates the classic leek and potato soup to a dinner party dish. Serve with a chunk of warm bread.

Try this potato and leek soup recipe.

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18

Best vegetarian recipes: Spiced potato chickpea and spinach stew recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (32)

Cumin seeds, ground cumin, turmeric and cayenne give this filling potato and chickpea stew just the right kick. Packed full of flavours and easy to prepare, this is the ultimate winter nights dish served with a handful of poppadoms.

Try this spiced potato, chickpea and spinach stew.

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19

Best vegetarian recipes: Raymond Blanc's comte cheese soufflé recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (34)

Lose your fear of soufflés with this light and fluffy soufflé oozing Comte cheese. Raymond Blanc’s recipe has been passed down through his family and truly stands the test of time.

Try Raymond Blanc’s Comte cheese soufflé.

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20

Best vegetarian recipes: Zaatar Halloumi with couscous salad recipe

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (36)

Spiced halloumi is served with a flavoursome couscous salad to create a dish that really packs a punch. Great as a midweek dinner, this is quick to prepare and healthy, too.

Try this halloumi with couscous salad recipe.

Best vegetarian recipes for every night of the week (2024)

FAQs

How to be a weekday vegetarian? ›

A "weekday vegetarian" diet means that several days of the week you DO eat your favorite meat, but you also eat meals that don't include meat. Want to really reduce your footprint? Consider giving up all animal products - meat, cheese, eggs, and milk - during the week.

What is the most famous vegetarian dish? ›

Originating in the Middle East, falafel is one the most popular vegetarian foods in the world! As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction! However, the origin of these beloved patties is rather controversial.

What do vegetarians tend to lack? ›

The nutrients of concern in the diet of vegetarians include vitamin B(12), vitamin D, ω-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, and zinc. Although a vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients, the use of supplements and fortified foods provides a useful shield against deficiency.

How long do most vegetarians stay vegetarian? ›

Calculating Mean for Former Vegetarians
CategoryNumber of Former Vegetarians (excluding vegans)Guessed Mean Length of Adherence (90% SCI)
3–5 years963.4–4.4 years
6–10 years567.1–7.9 years
More than 10 years6712.5–17.5 years
“Don't know” / no answer1130.5–7 years
4 more rows

Which is the No 1 vegetarian country in the world? ›

No other country or part of the world has anywhere close to the number of vegetarian people as India, either in percentage of the population or in total number. India is the unique outlier. Going by percentage of the population, Mexico is the second most vegetarian country, at 19%, then Brazil and Taiwan at 14%.

What do Americans eat for dinner vegetarian? ›

Classic American Vegetarian Food
  • Southern mac and cheese.
  • Fried green tomatoes.
  • Hush puppies.
  • Red beans and rice.
  • New York pizza.
  • Tomato soup.
  • Classic apple pie.
  • Creamed spinach.
Apr 28, 2023

Which country has most tasty vegetarian food? ›

The best countries for vegetarians
  1. The Seychelles. The Seychelles was officially named the new go-to destination for vegetarians. ...
  2. Thailand. Thailand was named the world's second most vegetarian-friendly country, with a Global Vegetarian Index score of 326, only two points shy of first place. ...
  3. Peru. ...
  4. Cambodia.

What do vegetarians eat for protein? ›

Vegetarian protein options include:
  • Beans and lentils – chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans.
  • Soy products – tofu, edamame, tempeh, seitan.
  • Whole grains – quinoa, oatmeal, couscous.
  • Nuts and seeds – cashews, sunflower seeds, almonds.
  • Eggs and dairy – cheese, yogurt, milk.
Oct 5, 2021

What are 4 tips for vegetarians? ›

The vegetarian diet
  • Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. ...
  • Base meals on starchy carbohydrates. ...
  • Dairy or dairy alternatives are needed for calcium. ...
  • Eat beans, pulses, eggs and other sources of protein. ...
  • Choose unsaturated oils and spreads. ...
  • Limit foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

What is the healthiest vegetarian food? ›

To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods. These include whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Nuts and legumes, such as lentils, beans and peanuts, also are considered healthy plant-based foods. At the same time, cut back on less healthy choices.

What does a vegetarian eat on a typical day? ›

A vegetarian diet should include a diverse mix of fruits, vegetables, grains, healthy fats, and proteins. To replace the protein provided by meat in your diet, include a variety of protein-rich plant foods like whole grains, legumes, tempeh, tofu, and seitan.

How do vegetarians get protein? ›

Beans and legumes are two of the best sources of protein for vegetarians because you can use them in place of almost any meat in curries, salads, soups, tacos, and similar dishes. They come in many varieties, including: Lentils. Black beans.

What should I eat in a day vegetarian? ›

Planning a healthy vegetarian diet
Food group*Daily amount
Vegetables2 1/2 cups a day
Fruits2 cups a day
Grains (mostly whole)6 1/2 ounces a day
Dairy3 cups a day
4 more rows

Is it OK to go vegetarian a few days a week? ›

Eating vegetarian can help lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol levels, and decrease your risk of Type 2 Diabetes. All of these benefits can also reduce your overall risk of heart disease and stroke. Plant-based foods contain phytochemicals, which help your immune system fight off diseases like cancer.

What does a vegetarian eat in a week? ›

The vegetarian diet
  • Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. ...
  • Base meals on starchy carbohydrates. ...
  • Dairy or dairy alternatives are needed for calcium. ...
  • Eat beans, pulses, eggs and other sources of protein. ...
  • Choose unsaturated oils and spreads. ...
  • Limit foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

How do I become a vegetarian beginner? ›

You may find it works best to first give up red meat, then poultry, then fish. Or you may switch over your pantry to all vegetarian to start with a clean slate. You may also choose certain days of the week to go vegetarian, like practicing Meatless Mondays.

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