What I Make on Meatless Nights: 50+ Vegetarian Dinners
Published Sep 11, 2026
50+ vegetarian dinner ideas sorted into mains, casseroles, Lebanese dishes, power bowls, salads, and soups, plus lentil dinners and a few desserts.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Being Lebanese, meatless dinners were never a special thing in our house. So much of what my family cooked was already vegetarian, lentils and rice, stewed greens, stuffed vegetables, whole spreads that happened to have no meat in them and nobody ever thought twice about it. I grew up believing that was simply dinner. A lot of people treat cooking without meat like they are giving something up, and I have never really seen it that way.
So when someone asks me for vegetarian dinner ideas, I do not have a short answer. This list is my attempt at one. Most of it is the kind of easy vegetarian dinner recipes I cook on a normal night, nothing too complicated.
Table of contents
- 50+ Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
- Vegetarian Dinner Mains
- Vegetarian Casseroles & Dinner Bakes
- Vegetarian Lebanese Dinner Recipes
- Vegetarian Power Bowls for Dinner
- Vegetarian Dinner Salads
- Vegetarian Side Dishes
- Lentil Dinner Ideas
- Vegetarian Soups, Chilis, and Stews
- Vegetarian Dessert Recipes
- For more similar collection of recipes, be sure to check out:
50+ Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
You will find vegetarian main meals like stuffed peppers, spaghetti squash, and cauliflower curry, a set of casseroles and dinner bakes, and the Lebanese dishes I grew up eating, including mujadara and spinach stew. From there it moves into power bowls, dinner salads, and side dishes, then lentil dinners, soups, chilis, and stews for the colder months. I added a few vegetarian desserts at the end because I could not leave those off.
A lot of these hold up as vegetarian weeknight dinners, so they earn a spot in the regular rotation. This is really just the tip of the iceberg too. There are more than 650 vegetarian recipes on Feel Good Foodie, so if you want the full lineup you can browse all of my vegetarian recipes in one place.
Vegetarian Dinner Mains
Main Course
Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Quinoa stuffed zucchini boats are a well balanced vegetarian meal, with 10 grams of protein and about 250 calories per serving. It is one of the vegetarian dinner ideas I reach for when I want something lighter.
45 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Dish
Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Recipe
Creamy Alfredo spaghetti squash boats made with cottage cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella. No roux, no heavy cream, just blend, roast, and broil.
1 hour 10 minutes
Entree, Main Course, Side Dish
Ratatouille Recipe
A classic ratatouille recipe inspired by the layered vegetable dish popularized by the movie Ratatouille, baked until tender and flavorful.
1 hour 5 minutes
Entree, Side
Cauliflower Fried Rice
This fried cauliflower rice is a great healthy vegetable side dish. Quick to make and loaded with flavor, it's a low carb twist on the classic!
45 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Vegetarian quinoa stuffed peppers have 20 grams of protein per serving, made with white quinoa, black beans, corn, fire roasted tomatoes, and simple spices, then topped with cheese and baked in the oven. It is one of the vegetarian weeknight dinners I make when I want protein without much work.
1 hour 10 minutes
Entree
Feta Spaghetti Squash
This baked feta spaghetti squash is a lighter twist on the viral feta pasta! The roasted squash strands mix with creamy baked feta, garlic, and tomatoes for a cozy, low-carb dinner full of flavor.
1 hour
Dinner, Entree
Vegetarian Pad Thai Recipe
Vegetarian Pad Thai, made with rice noodles, crispy tofu, and fresh vegetables in a savory sauce is so flavorful and easy to make!
45 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cauliflower Curry
This vegan Cauliflower Curry is the ultimate comfort dish bursting with robust Indian spices and sweetened with coconut milk! It’s a healthy easy dinner idea.
1 hour 5 minutes
Vegetarian Casseroles & Dinner Bakes
Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Vegetarian Shepherds Pie Recipe
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie made with mushrooms and quinoa, simmered in vegetable broth with fresh thyme and topped with mashed potatoes.
1 hour 20 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Dish, Pastas
Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe
Butternut squash lasagna made with a creamy roasted butternut squash sauce, layers of lasagna sheets, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese.
1 hour 45 minutes
Main Course
Eggplant Pasta Casserole
This Vegetarian Eggplant Pasta Casserole is an easy delicious pasta recipe with added vegetables for variety in texture, nutrition and flavor
40 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Pastas
Baked Feta Pasta
Baked feta pasta is a simple recipe made by oven roasting a block of feta cheese with cherry tomatoes to create a salty and cheesy sauce!
40 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Main Dish
Zucchini Lasagna
This no noodle zucchini lasagna has layers of tender zucchini, creamy cheese, and marinara for a simple, family friendly dinner. It is one of the easy vegetarian dinner recipes I make when I want comfort food without the noodles.
2 hours 35 minutes
Main Course
Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe
Baked Eggplant Parmesan made with large eggplants, coated with panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and seasoning, layered with marinara and mozzarella cheese.
2 hours 10 minutes
Vegetarian Lebanese Dinner Recipes
Entree
Lebanese Mujadara Recipe
Traditional Lebanese mujadara, made with rice, lentils, crispy onions, olive oil, and cumin, served with optional cucumber yogurt. It is one of the vegetarian weeknight dinners I grew up eating.
45 minutes
Entree
Lebanese Spinach Stew
Try this authentic Lebanese style Spinach stew made with simple ingredients; it's wholesome, well-balanced and perfect to feed a large family
27 minutes
Appetizer
Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves
These Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves are a Mediterranean classic recipe made with short grain rice, parsley, tomatoes and onions – my favorite appetizer!
3 hours 30 minutes
Main Course
Mujadara Hamra Recipe
Mujadara Hamra is made with lentils, bulgur, and caramelized onions. Traditional Lebanese vegan dish with warm cumin flavor.
1 hour 30 minutes
Main Course
Vegan Pita Sandwich Recipe
This vegan pita sandwich is made with roasted spiced cauliflower, lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce tucked into warm pita bread.
45 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Pastas, Side Dish
Pasta with Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Creamy yogurt pasta with spaghetti, garlic, parsley, and fresh mint. A 20 minute recipe finished with toasted pine nuts. It is one of the vegetarian weeknight dinners I make when I want dinner on the table fast
20 minutes
Vegetarian Power Bowls for Dinner
Entree
Quinoa Buddha Bowl
This vegan Quinoa Buddha Bowl is filled with nourishing roasted sweet potatoes, kale, crispy chickpeas, avocado and a tangy tahini dressing!
40 minutes
Main Course
Mediterranean Hummus Bowl
A Mediterranean hummus bowl is quick to put together and filling, made with quinoa, fresh vegetables, and homemade hummus. It is one of the best vegetarian recipes for a quick, no cook meal.
15 minutes
Main Course
Vegetarian Gyro Bowl
Simple and quick to make, this vegetarian gyro bowl is made with chickpea bites, sauteed peppers and onions; served with tzatziki and pita.
35 minutes
Main Course
Farro Grain Bowl
Easy to make, these healthy fall grain bowls are made with farro, butternut squash and beets and tossed in a delicious balsamic dressing. Perfect for make ahead meals!
50 minutes
Main Course
Vegan Shawarma Recipe
Homemade vegan chickpea shawarma with chickpeas, vegetables, shawarma spices, and tahini sauce. A weeknight-friendly recipe for bowls or wraps.
45 minutes
Vegetarian Dinner Salads
Salads
Quinoa Avocado Salad Recipe
This quinoa avocado salad comes together in about 30 minutes and holds up well in the fridge. A solid make-ahead lunch that keeps for days.
35 minutes
Salads, Side, Side Dish
Cauliflower Tabbouleh Salad Recipe
Cauliflower tabbouleh salad is based on the traditional Mediterranean recipe, made with cauliflower rice instead of bulgur as a low carb alternative. It is one of the best vegetarian recipes to serve alongside a bigger meal.
25 minutes
Salad
Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Black Bean Quinoa Salad is a vegan and gluten free salad with a delicious Southwestern flavor and 18 grams of protein per serving!
35 minutes
Salad
Chickpea Salad Recipe
Chickpea salad takes 10 minutes to make with canned chickpeas, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, diced red onion, feta, and a simple vinaigrette. It pairs well with most of my vegetarian main meals.
10 minutes
Salad, Side Dish
Bulgur Salad Recipe
This Bulgur salad is made with #1 fine bulgur wheat, so it doesn't need to be cooked. It soaks up all the dressing and flavors of the cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh mint.
20 minutes
Vegetarian Side Dishes
Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Whole oven roasted cauliflower in a garlic butter sauce, roasted until tender in the middle and golden and crisp on the outside. It goes with almost any of my vegetarian dinner ideas.
1 hour 15 minutes
Main Course
Mushroom and Pea Risotto Recipe
Arborio rice makes this Mushroom and Pea Risotto recipe creamy, and soaking the rice beforehand keeps the cooking time down.
35 minutes
Side Dish
Instant Pot Baked Bean Recipe
This Instant Pot baked beans recipe starts with a flavorful sauce made of spices, ketchup, honey, and Dijon mustard, and slow-simmering dried pinto beans.
1 hour 10 minutes
Side Dish
Tomato Rice Recipe
This Tomato Rice is made with brown rice, fresh tomatoes and warm Mediterranean spices. It's the perfect side dish and I'll show you how to prepare it!
55 minutes
Side Dish
Air Fryer Potatoes
Crispy air fryer potatoes, made with cubed potatoes, simple seasoning, and less than 30 minutes in the air fryer. They go with just about any of my vegetarian weeknight dinners.
28 minutes
Lentil Dinner Ideas
Dinner, Main Dish, Soup
Lentil Stew Recipe
Lentil stew is made in one pot with green lentils, fire roasted tomatoes, seasoning, and a few vegetables. You simmer it on the stovetop and serve. It is one of the vegetarian dinner ideas I make when I want one pot and done.
1 hour 5 minutes
Soup
Harira Soup
This Harira soup is Moroccan-inspired and is loaded with chickpeas, lentils, and vermicelli in a spiced tomato broth. It's so filling and is vegetarian!
1 hour 19 minutes
Dinner, Entree
Lentil Burgers
Lentil burgers are in my top three plant based patties. The outside crisps up and the inside feels meaty when you bite in. They are one of the easy vegetarian dinner recipes I make when I want something that eats like meat.
30 minutes
Soup
Lentil Kale Soup
Lentil Kale Soup is a hearty vegan recipe that is easy to throw together with green lentils, onions, celery, carrots and kale – 13 grams of protein/serving!
40 minutes
Entree
Red Lentil Curry
A hearty red lentil curry, made with sweet potatoes, aromatic Indian spices, and broth. It is an easy one pot vegan dinner, and one of the vegetarian weeknight dinners I make when I want warmth and protein in one pot.
30 minutes
Vegetarian Soups, Chilis, and Stews
Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili Recipe
This black bean chili recipe is vegetarian, made with quinoa, black beans, and a mix of green peppers, onions, and chili seasonings.
50 minutes
Soup
Lemon Rice Soup Recipe
Lemon rice soup, made with fresh lemon juice, vegetables, short grain rice, and broth. Simple ingredients and an easy stovetop method make it one of the best vegetarian recipes for a quiet night.
40 minutes
Soup
Black Bean Soup Recipe
A simple black bean soup using pantry staples like canned beans, broth, and veggies. Naturally thickened without cream and ready in about 30 minutes.
50 minutes
Soup
Wild Mushroom Rice Soup Recipe
Wild rice and mushroom soup made with mixed mushrooms, wild rice, vegetable broth, and a splash of cream for a simple one pot stovetop soup.
1 hour 10 minutes
Soup
Chickpea Noodle Soup Recipe
Chickpea noodle soup, simmered with carrots, celery, and rotini in a vegetable based broth with simple seasonings. It is one of the vegetarian weeknight dinners I make when I want comfort food fast.
45 minutes
Soup
White Bean Soup Recipe
Vegetarian white bean soup made with white beans, carrots, celery, spinach, and broth. It comes together in about 30 minutes and keeps well for leftovers.
30 minutes
Vegetarian Dessert Recipes
Dessert, Snack
Banana Nice Cream – 4 Ways
Learn how to make banana nice cream 4 different ways! Traditional vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and even a peanut butter version! Easy and delicious!
2 hours 10 minutes
Dessert, Snack
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
Chewy apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies made with fresh chopped apples, rolled oats, and a few pantry staples. Ready in under 25 minutes!
22 minutes
Dessert
Vegan Lemon Bars
This Vegan Lemon Bars recipe is made with no egg and no butter. The filling is creamy and tart and the oatmeal walnut crust is nutty, chewy and so delicious
50 minutes
Dessert
Chocolate Coconut Balls
Chocolate coconut balls are covered in dark chocolate with a cashew and shredded coconut interior – an easy homemade version of Almond Joy!
50 minutes
Dessert
No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars
These no-bake cookie dough bars are a healthy treat made with simple ingredients—vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from refined sugar.
2 hours 20 minutes
