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Baker Pasta JC Penney Epicurious 3
Lifestyle

33 Vegetarian Meals That Will Make You Forget Meat Exists

There’s no doubt about it – being a vegetarian is easier than ever. Walk in nearly any restaurant or grocery store these days, and you’ll see an expanding selection meat-free options that appeal to meat eaters and herbivores alike.

Even if meat is part of your regular diet, give these recipes a try to save money and reduce your carbon footprint for a day or two. Even the biggest carnivores won’t miss a thing.

1. The Meat Lover’s Black Bean Burger

vegetarian

Photo by Parisa Soraya

Find out how to make this burger, and serve with these Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Sea Salt and Rosemary.

2. Thai-Style Vegetable Curry

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Photo by Rae Steinbach

Mini trip to a tropical on a rain day. Find out how, here. 

3. Arugula, Brie, and Mushroom Pasta

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Photo by Judy Holtz

The perfect quick pasta pick me up. Get the recipe right here.

4. Hearty Vegetarian Sweet Potato Lentil Stew

vegetarian

Photo by Sarah Silbiger

A big bowl of yum. Find out how right here.

5. Homemade Veggie Chorizo

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Photo by Maggie Gorman

Spice it up with this recipe.

6. Apple Chickpea Hash 

vegetarian

Photo by Kendra Valkema

Fruits, veggies, and legumes in a protein-packed powerhouse meal, found here.

7. Simple Berry Salad

vegetarian

Photo by Hannah Lin

A perfect light breakfast recipe found here; great with a dollop of this vegan Coconut Whipped Cream.

8. Warm Quinoa Salad with Cumin Lime Vinagirette

vegetarian

Photo by Julia Maguire

Ancient grains with a fresh twist. Click here for the recipe.

9. Broccoli Parmesan Pasta

vegetarian

Photo by Katherine Baker

Learn how to discover how to make this scruptious meal in under 20 minutes here.

10. Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos

vegetarian

Photo by Ali Toes

Taco Tuesdays get an upgrade right here. Add some 30-minute no-bake vegan taco meat for an even heartier meal.

11. Beet and Barley Risotto

vegetarian

Photo by Julie Kahng

It’s 50 shades of purple. Find out how with this tantalizing recipe.

12. Lemon Quinoa with Peas

vegetarian

Photo by Kelda Baljon

A lovely springtime delight; get the details here.

13. Homemade Vegan Oreo Pancakes

vegetarian

Photo by Abigail Wang

Like cookies for breakfast, only better and more socially acceptable. Find out how at this link.

14. Homemade Sushi

vegetarian

Photo by Eva Chen

Learn how here, and while you’re at it make some quick and healthy miso soup to round it out. Select tofu, your favorite veggies, and/or avocado as your filling, and you’re good to go.

15.  Cheesy Vegan Pasta

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We’d make a cheese-y joke, but instead we’ll just present you with this epic recipe.

16.  Banana Blender Muffins with Peanut Butter Crumb Topping

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Photo by Katherine Baker

Find out how to quick and tasty vegan way to make breakfast for the whole week, right here.

17. Creamy Vegan Avocado Pesto Sauce

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Photo by Mulin Xiong

For a quickie pesto fix, click here.

18. Maple Glazed Stuffed Squash

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Photo by Kendra Valkema

A meal in an edible bowl. Blissful details are found in this link.

19. 6-Ingredient Avocado Eggrolls

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Photo by Sarah Silbiger

Prove less can really be more. Find out how here.

20. The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

banana

Another scrumptious breakfast bake. Click here for the recipe, before you cover your keyboard in drool.

21. Coconut Black Bean Stew

vegetarian

Photo by Keah Hansen

This flavorful stew nourishes the body and soul. Find out how to make it with this recipe.

22. Quinoa Salad with Roasted Beets and Pear

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An elegant lunch or dinner. Details here.

23. Summer Chopped Salad

vegetarian

Photo by Elizabeth Layman

For a veggie fix, make this delicious salad recipe. Round it out with these coriander roasted carrots.

24. Copycat P.F. Chang’s Fried Rice

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Photo by Amanda Shulman

Click here to find out how to make the fried rice, and serve with these light and healthy summer rolls.

25. Grilled Caprese Sandwich

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Photo by Abigail Wilkins

Sounds fancy, looks fancy, and tastes fancy. Details here.

26. DIY Gnocchi

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Photo by Lauren Kaplan

 

Because restaurants are expensive and this is better. Recipe here.

27. Clean Mac and Cheese

vegetarian

Photo by Amanda Shulman

Will have you tossing your Easy Mac to the wind. Get the details by clicking here.

28. Eggplant Chickpea Stew

vegetarian

Photo by Amanda Shulman

A satisfying soup for cold winter days. Recipe here.

29. Healthy Zucchini Nachos

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Photo by Dara Ades

Nacho average nacho. Find out how to upgrade your nacho party with this recipe.

30. Easy Indian Curry

vegetarian

By Vinita Saggurti

Curry in a hurry with this easy recipe.

31. Healthy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

vegetarian

Photo by Connie Fan

Because why bake once, what you can bake twice? Details here.

32. Mixed Vegetable Tofu Stir-fry

vegetarian

Photo by Danny Schuleman

Forget takeout. This is way better.

33. Sweet Potato and Lentil Salad

Sweet Potato Lentil Salad copy

…will have you drooling all over your big bowl of plants. Give this great recipe a whirl by clicking here.

For more plant-based goodness:

Katherine has been involved with Spoon since the early days of the NYU chapter. She continued to write for Spoon while earning her master's degree in human nutrition at Columbia University and authored the Spoon Guide to Healthier 2016. Katherine likes to avoid wearing real pants, hanging out with her rescue pup Millie, drinking iced coffee in all 4 seasons, and baking vegan treats (yes, Baker is her last name). Katherine is now a student at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and learns about how climate change impacts human health and nutrition (#school5ever). Hit her up on Insta (@katherinebaker4) and kbaked.com for more #relatablecontent.