Recipe

How to Make a Week's Worth of Vegetarian Lunches Using Only 10 Ingredients

By Cara Monacchio at Virginia Tech

November is probably one of the most chaotic and stressful months of the fall semester. Between midterms kicking your butt and being down to your last couple meal swipes, you're not sure you can make it to Thanksgiving in one piece. To help you power through this week, here's a week's worth of easy vegetarian lunch ideas. These healthy, veggie-packed recipes are the perfect start to eating like a real vegetarian. Your tummy will thank you.

Your Shopping List: Bread, rice, cheese, mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados, and hummus.

Avocado and Tomato Grilled Cheese

  • Prep Time: 1 min
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 6 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 slices cheese
  • 1/2 tomato sliced
  • 1/2 avocado sliced
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 1

Butter the sides of the bread that will go face down in the pan.

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 2

Load the toppings on as well as the second slice of bread. Flip when the cheese becomes melty.

Susanna Mostaghim

This sandwich is the Beyonce of grilled cheeses. Creamy avocado with ooey-gooey cheese makes this a toasty and delicious meal. Putting the tomatoes inside the sandwich gives the same flavor of warm tomato soup without the extra hassle. The only thing that could make this better would be if your mom made it for you.

Mushroom Stir Fry

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 4 mushrooms sliced
  • 1/4 bell pepper sliced
  • 1/4 yellow onion sliced
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 1

Put a tablespoon of oil in the pan and start cooking down the sliced onions first. Sautée for about 2 minutes.

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 2

Add in the sliced mushrooms and bell peppers. Sautée until mushrooms achieve a nice brown color and the peppers are cooked, then put on top of warm rice.

Susanna Mostaghim

The key here is to have your rice already prepared, that way all you have to do is fry up the toppings. Top with soy sauce and serve over rice and you're all set.

Lettuce Wrap

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • Handful large lettuce leaves
  • 2 tablespoons hummus
  • 2 slices cheese
  • 1/4 bell pepper sliced

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 1

Take a large, flexible leaf and lay it flat.

Step 2

Smear hummus on the lettuce first before adding other desired fillings.

Step 3

Wrap it up taco-style and eat.

These lettuce wraps are for those times you gotta eat and have zero time.

#SpoonTip: Use the hummus on the bottom of the lettuce leaf to help keep everything from falling out while you demolish it.

Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Melt

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 8 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 slices cheese
  • Handful mushrooms sliced
  • 2 tablespoons hummus
  • Handful lettuce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 1

Sautee the onions in a tablespoon of oil for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until they are soft and a deep brown color.

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 2

Assemble your sandwich by placing hummus, cheese, onions, mushrooms, and lettuce on toast.

Susanna Mostaghim

You can easily take this mushroom melt to the next level with a panini press.  

Burrito Bowl

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice
  • 1/4 cup bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 yellow onion diced
  • 1/2 avocado sliced
  • 1/2 tomato diced
  • Handful lettuce
  • 1 slice cheese

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 1

Pile prepared rice in the bowl.

Susanna Mostaghim

Step 2

Top with peppers, cheese, lettuce, avocado, onions, and tomatoes.

Susanna Mostaghim

This recipe will give Chipotle a run for its money, but not yours. You can make this burrito bowl for about half the price. The best part? Combine your avocado, tomato, and onion for some fresh homemade guac that isn't extra. Bless.

If you've ever doubted your ability to follow a vegetarian diet, this is the perfect way to get started. Using only 10 ingredients you can concoct delicious and healthy lunches that will keep you fueled and focused for whatever this semester throws at you.