20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (2024)

These healthy vegetarian dinner recipes are the perfect plant-based option for tonight's menu. We pack these recipes with vegetables and pantry-friendly ingredients like pasta and soup to create a balanced meal. Plus, these recipes come together in 20 minutes or less. Recipes like Sesame Instant Ramen Noodles with Broccoli & Soft-Boiled Egg and Zucchini Noodle Primavera are delicious, flavorful and a great way to eat more vegetables.

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Pesto Ravioli with Spinach & Tomatoes

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (1)

Looking for a new way to turn a bag of frozen cheese ravioli into a satisfying and healthy dinner? This easy pasta recipe calls for just five ingredients but is loaded with fresh flavors. By using grape tomatoes, prewashed spinach and prepared pesto, we eliminate all prep work, making this 15-minute Caprese-inspired ravioli the ideal weeknight meal. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019

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Vegetarian All-American Portobello Burgers

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (2)

Portobello mushrooms stand in for meat patties in this recipe for veggie burgers with all the fixings. Mushrooms are a source of glutamate, a naturally occurring compound that gives the fungi their umami flavor. But to really give these "patties" a savory boost, we brush them with steak sauce. Add a simple side salad or some grilled veggies for a satisfying and easy dinner on the grill. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June 2019

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Zucchini Noodle Primavera

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (3)

This primavera recipe cuts carbs by swapping out the pasta for zucchini "noodles." This quick vegetarian dinner is chock-full of colorful vegetables smothered in a light, creamy sauce. We like using prepackaged spiralized zucchini noodles to keep this recipe ultra-fast, but if you have a spiralizer and zucchini on hand, you can easily make your own. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

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White Bean-Sage Cauliflower Gnocchi

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (4)

Turn lower-carb cauliflower gnocchi into a complete and satisfying meal with this riff on classic brown butter and sage gnocchi. We added beans to amp up the fiber and protein for a fast and healthy dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Mediterranean Ravioli with Artichokes & Olives

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Store-bought spinach ravioli and a handful of basic pantry items are all you need to get a healthy dinner on the table in 15 minutes. Ingredients like oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives and toasty pine nuts help to build big flavor fast. If you can't find frozen artichokes, swap in a 15-ounce can (just be sure to drain and rinse them well). Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019

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Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (6)

This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines weight-loss power foods, eggs and raspberries, with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-packed spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and the whole meal clocks in at just under 300 calories. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2018

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Egg Drop Soup with Instant Noodles, Spinach & Scallions

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (7)

Whisking a beaten egg into simmering broth is a quick and easy way to add creaminess and protein to noodle soup mix. Add freshness with a handful of baby spinach at the end. This recipe can easily be doubled to serve 2 and use the whole package of noodles. To cut back on sodium, look for noodle varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2020

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Crunchy Summer Salad with Creamy Vegan Avocado Dressing

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (8)

Remember back when dousing some iceberg lettuce with ranch dressing was considered healthy? We know better now, but a lackluster vinaigrette makes us want to skip the salad altogether. Without the buttermilk and mayo, is it even worth it? This dressing, made with creamy avocado and tangy umeboshi vinegar, will show you the possibilities. You can make it as-is or substitute whatever herbs you have on hand: parsley, basil and cilantro are all great options. The salad itself is a colorful, texture-rich antidote to the stereotypical boring salad, and it's also customizable. Here we use a base of romaine because it's crunchy and sturdy enough to stand up to a creamy dressing, but you can use kale, mixed greens or any blend of greens your heart (and fridge) desires. Same for the add-ins: You can sub in green beans for the asparagus, use black beans instead of chickpeas, or mix in additional veggies you have available like cucumber or shredded carrots. If you want to get extra fancy with it, try grilling the corn for an added smoky flavor. While this salad can be eaten as a side, it's strong enough to star as the entree. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2020

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Sesame Instant Ramen Noodles with Broccoli & Soft-Boiled Egg

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (9)

Jazz up basic ramen noodles with toasted sesame oil, quick-cooked broccoli and a jammy soft-boiled egg. To cut back on sodium, look for ramen varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2020

Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & Greens

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (10)

Garlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that's low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Vegan Superfood Buddha Bowls

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (11)

This nutrient-packed vegan Buddha bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience-food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Halloumi

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (12)

Take advantage of healthy convenience foods, such as pureed vegetable soups, to make a healthy meal in minutes. We enhance the flavor of boxed butternut squash soup with curry powder, then top it with irresistible halloumi cheese. Serve with warm whole-grain pita bread. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2018

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Quick Crunchy Black Bean Tacos

Long day at the office and feeling pressure to get dinner on the table? This quick taco recipe is the answer. It takes just 15 minutes and six ingredients and will relieve your stress and satisfy your hunger at the same time! Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Asian Tofu & Edamame Salad

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (13)

Craving crunch? Bite into this salad loaded with crisp red cabbage, edamame, bamboo shoots, and chow mein noodles. This salad is slightly sweetened with baked tofu, mandarin oranges, and Asian sesame vinaigrette. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Spanakopita Scrambled Egg Pitas

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (14)

This meatless dinner comes together in only 15 minutes, thanks to the convenience of frozen chopped spinach and crumbled feta. We've added a flavorful burst of sun-dried tomato tapenade to spread over the whole-wheat pita before nestling the scrambled eggs inside. If you can't find it, basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto also work well. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2018

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Easy Vegetarian Taco Salad

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (15)

Taco salad doesn't always have to contain beef--this 15-minute version uses tofu or black bean crumbles, which taste delicious and offer up a healthy dose of protein. This vegetarian meal is so tasty that even meat-only eaters won't miss the beef. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Spicy Refried Black Bean Burrito

Skip frozen burritos and make your own by spicing up a can of refried black beans with chopped pickled jalapeños. Serve this easy vegetarian dish with tortilla chips, if desired. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2018

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Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach & Feta Penne Pasta

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (16)

In this quick 20-minute dinner recipe, tender penne pasta is combined with garlic, roasted red peppers and spinach and topped with crumbled feta cheese for a fast and easy Mediterranean-inspired meal. This recipe was graciously shared by EatingWell reader Dottie Carpenter, who states, "Recipes are no good if they're not shared!" Source: EatingWell.com, March 2020

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Black Bean-Cauliflower "Rice" Bowl

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (17)

This aromatic cauliflower rice bowl comes together in minutes and is a simple meal for one. Using frozen riced cauliflower instead of rice keeps the carbs in check--and makes for quicker prep. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2020

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Beefless Vegan Tacos

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20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (18)

Take taco night in a new direction with these healthy vegan tacos. We've swapped crumbled tofu for the ground beef, without sacrificing any of the savory seasonings you expect in a taco. You can also use the filling in burritos, bowls, taco salads and to top nachos. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2019

20 Healthy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes (2024)

FAQs

What can I eat for dinner as a vegetarian? ›

This gallery is brought to you by Mission Wraps.
  • 1Indian lentil and egg curry. ...
  • 2Sweet spiced roast pumpkin and brown rice salad. ...
  • 3Tandoori-rubbed pumpkin wedges with lentil and herb salad. ...
  • 4Indian chana masala. ...
  • 5Curried vegetable hand pies. ...
  • 6Indian-style potatoes. ...
  • 7Roasted cauliflower dhal. ...
  • 8Spicy dhal with eggs.

What are examples of vegetarian foods? ›

pulses, such as kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils. dried fruit, such as apricots. dark green vegetables, such as watercress, broccoli and spring greens. wholemeal bread and flour.

What to make for dinner when you don't have much food? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  1. 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  2. 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  3. 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  4. 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  5. 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  6. 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What are 5 healthy food vegetarian? ›

Here is a list of vegetarian-friendly sources of calcium:
  • Low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Fortified plant-based milks such as soy or almond beverages.
  • Fortified ready-to-eat cereals.
  • Calcium-fortified juice.
  • Calcium-set tofu.
  • Some leafy green vegetables including collard greens, turnip greens and kale.
  • Broccoli.
Oct 15, 2021

How to eat healthy vegetarian meals? ›

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.

Which country is full of vegetarian? ›

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 is the most common vegetarian diet? ›

Lacto-ovo vegetarianism, the most common type of vegetarian diet, involves eliminating all meat, poultry, and fish.

Which cuisine is best for vegetarian food? ›

8 Types of Cuisine that are Vegetarian-friendly
  1. Indian cuisine. Indian cuisine remains one of the world's most vegetarian-friendly cuisines. ...
  2. Thailand cuisine. ...
  3. Indonesian cuisine. ...
  4. Chinese cuisine. ...
  5. 5. Japanese cuisine. ...
  6. Korean cuisine. ...
  7. Southern Italian cuisine. ...
  8. Mexican cuisine.
Oct 11, 2021

What to eat instead of meat? ›

5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
  • Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
  • Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
  • Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Yogurt.

What does a vegetarian eat in a day? ›

What to Eat on a Vegetarian Diet
  • Beans and lentils.
  • Nuts, nut butters and seeds (including chia and flax)
  • Whole grains (quinoa, bulgur, freekeh, whole-wheat, oats, brown rice and more)
  • Soy (tofu, edamame, tempeh)
  • Fruits.
  • Vegetables.
  • Dairy (yogurt, kefir, cheese and milk)
  • Eggs.
Apr 16, 2024

What happens to your body when you go vegetarian? ›

Compared with meat eaters, vegetarians tend to consume less saturated fat and cholesterol and more vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and phytochemicals (plant chemicals), such as carotenoids and flavonoids.

What is the cheapest meal to make? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  • Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  • Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  • Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  • Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  • Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  • White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  • Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
6 days ago

What to make for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What do vegetarians eat to replace meat? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  • Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  • Soya beans. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Seeds. ...
  • Cereals and grains. ...
  • Quorn™ ...
  • Dairy.

What do vegetarians miss from meat? ›

Intake and status of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and bone turnover markers were generally lower in plant-based dietary patterns compared to meat-eaters. Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density.

Is pasta considered vegetarian? ›

Vegetarians can eat pasta. The only ingredients included in dried pasta are usually wheat flour and water. Fresh pasta usually includes egg. If you are a vegetarian that does not consume eggs, be sure to check that the pasta you are buying does not have egg listed as an ingredient.

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