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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Stupid Simple Vegetarian Dinners to Make When You’re Too Tired to Cook

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 18, 2025, updated April 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. These 21 easy vegetarian dinners are perfect for those nights when you just want something quick and satisfying. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time. Some of these recipes do use cheeses that are not technically vegetarian. To make them truly vegetarian, make sure the cheese you use is made without animal rennet.

    Lentil Tortilla Soup

    A lentil tortilla soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup is a simple and delicious dish that can be prepared in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stove. It's a great option for a quick meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Roasted Vegetables

    Delicious Roasted Vegetables (Vegan).
    Photo Credit: Refresh My Health.

    Oven roasted vegetables are tasty, healthy, and simple to make. They work well in salads, as a side dish, or with your favorite toppings as a main dish.

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    Mediterranean Veggie Casserole

    Veggie casserole.
    Photo credit: The Fiery Vegetarian.

    This casserole is quick to prepare and goes straight into the oven. You'll end up with soft veggies in a delicious, garlicky sauce.

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    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Piper Cooks.

    This easy casserole comes together without boiling anything and includes bell peppers, navy beans, long-grain white rice, and a tasty tomato sauce with Italian spices. It's perfect for nights when you want a simple vegetarian dinner without much effort.

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    Vegan Mushroom Soup with Porcini

    Vegan Mushroom Soup with Porcini
    Photo Credit: the veg space.

    This vegan mushroom soup is packed with rich flavors from porcini mushrooms, garlic, and fresh herbs. It's filled with hearty chunks of juicy mushrooms, making it a satisfying meal.

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    Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This hearty soup is packed with protein from red lentils and is full of warming spices. It's easy to make whether you use an Instant Pot, a Crockpot, or just cook it on the stove.

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    Black Bean Tacos with Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo

    Vegetarian Tacos with Black Beans, Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Vegetarian Tacos are packed with refried black beans and crumbled feta cheese, topped with fresh pico de gallo. It's a simple and tasty meal that you'll want to enjoy again and again!

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    Pesto Pasta Bake

    Pesto Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pesto pasta bake is quick and easy, taking only 20 minutes to prepare. It features fresh vegetables, pasta, and lots of cheese for a satisfying meal.

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    Green Rice Casserole

    Green Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    This green rice casserole is a tasty one-pot meal that everyone will enjoy. It's quick to prepare and a healthy option that helps you use up leftover rice.

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    Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie

    Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie .
    Photo Credit: Cook Eat Live Love.

    This Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting and flavorful dish that everyone can enjoy. With a savory mushroom filling, tender veggies, and a creamy mashed potato topping, it’s a satisfying meal for both vegetarians and meat lovers.

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    Vegetarian White Lasagna

    Vegetarian White Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Cook Eat Live Love.

    This vegetarian white lasagna is a comforting dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's made with fresh ingredients like spinach, butternut squash, and creamy béchamel sauce layered between lasagna noodles.

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    One Pan Butternut Squash and Chickpea

    One Pan Butternut Squash and Chickpea.
    Photo Credit: Avocado Skillet.

    This One Pan Butternut Squash and Chickpea Casserole is a great main dish for Thanksgiving. It's filling and tasty, thanks to the creamy cashew sauce and hearty chickpeas.

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    Broccoli Casserole

    Broccli casserole.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    This broccoli casserole is a quick and easy side dish that’s also healthier. It’s perfect for when you want something simple without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Meaty Tofu Burger

    Meaty Tofu Burger.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    This quick tofu burger is packed with smoky flavors that remind you of a classic Whopper, but it's completely meat-free. With some fresh veggies and your favorite toppings, you'll have a satisfying burger that's sure to leave you wanting more.

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    Bean & Pasta Casserole

    Bean & Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Hurry The Food Up.

    This vegetarian casserole features hearty white beans, filling pasta, and juicy cherry tomatoes, creating a comforting meal. It's a healthy and satisfying option for dinner when you want something easy.

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    Vegan Corn and Leek Soup

    Vegan Corn and Leek Soup
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This vegan corn and leek soup is super simple to prepare and packed with flavor from the corn cobs simmering in the broth. With just five ingredients, it’s perfect for when you want a quick and tasty meal.

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    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines creaminess, tanginess, and crunch for a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. It's a solid choice for anyone wanting a delicious vegetarian meal.

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    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

    Buffalo cauliflower bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This will be your new favorite snack! Easy to make in under 30 minutes they come out spicy, crispy and totally addictive. A healthy-ish snack or meal that's perfect to serve with blue cheese sauce.

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    Chickpea Fritters

    Chickpea fritters on a plate.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    These tasty fritters can be enjoyed in many ways, whether you dip them, toss them in a salad, or add them to a burger. They're a great option for a quick and easy meal.

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    Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers Casserole

    Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers Casserole.
    Photo Credit: It's a Veg World After All.

    This vegetarian Crock Pot stuffed peppers casserole is a simple and healthy one-pot meal. It combines the flavors of stuffed peppers with rice, beans, tomatoes, and cheese, all while being easy to prepare and packed with veggies.

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    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This baked ravioli casserole is quick to prepare, taking only about 20 minutes from start to finish with just 5 minutes of prep. Using store-bought cheese ravioli makes it a simple option for busy weeknights, and you can even make it ahead and store it in the fridge or freezer.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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