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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Vegetarian Dinner Ideas That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 29, 2025, updated April 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding new vegetarian dinner ideas can really shake up your weeknight meals. With 24 fresh and easy recipes, you can enjoy a variety of flavors and ingredients that make dinner exciting and satisfying. Whether you're a long-time vegetarian or just looking to add more plant-based meals to your routine, these dishes will inspire you to cook something delicious. 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.

    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish is warm, cheesy, and entirely plant-based. It's perfect for when you're feeling too tired to put in much effort.

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    Broccoli Au Gratin

    Broccoli Au Gratin.
    Photo Credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This Broccoli Au Gratin is a delicious side dish that pairs well with any meal. With fresh broccoli, sharp white cheddar, and nutty gruyère baked until bubbly, it's sure to be a favorite at family dinners or holiday gatherings.

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    Crockpot Mac and Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is creamy and really easy to prepare. Just throw everything into the slow cooker and let it cook on low, with no need to cook the pasta beforehand.

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    Easy Vegan Mushroom Noodle Soup

    Easy Vegan Mushroom Noodle Soup
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This mushroom noodle soup is all about the toppings. Fresh microgreens and a drizzle of ginger-shallot oil add a nice touch to the dish.

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    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a quick pasta dish that you can whip up using ingredients you likely have on hand. It's perfect for nights when you just want something easy and satisfying.

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    Biscuit Topped Vegetarian Pot Pie

    Biscuit Topped Vegetarian Pot Pie.
    Photo Credit: Occasionally Eggs.

    This savory vegetarian pot pie combines fresh vegetables and flaky biscuits for a filling meal. It's a great option for a cozy dinner when you're feeling too tired to cook.

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    Sticky Tofu

    A plate of sticky tofu.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This easy vegetarian dinner is perfect for when you're feeling too tired to cook. It's a simple and satisfying option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Eggplant Casserole

    Eggplant Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    Eggplant casserole is full of flavor and simple to prepare. With layers of hearty vegetables, cheese, and fresh herbs, it’s a healthy and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy, ready in under an hour.

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    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This quick potato stir-fry with halloumi and veggies is perfect for busy weeknights. It's healthy, easy to prepare, and all cooked in one pan, with a hint of lemon to brighten up the flavors.

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    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This slow cooker minestrone soup is a filling vegetarian meal packed with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy!

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    Chickpea Gyros

    Chickpea Gyros.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chickpea gyros are a fast vegetarian meal that you can whip up in just 10 minutes on the stovetop, with only a few minutes of prep time. You can go from walking in the door to sitting down for dinner in about 15 minutes!

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    Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup
    Photo Credit: Whiskful Cooking.

    Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup is a simple and tasty dish made with canned tomatoes, fresh basil, and a few easy seasonings that come together effortlessly in the Crock Pot. It pairs perfectly with grilled cheese or crackers for a comforting lunch or dinner.

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    Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

    Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is a simple dish that can brighten up any meal or holiday gathering. It only takes 15 minutes to prepare and can be easily modified to fit low-carb, dairy-free, or gluten-free diets.

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    Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili

    Instant Pot Vegan Chili (Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili)
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This vegan chili is quick and easy to make in your Instant Pot. It's filled with butternut squash, quinoa, black beans, and smoky chipotle peppers, making it a healthy and hearty meal perfect for any night.

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    Vegetarian Lasagna

    Vegetarian Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    This vegetarian lasagna is packed with seven different vegetables and features a creamy cheese mixture with spinach and ricotta. Layered with a hearty vegetable tomato sauce and plenty of cheese, it’s a great meal for the whole family.

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    Potato, Fennel & Leek Soup

    A bowl of fennel, potato and leek soup.
    Photo credit: It's a Veg World After All.

    Fennel and leek soup with creamy potatoes is a tasty vegetarian dish that's easy to prepare. With just a few simple ingredients, it comes together in no time.

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    Stuffed Poblanos Casserole

    Stuffed Poblanos Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Healing Tomato.

    This stuffed poblanos casserole with lentils and orzo is a great vegan meal that everyone will enjoy. Just mix everything in a casserole dish and let the oven take care of the cooking.

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    Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus and Peas

    Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus and Peas
    Photo Credit: Mandi of the Mountains.

    This easy pasta is a quick and delicious dinner. It’s loaded with vibrant, fresh spring veggies, then tossed in a pesto cream sauce. And it only requires one pot to make!

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    Potato Kugel with Seitan

    Potato Kugel with Seitan.
    Photo Credit: Cinnamon Snail.

    Vegan Yapchik takes potato kugel to a whole new level with a delicious filling of juicy seitan, garlic, and sweet carrots, all under a crispy, golden crust. This dish is a hearty and satisfying option for anyone looking for comforting plant-based food.

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    Zucchini Ravioli

    Zucchini Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: Food n Service.

    Zucchini ravioli filled with dried tomatoes, ricotta, mozzarella, and herbs is full of great flavors. This is a healthy, low-carb take on a classic Italian dish.

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    Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

    Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    Broccoli and cauliflower come together in this creamy cheese casserole, which is lightened up with Greek yogurt. It’s quick to prepare in just 35 minutes and works great as a side dish or a simple meatless meal.

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    Stuffed Pasta Shells with Spinach

    Stuffed Pasta Shells with Spinach.
    Photo Credit: Culinary Shades.

    Stuffed pasta features large shells filled with a creamy spinach and cheese mix. This vegetarian dish is great for festive occasions or any time you want something special.

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    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    This vegetarian enchilada casserole combines soft tortillas, homemade enchilada sauce, and a tasty mix of vegetables and black beans. In about an hour, you can whip up a simple and satisfying dinner that everyone enjoys, topped with melted cheddar and fresh avocado and cilantro.

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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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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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