15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

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15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (1)

Here’s a list of 15 Meatless Main dishes everyone will love whether you’re a vegetarian, have a vegetarian in your life or you’re just trying to incorporate more plant based meals into your diet (Meatless Mondays!).

Easiest Pasta and Broccoli Recipeis one the quickest pasta dishes I make for my family, I make it at least twice a month when I need a quick meal and they all devour it. With just a few ingredients and only one pot, this recipe will put dinner on the table in 15 minutes.
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Spaghetti Squash Lasagnais awonderful way to prepare spaghetti squash; a winter squash that resembles strands of spaghetti when cooked.
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Cheesy Zucchini Enchiladas–meatless enchiladas filled with zucchini and cheese, topped with my homemade enchilada sauce they’re so delicious whether you’re vegetarian or not.
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Mediterranean Quinoa Salad– aprotein packed salad with Mediterranean flavors – quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon and a little feta cheese combined makes a healthy salad with fresh clean ingredients.
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Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese– cheesy macaroni and broccoli are topped with bread crumbs and baked to perfection. Kid friendly, vegetarian and comfort food at it’s finest. This has been popular on the blog since 2011 when it was first posted.
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Crock Pot Minestrone Soupby far the best recipe you’ll ever try for Minestrone soup – a classic, hearty Italian soup with tomatoes, white beans, vegetables and pasta. You can use Swiss chard or baby kale instead of spinach if you wish and you can omit the pasta if you don’t want the carbs – honestly you won’t miss it with everything else in this soup.
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Skinny Mushroom Stroganoff – aquick and easy meal, perfect for Meatless Mondays! I love the combination of Shiitake, Baby Portabella and Cremini mushrooms along with the noodles in a light creamy sauce.Using a variety of mushrooms gives a nice texture and flavor. The Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste help give you some of that beef flavor you find in a traditional beef stroganoff recipe.
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Spicy Black Bean Burgerswith Chipotle Mayonnaise–One bite of this spicy black bean burger with spicy chipotle mayo and creamy avocado and you won’t miss the meat!
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Spaghetti with Creamy Butternut Leak Parmesan Sauce–Something magical happens to pasta when you combine it with a creamy butternut squash puree. This recipe issuper easy to make with only a few ingredients, and is very filling. Your family will love it!
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Three Cheese Tortellini and Mushroom Soup–is the perfect one pot meal. Vegetarians can swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth (also perfect for Meatless Mondays). This soup is warm and satisfying, with tortellini in every bite!
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Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas–Butternut squash, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro and spices are simmered in a skillet with green chilies and jalapeno, then wrapped in tortillas and baked in the oven with enchilada sauce and cheese – these vegetarian enchiladas are delicious and perfect for meatless Mondays, or any day of the week!
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Crock Pot Creamy Tomato Soup–This creamy, rich tasting tomato soup is made in the slow cooker, with tomatoes, herbs, milk and Pecorino Romano cheese. Add the cheese rind for an added flavor boost.
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Baked Spaghetti Squash and Cheese–Cheesy baked spaghetti squash and baby spinach is a comforting, cheesy dish, without the guilt. If you are looking for a dish that is gluten-free, low-carb, vegetarian and comforting, give this a try. You’ll love it!
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Spaghetti Squash Primavera–Spaghetti squash and fresh vegetables simmered with a quick marinara sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella make this recipe delicious.To speed things up you can make the spaghetti squash in the microwave, which takes only about 8 minutes to cook, but if you have more time you can make it in the oven, the directions for both ways are listed with the recipe.
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Three Cheese Zucchini Stuffed Lasagna Rolls–These EASY lasagna rolls are stuffed with zucchini, ricotta and Parmesan, then topped with marinara and mozzarella cheese – delicious, kid friendly and perfect if you want to feed a crowd. You can make them a day ahead and refrigerate, or if you like to cook for the month, these are also freezer-friendly. Double it up, or bring an extra to a friend in need, they’ll thank you!
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15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (17)

15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular vegetarian dish in the world? ›

Here are 10 of the best vegetarian dishes from around the world:
  • Falafel. ...
  • Spanakopita. Country: Greece. ...
  • Ratatouille. Country: France. ...
  • Käsespätzle. Country: Austria and Germany. ...
  • Humitas. Country: All across South America! ...
  • Khachapuri. Country: Georgia. ...
  • Zaru Soba. Country: Japan. ...
  • Trofie al pesto. Country: Italy.

What is the most nutritious vegetarian food? ›

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.

Can vegetarians eat cheese? ›

Because most cheese is made from cow's or goat's milk, most types are not vegan-friendly. Most vegetarians avoid products that require the slaughter of an animal. Because cheesemaking falls outside of this practice, many vegetarians allow cheese in their diet.

How do vegetarians get protein? ›

Beans and legumes are two of the best sources of protein for vegetarians because you can use them in place of almost any meat in curries, salads, soups, tacos, and similar dishes. They come in many varieties, including: Lentils. Black beans.

How to lose 10 pounds in a month vegetarian? ›

Several strategies can help promote weight loss on a vegetarian diet, including:
  1. Filling half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables. ...
  2. Incorporating protein at every meal and snack. ...
  3. Opting for complex carbs. ...
  4. Watching your portions of high-calorie foods. ...
  5. Eating mostly whole foods. ...
  6. Limiting highly processed foods.
Sep 10, 2019

What sweets are suitable for vegetarians? ›

Vegetarian Sweets
  • Barratt(4)
  • BUBS(1)
  • Cadbury(1)
  • Chewits(5)
  • Damel(1)
  • Glisten(1)
  • Hannah's(2)
  • Haribo(2)

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 vegetarian food makes you full? ›

Plant-based foods you can add to your meals to help improve satiety
  • Lentils. Lentils are an economical and readily available ingredient that are used as staples in most plant-forward meals. ...
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Walnuts or Almonds. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Avocado.

How do vegetarians get full? ›

Following a vegetarian diet doesn't mean settling for unsatisfying meals. To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

How can I make my vegetarian more filling? ›

Adding protein-rich foods to your vegetable dishes can help make them more satisfying and filling. You can add chicken, fish, tofu, beans, or lentils to your vegetable dishes to boost the protein content. Incorporate Healthy Fats: Healthy fats can provide a feeling of fullness and satisfaction.

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