Vegetarian
55 recipes
Vegetarian cooking goes wrong when it is framed as subtraction — the same plate with the meat taken off and nothing put back. The dishes here are built the other way round, starting from what vegetables, pulses and dairy actually do well.
What meat contributes is mostly savoury depth, fat and texture, and each has a replacement. For depth: mushrooms, tomato paste cooked until it darkens, miso, soy, parmesan, anything fermented or aged. For fat: olive oil used more generously than you would with meat, plus butter, tahini, yoghurt and nuts. For texture: proper browning. Roast vegetables at a high heat on a hot tray with space between the pieces, and accept the dark edges, because that is where the flavour is. Steamed vegetables in a hot dish taste like a compromise because they are one.
Beans and lentils carry most of the protein in this category and repay the same care you would give meat. Cook them in seasoned liquid rather than plain water, keep them at a bare simmer, and save the cooking liquid, which is a stock in its own right.
Some of these recipes are vegan already and most of the rest are a swap or two away. Check the ingredients rather than the label.
Chestnut and Gruyère Tartlets
Baked mini pastries with creamy cheese, roasted nuts, and bright cranberry-thyme relish—perfect holiday appetizer or December party finger food.
Roasted Beet and Mushroom Tart with Honey-Thyme Ricotta (45-Minute Vegetarian)
Buttery tart of roasted beets and sautéed mushrooms on a honey-thyme ricotta base—baked to golden in about 45 minutes for holiday or dinner parties.
Eggplant Involtini Baked with Ricotta and Basil (45-Minute, Vegetarian)
Tender baked eggplant rolls filled with ricotta, basil, and garlic, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella in 45 minutes.
Pasta Primavera with Lemon-Basil Cream
Roasted spring vegetables tossed with pasta in a light lemon-basil cream sauce — a 40-minute vegetarian weeknight pasta with bright, fresh flavors.
Mushroom and Chestnut Wellington
Buttery puff pastry wrapped around a savory mushroom, roasted chestnut, and spinach filling with cranberry-thyme sauce—holiday vegetarian main (90 minutes).
Sweet Potato Gratin with Brown Butter, Sage, and Pecan-Parmesan Crust
Roasted-style sweet potato gratin with nutty brown butter, crisp sage, and a pecan-Parmesan crunchy topping—perfect Thanksgiving or holiday side.
Garbanzos and Spinach with Fried Eggs (30-Minute Skillet)
Skillet-cooked chickpeas and tender spinach in a smoky tomato sauce, finished with fried eggs — 30-minute weeknight skillet meal with Mediterranean flavors.
Oven-Roasted Sunchoke and Brussels Sprout Hash with Cider-Mustard Glaze (40-Minute Vegetarian Side)
Roasted sunchokes and Brussels sprouts tossed in a tangy apple-cider mustard glaze with toasted hazelnuts—40-minute November vegetarian side.
Apple Cider-Braised Red Cabbage with Chestnuts and Cranberries (45-Minute Thanksgiving Side)
Slow-simmered apple cider-braised red cabbage with toasted chestnuts, tart cranberries, orange zest, and rosemary — a 45-minute autumn holiday side.
Saffron Pilaf with Roasted Delicata Squash, Pomegranate & Pistachios
Baked seasonal squash and fragrant saffron pilaf with jewel-like pomegranate, toasted pistachios, and bright herbs—40-minute vegetarian November side dish.
Ginger-Scallion Noodles with Crispy Tofu (20-Minute Stir-Fry)
Quick stir-fry of chewy noodles, crisp pan-fried tofu, and a bright ginger-scallion sauce—20-minute vegetarian weeknight dinner.
Baked Camembert with Cranberry-Maple Compote and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (20-Minute Appetizer)
Warm melting camembert topped with tart maple-cranberry compote and crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds — a festive November holiday appetizer.
Roasted Pear and Brie Crostini with Honey-Thyme Glaze (30-Minute Christmas Appetizer)
Warm roasted pear and creamy brie crostini drizzled with honey-thyme glaze and toasted walnuts—perfect holiday appetizer or party finger food.
Dal Tadka (30-Minute Stovetop Yellow Lentils with Tempering)
Creamy stovetop yellow lentils simmered and finished with a hot spiced tempering (tadka) for a bright, fragrant 30-minute vegetarian meal.
Crispy Sheet-Pan Tofu with Peanut-Ginger Sauce (30-Minute, Vegan)
Golden roasted plant protein and crisp broccoli tossed in a tangy sesame-peanut glaze—30-minute vegan sheet-pan dinner for busy weeknights.
Roasted Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed with Herbed Quinoa and Feta (35-Minute Vegetarian)
Baked portobellos filled with lemony herbed quinoa, spinach, feta, and toasted pine nuts for a satisfying 35-minute vegetarian dinner.
Moroccan Chickpea and Carrot Tagine
Stovetop 40-minute vegetarian Moroccan tagine with warm spices, tender carrots, and chickpeas—weeknight stew with couscous or flatbread.
Lentil Bolognese with Mushrooms
Hearty vegetarian lentil Bolognese simmered with mushrooms, tomatoes, and herbs — rich pasta sauce ready in about 45 minutes.
Spanakopita (Greek Spinach and Feta Pie)
Baked flaky phyllo filled with spinach, feta, herbs, and eggs — a savory vegetarian pie for weeknights or entertaining.
Oven-Roasted Ratatouille with Parmesan Polenta (45-Minute Vegetable Dinner)
Oven-roasted ratatouille of eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes served over creamy Parmesan polenta — weeknight vegetarian one-pan dinner.
Crispy Tofu Banh Mi Bowl
Pan-fried crispy tofu with quick-pickled vegetables, fluffy rice, and sriracha-mayo in a 30-minute vegetarian bowl
Roasted Pumpkin Hummus with Za'atar and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (20-Minute)
Velvety roasted pumpkin hummus topped with za'atar and crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds—quick autumn appetizer or Thanksgiving dip.
