As a long-time vegetarian, there are some recipes that I find myself going back to again and again. I love making new things, but there's something to be said for those tried-and-true meal ideas too.
Because it's January and a lot of people are cutting down on (or giving up!) meat for the New Year, I've decided to compile these dishes here.
These are 15 basic recipes that I think every vegetarian should master. You don't have to master these exact recipes, but if you have a go-to burrito or veggie burger recipe under your belt, your life (well, at least your life at dinnertime) will be a lot easier!
Grilled Cheese
I stopped eating meat when I was 12, so there were a lot of grilled cheese lunches back then. While it's hard to go wrong with the classic version, adding greens or veggies ups the nutrition a little bit, like in this Kale, Grilled Garlic, and Cheddar Panini from Panini Happy.
Or if you're going totally plant based, check out these vegan grilled cheese ideas.
Baked Tofu
Pile a plate full of veggies and add a slab or two of marinated tofu for a quick meal. When you marinate tofu and bake it in the oven, it's flavorful and chewy on the outside, soft on the inside.
I know tofu is a love/hate thing for many vegetarians. But if you think you don't like tofu, try it baked in these Peanutty Quinoa Bowls.
Vegetable Broth
I often use vegetable broth as a substitute for chicken broth and chicken broth is in a lot of recipes, so I pretty much go through broth like water.
Using a high-quality broth is important—it can make or break a meal! I make my broth with veggie scraps. Make it in big batches and freeze it for later! Get the Recipe Here.
Burritos
Burritos are the ultimate convenience food! A lot of vegetarian burritos are loaded with refried beans and cheese, but this version from The Garden Grazer is full of quinoa and fajita veggies.
I'm also a big fan of these vegetarian burrito bowls or these vegan-friendly bean burritos.
Stir Fry
Stir fry was one of the first things I learned how to cook after moving out of my parents' house—they're quick, easy, and healthy.
This Thai-inspired stir fry from The Roasted Root is made with a delicious and simple peanut sauce.
And if that doesn't do it for you, check out these 125+ vegan stir fry ideas on VegKitchen.
Veggie Burgers
Every vegetarian needs a go-to veggie burger recipe! This Lentil Mushroom Burger works with a variety of different toppings and unlike many burger recipes, it's made without eggs or dairy.
Some of my other favorites are these Black Bean Quinoa Burgers, and these Thai Pumpkin and Black Rice Burgers.
Veggie Soup
Veggie soup is a good wintertime staple. Make a big batch and eat it throughout the week or freeze it in individual portions and take them to work for lunch.
Beans and kale make this Hearty Vegetable Soup from Henry Happened extra filling!
Or if you're a fan of butternut squash, check out this reader-favorite Thai Pumpkin Soup.
Big Salad
It's a cliché that vegetarians only eat salad, but there's no shame in eating a big healthy salad like this one from The Spicy RD.
A power salad packs in a lot of nutrition—no sad wilted iceberg lettuce swimming in ranch dressing here!
For more dinner-worthy salads, check out this Mango Lentil Salad or this Mushroom Lentil Salad. They're both loaded with healthy protein!
Pasta Sauce
I keep my freezer stocked with homemade pasta sauce or, failing that, a good jarred brand in the pantry. Whenever we don't know what to have for dinner, the answer is almost always pasta, so having sauce on hand is a must.
But nothing beats fresh, homemade pasta sauce. So it's good to keep the ingredients for your own favorite sauce recipe on hand too.
I love this meaty mushroom pasta sauce, this vegan bolognese, and this freezer-friendly tomato sauce.
(Not) Meatloaf
Vegetarian "meatloaf" is good stuff. My favorite thing about it is that it usually lasts a long time in the fridge, which is a good thing because then you have leftovers for a few days.
Meatloaf for lunch! Meatloaf sandwiches! Leftovers are great for busy people who don't have time to cook everyday.
This vegetarian meatloaf from The Kitchn is made with nuts, which gives it a great texture.
I also love this vegan lentil meatloaf from VegKitchen, which is topped with a homemade tomato glaze.
Lasagna
You need a good, basic lasagna recipe and then you can go to town customizing it to your liking.
I love this one from Kitchen Treaty because you can make it in a skillet. In! A! Skillet! Add spinach, roasted veggies, a layer of pesto, or whatever else you happen to have on hand to mix things up a little bit.
Or try this easy vegan lasagna from Delicious Everyday.
Chili
Make yourself a big pot of chili and you have dinner planned for days! You can eat it as-is, use it as a topping for nachos or sweet potato fries, and make chili mac or pot pies.
This easy vegetarian chili is loaded with veggies in addition to the standard beans; it freezes beautifully too.
Grilled Portabella Mushrooms
This is a vegetarian staple for good reason—it's easy to make, it's a burger that doesn't rely on faux meat patties, and portabella mushrooms are juicy and meaty.
This grilled portabella recipe from Spicie Foodie can be made on an outdoor grill or indoors on a grill pan.
I also love them simply served up with a bit of cheddar cheese and honey-mustard sauce. Yum!
Green Smoothies
Green smoothies are perfect for those of us who don't always eat our greens. And a well-built smoothie isn't just a drink or a snack, it's a full, nutritionally-complete meal. Use this guide to build your own smoothie or give Nutrition Stripped's signature Stripped Smoothie a try.
Veggie Bowls
Bowls are another classic vegetarian staple. Most bowls include a grain, veggies, a protein, and a sauce or dressing. They're a great way to use up leftovers or odds and ends from your pantry!
I love the tahini-based sauce in this recipe from The Muffin Myth.
