21 Delicious Vegetarian Meals Your Whole Family Will Love
Monterey Spaghetti
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a working mother with two young boys. Our family leads a very active life, so I make a lot of casseroles. It's so nice to have a hearty side dish the kids will eat. Topped with cheese and french-fried onions, this tasty spaghetti casserole recipe is a hit at our house. —Janet Hibler, Cameron, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 311 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 333mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
Cheesy Quesadillas
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
We serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 111 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 203mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
Veggie Bean Tacos
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In the summer when fresh corn and just-picked tomatoes are in season, authentic Mexican dishes like this leave you always wanting that next bite. My personal preference is to serve them with a slice of lime to squeeze over the avocado. —Tonya Burkhard, Davis, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos (calculated without sour cream): 378 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 517mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 10g fiber), 13g protein.
Hearty Vegetarian Chili
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Rich and flavorful, this chili is absolutely packed with fun veggies like mushrooms, beans and sun-dried tomatoes. It's so filling, you'll win over any meat lover. —Pam Ivbuls, Omaha, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 238 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 12g fiber), 14g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges
: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
Pasta Pizza
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family often requests this meatless main dish. It's a tempting cross between pizza and spaghetti. —Andrea Quick, Columbus, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 374 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 532mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 14g protein.
Rice and Bean Enchiladas
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love Mexican food, but I'm always looking for ways to make it healthier. I reworked a dish that I have enjoyed in restaurants to suit my taste and lifestyle. —Christie Ladd, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 enchilada: 298 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 899mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 12g protein.
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Bake
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This casserole brings together two classic comfort foods: grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. There’s no need for your hands to get messy dipping bread into a bowl of hot soup! Best of all, my picky-eater husband devours every bite. —Megan Kuns, Perrysburg, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 485 calories, 29g fat (17g saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 918mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.
Spinach-Stuffed Pizza
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I had my first stuffed pizza when I attended college near Chicago. I was amazed to see pizza well over an inch thick, with topping on the inside! When I served this version to my family, there are no leftovers. —Nancy Gilmour of Sumner, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 293 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 789mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein.
Rustic Summer Vegetable Pasta
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My veggie pasta proves you can’t have too much of a good thing. Feel free to change it up with whatever fresh veggies are in the garden or farmers market. —Bryn Namavari, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 315 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 445mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 8g fiber), 15g protein.
Salsa Black Bean Burgers
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Meatless meals are so tasty when these hearty bean burgers are on the menu. Guacamole and sour cream make them seem decadent. —Jill Reichardt, St. Louis, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger: 323 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 557mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 13g protein.
Chickpea Potpies
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves potpies, and with this recipe, no one—not even my carnivores—misses the meat. Hungry teens and adults gobble them up! —Annette Woofenden, Middleboro, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 potpie: 680 calories, 39g fat (20g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 1518mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein.
Skillet Mac and Cheese
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 600 calories, 37g fat (23g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 1185mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein.
Salsa Spaghetti Squash
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you want spaghetti, but are eating gluten-free or trying to keep a lid on carbs, there's always spaghetti squash as a flavorful alternative. Subtly sweet, tender and satisfying, this is one colorful dish. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups squash with 1 cup salsa mixture: 244 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 720mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 10g fiber), 7g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges
: 2-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.
Spinach Tortellini Soup
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A simple tomato-enhanced broth is perfect for cheese tortellini and fresh spinach. Increase the garlic and add Italian seasoning to suit your taste. —Debbie Wilson, Burlington, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 164 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 799mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
Spinach Manicotti
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I invite people to dinner, many have started requesting this pasta bake ahead of time because it's that good. Plus, the manicotti is stuffed before it's cooked, making it even more convenient. —Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
2 stuffed manicotti shells: 363 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 822mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein.
Pirate Pasta Shells
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Grandfather loved pirate stories and good pasta. When we make his stuffed shells, it reminds us of his favorite tropical places and adventures. —Kathy Noll, Laureldale, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
3 stuffed shells: 305 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 762mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
Veggie Enchiladas
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These vegetarian enchiladas use a lot of garden favorites in a quick weeknight meal. Feel free to substitute with whatever vegetables you have from your garden: yellow summer squash, eggplant and corn—all taste great! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
2 enchiladas: 346 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 780mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 18g protein.
Black Beans and Pasta
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This black bean pasta was something I created as a teenager, back when I was a vegetarian. Now that my daughter doesn't eat meat, she asks for this dinner several times a week. —Ashlynn Azar, Beaverton, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 255 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 9g fiber), 12g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges
:
3 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
3 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekends. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 245 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 385mg cholesterol, 338mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges
: 2 medium-fat meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
Spicy Veggie Pasta Bake
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My dad cooked with cast-iron skillets, so when I do, I remember his amazing culinary skills. I keep the tradition going with my veggie pasta. —Sonya Goergen, Moorhead, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups (calculated without grated Parmesan cheese): 420 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 734mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein.
Pressure-Cooker Manchester Stew
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
While in college, I studied abroad. A vegetarian at the time, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious and diverse vegetarian food in Britain could be. After returning to the States, I re-created my favorite meal from my favorite restaurant and named it after the University of Manchester. When the enticing aroma fills the kitchen, I'm back in England! —Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 221 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 354mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 8g fiber), 8g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges
:
2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Vegetarian Family Meals FAQ
What are some kid-friendly vegetarian recipes?
Kid-friendly vegetarian recipes often include familiar meals with fun shapes, cheesy textures and mild flavors. Anything pizza -flavored or inspired by macaroni and cheese would be options even picky eaters would enjoy. Let kids build their own burrito bowls or assemble their tacos to make dinner more engaging and help them explore new flavors on their own terms.
What are some easy vegetarian meals?
Easy vegetarian meals include recipes with quick-cooking ingredients like rice, pasta and grains as the base, which can then be bulked up with vegetables, beans, eggs or tofu. Try making a pot of vegetarian soup or building a simple casserole that can bake while you set the table. Give yourself a head start and cook grains like rice or quinoa ahead, rinse a few cans of beans and chop veggies so they’re ready to mix and match into multiple meals during the week.
Can vegetarian family meals be made ahead?
Yes, vegetarian family meals like soups, vegetarian casseroles and lasagna are great make-ahead options. Most can be stored in the fridge for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. To freeze meals properly , let the dish cool completely and then transfer to airtight containers or wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn . Label with the date and reheating instructions so you’re always ready for a no-fuss dinner.
