15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (2)

Spaghetti Squash Lasagnais awonderful way to prepare spaghetti squash; a winter squash that resembles strands of spaghetti when cooked.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (3)

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.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (4)

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.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (5)

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.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (6)

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.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (7)

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.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (8)

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!
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (9)

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!
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (10)

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!
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (11)

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!
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (12)

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.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (13)

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!
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (14)

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.
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (15)

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!
15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (16)

15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (17)

15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the best healthy vegetarian 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. These include sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices and refined grains.

What to eat at night for dinner as a vegetarian? ›

67 Vegetarian Dinner Ideas So Good You Won't Even Miss The Meat
  • 02 of 67. Tennessee Onion Pizza. ...
  • 05 of 67. Creamy Kale Soup. ...
  • 08 of 67. Pasta With Morel-And-Pea Cream Sauce. ...
  • 11 of 67. Slow-Cooker Vegetable Soup. ...
  • 14 of 67. Cuban Black Bean-and-Yellow Rice Bowls Recipe. ...
  • 17 of 67. Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake.

What are unprocessed foods for vegetarians? ›

Fruits: berries, citrus fruits, pears, peaches, pineapple, bananas, etc. Vegetables: kale, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, peppers, etc. Starchy vegetables: potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, etc. Whole grains: brown rice, rolled oats, farro, quinoa, brown rice pasta, barley, etc.

Which is the No 1 healthy vegetable in the world? ›

1. Spinach. Spinach is a leafy green vegetable and a great source of calcium, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants. Due to its iron and calcium content, spinach is a great addition to any meat- or dairy-free diet.

What should vegetarians eat to replace meat? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  • Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  • Soya beans. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Seeds. ...
  • Cereals and grains. ...
  • Quorn™ ...
  • Dairy.

Which vegetarian food is best for weight loss? ›

Vegetarian Protein-Rich Foods For Weight Loss
  1. Lentils (Dal) About a cupful of cooked dal has 18 grams of protein. ...
  2. Chickpeas (Chana) Chickpeas, or chana, come under the category of legumes and are high in protein content. ...
  3. Amaranth And Quinoa.
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Almonds. ...
  6. Paneer Or Cottage Cheese. ...
  7. Broccoli.
Oct 16, 2019

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.

What sweets are suitable for vegetarians? ›

M&S Own Brand
  • American Hard Gums.
  • Fizzy Pop Sweets.
  • Fizzy Whizzy Cola Bottles.
  • Fruit Crumbles.
  • Fruit Gums.
  • Fruit Pastilles.
  • Fruit Sherbets.
  • Mixed up Meerkats.

What vitamins do vegetarians lack? ›

The nutrients of concern in the diet of vegetarians include vitamin B(12), vitamin D, ω-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, and zinc. Although a vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients, the use of supplements and fortified foods provides a useful shield against deficiency.

What are two foods a vegetarian would not eat? ›

A vegetarian diet is one that does not include any meat or seafood. However, there are many variations to this – some people following a vegetarian diet may eat eggs and dairy foods, while others may avoid one or both.

What foods are surprisingly vegetarian? ›

Top Accidentally Vegan Foods
  • Cinnamon Life.
  • Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.
  • SkinnyPop White Cheddar Flavored Popped Popcorn.
  • Airheads.
  • Cracker Jack.
  • Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili–Flavored Tortilla Chips.
  • Fritos.
  • Fruit by the Foot.

What can't vegetarians drink? ›

Beer, wine and cider can be non-vegan due to the products used in the filtration process, such as isinglass, gelatine and casein. Additionally, some non-vegan flavourings such as honey may be added, and some co*cktails rely on milk and eggs.

What type of vegetarian is healthiest? ›

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Diet

For most people, this is a healthy diet. Advantages of the lacto-ovo vegetarian diet include: A wide array of options for consuming protein, including cheese, milk and yogurt. Less risk of low intake of vitamin B12, vitamin D and iron intake compared to some other vegetarian diet options.

What is a weakness of a vegetarian diet? ›

Unhealthy vegetarian diets are poor in specific nutrients (vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and calcium) and/or rich in highly processed refined flours, hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, artificial sweeteners, salt, and preservatives, each of which have been shown to increase morbidity and mortality.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated:

Views: 5462

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.