112 Vegetarian Recipes: Quick, Easy Meatless Meals Under $2

The short answer: These 112 vegetarian recipes cost 27¢ to $1.83 a serving, $1.12 on average, with 17 g of protein per serving on average. Eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt, beans and lentils do the heavy lifting, and every recipe lists cost, protein and cook time.

Quick vegetarian dinners: 54 dinners are ready in 30 minutes or less, like stovetop mac and cheese, huevos rancheros and mushroom and egg fried rice.

Most filling: 33 recipes have 20 g of protein or more per serving, led by eggs, cheese, lentils and Greek yogurt.

A full meatless week: our 7-day vegetarian meal plan below costs $22.77 per person, or $45.54 for two adults, with about 61 g of protein a day.

Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book (we email it to you), or plan the week with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).

Prices were checked November 5, 2026, using ALDI's online store prices and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics averages. Your store and region may differ.

Jump to a meal

Meal	Recipes	Cost range	Best pick
Breakfast	14	60¢ to $1.56	Overnight oats with Greek yogurt
Lunch	12	78¢ to $1.83	Egg salad sandwiches
Egg dinners	8	66¢ to $1.25	Crustless broccoli cheddar quiche
Pasta	14	65¢ to $1.75	Stovetop mac and cheese
Bowls	10	86¢ to $1.82	Greek yogurt chickpea power bowls
Curries, stews and chili	10	83¢ to $1.54	Creamy chickpea tikka masala
Soups	10	72¢ to $1.67	Broccoli cheddar soup
Mexican-style	10	90¢ to $1.74	Cheese enchiladas
Casseroles and sheet-pan	10	70¢ to $1.82	Lentil shepherd's pie with cheddar mash
Stir-fries and fried rice	8	51¢ to $1.08	Kung pao-style tofu and peanuts
Snacks	6	27¢ to $1.44	Deviled eggs

How we built and priced these vegetarian recipes

These are lacto-ovo vegetarian recipes. They skip meat, poultry and fish but use eggs and dairy. That makes them easier for beginners and for families with one picky eater. Every ingredient is sold at a regular grocery store.

Cost per serving is the gram weight of each ingredient times its shelf price, divided by servings. We added 10 cents a serving for spices, garlic, salt, vinegar and herbs. Most prices are ALDI's online prices from November 5, 2026: a dozen large eggs at $1.65, 16 oz of shredded cheddar at $3.65, a 32 oz tub of plain Greek yogurt at $2.99 and a gallon of whole milk at $2.56. For comparison, the national average for a dozen eggs was $2.27 in September 2026, according to BLS average price data. Bananas, fresh tomatoes, romaine, flour and sugar use September 2026 BLS averages, because they weren't listed online that day.
Protein comes from USDA FoodData Central values per 100 g. For example, a large egg has about 6.3 g, cheddar has 24.2 g per 100 g and nonfat Greek yogurt has 9.5 g. We count only the main ingredients, so the real number is a little higher.
Time is hands-on plus cooking time, starting from canned beans and dry pasta or rice.

Tip: If you're cutting back on meat, start with the dinners your family already eats. Mac and cheese, cheese enchiladas, egg fried rice and baked ziti are already vegetarian, so nobody feels like they're missing out.

112 easy vegetarian recipes for every meal

Recipes are numbered so you can write them into your weekly planner. Cost and protein are per serving.

Vegetarian breakfast recipes

Eggs, Greek yogurt and cottage cheese make breakfast the easiest meal to get protein into. For more make-ahead jars, see our overnight oats ideas and breakfast burrito guide.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
1	Spinach and feta egg scramble	$1.25	19 g	10 min	Melt butter, scramble eggs low and slow, fold in spinach and feta at the end, serve with toast.
2	Cheddar egg breakfast burritos	99¢	22 g	20 min	Brown diced potato, scramble in eggs, roll into tortillas with cheddar and salsa; wrap and freeze extras.
3	Greek yogurt berry parfait	$1.52	24 g	5 min	Layer Greek yogurt, thawed berries and a handful of toasted oats in a jar.
4	Cottage cheese pancakes	61¢	16 g	20 min	Blend cottage cheese, eggs and flour until smooth, cook small pancakes over medium heat.
5	Veggie egg muffins	63¢	13 g	30 min	Whisk eggs, stir in chopped vegetables and cheese, bake in a greased muffin tin at 350 F for 20 minutes.
6	Egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches	61¢	18 g	15 min	Fry eggs in butter, add cheddar to melt, stack on toast; wrap extras for the freezer.
7	Overnight oats with Greek yogurt	82¢	22 g	5 min	Stir oats, milk and Greek yogurt in a jar, top with banana, chill overnight.
8	Shakshuka	$1.31	19 g	30 min	Simmer tomatoes with onion, pepper and cumin, crack in eggs, cover until the whites set, serve with bread.
9	Ricotta toast with berries	$1.22	15 g	5 min	Toast bread, spread with ricotta, top with sliced strawberries and a drizzle of honey.
10	Sweet potato, pepper and egg hash	82¢	15 g	25 min	Brown diced sweet potato with onion and pepper, make wells and cook eggs on top.
11	Cheesy corn and egg skillet	$1.00	24 g	15 min	Saute corn in butter, pour in whisked eggs, stir until just set, finish with cheddar and serve with toast.
12	Baked French toast casserole	79¢	18 g	45 min	Soak cubed bread in eggs and milk overnight, top with berries, bake at 350 F for 40 minutes.
13	Egg fried rice for breakfast	60¢	17 g	10 min	Fry cold cooked rice with peas, push aside, scramble eggs, toss with soy sauce.
14	Cottage cheese savory breakfast bowls	$1.56	24 g	5 min	Top cottage cheese with chopped tomato, avocado, salt and black pepper.

Tip: Scramble eggs over low heat and pull them off while they still look a little wet. They finish cooking on the plate and stay soft.

Vegetarian lunch recipes

These pack well and take 20 minutes or less. Our egg salad recipe has more mix-ins, and the lunch meal prep guide shows how to batch lunches on Sunday.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
15	Egg salad sandwiches	78¢	23 g	15 min	Chop hard-boiled eggs, mix with Greek yogurt, mustard and salt, pile onto bread with lettuce.
16	Caprese pasta salad	90¢	18 g	20 min	Toss cooked pasta with mozzarella, tomatoes, olive oil, basil and vinegar.
17	Greek chickpea salad with feta	$1.51	12 g	10 min	Toss chickpeas, tomato, lettuce and feta with lemon, oil and oregano.
18	Grilled cheese and tomato soup	$1.30	21 g	20 min	Griddle buttered cheddar sandwiches, simmer canned tomatoes with milk and garlic, dip.
19	Caprese grilled cheese	92¢	18 g	10 min	Fill bread with mozzarella and tomato, toast in butter until melted.
20	Spinach and feta quesadillas	$1.13	12 g	15 min	Layer spinach, feta and mozzarella in tortillas, cook until crisp on both sides.
21	Hummus, feta and veggie pitas	$1.70	12 g	10 min	Spread hummus on warm flatbread, fill with tomato, lettuce and feta.
22	Cobb-style salad with eggs and beans	$1.83	27 g	15 min	Arrange lettuce with sliced eggs, beans, avocado, tomato and cheese, dress with vinaigrette.
23	Quinoa feta salad with tomatoes	$1.41	15 g	20 min	Cook quinoa, cool, toss with chickpeas, tomato, feta, lemon and oil.
24	Black bean cheddar quesadillas	91¢	15 g	15 min	Mash beans with salsa, spread on tortillas, add cheddar, fold and crisp.
25	Lemony white bean and mozzarella wrap	$1.40	20 g	10 min	Mash beans with lemon and garlic, roll in tortillas with spinach and mozzarella.
26	Cottage cheese veggie wraps	$1.11	16 g	10 min	Spread cottage cheese on tortillas, add sliced pepper and shredded carrot, roll tightly.

Egg dinners, frittatas and quiche

Eggs are the cheapest complete protein in the store. At ALDI's price, each large egg costs under 14 cents. A frittata or crustless quiche turns a dozen eggs and leftover vegetables into dinner. See our quiche guide for crust options.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
27	Potato, spinach and cheddar frittata	$1.07	22 g	25 min	Brown onion and potato, pour in eggs, add spinach and cheese, finish under the broiler.
28	Crustless broccoli cheddar quiche	66¢	16 g	45 min	Whisk eggs and milk, pour over broccoli and cheddar in a pie dish, bake at 375 F for 35 minutes.
29	Mushroom and mozzarella omelet	$1.24	28 g	10 min	Saute mushrooms in butter, pour in whisked eggs, fill with cheese and fold.
30	Egg curry	$1.08	19 g	30 min	Halve hard-boiled eggs, simmer in a spiced onion, tomato and coconut sauce, serve over rice.
31	Potato and onion Spanish-style tortilla	69¢	16 g	35 min	Gently fry sliced potato and onion in oil, mix with eggs, cook in a pan and flip.
32	Egg and vegetable fried rice	69¢	14 g	15 min	Fry cold rice with frozen vegetables, scramble in eggs, season with soy sauce.
33	Huevos rancheros	$1.25	24 g	20 min	Warm beans and salsa, fry eggs, serve on crisp tortillas with cheese.
34	Baked eggs in marinara	97¢	22 g	20 min	Spread marinara in a skillet, crack in eggs, top with mozzarella, bake at 400 F until set.

Vegetarian pasta recipes

Cheese and lentils turn a box of pasta into a filling dinner. Our pasta recipes guide, lasagna guide and baked mac and cheese have more sauces and bakes.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
35	Spinach ricotta baked ziti	$1.53	26 g	45 min	Mix cooked ziti with ricotta, spinach and marinara, top with mozzarella, bake at 375 F for 25 minutes.
36	Stovetop mac and cheese	85¢	27 g	20 min	Make a butter-flour roux, whisk in milk, melt in cheddar, stir in cooked macaroni.
37	Vegetable lasagna	$1.75	24 g	75 min	Layer noodles with ricotta-egg filling, zucchini, spinach, marinara and mozzarella, bake 50 minutes.
38	Pasta e ceci with parmesan	$1.38	20 g	25 min	Simmer chickpeas, tomatoes and stock, add small pasta, finish with parmesan.
39	Creamy mushroom pasta	96¢	18 g	25 min	Brown mushrooms in butter, add milk and parmesan, toss with pasta and black pepper.
40	Broccoli Alfredo with parmesan	97¢	21 g	25 min	Make a light white sauce, stir in parmesan, toss with pasta and steamed broccoli.
41	Spaghetti with garlic, butter and parmesan	67¢	19 g	15 min	Toss hot spaghetti with garlic butter, peas, parmesan and pasta water.
42	Stuffed shells with ricotta and spinach	$1.46	23 g	50 min	Fill cooked shells with ricotta, egg and spinach, bake in marinara with mozzarella.
43	Lentil marinara with parmesan	$1.05	25 g	25 min	Simmer lentils in marinara until tender, toss with spaghetti and parmesan.
44	Tomato basil pasta with mozzarella	$1.03	19 g	20 min	Toss hot pasta with chopped tomatoes, garlic, oil and mozzarella so it melts.
45	Cacio e pepe-style spaghetti	65¢	19 g	15 min	Toss spaghetti with butter, parmesan, plenty of black pepper and starchy pasta water.
46	One-pot cheesy tomato pasta	$1.24	17 g	25 min	Cook small pasta in tomatoes and stock until absorbed, stir in cheese and spinach.
47	Zucchini and ricotta pasta	$1.37	20 g	20 min	Saute zucchini, toss with pasta, ricotta, lemon and parmesan.
48	Baked mac and cheese with broccoli	95¢	25 g	45 min	Make a cheddar sauce, fold in pasta and broccoli, bake at 375 F for 20 minutes.

Tip: Save a cup of pasta water before you drain. The starch helps cheese melt into a smooth sauce instead of clumping.

Vegetarian bowls

Bowls are the best way to use leftovers: one grain, one protein, one vegetable and a sauce. A spoonful of garlicky Greek yogurt works as the sauce on almost any of them.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
49	Greek yogurt chickpea power bowls	$1.51	23 g	15 min	Spoon garlicky lemon yogurt over quinoa, chickpeas and tomatoes.
50	Crispy chickpea and feta grain bowls	$1.81	19 g	20 min	Pan-crisp chickpeas, serve over rice with greens, feta and lemon.
51	Black bean burrito bowls with cheddar	$1.22	18 g	20 min	Layer rice, beans and corn, top with cheddar and salsa.
52	Egg roll in a bowl with fried eggs	86¢	18 g	20 min	Stir-fry shredded cabbage and carrot with soy and ginger, top with fried eggs over rice.
53	Mediterranean lentil bowls with feta	99¢	19 g	25 min	Cook lentils, spoon over rice with tomato, feta and lemon-oregano dressing.
54	Roasted veggie bowls with tzatziki-style yogurt	$1.05	14 g	35 min	Roast sweet potato, broccoli and chickpeas, serve with garlic yogurt sauce.
55	Ramen-style noodle bowls with soft eggs	$1.82	18 g	15 min	Simmer stock with soy and mushrooms, add noodles and spinach, top with halved soft eggs.
56	Bibimbap-style rice bowls	$1.32	14 g	25 min	Top rice with sauteed vegetables and a fried egg, add chili sauce and soy.
57	Sweet potato, black bean and egg bowls	$1.17	16 g	30 min	Roast sweet potato cubes, add warm beans and a fried egg, finish with salsa.
58	Caprese quinoa bowls	$1.64	25 g	20 min	Toss quinoa with white beans, tomato, mozzarella, oil and basil.

Vegetarian curries, stews and chili

These taste better on day two, so make a full pot. Stir yogurt or milk in off the heat so it doesn't curdle. Love chili? Our vegetarian chili page has more versions and toppings.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
59	Vegetarian chili with cheddar	$1.49	16 g	40 min	Simmer beans, tomatoes, onion, pepper and corn with chili spices, top with cheddar.
60	Palak paneer-style spinach with cottage cheese	$1.44	15 g	25 min	Cook spinach with onion, garlic and garam masala, blend, fold in cottage cheese, serve over rice.
61	Creamy chickpea tikka masala	$1.14	18 g	30 min	Simmer chickpeas in spiced tomato sauce, stir in yogurt off the heat, serve with rice.
62	White bean chili	$1.12	14 g	35 min	Simmer white beans with stock, onion, corn and cumin, finish with yogurt and cheese.
63	Cheesy lentil sloppy joes	$1.20	26 g	25 min	Simmer lentils with tomato, paste and spices until thick, pile onto toasted bread with a slice of cheddar.
64	Butter chickpeas	$1.03	15 g	25 min	Simmer chickpeas in tomato, garam masala and butter, stir in milk, serve with rice.
65	Ratatouille with parmesan	$1.54	9 g	45 min	Slowly simmer zucchini, pepper, onion and tomato with herbs, finish with parmesan.
66	Mushroom stroganoff	$1.52	20 g	25 min	Brown mushrooms and onion in butter, add stock, stir in yogurt off heat, serve over noodles.
67	Creamy lentil and potato stew	83¢	16 g	40 min	Simmer lentils, potato and carrot in stock, stir in milk for a creamy finish.
68	Black bean and egg shakshuka-style stew	$1.43	24 g	25 min	Simmer beans with tomatoes and salsa, poach eggs on top, serve with warm tortillas.

Vegetarian soup recipes

Soups are the best make-ahead vegetarian meal. Bean and lentil soups freeze for 2 to 3 months. For more pots, see our broccoli cheddar soup, tomato soup, potato soup, egg drop soup and minestrone guides.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
69	Broccoli cheddar soup	$1.17	15 g	35 min	Cook onion in butter with flour, whisk in stock and milk, simmer broccoli, melt in cheddar.
70	Creamy tomato soup with parmesan	87¢	6 g	25 min	Simmer tomatoes with onion, blend, stir in milk, top with parmesan.
71	Loaded baked potato soup	83¢	12 g	40 min	Simmer potatoes in stock, mash half, add milk, top with cheddar and yogurt.
72	Egg drop soup with vegetables	$1.21	9 g	15 min	Bring stock to a simmer with peas and corn, drizzle in beaten eggs while stirring.
73	Ricotta dumpling soup	$1.51	13 g	30 min	Mix ricotta, egg, flour and parmesan, drop spoonfuls into simmering stock with spinach.
74	Minestrone with parmesan	$1.41	12 g	40 min	Simmer vegetables and beans in stock and tomatoes, add pasta, finish with parmesan.
75	Creamy cauliflower cheddar soup	$1.67	12 g	30 min	Simmer cauliflower and onion in stock, blend with milk, stir in cheddar.
76	Lemony lentil soup with feta	$1.12	14 g	35 min	Simmer lentils with vegetables, finish with lemon juice and crumbled feta.
77	Corn chowder	72¢	8 g	35 min	Cook onion in butter, simmer potato and corn in milk, mash a little to thicken.
78	Avgolemono-style egg lemon rice soup	$1.11	7 g	25 min	Simmer rice in stock, temper whisked eggs and lemon with hot broth, stir back in.

Vegetarian tacos, enchiladas and burritos

Beans, cheese and a tortilla are a complete dinner in 15 minutes. Make a double batch of burritos and freeze them for busy nights. Our taco salad page has more toppings.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
79	Cheese enchiladas	$1.25	16 g	40 min	Fill tortillas with cheese, beans and onion, cover with red salsa and more cheese, bake 20 minutes.
80	Bean and cheese burritos	$1.14	18 g	15 min	Mash pinto beans with salsa, roll in tortillas with cheddar, crisp in a pan or freeze.
81	Veggie fajitas with Greek yogurt crema	$1.26	13 g	20 min	Sear sliced peppers and onion with fajita spices, serve in tortillas with lime yogurt.
82	Black bean and sweet potato quesadillas	90¢	16 g	25 min	Mash roasted sweet potato with beans, spread on tortillas with cheese, crisp.
83	Breakfast-for-dinner egg tacos	96¢	21 g	15 min	Scramble eggs soft, spoon into warm tortillas with cheese, salsa and avocado.
84	Cheesy refried bean tostadas	$1.24	18 g	15 min	Crisp tortillas in the oven, top with mashed beans, cheese, lettuce and salsa.
85	Vegetarian taco salad	$1.74	16 g	20 min	Toss lettuce with warm seasoned beans, corn, cheese, salsa and crushed baked tortilla chips.
86	Mexican street corn pasta salad	99¢	17 g	20 min	Toss pasta with charred corn, feta, chili powder and a lime-yogurt dressing.
87	Chile relleno-style stuffed peppers	$1.66	15 g	45 min	Fill halved peppers with rice, beans and cheese, bake under salsa at 375 F for 30 minutes.
88	Enchilada rice skillet	$1.40	14 g	30 min	Simmer rice in stock and salsa with beans and corn, top with melted cheese.

Vegetarian casseroles and sheet-pan dinners

One pan, little cleanup, and most of these feed six. Bake them on Sunday and you have lunches through Wednesday. See our sheet-pan dinners for more one-pan ideas.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
89	Zucchini parmesan bake	$1.81	16 g	45 min	Layer sliced zucchini with marinara and cheeses, top with breadcrumbs, bake 35 minutes.
90	Sheet-pan potatoes and chickpeas with feta	$1.31	11 g	35 min	Roast small potato chunks, chickpeas and pepper, finish with crumbled feta.
91	Cheesy stuffed sweet potatoes	94¢	16 g	50 min	Bake sweet potatoes, split and fill with beans and cheese, top with yogurt.
92	Spinach and cheese stuffed peppers	$1.82	15 g	40 min	Fill pepper halves with rice, ricotta and spinach, top with marinara and mozzarella, bake.
93	Veggie pizza on flatbreads	$1.15	16 g	20 min	Top tortillas with sauce, cheese and vegetables, bake at 425 F until crisp.
94	Sheet-pan nachos with beans and cheese	$1.16	17 g	20 min	Bake tortilla wedges, top with beans, corn and cheese, return to the oven, add salsa.
95	Broccoli cheddar rice casserole	79¢	17 g	45 min	Mix cooked rice, broccoli, cheddar, milk and eggs, bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.
96	Vegetable pot pie with biscuit top	71¢	11 g	60 min	Simmer vegetables in a milk gravy, top with drop biscuits, bake at 400 F for 25 minutes.
97	Cheesy potato and egg bake	70¢	17 g	50 min	Layer sliced potatoes and onion, pour over eggs and milk, top with cheese, bake.
98	Lentil shepherd's pie with cheddar mash	85¢	21 g	60 min	Simmer lentils and vegetables, top with cheddar mashed potatoes, bake until golden.

Vegetarian stir-fries and fried rice

Day-old rice fries best because it's drier. Cook a pot on Sunday and you can make any of these in 15 to 25 minutes. Our stir-fry guide covers sauces and timing.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
99	Vegetable lo mein with egg	65¢	17 g	20 min	Stir-fry cabbage and carrot, add noodles and soy, push aside to scramble eggs.
100	Kung pao-style tofu and peanuts	96¢	24 g	25 min	Brown cubed tofu, stir-fry peppers, toss in a soy, chili and peanut sauce, serve with rice.
101	Broccoli and egg stir-fry	$1.02	17 g	15 min	Stir-fry broccoli until bright, add scrambled eggs and soy sauce, serve over rice.
102	Teriyaki tofu and vegetables	97¢	24 g	25 min	Brown tofu, add vegetables, glaze with soy, sugar and garlic, serve over rice.
103	Egg fried quinoa	$1.08	18 g	20 min	Fry cooked quinoa with vegetables and soy, scramble in eggs.
104	Mushroom and egg fried rice	83¢	13 g	15 min	Brown mushrooms, add cold rice, scramble in eggs, season with soy.
105	Garlic butter vegetable rice	51¢	9 g	20 min	Cook rice, stir through garlic butter, peas, carrot and a little parmesan.
106	Spicy peanut cabbage noodles with eggs	64¢	21 g	20 min	Toss noodles and sauteed cabbage in peanut-soy sauce, top with jammy eggs.

Vegetarian snacks

High-protein snacks keep you from grabbing chips at 3 p.m. Our deviled eggs guide and how to boil eggs make the first one easy.

#	Recipe	Cost/serving	Protein	Time	How to make it
107	Deviled eggs	27¢	7 g	20 min	Halve hard-boiled eggs, mash yolks with yogurt, mustard and paprika, refill.
108	Cottage cheese with berries	$1.44	17 g	2 min	Spoon cottage cheese into a bowl and top with thawed berries.
109	Greek yogurt ranch dip with carrots	48¢	6 g	5 min	Stir yogurt with dill, garlic and onion powder, serve with carrot sticks.
110	Caprese skewers	56¢	8 g	10 min	Thread mozzarella cubes and cherry tomatoes on toothpicks, drizzle with vinegar.
111	Cheese and bean nachos for one	$1.27	20 g	5 min	Top tortilla chips with beans and cheese, microwave, finish with salsa.
112	Frozen yogurt bark	57¢	9 g	10 min	Spread yogurt on a lined tray, swirl in peanut butter and berries, freeze and break into pieces.

Quick vegetarian dinners in 30 minutes or less

These are the fastest dinners on the list, sorted by time. They start from eggs, canned beans, shredded cheese or quick-cooking pasta.

Recipe	Time	Protein	Cost/serving
Mushroom and mozzarella omelet (#29)	10 min	28 g	$1.24
Cacio e pepe-style spaghetti (#45)	15 min	19 g	65¢
Spaghetti with garlic, butter and parmesan (#41)	15 min	19 g	67¢
Egg and vegetable fried rice (#32)	15 min	14 g	69¢
Mushroom and egg fried rice (#104)	15 min	13 g	83¢
Breakfast-for-dinner egg tacos (#83)	15 min	21 g	96¢
Broccoli and egg stir-fry (#101)	15 min	17 g	$1.02
Bean and cheese burritos (#80)	15 min	18 g	$1.14
Egg drop soup with vegetables (#72)	15 min	9 g	$1.21
Cheesy refried bean tostadas (#84)	15 min	18 g	$1.24
Greek yogurt chickpea power bowls (#49)	15 min	23 g	$1.51
Ramen-style noodle bowls with soft eggs (#55)	15 min	18 g	$1.82
Garlic butter vegetable rice (#105)	20 min	9 g	51¢
Spicy peanut cabbage noodles with eggs (#106)	20 min	21 g	64¢
Vegetable lo mein with egg (#99)	20 min	17 g	65¢
Stovetop mac and cheese (#36)	20 min	27 g	85¢

Tip: Keep five things on hand for fast meatless nights: a dozen eggs, a bag of shredded cheese, two cans of beans, a jar of salsa and a bag of frozen vegetables. With rice, pasta or tortillas, that's a week of different dinners.

Easy vegetarian dinner ideas for every night of the week

If you're stuck on what to make, use a theme for each night. It cuts decision time to almost nothing.

Night	Theme	Easy vegetarian meals to try
Monday	Pasta night	Lentil marinara with parmesan, stovetop mac and cheese, creamy mushroom pasta
Tuesday	Taco night	Bean and cheese burritos, huevos rancheros, cheesy refried bean tostadas
Wednesday	Bowl night	Black bean burrito bowls with cheddar, Mediterranean lentil bowls with feta
Thursday	Curry or soup night	Creamy chickpea tikka masala, broccoli cheddar soup, egg curry
Friday	Pizza night	Veggie pizza on flatbreads, sheet-pan nachos with beans and cheese
Saturday	Breakfast for dinner	Shakshuka, potato, spinach and cheddar frittata, cottage cheese pancakes
Sunday	Bake and prep	Spinach ricotta baked ziti, lentil shepherd's pie with cheddar mash

For more weeknight ideas that include meat, see our easy dinner ideas and what to make for dinner guides.

High-protein vegetarian meals

These recipes have 20 g of protein or more per serving. For more ideas, see our high-protein meals list and high-protein meal prep guide. To pick the vegetables that carry the most protein, check our high protein vegetables ranking.

Recipe	Protein	Cost/serving	Main protein
Mushroom and mozzarella omelet (#29)	28 g	$1.24	eggs, mozzarella
Cobb-style salad with eggs and beans (#22)	27 g	$1.83	eggs, white beans
Stovetop mac and cheese (#36)	27 g	85¢	cheddar
Spinach ricotta baked ziti (#35)	26 g	$1.53	ricotta, mozzarella
Cheesy lentil sloppy joes (#63)	26 g	$1.20	lentils, cheddar
Lentil marinara with parmesan (#43)	25 g	$1.05	lentils, parmesan
Baked mac and cheese with broccoli (#48)	25 g	95¢	cheddar
Caprese quinoa bowls (#58)	25 g	$1.64	white beans, mozzarella
Greek yogurt berry parfait (#3)	24 g	$1.52	Greek yogurt
Cheesy corn and egg skillet (#11)	24 g	$1.00	eggs, cheddar
Cottage cheese savory breakfast bowls (#14)	24 g	$1.56	cottage cheese
Huevos rancheros (#33)	24 g	$1.25	eggs, cheddar
Vegetable lasagna (#37)	24 g	$1.75	mozzarella, ricotta
Black bean and egg shakshuka-style stew (#68)	24 g	$1.43	eggs, black beans
Kung pao-style tofu and peanuts (#100)	24 g	96¢	tofu, peanut butter

How to get enough nutrients on a vegetarian diet

A vegetarian diet with eggs and dairy covers most nutrients easily. Iron and B12 are the two to watch. Going fully plant-based? See our vegan recipes for 106 meals without eggs or dairy.

Nutrient	Why it matters	Best vegetarian sources	Daily target for adults
Protein	Muscle, fullness	Eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, lentils, beans, tofu	0.8 g per kg of body weight (about 54 g at 150 lb)
Vitamin B12	Nerves, red blood cells	Eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified cereal	2.4 micrograms
Iron	Carries oxygen in blood	Lentils, beans, tofu, spinach, fortified cereal	8 mg (men), 18 mg (women 19 to 50)
Calcium	Bones	Milk, yogurt, cheese, calcium-set tofu	1,000 mg
Zinc	Immunity, healing	Cheese, yogurt, beans, oats, chickpeas	8 mg (women), 11 mg (men)

Iron needs a helper. The NIH iron fact sheet says vegetarians who don't eat meat, poultry or seafood need almost twice as much iron, because plant iron isn't absorbed as well. Eat beans, lentils and spinach with vitamin C foods like tomatoes, peppers or lemon.

B12 is easier than on a vegan diet. Eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese all contain it. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says people who eat little or no animal foods, including vegetarians, might not get enough. If you eat eggs and dairy only now and then, fortified cereal is a good backup.

Don't rely on cheese alone. Cheese is high in protein but also in saturated fat and sodium. Balance cheesy dinners with bean, lentil and egg meals during the week.

7-day vegetarian meal plan

This plan uses 14 recipes from the list and builds in leftovers: four dinners make enough for the next day's lunch. Costs are for the food you eat, per person.

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Cost per person	Protein
Monday	Overnight oats with Greek yogurt	Egg salad sandwiches	Lentil marinara with parmesan	$2.65	70 g
Tuesday	Cheddar egg breakfast burritos	Lentil marinara with parmesan (leftovers)	Black bean burrito bowls with cheddar	$3.26	65 g
Wednesday	Overnight oats with Greek yogurt	Black bean burrito bowls with cheddar (leftovers)	Creamy chickpea tikka masala	$3.18	58 g
Thursday	Cheddar egg breakfast burritos	Creamy chickpea tikka masala (leftovers)	Huevos rancheros	$3.38	64 g
Friday	Greek yogurt berry parfait	Caprese grilled cheese	Vegetarian chili with cheddar	$3.93	58 g
Saturday	Baked French toast casserole	Vegetarian chili with cheddar (leftovers)	Veggie pizza on flatbreads	$3.43	50 g
Sunday	Baked French toast casserole	Grilled cheese and tomato soup	Lentil shepherd's pie with cheddar mash	$2.94	60 g

That's $22.77 per person for the week, or $45.54 for two adults. Add fruit, deviled eggs or yogurt bark as snacks for a few dollars more.

Grocery list for two adults

Buying whole packages for this plan costs about $93.93 on the first trip if your pantry is empty. That's higher than the food you eat because rice, oats, oil, flour and cheese last more than one week. After week one, you'll spend closer to $45.54.

Aisle	Buy	Price checked Nov 5, 2026
Pantry	1 x ALDI Long Grain White Rice 5 lb	$3.65
Pantry	1 x Reggano Spaghetti 32 oz	$2.09
Pantry	1 x Millville Old Fashioned Oats 42 oz	$4.39
Pantry	1 x Dakota's Pride Green Lentils 16 oz	$1.55
Pantry	2 x ALDI Chickpeas 15.5 oz	$1.90
Pantry	4 x ALDI Black Beans 15 oz	$3.80
Pantry	2 x ALDI Pinto Beans 15.5 oz	$1.90
Pantry	4 x Happy Harvest Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz	$4.36
Pantry	2 x Reggano Marinara 23 oz	$4.18
Pantry	1 x Carlini Vegetable Oil 48 fl oz	$3.95
Pantry	1 x Casa Mamita Salsa 16 oz	$2.75
Produce	1 x Yellow Onions 3 lb	$2.65
Produce	1 x Whole Carrots 2 lb	$2.15
Produce	1 x Baking Potatoes 5 lb	$3.85
Produce	1 x Freshire Farms Green Peppers 3 ct	$2.39
Produce	1 x White Mushrooms 8 oz	$1.65
Produce	1 lb bananas (BLS average, $0.66/lb)	$0.66
Produce	1 lb tomatoes (BLS average, $1.99/lb)	$1.99
Produce	1 lb romaine (BLS average, $3.31/lb)	$3.31
Dairy and eggs	2 x Goldhen Grade A Large Eggs 12 ct	$3.30
Dairy and eggs	1 x Friendly Farms Whole Milk 1 gal	$2.56
Dairy and eggs	1 x Countryside Creamery Unsalted Butter 16 oz	$2.95
Dairy and eggs	1 x Happy Farms Shredded Mild Cheddar 16 oz	$3.65
Dairy and eggs	1 x Happy Farms Shredded Mozzarella 16 oz	$3.65
Dairy and eggs	1 x Reggano Grated Parmesan 8 oz	$3.09
Dairy and eggs	2 x Friendly Farms Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt 32 oz	$5.98
Bread and freezer	2 x L'oven Fresh 100% Whole Wheat Bread 20 oz	$4.10
Bread and freezer	1 x Pueblo Lindo Flour Tortillas 10 ct 17.5 oz	$2.09
Bread and freezer	1 x Season's Choice Berry Medley 32 oz	$7.35
Bread and freezer	1 x Season's Choice Sweet Peas 12 oz	$0.95
Bread and freezer	1 x Season's Choice Super Sweet Corn 12 oz	$1.09

Tip: Write prices into a grocery price book the first time you shop. After a month you'll know which store has the cheapest eggs and cheese near you. Our meal planning on a budget guide shows the full weekly system.

Vegetarian swaps for meat

Instead of	Use	Works in
Ground beef	Cooked lentils or black beans	Sloppy joes, tacos, bolognese, shepherd's pie
Chicken	Chickpeas, tofu or eggs	Curries, fried rice, wraps, salads
Chicken stock	Vegetable stock	Soups, rice, risotto
Bacon	Smoked paprika and crispy chickpeas	Salads, pasta, baked potatoes
Meat sauce	Mushroom and lentil marinara	Lasagna, baked ziti, spaghetti
Paneer	Cottage cheese or extra firm tofu	Palak paneer, tikka masala
Sour cream	Plain Greek yogurt	Tacos, chili, baked potatoes, dips

How long vegetarian leftovers keep

Food	Fridge	Freezer
Bean chili, curries and stews	3 to 4 days	2 to 3 months
Lentil and bean soups	3 to 4 days	2 to 3 months
Cream or cheese soups	3 to 4 days	1 to 2 months (may separate)
Lasagna, baked ziti and casseroles	3 to 4 days	2 to 3 months
Frittata, quiche and egg muffins	3 to 4 days	2 to 3 months
Hard-boiled eggs	Up to 7 days	Not recommended
Burritos, wrapped	3 to 4 days	2 to 3 months

Cool leftovers within 2 hours in shallow containers, and reheat to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir cream soups well when reheating, since dairy can separate after freezing.

Common mistakes when cooking vegetarian

Leaving a hole where the meat was. Pasta with vegetables isn't a full meal. Add eggs, cheese, beans or lentils to every dinner, or you'll be hungry by 8 p.m.

Too much cheese, too little else. Cheese is easy, but a week of it gets heavy. Rotate in bean, lentil and egg dinners.

Bland beans and lentils. They need salt, acid and fat. Season with onion, garlic, a spice and a squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar.

Hidden meat ingredients. Some parmesan is made with animal rennet, and many soups use chicken stock. Check labels if you're strictly vegetarian.

Buying every meat substitute. Veggie burgers and meatless nuggets cost $4 to $7 a box. Use them as treats, not staples. Our family grocery budget guide shows what a normal week should cost.

Vegetarian meal prep in 90 minutes

Pick one recipe from each group and cook them together on Sunday:

Start the oven (0 to 45 minutes). Bake a casserole like spinach ricotta baked ziti or crustless broccoli cheddar quiche.
Simmer a pot (10 to 40 minutes). Make vegetarian chili or creamy lentil and potato stew.
Cook the base (10 to 30 minutes). Make a big pot of rice and boil a dozen eggs.
Mix breakfasts (10 minutes). Make four jars of overnight oats with Greek yogurt or a tray of veggie egg muffins.
Pack it (15 minutes). Portion lunches into containers and label freezer portions.

Our vegetarian meal prep ideas has full prep menus, and the how to meal plan guide walks through a weekly routine. Want to go fully plant-based some nights? Try our cheap vegan meals. New to meatless eating? Start with our beginner vegetarian diet plan and nutrient checklist.

Plan your vegetarian meals for the week

Budget high-protein dinners: lentil recipes.

A look inside the HomeBase Meal Planner & Grocery List, with sample pages shown

A list of 112 recipes only helps if you decide which ones to cook. The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) has a weekly meal planner, a monthly menu, a meal prep checklist, an aisle-sorted grocery list, and pantry and freezer inventories. Write in the recipe numbers from this page and your grocery list is half done.

Keep the meatless dinners your family loves in the Family Recipe Binder ($6.99). It has section dividers, four recipe page layouts, 4x6 and 3x5 recipe cards and a conversion chart, so your best enchiladas don't get lost in your phone.

Want both? The Family Life Admin Bundle is $15.99 (~~$23.95~~ bought separately). It includes the meal planner, the recipe binder, a kids chore chart, a newborn baby tracker and pet health records. See all our printable planners or bundles.

More vegetarian and meal planning ideas:

Vegetarian meal prep ideas for a full week of meatless lunches
Vegetarian chili for a big pot that freezes well
Vegan recipes when you want to go fully plant-based
Healthy dinner ideas for balanced plates any night
Meal prep on a budget for a cheap Sunday cooking routine
How to grocery shop on a budget to make every recipe here cheaper

Provençal vegetable classic: ratatouille recipe. Protein-packed lunch: chickpea salad.

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Frequently asked questions

What are some easy vegetarian recipes? Easy vegetarian recipes use eggs, cheese, beans, lentils, pasta or rice and take 30 minutes or less. Stovetop mac and cheese, huevos rancheros, egg fried rice, bean and cheese burritos, lentil marinara and spinach and feta egg scramble are all easy, filling and under $2 a serving.

What are quick vegetarian dinners I can make in 30 minutes? Mushroom and egg fried rice and bean and cheese burritos take about 15 minutes. Stovetop mac and cheese, huevos rancheros, vegetable lo mein with egg and veggie pizza on flatbreads take about 20. Our list has 54 vegetarian dinners ready in 30 minutes or less.

What do vegetarians eat in a day? A typical vegetarian day might be overnight oats with Greek yogurt for breakfast, egg salad sandwiches for lunch and lentil marinara with parmesan for dinner. In our price check that day costs about $2.65 per person and has about 70 grams of protein.

How do vegetarians get enough protein? Vegetarians get protein from eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, milk, lentils, beans, chickpeas and tofu. Build each meal around one of them. Two large eggs have about 12.6 grams of protein, and a cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt has over 20 grams.

What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan recipes? Vegetarian recipes skip meat, poultry and fish but usually include eggs and dairy, such as cheese, milk, butter and yogurt. Vegan recipes skip all animal products, including eggs, dairy and honey. Every recipe on this page uses no meat, and many include eggs or cheese.

Do vegetarians need a B12 supplement? Vegetarians do not always need a B12 supplement. Eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese contain vitamin B12, so many vegetarians who eat them daily get enough. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says people who eat little or no animal foods might fall short, so fortified cereal or a supplement can help.

How do vegetarians get enough iron? Vegetarians get iron from lentils, beans, tofu, spinach, oats and fortified cereal. The NIH says vegetarians need almost twice as much iron as meat eaters because plant iron is absorbed less well. Eating it with vitamin C, like tomatoes, peppers or lemon, helps your body absorb more.

What are good vegetarian recipes for beginners? Start with meals your family already eats without meat: mac and cheese, cheese enchiladas, egg fried rice, baked ziti and grilled cheese with tomato soup. Then swap lentils into sloppy joes or marinara. These use cheap staples and need no special ingredients.

What is the cheapest vegetarian meal? In our price check, deviled eggs cost 27 cents a serving. For full dinners, garlic butter vegetable rice was 51 cents, and vegetable lo mein with egg and cacio e pepe-style spaghetti were 65 cents. Eggs at $1.65 a dozen are the cheapest protein on the list.

Are vegetarian meals healthy? Most vegetarian meals built on beans, lentils, eggs, whole grains, vegetables and yogurt are high in fiber and protein. Vegetarian doesn't automatically mean healthy, though. Meals heavy on cheese, butter and white pasta can be high in saturated fat and sodium, so rotate in bean and lentil dinners.

What can I use instead of meat in vegetarian recipes? Cooked lentils or black beans replace ground beef in tacos, sloppy joes and bolognese. Chickpeas, tofu or eggs replace chicken in curries, fried rice and wraps. Mushrooms add a meaty texture to pasta sauces, stroganoff and fajitas.

Can I freeze vegetarian meals? Yes, you can freeze vegetarian meals. Chili, lentil soups, curries, lasagna, baked ziti, burritos and egg muffins freeze well for 2 to 3 months. Cream and cheese soups can separate, so stir them well when reheating. Skip freezing salads, hard-boiled eggs and anything with raw vegetables.

What planner helps me plan vegetarian meals? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. is a printable with a weekly meal planner, a monthly menu, a meal prep checklist, an aisle-sorted grocery list and pantry and freezer inventories, so your meatless week is planned before you shop.

Where can I keep my favorite vegetarian recipes? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. is a printable with section dividers, four recipe page layouts, 4x6 and 3x5 recipe cards and a conversion chart. It keeps the vegetarian dinners your family likes in one place instead of scattered across screenshots.

Is there a bundle with the meal planner and recipe binder? Yes, there is a bundle with the meal planner and recipe binder. The Family Life Admin Bundle is $15.99, compared with $23.95 bought separately. It includes the Meal Planner & Grocery List, the Family Recipe Binder, a kids chore chart, a newborn baby tracker and pet health records.

Save the family favorites: get the free recipe book pages

Printable recipe pages and a recipe request card to send to relatives, so the dishes everyone loves end up in one book. You'll also get our weekly HomeBase email with easy meal planning ideas and family recipe tips.

Sources

USDA FoodData Central fdc.nal.usda.gov
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B12 fact sheet for consumers ods.od.nih.gov
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron fact sheet for consumers ods.od.nih.gov
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Average price data, eggs, grade A, large, per dozen data.bls.gov

112 easy vegetarian recipes for quick dinners, lunches and breakfasts

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