Looking for Vegetarian Recipes

echofm1
echofm1 Posts: 471 Member
edited November 8 in Recipes
I'm looking for a variety of new vegetarian main course dishes to try. To be fully up front, I'm not actually a vegetarian, but meat is expensive and I'd like to be able to make a dinner or two a week without any in it. The problem is, I come from a very meat-and-potatoes family and so I don't really have anything in my recipe books that fit this bill.

So I figured I'd come to MFP. What are some of your favorite vegetarian main courses? Or do you have any go-to cookbooks or recipe websites that I should check out?

Some things to note in the recipes: I don't (yet) have a blender or food processor, since I only recently got my own place and it's low on the the to-buy list right now. I'm not too keen on tofu (I've tried it raw and cooked with other things), and for the purposes of this fish is meat. I primarily shop at Aldi so if I can buy all the ingredients there you get a gold star!

Replies

  • echofm1
    echofm1 Posts: 471 Member
    Really? Nothing? I'm a little disappointed, MFP.
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    We like to eat meat because it's delicious and good for you
  • corofinlass
    corofinlass Posts: 43 Member
    Vegetarian chilli - Cooked as with meat but substitute red kidney beans instead of beef.
    -
    Veggie Stew - Cooked as with meat but substitute meat for lentils (add these just 10 mins from the end of cooking and keep the pot stirred as they tend to stick to the bottom)

    Pasta with veggie Bolognese - Cook as you would the meat version but use mushrooms, onion, sweet potato, red & green peppers, broccoli. For a quick tomato based sauce use tomato passata with garlic powder, dried basil and a sprinkle of chilli powder if you like heat.

    Veggie Curry - Again as you would make your normal chicken curry but use veggies like cauliflower (chopped small), peas, onions, carrots, peppers etc. I love to serve a side of roasted sweet potato, butternut squash with pumkin seeds sprinkled with a little garlic and turmeric.

    Stir Fry - the one I made this evening had kale, onion, peppers, mushrooms, quorn all stir fryed in a tablespoon of sesame seed oil. Then add soy sauce, garlic, ginger and pepper to taste. Keep adjusting until you get the flavours correct for you. The kale in this gives great texture.

    I also use a lot of Quorn products. They are low in fat and high in protein but probably about the same cost as meat, so not sure if you would find them useful. My newest find is their "pork chops" which I serve with mashed potato and kale.

    I have tons of other recipes so hit me up if you want more.





  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    We aren't vegetarian either but have also chosen to eat meatless meals several times each week.
    We just had this stew. My dd who is sort of picky really loved it. I didn't have green beans so put in some spinach instead. I also added some garlic and about 1tsp salt and a little lemon juice. We had some olives with it. greek.food.com/recipe/greek-potato-zucchini-and-bean-stew-142323

    Some other meatless foods my family likes:
    Fassolatha- a Greek bean soup is very tasty.
    Minestrone- another of my dd's favorites
    Lemon lentil soup
    Tomato soup
    Potato soup
    Beans and rice
    Baked Mac and cheese
    Ratatouille
    Bean burritos
    Cheese ravioli, tortellini, or manicotti
    Spaghetti with a tomato based sauce, lots of veggies
    Noodles with peanut sauce and vegetables, vegetable egg rolls
    Eggs, pancakes, french toast, baked oatmeal

    budgetbytes.com has some good recipes.
  • dklibert
    dklibert Posts: 1,196 Member
    I forgot what I had for dinner last night. It would work too and it was delicious.

    Mushroom Enchiladas
    Make 6 enchiladas; 2 or 3 servings

    Ingredients

    1 Tbsp. olive oil
    1 shallot, chopped
    16 oz. white mushrooms, sliced
    3/4 tsp. Sazon seasoning
    10 oz. can mild green enchilada sauce
    6 flour tortillas
    3/4 cup Monterey jack cheese

    Directions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees (if using).

    Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add shallot and mushrooms saute until begins to brown and soften. Season with sazon and continue to cook a minute longer. Remove from heat and set aside.

    To assemble the enchiladas: Pour a little enchilada sauce in baking dish. Divide mushroom filling among the 6 tortilla and roll. Place seam side down in the baking dish cover with remaining sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and begins to bubble and brown. Caution they will be hot allow to rest a bit before serving.

    To make individual portions: Pour a little enchilada sauce in 3 individual baking dishes. Divide mushroom filling among the 6 tortilla and roll. Place 2 seam side down in the baking dish cover with remaining sauce and cheese. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Bake one dish at 350 for 15 minutes or microwave for 2 minutes on high. Caution they will be hot allow to rest a bit before serving.
  • rofliey
    rofliey Posts: 8 Member
    http://www.food.com/recipe/vegetarian-yakisoba-187655
    Include broccoli and mushroom chopped and it's really good.
  • echofm1
    echofm1 Posts: 471 Member
    Thank you everyone! These look great, and I'm excited to try them out.

    And I agree, meat IS delicious and good for you, which is why I eat it.
  • bm1409
    bm1409 Posts: 1,715 Member
    One of my favorite new things is Zoodles (zucchini or squash noodles). to replace noodles (trying to lower carbs). I usually top it with pasta sauce. If you go a website called skinnytaste, she has some really good vegetarian recipes. If you like potato soup, she has a soup called loaded potato soup thats made with mostly cauliflower which is awesome.
  • trisH_7183
    trisH_7183 Posts: 1,486 Member
    Bean soup is perfect. Use Great Northern beans,chicken broth & add a TBL of dry ham bullion if you have it. A pinch if rosemary & sage works too.
    Try allrecipes for basic bean soup recipe.

  • I've been a vegetarian for over two years now, and the rest of my family is not. These are some of the recipes we frequently use, which everyone likes.
    macaroni and cheese: http://southernfood.about.com/od/macaroniandcheeserecipes/r/Best-Baked-Macaroni-And-Cheese.htm
    vegetarian chili: http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/vegetarian-quinoa-chili/
    black bean enchiladas: http://www.recipegirl.com/2013/01/14/vegetable-enchiladas/
    black bean quesadillas
    baked ziti: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-ziti-ii/detail.aspx
    quinoa and goat cheese patties: http://preventionrd.com/2012/08/quinoa-patties-with-goat-cheese-and-remoulade/
    veggie burgers (I love Garden Burger)
    stuffed peppers: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/quinoa-stuffed-peppers-2/
  • hotcoffee692
    hotcoffee692 Posts: 167 Member
    How about a baked sweet potato? You can top them with whatever you have on hand, or whatever fits the nutritional profile you're going for: chili, black beans, broccoli, nuts, sauteed onions, tomatoes, lentils, cheese, spinach...etc.

    The vegetarian group here at MFP has a recipe announcement that runs several pages long: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/45-happy-herbivores
  • Swiftlet66
    Swiftlet66 Posts: 729 Member
    1. Take any recipe.
    2. If there is meat in the recipe, replace it with beans, tofu, or eggs.
    3. Google vegetarian recipe.

    That's what I do! :D
  • ducati45
    ducati45 Posts: 54 Member
    I'm cooking my "version" of this right. No onion, double the garlic it always takes longer for the lentils to soften up. 1 serving equals around 300 cals. The delectable smell is permeating my apartment right now. Also like, I'm a student and it's cheap as chips...well cheaper than! You can always add in some veggies if you like or have it with rice/naan etc.
    http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/14107/lentil+dhal
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  • chanddave
    chanddave Posts: 1
    edited November 2014
    Hi everyone!

    Here is a really awesome tasty vegetarian recipe and perfect for the cold fall weather!

    simidave.com/delicious-vegetarian-shepards-pie-recipe/

  • brach786
    brach786 Posts: 13 Member
    Oh she glows has some great recipes!!!! Check out her website
  • BootCampLola
    BootCampLola Posts: 13 Member
    Basic Broke Girl's pasta -

    * Wholewheat Pasta
    * Tinned Tomato & Onion Mix
    * Soya Mince Powder (optional)
    * Salt & Pepper to taste

    Not gonna give instructions because I think it's quite obvious.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    I am not a vegetarian, but I do eat many vegetarian dishes due to gastric issues.

    Here is my pinterest board with tons of vegetarian recipes.

    http://www.pinterest.com/kydenay/vegetarian/
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    Swiftlet66 wrote: »
    1. Take any recipe.
    2. If there is meat in the recipe, replace it with beans, tofu, or eggs.
    3. Google vegetarian recipe.

    That's what I do! :D
    Pretty much this too
  • ysalinas
    ysalinas Posts: 8 Member
    This is one of my favorite recipes! I also google "meatless main dish" and come up with a variety of recipies.
    http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/spicy-vegetable-chili
  • ElizabethNJ
    ElizabethNJ Posts: 32 Member
    vegetarian slow cooker lasagna.

    lightly oil the bottom & edges so the noddles don't stick. Put about 1/2 cup of tomato sauce on bottom. Break up lasagna noodle and layer on sauce. Add cheese (I like provolone), layer veggies (I use spinach and mixed veggies - diced carrots, green beans, peas, corn), then a layer of shredded cheese (I use mozzarella), then repeat to make about 3 layers (sauce, noodles, cheese, veggies, cheese, etc). I cook for 3 hours on high, because I'm impatient, but I'd assume about 6 hours on low (or until noodles are cooked). My husband (meat eater) absolutely loves it. :D
  • corofinlass
    corofinlass Posts: 43 Member
    vegetarian slow cooker lasagna.

    lightly oil the bottom & edges so the noddles don't stick. Put about 1/2 cup of tomato sauce on bottom. Break up lasagna noodle and layer on sauce. Add cheese (I like provolone), layer veggies (I use spinach and mixed veggies - diced carrots, green beans, peas, corn), then a layer of shredded cheese (I use mozzarella), then repeat to make about 3 layers (sauce, noodles, cheese, veggies, cheese, etc). I cook for 3 hours on high, because I'm impatient, but I'd assume about 6 hours on low (or until noodles are cooked). My husband (meat eater) absolutely loves it. :D

    Hi there. I also cook something very similar but recently swop the lasagne for kale to make it less carby and it is delicious!



  • fodes99
    fodes99 Posts: 3 Member
    Super quick and easy - vegetarian fajitas

    Fry mushrooms, onions and peppers in a little oil
    add Paprika, chili spices and I add a little lemon pepper (it has garlic in it also)

    then it's whatever you want in addition - salsa, cilantro, jalapenos, etc
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