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Vegetarian meal ideas please.

39 replies

ForDucksSake · 28/05/2026 21:55

I know there are loads online, but I would love some 'real' vegetarian recipes from real people for a relatively new vegetarian family member. Things that are healthy, relatively quick and don't need 450 ingredients please. I'd be so grateful for suggestions.

OP posts:
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5
itrezcbmko · 28/05/2026 21:56

Moussaka, omelette, jacket potatoes, chilli.

ProudCat · 28/05/2026 22:00

I'm not a vegetarian but eat a mainly vegan diet.

Tonight I had a carrot and lentil salad:
Organic carrots grated
Can of brown lentils (drained)
Pack of Tilda wholegrain basmati rice (flash fried)
Thinly chopped spring onion
Lemon, olive oil, salt dressing mixed in
Shop bought hummus on top
Took like 10 minutes. Low carbs. Lots of protein.

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RubyPowderPuff · 28/05/2026 22:09

Basic tomato sauce then add courgette, pepper and lentils.
Potato bake/ gratin layered with mushrooms & spinach topped with cheese.

Baked potato with cottage cheese and salad.

Couscous burger (I make batches and freeze them) can be served with salad or any other vegetables as sides.

Rice or couscous stuffed papers

AnneLovesGilbert · 28/05/2026 22:12

Have you got a recipe for the couscous burgers @RubyPowderPuff They sound great!

AnneLovesGilbert · 28/05/2026 22:20

We’re vegetarian OP, we eat a lot of daal (can send recipe), tofu stir fry, homemade pizza, courgette and cream cheese pasta, sweetcorn or courgette fritters, homemade hummus or tzatziki with carrot salad and pitta, falafel and salad wraps, veg and egg curry with rice, roti or noodles, toad in the hole with potatoes, carrots and broccoli, mixed bean and veg casserole with bread or potatoes, courgette frittata etc.

Are you after meals that can be veg or meat (bolognaise) or for one, and is the relative an adult or child?

I’ve just realised how many courgettes we eat 😂

Ohsakes · 28/05/2026 22:32

Ratatoullie on its own, with rice, baked potatoes or mash (contraversial but delicious), feta and red pepper frittata with salad and wedges, mini tapas: tomato, basil and mozzarella stacks, side of olives and bread with an oil/balsamic dip. I get that many veggie recipes seem to have a lot of ingredients but my favourite spinach and lentil daal (16 ingredients) means just sauteeing a few of them then adding the rest in a oner. All available in our pretty basic neck of the woods.

RubyPowderPuff · 28/05/2026 22:37

AnneLovesGilbert · 28/05/2026 22:12

Have you got a recipe for the couscous burgers @RubyPowderPuff They sound great!

No problem:
about 200g couscous soaked in vegetable stock- I use a good quality one, as it can be a bit bland otherwise.

150-200g grated cheese, cheddar is best, mozzarella doesn't bring anything to the party but is ok if you choose other strong flavours with your seasoning.

2 eggs
Breadcrumbs
Season to taste and add fresh herbs eg chives, parsley or rosemary or use spicees like cumin, smoked paprika, chilli flakes or nutmeg- really whatever combo takes your fancy!
Mix all together until you get a mix that can be made into a patty. The breadcrumbs are key to this!
Fry in a pan with a little oil until piping hot & enjoy or freeze for a later time.

PS: our family favourite is Emmental cheese and chives with a hint of nutmeg.

AnneLovesGilbert · 28/05/2026 22:40

That sounds brilliant, thank you so much.

Trouserstrouserstrousers · 28/05/2026 22:42

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spicy-falafels we have this with either couscous or salad and flat bread. I increase the spice a little.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/bean_and_rice_burrito_33565 this is one of dc favourites.
Bean chilli - onion, mixed peppers, tin of mixed beans, kidney beans and baked beans, 400ml passata, 2tsp garamasala, 1tsp garlic and 3tsp cumin. Serve with rice.

Falafels in pitta bread that has been grilled. With gherkins, pickled cabbage and greens

Easy falafel recipe

Our simple homemade falafels are so easy to make. Stuff them into warm pittas with salad, or serve with couscous and hummus for a budget-friendly lunch.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spicy-falafels

plsdontlookatme · 28/05/2026 22:48

Tofu stir fry
I know the other vegetarians will kill me if I suggest quiche, but I love quiche
Shawarma tofu/seitan/fake chicken/mushroom

ForDucksSake · 28/05/2026 22:49

These are amazing thank you so much. DD has recently become vegetarian so I want to be able to make nice meals for all of us to a) not make her feel like she's causing an issue b) make it easier for me and c) I've been seriously thinking about it myself over the last 6 months, so I need encouragement and ideas. Again, thank you.

OP posts:
SparklyBlueDress · 28/05/2026 22:50

If dd has veggie friends round then I tend to make fajitas substituting the chicken for cannellini beans

VeganSteakAndFries · 28/05/2026 23:05

ProudCat · 28/05/2026 22:00

I'm not a vegetarian but eat a mainly vegan diet.

Tonight I had a carrot and lentil salad:
Organic carrots grated
Can of brown lentils (drained)
Pack of Tilda wholegrain basmati rice (flash fried)
Thinly chopped spring onion
Lemon, olive oil, salt dressing mixed in
Shop bought hummus on top
Took like 10 minutes. Low carbs. Lots of protein.

Sounds nice. But it’s not low carb!

VeganSteakAndFries · 28/05/2026 23:05

plsdontlookatme · 28/05/2026 22:48

Tofu stir fry
I know the other vegetarians will kill me if I suggest quiche, but I love quiche
Shawarma tofu/seitan/fake chicken/mushroom

I love quiche too!

VeganSteakAndFries · 28/05/2026 23:08

Roast ratatouille with feta and loads on fresh herbs cooked on top with homous….

ratatouille and cheese on baked potato

greek courgette fritters and salad

Miso and soy fried tofu with stir fry veg, noodles… yum!

lentil bolognaise

Lentil and spinach lasagna

veggie sausage (cauldron) mash and peas

Mixed bean salad, feta, homous, coleslaw

Beetroot salad with toasted walnuts, rocket and goat’s cheese - drizzled with balsamic dressing

Ereshkigalangcleg · 28/05/2026 23:21

Im also vegetarian and I adore quiche - courgette, mushroom, onion, broccoli, asparagus with either cheddar or feta.

herewegoagain432 · 28/05/2026 23:29

Spag Bol with quorn mince

Icecreamisthebest · Yesterday 05:21

This frittata is super easy and quick Vegetarian Frittata by Julie Goodwin | Mclean Care

Vege bologanise - I just fry off onion and garlic, add grated zucchini, finely chopped anything else I want to add and 1/2 cup red lentils, passata and herbs. Cook 20 minutes and serve on pasta.

Leek and pea risotto

Nachos (I also often make the mix and serve on jacket potato

Dahl - the sweet potato and spinach one on the BBC website is a good one.

Mixed mezze plate with hummous, vege sticks, eggplant marinated in soy sauce and baked and pita bread

Vegetarian Frittata by Julie Goodwin | Mclean Care

Try this simple vegetarian frittata recipe by Julie Goodwin, offering a healthy and tasty meal for any time of the day.

https://mcleancare.org.au/article-listing/vegetarian-frittata-by-julie-goodwin/

Neurodiversitydoctor · Yesterday 06:14

We are veggi:
Typical week is:
Cauliflower feta and walnut pasta
Spanish tortilla
Vegetrarian tagine
Stir fry or miso soup with tofu and noodles
Chilli
Rissotto

Other ideas:
Veggi burgers
Gnocchi with creamy sauce
Home made pizza

More wintery dishes include
Soups (often with lentils/ beans)
Shepardess pie
Ottelenghi ragu
Curries (various)
Veggi lasange

Hope that helps

Mauro711 · Yesterday 06:19

Yesterday I had:

lunch - liba bread with hummus, fresh spinach, cucumber, tomato, avocado, parsley, halloumi, chili oil all rolled up like a wrap.

dinner - rana filled gnocchi, tomato sauce, chickpeas, broccoli, feta cheese, chili flakes.

hholiday · Yesterday 06:28

I'm veggie and this is one of my favourites – it's not this recipe exactly, as mine is from an old book, but it's really similar. I usually just take a few slices of ciabatta and butter it, rather than cubing the bread, then scatter the veg over and finally the egg/ milk mix and cheese and bake – so easy and delicious https://pinchandswirl.com/savory-bread-pudding/

The Best Make-Ahead Savory Bread Pudding (Crispy Top, No Sogginess!)

Stop throwing away stale bread! This Savory Gruyère Bread Pudding is a creamy, flavorful main dish that’s perfect for brunch or a holiday side. Toasting the bread first is the secret to a perfectly custardy center and a crunchy, golden top. Get the ful...

https://pinchandswirl.com/savory-bread-pudding/

sashh · Yesterday 07:00

Don't forget the 'on toast' options. Beans on toast, cheese on toast, egg on toast (boiled, poached or fried). Things like baked potatoes.

Gnocchi, pasta, noodles.

For something like a curry or a 'stew' buy a bag of mixed frozen veg so you don't end up throwing half the veg away.

Tomato salad - it makes a nice starter. Beefsteak tomatoes sliced, sprinkle with finely chopped spring onions and finish with a salad dressing, make your own or buy a nice one.

Filo parcels, really easy to make, finely chopped mushrooms with cream cheese. Experiment with different fillings.

If you do them for everyone then the non veggies can have smoked salmon and cream cheese - salmon trimmings were made for this.

BlindSpotForCats · Yesterday 07:15

ProudCat · 28/05/2026 22:00

I'm not a vegetarian but eat a mainly vegan diet.

Tonight I had a carrot and lentil salad:
Organic carrots grated
Can of brown lentils (drained)
Pack of Tilda wholegrain basmati rice (flash fried)
Thinly chopped spring onion
Lemon, olive oil, salt dressing mixed in
Shop bought hummus on top
Took like 10 minutes. Low carbs. Lots of protein.

I like the sound of this. I think I'll do that tonight thank you!