In this article we give you 9 varied vegetarian recipes, some people think that going vegetarian can be boring and there is a limited variety of options open. Hopefully this list may change your mind.
Vegetarian Penne
Ingredients
2 cups uncooked penne or medium tube pasta
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 small yellow summer squash, sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the onion, summer squash, zucchini, mushrooms and garlic in butter until tender.
In a bowl, whisk the flour, seasonings and cream until smooth; add to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Drain pasta and add to vegetable mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
Vegetarian Bean Curry
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large white onion, chopped
1/2 cup dry lentils
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 (8 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup raisins
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the onion until tender. Mix in the lentils and garlic, and season with curry powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and raisins. Season with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat to low, and simmer at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally
Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Ingredients
4 eggs
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup apricot jam
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 dash hot pepper sauce
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, Cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese until well blended. Mix in 1/2 cup onion, pecans, basil, salt and sage. Stir in bread crumbs. Form the mixture into 2 inch balls, and place them in a 9×13 inch baking dish. In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, vinegar, apricot jam, ketchup, 1/4 cup onion, oregano and hot pepper sauce. Pour over meatballs.
Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until meatballs are firm, and sauce is thick and bubbly.
Vegetarian Meatloaf
Ingredients
1 (12 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce
1 (12 ounce) package vegetarian burger crumbles
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/3 cup minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a 5×9 inch loaf pan.
In a bowl, mix 1/2 the barbeque sauce with the vegetarian burger crumbles, green bell pepper, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Season with thyme, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Transfer to the loaf pan.
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Pour remaining barbeque sauce over the loaf, and continue baking 15 minutes, or until loaf is set.
Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (1 pound) package frozen pepper and onion stir fry mix
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
3 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chile peppers, drained
4 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn
12 ounces tortilla chips
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced
Instructions
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the pepper and onion stir fry mix, garlic, and cumin, and cook 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
Mix in the tomatoes and chile peppers. Pour in the broth, and season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes.
Mix corn into the soup, and continue cooking 5 minutes. Serve in bowls over equal amounts of tortilla chips. Top with cheese and avocado.
Vegetarian Four Cheese Lasagna
Ingredients
2 cups peeled and diced pumpkin
1 eggplant, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
5 tomatoes
1 pint ricotta cheese
9 ounces crumbled feta cheese
2/3 cup pesto
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
fresh pasta sheets
1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place pumpkin on a baking sheet and roast in oven until browned and tender, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grill eggplant on a charcoal grill or fry in a skillet, turning once, until charred and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Halve tomatoes and place on baking sheet in oven for last 15 minutes of pumpkin time; cook until tender and wrinkly.
In a medium bowl, stir together ricotta, feta, pesto, eggs, salt and pepper until well mixed. Fold roasted pumpkin into ricotta mixture.
Spoon half of the tomato sauce into a 9×13 baking dish. Lay two pasta sheets over the sauce. Arrange a single layer of eggplant slices over pasta and top with half the ricotta mixture. Cover with two more pasta sheets.
Arrange the roasted tomatoes evenly overthe sheets and spoon the remaining half the ricotta mixture over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella. Top with remaining two sheets of pasta.
Pour remaining tomato sauce over all and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake in preheated oven 30 to 40 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Easy Vegetarian Corn Chowder
Ingredients
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 (14.5 ounce) cans vegetable broth
2 (15 ounce) cans creamed corn
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
2 tablespoons shredded carrot
1 cup half-and-half cream
3/4 cup skim milk
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch salt
Instructions
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Cook onions and celery in butter 3 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook 6 minutes more, until light brown. Whisk in broth and simmer 10 minutes.
Stir in creamed corn, corn, carrot, half-and-half, milk, nutmeg, pepper and salt. Simmer over low heat 10 minutes more.
Vegetarian Kofta Kabobs
Ingredients
1 cup bulgur
2 cups vegetable broth or stock
1 (18.75 ounce) can adzuki beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1 egg, beaten
1 cup stale whole wheat bread cubes
1 cup skim milk
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 (12-inch) skewers
Instructions
Combine the bulgur wheat and vegetable stock in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes, or until liquid has been absorbed. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the adzuki beans, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, cilantro, hot sauce, and the egg. Mash with a potato masher or sturdy whisk until fairly smooth. Soak the bread in milk, then squeeze out the excess; add to the bean mixture along with the bulgur. Mix using your hands until everything is well blended. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Wet your hands, and form the kofta into 32 oval shapes. Press onto skewers four at a time. Brush with remaining olive oil. Place on a baking sheet or broiling pan.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Turn over, brush again with oil, and continue baking for 5 to 10 minutes, until crispy
Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
Ingredients
3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 quart vegetable broth
1 cup dried split peas
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried chipotle chile pepper
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Bring a medium-size pot of salted water to a boil, add orzo and cook until al dente. Drain well.
In a large skillet, saute onion, celery, garlic, and carrots in olive oil for 5 minutes.
Place vegetables, vegetable broth, peas, thyme, chile pepper, salt and pepper in a pressure cooker. Cover. When pressure cooker reaches full pressure, cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the pressure cooker from the heat. Add cooked orzo and serve.
Note: If you would like creamier soup, puree soup in a food processor or blender. Add additional broth to bring the soup to the consistency you desire.