15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (17)

15 Light and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What vegetarian foods are low fat? ›

Pulses include beans, peas and lentils. They're a low-fat source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and count as a portion of vegetables. Nuts and seeds are also a source of protein and other nutrients.

How to make vegetarian meals more filling? ›

To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

How can I be a better vegetarian cook? ›

How to Make Flavorful, Healthy Vegetarian Meals
  1. Embrace Alterna-Protein. This (hopefully) goes without saying: A vegetarian recipe needn't be comprised exclusively of vegetables. ...
  2. Get a Little (or a Lot) Spicy. ...
  3. Build Deep, Dark Flavors. ...
  4. Use All of the Colors. ...
  5. Don't Be Afraid of Fat. ...
  6. Fill Up on the Good Stuff.
Jan 19, 2015

What vegetarian food helps lose belly fat? ›

Spinach and other leafy green vegetables like kale, lettuce, etc. are great for burning belly fat and are very nutritious as well. There have been some studies done on the subject of the fat burning capabilities of spinach and the very healthy veggie has come out a winner in this category.

What foods help burn belly fat? ›

Five foods that may help burn belly fat include:
  • foods with soluble fiber like fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
  • foods with protein like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
  • fatty fish like tuna and salmon.
  • foods with probiotics like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
  • green tea.

What food has protein but no fat vegetarian? ›

Some plant-based foods, such as soybean products, seitan, beans, and lentils contain high amounts of protein. You can also find protein in nuts, whole grains like quinoa and amaranth, and hemp seeds. People following a vegan diet may need to plan in order to reach their daily protein goals.

What is the most filling vegetable to eat? ›

The 5 Most Filling Vegetables
  1. Artichokes. Artichokes are rich in water and packed with 7-10 grams of fiber. ...
  2. Broccoli. This veggie is 90 percent water, so you can expect to feel satisfied and hydrated after eating. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Carrots. ...
  5. Sweet Potatoes.
Jun 27, 2017

What is the weakness in vegetarian? ›

Iron from plant-based sources (non-heme iron) is less readily absorbed by the body compared to iron from animal products (heme iron). As a result, vegetarians may be more prone to iron deficiency anemia, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and impaired cognitive function.

What to make for people who don't eat meat? ›

52 Meatless Dinner Ideas To Feed Your Whole Family
  • Ricotta Zucchini "Meatballs" Diethood / Via diethood.com. ...
  • Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Pizza. Tasty / Via tasty.co. ...
  • 20-Minute Lentil Bolognese. ...
  • Peanut Noodle Pasta Salad. ...
  • Crispy Orange Air Fryer Tofu. ...
  • Crispy Falafel. ...
  • Roasted Tomato Soup. ...
  • Curry Noodle Soup.
Apr 8, 2024

What's the hardest thing about being vegetarian? ›

While you can get plenty of protein and fiber as a vegetarian, you may have a harder time getting some specific nutrients. Iron and omega-3s can be hard to get enough of, even though there are plant-based sources.

What is considered a light dinner before surgery? ›

A light meal (toast, fruit, clear liquids) is allowed up to 6 hours before surgery. No fried or fatty foods like sausage and eggs! 3. Clear liquids (apple juice, water, black coffee, tea, clear broth) are allowed up to 2 hours before surgery.

Is pasta a light food? ›

About 1 cup of cooked pasta—for most shapes, that's 2 ounces of dry pasta—mixed with vegetables can be a satisfying portion for many people. But even if you eat 2 whole cups of pasta, that's still only about 400 calories (plus 14 g of protein and vitamins and minerals). That's not too shabby for a 2-cup serving.

What is light food for the stomach? ›

You might wonder what to eat when your stomach is upset or if you have trouble keeping anything down. Bland foods and clear liquids, such as crackers, white rice, toast, and broth, help ease diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It's important to stay hydrated and fuel your body so it can recover.

What is the evening light food called? ›

Supper may be used to describe a light snack or meal in the evening, either after or instead of dinner.

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