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Looking for the BEST healthy vegetarian recipes? You've come to the right place! Here I give you my top 55 healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and desserts! Plus, I'll give you some tips and tricks to eating nutritious vegetarian meals without any fuss!It's no secret, that here at The Picky Eater, I share with you my favorite healthy vegetarian recipes!
Over the years I've created quite a few recipes! But we all have our favorites, and this round-up is just that. These are my favorite healthy vegetarian recipes that I come back to again and again!
Whether you're looking for a simple breakfast, a quick and easy lunch, a weeknight dinner, a snack for on the go, or even a sweet treat to end the day, I've got something for everyone!
I've collected 55 of my favorite recipes to share with you today. These are my top recipes from every course! They are also some of my reader favorites.
These healthy vegetarian recipes are super simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious!
So, whether you're a vegetarian, a picky eater, or just looking for some meatless meal inspiration, you're sure to find something you'll love!
Top 10 Healthy Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes
Oatmeal: An Easy Healthy Breakast
When it comes to healthy vegetarian breakfast recipes, oatmeal and smoothies are the way to go!
There are so many different ways you can enjoy oats, and they come together quickly in the morning when you need to run out the door! You can also make overnight oats for an even quicker morning breakfast solution.
Oats are packed with fiber, so they keep you feeling full and satisfied until lunch. Add your favorite spices, toppings, and a touch of natural sweetener to keep it healthy!
I add a small amount of maple syrup, or simply half of a sliced banana to keep the sugar content down.
Smoothies: An Easy Morning Breakfast
When it comes to smoothies, it's a great way to get your fruits, veggies, and protein together in one meal that you can take on the go.
Thanks to my Vitamix, Green Smoothies have been all the rage in our house. My Fruit and Veggie Smoothie has grapes, oranges, bananas and apples for sweetness and then a ton of spinach and carrots for veggies.
Another favorite smoothie of mine is with spinach, kale, banana, apple, pear, and unsweetened soy milk!
Use a healthy protein powder, add a cup of veggies, and half of a cup of fruit, and you've got a delicious and filling breakfast. Here are a few of my other favorite morning smoothies!
Of course you don't have to just opt for smoothies, and oats for a vegetarian breakfast. Scrambles, pancakes, quick breads, muffins, and even breakfast cookies are a great option as well!
Top 10 Healthy Vegetarian Lunches
Sandwiches are always a super simple way to enjoy lunch! They are easy to take on the go, and when done right, can be packed with a healthy filling, and high fiber whole grains!
Healthy Vegetarian Sandwiches
One of my favorite easy lunches is my banana peanut butter sandwich. The peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats, the banana adds a touch of natural sweetness, and the whole grain bread makes it super filling.
Grilling sandwiches makes for great flavor and texture. And you can change up the fillings to be creative! Try adding slices of fruit, different cheeses, and lots of greens! Here are two ways to elevate that classic grilled cheese sandwich.
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Of course, you don't have to use sandwich bread to make a sandwich! Using whole grain tortillas or pita bread taste great too. When you're looking to switch things up for lunch, try these two hearty, healthy, and satisfying wraps.
Healthy Vegetarian Salads
Another simple and delicious lunch option is a healthy vegetarian salad! Start with greens, add your favorite veggies, or fruit, and top with a plant-based protein such as beans, or tofu. Use a light vinaigrette, or a little oil and vinegar.
When it comes to salads, loading up on cheese and salad dressings is where you can easily go wrong. I like to use a few tablespoons of cheese, and just a touch of dressing.
All of these healthy salads are easy to take on the go and can be meal prepped too!
Healthy Vegetarian Snacks
Some of the best healthy vegetarian snacks don't require any cooking at all! Fresh fruit, and sliced veggies are always super nutritious!
But if you're in the mood for something a bit more satisfying, then I've got you covered. Some of my favorite snacks include homemade granola bars, protein bites, and salty snacks like fries, and popcorn!
Healthy Vegetarian Recipes: Dinner
These healthy vegetarian dinner recipes are simple, satisfying, and delicious!
Some of my favorite go-to meals include pastas, soups, stews, chilis, stir-fries, and stuffed peppers.
When it comes to preparing healthy vegetarian meals, consider using whole grains. When making pasta dishes, use whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, or lentil pasta. These options are higher in nutrients, and fiber.
Next, load up on the veggies! Add your favorite veggies to your soups and pastas. It's a great way to clean out your produce drawer, and get a large serving of vegetables!
I always recommend adding plant-based protein to bulk up your meal! Lentils, chickpeas, beans, and tofu are all excellent sources of protein.
Limit the amount of oils and fats you use in your cooking. It doesn't take too much oil to sauté vegetables. You only really need a teaspoon. Or use oil free alternatives such as water, or vegetable stock to sauté your veggies.
Finally, if adding cheese, keep it to about 2 tablespoons per serving. This will dramatically reduce the calories and fat of your dish, while still providing a cheesy flavor!
Healthy Vegetarian Soups
These soups are all great one-pot, quick meals that serves a ton of people. They are hearty, healthy and kids love these soups too!
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Healthy Vegetarian Casseroles
These casseroles are crowd pleasers, perfect for game day or anytime you're cooking for a bunch of people. Super "meaty", filling and satisfying too!
Healthy Vegetarian Pastas
Super simple for those weeknights when you don't know what to make, these easy pasta dishes are loaded with flavor!
Quick and Easy Healthy Vegetarian Entrees
These final three entrees are a great way to mix things up when you need something different for dinner.
If you love chili and you love stuffed peppers, then you're going to go crazy for these Chili Stuffed Peppers! They are a crowd pleaser, and kid friendly too!
This Moroccan Stew is packed with flavor and protein! With loads of diced veggies, and paired with a mint couscous, it's a healthy, warm, and comforting meal!
Everyone loves fajitas! These smoky black bean and veggie fajitas are perfectly spiced, and topped with fresh avocado and Mexican cheese!
Healthy Vegetarian Recipes: Dessert
Each of these desserts gives you something to look forward to at the end of the meal. Here's why I love these 10 healthy desserts!
The first sweet treat in our lineup! Because really, who doesn't want to eat red velvet cupcakes totally guilt free? These bites of heaven have less than 200 calories and less than 15g sugar per serving. Not bad for a cupcake!
Another under-200-calorie-dessert that's perfect for winter. And with the tons of fruit packed into each individually sized crisp - you can feel a little better about eating this for dessert.
Because what is a dessert lineup without chocolate at the end? The amazing thing about these truffles is that they are 100% vegan and gluten free, and each delectable truffle has less than 70 calories and under 5g sugar.
A healthy lemon tart in a small bite sized treat, what could be better? These lemon tartlets are vegan and gluten-free, and under 200 calories!
One of my favorite desserts of all time is carrot cake! Now you can enjoy this decadent dessert without the guilt! Made with all vegan ingredients, including the cream cheese frosting, one slice of this cake is only 255 calories!
With layers of Greek yogurt, pumpkin filling, and homemade granola, these parfaits are rich in protein, and low in sugar!
Ooey-gooey peanut butter cookies are dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with chopped peanuts nuts for added texture. They're sugar free, and of so good!
Who doesn't love a good brownie? It's one of my favorites! These are rich and chocolaty, dotted with healthy walnuts!
Baked apples are a super healthy dessert! These are stuffed with a quinoa, and oat filling! When baked they become a warm fall dessert!
A rich chocolate mousse, that's also vegan and sugar-free, you can't go wrong! Top with your favorite berries for an extra special treat!
What Are The Different Types of Vegetarian Diets?
When you follow a vegetarian diet, you don't eat meat, poultry, and fish.
There are several different types of vegetarians, and what they eat or do not eat depends on the type of vegetarian diet they follow.
Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarians: Do not eat meat, poultry, or fish, but do eat eggs and other dairy products.
Lacto-Vegetarians: Do not eat meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, but do eat dairy products.
Ovo-Vegetarians: Do not eat meat, poultry, fish, or dairy products, but do allow eggs.
Vegan: Does not include meat, poultry, fish, diary, eggs, or any other animal derived ingredient, including honey.
Why Follow a Vegetarian Diet?
There are many reasons why one may choose to follow a vegetarian diet.
- Personal preference, doesn't like the taste of meat
- Help the environment, reduce greenhouse gases, and natural resources required to raise livestock
- Health reasons
- Ethical reasons, animal rights
- Religious beliefs
What Should Vegetarians Eat to be Healthy?
Often, if you are beginning a vegetarian diet, it is common to be concerned that you will not get enough protein.
However, it is quite easy to incorporate enough protein in your diet from plant sources, if you are consuming a well rounded healthy diet.
Making sure you include the following foods in your daily diet, will ensure that you are getting the vitamins, nutrients, and protein you need to ensure you do not have any nutritional deficiences.
Fruits and Vegetables: Including a wide range of fruits and vegetables is key. Eat the rainbow, as they say. Be sure to include leafy greens such as spinach, and kale. Apples, bananas, oranges, stone fruit, berries, broccoli, carrots, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers...the list goes on and on!
Whole Grains: Stay away from refined carbohydrates such as anything made with white flour. These foods have minimal nutritional value, and turn straight to sugar when consumed. Instead fill up on whole grains that are high in fiber, such as whole wheat pastas, bulgar, brown rice, farro, oats, barley, and buckwheat.
Healthy Fats: Using olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil in your cooking provides you with mono-unsaturated fats. You do not need a lot of these fats. Just a little, but it is important to incorporate them into your diet. Avocados are also an excellent source of healthy fats!
Plant Protein: Plant protein comes from nuts, seeds, legumes, sprouted grains, some vegetables, and soy products. Include nuts and nut butters in your smoothies, or sandwiches. Sprinkle chia, pumpkin, flax, or hemp seeds on your salads. Add legumes such as lentils and beans to your stews and entrees. You can also include tofu, or tempeh to your dishes.
Organic Dairy: If you are a vegetarian that eats eggs and dairy, these can both be great sources of protein! Eggs are super high in protein, as is plain Greek Yogurt, String Cheese, Milk and all other sources of dairy. I recommend choosing organic when you're buying dairy since organic farms cannot use antibiotics or growth hormones when producing dairy products.
How Can I Eat Vegetarian For Cheap?
Create a Meal Plan: The best way to reduce your grocery bill is to create a meal plan for the week. Once you know what you are going to cook, then you make your list. Stick to the list! Your grocery bill can easily rise when you buy expensive processed food that is not on your list!
Only Buy Produce You Know You Will Eat: I often run into the problem of buying a bunch of produce that I can't possible enjoy before it goes bad. What ends up happening is I throw away produce because I haven't been able to cook it before it goes bad. Basically, I end up throwing away money. Only buy what you need. If a recipe calls for 2 zucchini, buy 2 zucchini, not 4! You get the idea!
Don't Buy All Organic: Produce: I know, organic is best! I highly recommend buying organic when you can. However, organic produce is more expensive. Not all produce you buy needs to be organic. Depending on the type of produce you buy, some have more pesticide then others. The EWG has put together a shopping guide of their dirty dozen, and clean 15 fruits and vegetables. This is a list of the 12 fruits and veggies they recommend you buy organic, and the 15 that are okay to buy non-organic. This will help reduce your overall grocery bill.
Buy in Bulk: Dried foods such as beans, lentils, rice, quinoa, pasta, and flours are less expensive when you buy them in bulk. They also have a long shelf life, so there is no need to worry that they will go bad. Dried beans are much less expensive than canned. With a little planning, you can drastically reduce your grocery bill by keeping these items stocked in your pantry.
