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Photo: Photography / Nico Schinco, Food Styling / Frances Boswell, Prop Stylist / Paige Hicks
These cheap vegetarian meals will help youstretch your paycheckand enjoy something healthy for dinner. From lemony soup to cozy pasta, there’s a little something for everyone in this mix of meatless recipes. Ingredients like lentils (a personal favorite here atEatingWell), pasta, eggs and sweet potatoes make these meals filling and affordable. Recipes like our Lemony Lentil Chard Soup and Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas are delicious ways to end your day.Meals don’t have to cost a lot to be flavorful and satisfying. Some of these serve four to six people, and those that serve two can easily be doubled to eke out extra bang for your dollar. Having enough on hand means you can invite a friend over for dinner, too. Best of all, many of these recipes are ready in less than 30 minutes of cooking time, so dinner is on the table fast.
These cheap vegetarian meals will help youstretch your paycheckand enjoy something healthy for dinner. From lemony soup to cozy pasta, there’s a little something for everyone in this mix of meatless recipes. Ingredients like lentils (a personal favorite here atEatingWell), pasta, eggs and sweet potatoes make these meals filling and affordable. Recipes like our Lemony Lentil Chard Soup and Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas are delicious ways to end your day.
Meals don’t have to cost a lot to be flavorful and satisfying. Some of these serve four to six people, and those that serve two can easily be doubled to eke out extra bang for your dollar. Having enough on hand means you can invite a friend over for dinner, too. Best of all, many of these recipes are ready in less than 30 minutes of cooking time, so dinner is on the table fast.
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Lemony Lentil & Chard Soup
View Recipe
Photography / Nico Schinco, Food Styling / Frances Boswell, Prop Stylist / Paige Hicks
02of 24Cauliflower Tikka Masala with ChickpeasView RecipeIn this vegetarian riff on a popular Indian dish, we swap in cauliflower and chickpeas for the chicken in tikka masala. The cauliflower’s nooks and crannies are particularly good at soaking up all the intense flavors of the sauce. Serve over rice for an easy healthy dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
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Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas
In this vegetarian riff on a popular Indian dish, we swap in cauliflower and chickpeas for the chicken in tikka masala. The cauliflower’s nooks and crannies are particularly good at soaking up all the intense flavors of the sauce. Serve over rice for an easy healthy dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
03of 24One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with ParmesanView RecipeAntonis AchilleosThis lentil-vegetable soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. If you have it, the Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body. If you avoid cheese made with rennet, look for vegetarian Parmesan cheese, which is made without it.
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One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan
Antonis Achilleos
This lentil-vegetable soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. If you have it, the Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body. If you avoid cheese made with rennet, look for vegetarian Parmesan cheese, which is made without it.
04of 24Cheesy Marinara BeansView RecipePhotography / Nico Schinco, Food Styling / Frances Boswell, Prop Stylist / Paige HicksThis ooey-gooey dish has baked-pasta vibes but features protein-packed beans instead of noodles. Look for dried corona beans, a larger, creamy white bean, at natural-foods stores or online. Cannellini are a good substitute. Serve with a green salad and toasted baguette.
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Cheesy Marinara Beans
This ooey-gooey dish has baked-pasta vibes but features protein-packed beans instead of noodles. Look for dried corona beans, a larger, creamy white bean, at natural-foods stores or online. Cannellini are a good substitute. Serve with a green salad and toasted baguette.
05of 24Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Wild Rice HashView RecipePhotographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey BulatCooking this hash in cast iron ensures you’ll get crusty bits, but any nonstick skillet will work fine. Serve with your favorite hot sauce.
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Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Wild Rice Hash
Photographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey Bulat
Cooking this hash in cast iron ensures you’ll get crusty bits, but any nonstick skillet will work fine. Serve with your favorite hot sauce.
06of 24Black Bean-Quinoa BowlView RecipeThis black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We’ve loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado, plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.
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Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl
This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We’ve loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado, plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.
07of 24Cannellini Bean & Herbed Ricotta ToastView RecipeTed & Chelsea CavanaughHerbed ricotta toast gets topped with cannellini beans and roasted red peppers for a colorful, tasty open-face sandwich.
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Cannellini Bean & Herbed Ricotta Toast
Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
Herbed ricotta toast gets topped with cannellini beans and roasted red peppers for a colorful, tasty open-face sandwich.
08of 243-Ingredient Teriyaki Edamame SautéView RecipeCarolyn A. Hodges, R.D.Whip up this high-fiber, plant-based stir-fry for a quick and convenient dinner. Look for bottled teriyaki sauce labeledless sodiumorreduced sodiumto cut back on the salt without sacrificing flavor.
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3-Ingredient Teriyaki Edamame Sauté
Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.
Whip up this high-fiber, plant-based stir-fry for a quick and convenient dinner. Look for bottled teriyaki sauce labeledless sodiumorreduced sodiumto cut back on the salt without sacrificing flavor.
09of 24Pantry Peanut NoodlesView RecipeJacob FoxChoose your own adventure with these noodles! They’re delicious with peanut butter and tahini alike. Plus, you can use whatever frozen vegetables you have on hand and finish the dish with any herbs still thriving in your garden or hanging out in your crisper.
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Pantry Peanut Noodles
Jacob Fox
Choose your own adventure with these noodles! They’re delicious with peanut butter and tahini alike. Plus, you can use whatever frozen vegetables you have on hand and finish the dish with any herbs still thriving in your garden or hanging out in your crisper.
10of 24Black Bean & Slaw BagelView RecipeTed & Chelsea CavanaughThis easy open-face sandwich recipe uses a jalapeño-Cheddar bagel, but a plain bagel would work just as well. Top each bagel half with black beans and fresh slaw for a satisfying bite.
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Black Bean & Slaw Bagel
This easy open-face sandwich recipe uses a jalapeño-Cheddar bagel, but a plain bagel would work just as well. Top each bagel half with black beans and fresh slaw for a satisfying bite.
11of 24Egg-in-a-Hole Fried QuinoaView RecipeJason DonnellyWe used quinoa to bump up the fiber and protein in this stir-fry-inspired dish. Rather than making an omelet or stirring in the eggs as you would for fried rice, we cook them in divots right in the veggie-filled quinoa for a fun presentation. Opt for a flat skillet over a wok so you have plenty of room to nestle in the eggs.
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Egg-in-a-Hole Fried Quinoa
Jason Donnelly
We used quinoa to bump up the fiber and protein in this stir-fry-inspired dish. Rather than making an omelet or stirring in the eggs as you would for fried rice, we cook them in divots right in the veggie-filled quinoa for a fun presentation. Opt for a flat skillet over a wok so you have plenty of room to nestle in the eggs.
12of 243-Ingredient Cheese Tortellini with Tomatoes & BasilView RecipeSara HaasThis Italian-inspired dish is made with just three ingredients—roasted tomatoes, tortellini and fresh basil—to create a delicious, easy dinner. Roasting the cherry tomatoes coaxes out their natural sweetness. It’s worth the time—trust us!
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3-Ingredient Cheese Tortellini with Tomatoes & Basil
Sara Haas
This Italian-inspired dish is made with just three ingredients—roasted tomatoes, tortellini and fresh basil—to create a delicious, easy dinner. Roasting the cherry tomatoes coaxes out their natural sweetness. It’s worth the time—trust us!
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3-Ingredient White Bean & Pesto Risotto
14of 24Chickpea & Kale ToastView RecipeTed & Chelsea CavanaughThis healthy toast recipe combines chickpeas, kale and feta for a savory bite.
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Chickpea & Kale Toast
This healthy toast recipe combines chickpeas, kale and feta for a savory bite.
15of 243-Ingredient Refried Bean & Pico de Gallo TostadasView RecipeSara HaasMaking your own tostadas is easy. Use store-bought corn tortillas, brush them with olive oil and bake to crunchy perfection! Here we topped the tostada with refried beans and fresh pico de gallo for an easy three-ingredient meal.
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3-Ingredient Refried Bean & Pico de Gallo Tostadas
Making your own tostadas is easy. Use store-bought corn tortillas, brush them with olive oil and bake to crunchy perfection! Here we topped the tostada with refried beans and fresh pico de gallo for an easy three-ingredient meal.
16of 24Cauliflower Gnocchi with Asparagus & PestoView RecipeCarolyn Hodges, M.S., RDWhile the cauliflower gnocchi crisp up in a sauté pan, steam fresh asparagus in the microwave to keep it bright green and crisp-tender. Substitute frozen asparagus (or green beans or peas) in a pinch. Toss them together with prepared basil pesto for a satisfying supper.
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Cauliflower Gnocchi with Asparagus & Pesto
Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RD
While the cauliflower gnocchi crisp up in a sauté pan, steam fresh asparagus in the microwave to keep it bright green and crisp-tender. Substitute frozen asparagus (or green beans or peas) in a pinch. Toss them together with prepared basil pesto for a satisfying supper.
17of 243-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean SaladView RecipeCarolyn A. Hodges, R.D.Bagged salad and slaw blends are great shortcut ingredients for adding variety without needing to wash and chop lots of different vegetables. Toss a kale-and-broccoli slaw mix with canned white beans and yogurt-based green goddess dressing for a crunchy main-dish salad in minutes.
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3-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean Salad
Bagged salad and slaw blends are great shortcut ingredients for adding variety without needing to wash and chop lots of different vegetables. Toss a kale-and-broccoli slaw mix with canned white beans and yogurt-based green goddess dressing for a crunchy main-dish salad in minutes.
18of 24Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Soup with Chickpea CroutonsView RecipeBulk up boxed butternut squash soup with frozen cauliflower florets, then top off your bowl with crispy chickpea snacks for major crunch (look for them near the dried fruit and nuts at your grocery store). This impressively easy dinner comes together with just those three ingredients, not including salt, pepper and oil. Because prepared soups are typically higher in sodium, look for light or reduced-sodium versions of your favorites.
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Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Soup with Chickpea Croutons
Bulk up boxed butternut squash soup with frozen cauliflower florets, then top off your bowl with crispy chickpea snacks for major crunch (look for them near the dried fruit and nuts at your grocery store). This impressively easy dinner comes together with just those three ingredients, not including salt, pepper and oil. Because prepared soups are typically higher in sodium, look for light or reduced-sodium versions of your favorites.
19of 243-Ingredient Goat Cheese Pasta with BroccoliView RecipeCarolyn A. Hodges, R.D.Swap out regular pasta for pasta made with chickpeas, and you’ll more than triple the fiber and double the protein in this simple, satisfying dish. Be sure to save some of the pasta water to make a sauce. Feel free to use frozen broccoli in a pinch (you can cook the broccoli in the same water you use to cook the pasta).
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3-Ingredient Goat Cheese Pasta with Broccoli
Swap out regular pasta for pasta made with chickpeas, and you’ll more than triple the fiber and double the protein in this simple, satisfying dish. Be sure to save some of the pasta water to make a sauce. Feel free to use frozen broccoli in a pinch (you can cook the broccoli in the same water you use to cook the pasta).
20of 24Sweet Potato Grilled Cheese Is a Delicious Twist on a ClassicView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh HoggleThe crispy golden exterior of this sweet potato grilled cheese is thanks to mayonnaise, which spreads easily and browns more evenly than butter or oil. Roasted red onions and sweet potato rounds make up the filling, but you can roast the onion separately and use leftover roasted sweet potato if you have that on hand.
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Sweet Potato Grilled Cheese Is a Delicious Twist on a Classic
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
The crispy golden exterior of this sweet potato grilled cheese is thanks to mayonnaise, which spreads easily and browns more evenly than butter or oil. Roasted red onions and sweet potato rounds make up the filling, but you can roast the onion separately and use leftover roasted sweet potato if you have that on hand.
21of 24One-Pot Lentils & Rice with SpinachView RecipeThis hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.
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One-Pot Lentils & Rice with Spinach
This hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.
22of 24Kale & Roasted Sweet Potato HashView RecipeThis one-pan hash makes an easy fall dinner or a simple dish for a healthy brunch. You can even poach the eggs ahead of time. Slip them into steaming-hot water to rewarm them just before serving.
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Kale & Roasted Sweet Potato Hash
This one-pan hash makes an easy fall dinner or a simple dish for a healthy brunch. You can even poach the eggs ahead of time. Slip them into steaming-hot water to rewarm them just before serving.
23of 24Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & SpinachView RecipeSimmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.
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Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach
Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.
24of 24Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with KaleView RecipeYou can make these three-ingredient tomato-simmered eggs with things you probably already have on hand in your freezer and pantry. To make these baked eggs more like eggs in purgatory, look for a spicy tomato sauce, and don’t forget some whole-wheat bread for dipping.
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Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale
You can make these three-ingredient tomato-simmered eggs with things you probably already have on hand in your freezer and pantry. To make these baked eggs more like eggs in purgatory, look for a spicy tomato sauce, and don’t forget some whole-wheat bread for dipping.
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