43 Must-Try Meals for New Vegetarians

Read Time: 20 mins

43 Must-Try Meals for New Vegetarians1/43 Salsa Black Bean Burgers 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Meatless meals are so tasty when these hearty bean burgers are on the menu. Guacamole and sour cream make them seem decadent. —Jill Reichardt, St. Louis, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 323 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 557mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 13g protein. 2/43 Grilled Corn Hummus Tostadas 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is a combo of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines, giving it a unique taste. Avocado and hummus may sound like a weird mix, but they really go together well. —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 2 tostadas: 453 calories, 23g fat (5g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 692mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 12g fiber), 14g protein. 3/43 Pronto Vegetarian Peppers 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pronto Vegetarian Peppers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: In the summer I

love to serve these peppers with salad and a roll

love to serve these peppers with salad and a roll. At the end of summer, I freeze them for cold months when produce costs are high. For a hot meal on a cold day, I love to serve them with a side of warm pasta tossed in olive oil. —Renee Hollobaugh, Altoona, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed pepper halves: 341 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 556mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 11g fiber), 19g protein. 4/43 Vegetarian Pad Thai 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Vegetarian Pad Thai Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min

It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting

Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 339 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 701mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein. 5/43 Pasta Primavera 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Pasta Primavera Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This pasta dish is a wonderful blend of crisp, colorful

vegetables and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce

vegetables and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 275 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 6/43 Vegan Jambalaya 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Vegan Jambalaya Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This flavorful entree won’t leave you hungry since it uses convenient canned beans in place of meat. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 281 calories,

3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 796mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein. 7/43 Manicotti Shells 36 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Manicotti Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 3 manicotti: 480 calories, 22g fat (11g saturated fat), 201mg cholesterol, 1128mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. 8/43 Tomato Baguette Pizza 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my tomatoes ripen

all at once, I use them up in simple recipes like this one

all at once, I use them up in simple recipes like this one. Cheesy baguette pizzas, served with a salad, make an ideal lunch. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 260 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat. 9/43 Vegan Lentil Soup 52 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Double the recipe and share this hearty soup with neighbors and loved ones on

cold winter nights

cold winter nights. I serve it with cornbread for dunking. —Michelle Curtis, Baker City, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 138 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 351mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 9g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat. 10/43 Skillet Mac and Cheese 96 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese

flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much

flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 600 calories, 37g fat (23g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 1185mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. 11/43 Edamame and Soba Noodle Bowl 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Edamame and Soba Noodle Bowl Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With hearty soba noodles and protein-packed edamame, this dish really satisfies. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 414 calories, 12g fat

It’s so filling, you’ll win over any meat lover

(1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 867mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein. 12/43 Hearty Vegetarian Chili 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Vegetarian Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 9 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Rich and flavorful, this chili is absolutely packed with fun veggies like mushrooms, beans and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s so filling, you’ll win over any meat lover. —Pam Ivbuls, Omaha, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 238 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (9g sugars,

12g fiber), 14g protein

12g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 13/43 General Tso’s Cauliflower 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved General Tso’s Cauliflower Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cauliflower florets are deep-fried to a crispy golden brown, then coated in a sauce with just the right amount of kick. General Tso’s cauliflower is a fun alternative to the classic chicken dish.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup with 1 cup rice: 584 calories, 17g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol,

1628mg sodium, 97g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 5g fiber), 11g protein

1628mg sodium, 97g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 5g fiber), 11g protein. 14/43 Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 278 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat),

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat

0 cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat. 15/43 Black Bean Tortilla Pie 25 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I found this entree a while ago and decreased the cheese and increased the herbs called for in the recipe. It’s one of my toddler’s favorite meals. She always smiles when she sees it on the table. —Wendy Kelly, Petersburg, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 353 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg

cholesterol, 842mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 17g protein

cholesterol, 842mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 very lean meat, 1 lean meat, 1 fat. 16/43 Italian-Style Pizzas Test Kitchen Approved Italian-Style Pizzas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 pizzas Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With prepared pesto and pizza crusts, this recipe comes together in a flash. It makes two, and we love that we each get our own Italian style pizza! I like to complete the meal with a salad and fresh fruit. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Nutrition Facts:

Spicy butternut squash makes such a great base for these vegetarian tacos

1/2 pizza: 429 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 820mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. 17/43 Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Spicy butternut squash makes such a great base for these vegetarian tacos. I’m always looking for quick and nutritious weeknight dinners for my family. These fit the bill and are so delicious! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 353 calories,

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