48 Vegetarian Lunch Ideas

Read Time: 23 mins

48 Vegetarian Lunch Ideas1/48 Vegan Burritos 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick Bean and Rice Burritos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These hearty and zippy burritos can be whipped up in a jiffy. —Kimberly Hardison, Maitland, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 burrito: 345 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 544mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 10g protein. 2/48 Cauliflower Soup 324 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cauliflower Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings

(2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

(2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cheesy recipe is way tastier than any other cauliflower soup I’ve tried! We like it with hot pepper sauce for a little extra kick. —Debbie Ohlhausen, Chilliwack, British Columbia Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 160 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. 3/48 Chickpea and Potato Curry 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chickpea and Potato Curry Recipe photo by Emily Davis for Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From

First browning the onion, ginger and garlic really makes the sauce amazing

the Recipe Creator: I make chana masala, the classic Indian chickpea curry, in my slow cooker. First browning the onion, ginger and garlic really makes the sauce amazing. —Anjana Devasahayam, San Antonio, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups chickpea mixture: 240 calories, 6g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 767mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 9g fiber), 8g protein. 4/48 The Ultimate Grilled Cheese 54 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These gooey grilled

cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples

cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they’re really fast to whip up, too. Here’s how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 646 calories, 50g fat (18g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 885mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. 5/48 Tomato Tortellini Soup 101 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No one will guess that you cheated by using canned tomato soup. This lovely soup tastes

homemade all the way!

homemade all the way! —Sandra Fick, Lincoln, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 245 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 756mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein. 6/48 Sweet Potato Bowl 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Black Bean & Sweet Potato Rice Bowls Recipe photo by Suzan Najjar for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have three hungry boys in my house, so dinners need to be quick and filling, and it helps to get in some veggies, too. This one is a favorite

because it’s hearty and fun to tweak with different ingredients

because it’s hearty and fun to tweak with different ingredients. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 435 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 8g fiber), 10g protein. 7/48 Eggplant Sandwich 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Eggplant Sandwich Recipe photo by Diana Chistruga for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Grill this eggplant, tomato and goat cheese sandwich to perfection…it makes a delicious meatless meal. —Jennifer Jaras, Corona, California Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 538 calories, 21g fat (5g

My recipe highlights the flavor of the vegetable and is very easy to make

saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 958mg sodium, 81g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 7g fiber), 15g protein. 8/48 Cream of Asparagus Soup 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fresh Asparagus Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We have a large asparagus patch and are able to freeze a lot for the year. My recipe highlights the flavor of the vegetable and is very easy to make. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 154 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 585mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g

sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein

sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat-free milk. 9/48 California Spaghetti Salad 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved California Spaghetti Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As far as cold pasta salad recipes go, this is one of the best. Not only does it travel well to get-togethers such as picnics or tailgate parties, but people absolutely love it when it gets there. —Jeanette Krembas, Laguna Niguel, California Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 257 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg

cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein

cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 10/48 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

(17g sugars, 5g fiber), 11g protein. 11/48 Tofu Chow Mein 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is an easy recipe for a “tofu beginner,” as it teaches people how to use it. If you have time, one way to prepare it is to cut the tofu block in half and wrap well in a terry kitchen towel. Let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour to absorb excess water. For a complete meal, serve with Chinese soup and egg rolls!

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable

— Autumn SinClaire, Gold Beach, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 417 calories, 17g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 588mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 8g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable. 12/48 Falafel 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Falafel Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Falafel is a common street food in the Middle East. They are gluten free, crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor from cilantro, mint, coriander and nutty

sesame seeds

sesame seeds. Parsley can be added or used instead of mint. The classic version is deep-fried, but they can also be pan-fried, baked or cooked in an air fryer. Serve in or alongside pita bread with red onion, tomato, pickled cucumber and tahini sauce. —Nithya Narasimhan, Chennai, India Nutrition Facts: 4 pieces: 224 calories, 13g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 16g fiber), 9g protein. 13/48 Summer Orzo Salad 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Summer Orzo Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From

the Recipe Creator: I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this summer orzo salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 291 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 501mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein. 14/48 Better than Egg Salad 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Better than Egg Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat

20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tofu takes on the taste and texture of egg salad in this quick-fixing sandwich from Lisa Renshaw of Kansas City, Missouri. Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 266 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 692mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat. 15/48 Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad 99 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch

Recipe Creator: My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 110 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 33mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 16/48 Vegetarian Linguine 30 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Vegetarian Linguine Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a tasty alternative to

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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