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Whether you’re a vegetarian or just someone who prefers to lean on veggie-heavy meals, it can be hard coming up with ideas to keep things exciting in the kitchen. But we’ve got plenty of inspiration for vegetarians and vegetable-lovers alike. As many of us non-vegetarians start to think about how much meat we’re eating and our impact on the environment, it’s a great time to dive into meat-free cooking and add a few vegetarian recipes into the regular dinner rotation. Here are some of our favorite easy vegetarian meals to throw together during the week.
Soups and Stews
Soups and stews are perfect for vegetarian cooking. They are the ideal meal when you’re looking for something a little lighter to hold you over, and they make the perfect final destination for all of those vegetables in your fridge that need to be used up.
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Tofu-Miso StewIt tastes and feels like a chicken pot pie, but instead it's a pile of veggies doused in a rich miso gravy.
Go to Recipe 12 / 15
Pinda (Peanut) StewWe took inspiration from a delicious stew consumed in the Ivory Coast that combines an array of fresh veggies in a rich and creamy peanut sauce.
Go to Recipe 15 / 15
Wild Rice and Mushroom SoupThe sweet grass-like aroma of the wild rice as it cooks, the deep savory taste of caramelized mushrooms, the first creamy sip of soup: all things that make this soup worth trying.
Go to Recipe Salads and Grains Bowls
Whoever said that salads can’t be exciting was definitely eating the wrong salads. They are a great vegetarian choice because the options are limitless. Grains? Go for it! Roasted veggies? Help yourself. Here are some of our favorite vegetarian salads.
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Vegetarian Kale Taco SaladIn this wholesome take on a Tex-Mex taco salad, shredded kale is tossed with hearty black beans and crisp veggies, and softened by a creamy yogurt and cilantro dressing.
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The Ultimate Fall SaladThis roasty, toasty salad celebrates everything you love about autumn. It's packed with squash, apples, and chewy farro, and tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette.
Go to Recipe 14 / 14
BBQ Tofu Salad BowlsOn the nights we're craving salad for dinner but also want a meal that's warm & comforting, these BBQ tofu & roasted vegetable bowls hit the spot.
Go to Recipe Pastas
Pasta is like that loyal friend you’ve had forever. There when you need it. Never makes things too complicated. And always makes you feel better. These pasta recipes get a bonus point because they require zero meat to taste absolutely delicious.
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Creamy Wild Mushroom One-Pot PastaIn this fast and easy one-pot pasta recipe, you'll add linguine, chicken broth, and heavy cream directly to a pot with sautéed mushrooms, then boil until the noodles are al dente and the liquid has thickened into a silky sauce.
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One-Pot Cacio e Pepe With its one-pot cooking method, the chicken broth and the Parmesan rind, this rendition of cacio e pepe might not be the most traditional you’ll ever make. But it’ll be one of the quickest and most delicious ones you’ve ever had, not to mention the version with the least amount of dishes.
Go to Recipe Casseroles
The best part of casseroles is how filling they are. People always joke that vegetarians must be so hungry, but these recipes might have them reconsidering that. These casseroles are warm and comforting, and make great leftovers.
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Cheesy Lentil, Mushroom & Rice BakeAdding lentils to the dinner roster is a good way to eat meat-free, but all too often they can be boring. This recipe — which adds cheese, meaty mushrooms, nutty brown rice, and plenty of fresh parsley to the mix — solves this.
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Tomato, Broccoli & Mozzarella Pasta CasseroleThere’s broccoli (from the freezer, or fresh, if you’ve got it) and a can of chickpeas for texture and protein. Mix it all up, throw in some dollops of fresh mozzarella and handfuls of Parmesan cheese, and you have yourself an easy dinner that everyone will love.
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Pumpkin & Ricotta Pasta CasseroleThis casserole includes many of our favorite casserole elements. It isn’t too full of cheese; there is only part-skim ricotta and a handful of Parmesan here — no heavy cream or gooey cheese. And yet it’s rich and creamy, thanks to the pumpkin.
Go to Recipe 
