Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 40+ Summer Vegetarian Recipes to Make on Meatless Monday and Beyond Choose from meat-free appetizers, mains, and desserts! By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 01, 2024 Close Photo: GREG DUPREE Meatless summer? We're in! The best time to try eating plant-based meals is when summer's bounty is delicious, diverse, and practically begging to star in everything from dips to desserts. Backyard barbecues, beach parties, and park picnics can all be flush with veggies thanks to these excellent summer recipes for vegetarians. Scroll down for meat-free appetizers, main courses, and desserts. 01 of 49 Toasted Israeli Couscous With Corn and Herbs Greg DuPree A salad that's excellent as an appetizer or an entree, this toasted couscous with fresh summer corn offers a pop of sweetness and texture in every bite. For a savory twist, try it with leftover grilled corn. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 49 Tofu Fried Rice Fred Hardy When paired with cool yogurt and a spritz of bright lemon juice, this crispy rice and tofu dish becomes a summer staple weeknight meal. A sprinkling of fresh cilantro leaves adds an extra layer of freshness. Serve with an ice-cold beer for a cooling companion to this 25-minute recipe. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 49 Shawarma-Seasoned Cauliflower and Chickpea Pitas Fred Hardy A store-bought shawarma spice blend—typically turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and garlic—is super versatile and adds robust flavor to this recipe. It's made vegetarian by using cauliflower and chickpeas instead of shawarma meat, without sacrificing flavor. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 49 Peanut Butter Ramen Antonis Achilleos This quick vegetarian dinner recipe is super easy to whip up. It takes less than 10 minutes and you can throw in raw or cold leftover veggies to dress it up. With endless renditions of these plant-based creamy noodles, they can easily become your new summer staple. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 49 Tomato, Corn, and Red Cabbage Salad Paul Sirisalee Whip up this summer salad for a picnic or to top with any variety of vegetarian proteins, like grilled tofu, seitan (aka vegan chicken), or halloumi. As a side, it adds acidity and bright color to any meal. If there are leftovers, give this salad a refresh by tossing in your favorite summer herbs. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 49 Grilled Cauliflower Steaks With Romesco and Manchego Victor Protasio Cauliflower steaks are always a good idea for a vegetarian summer meal, especially when you can grill them outdoors on a warm night. Bring all the elements near the grill so you can plate everything once these plant-based steaks are cooked to perfection. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 49 Lemony Chopped Salad with Pita Victor Protasio This Fattoush-inspired chopped salad is truly stunning to look at, and it's also well-balanced with perfect ratios of crispness, crunch, and tangy lemon dressing. Pita croutons or spiced pita chips are the perfect toppings! GET THE RECIPE 08 of 49 Zucchini Pesto Pasta Caitlin Bensel Summer and pesto go together like sprinkles and ice cream. Delicious at any temperature, pesto pasta is both healthy and decadent, especially in this recipe that adds zucchini strands to the final dish. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 49 Grilled Halloumi Salad Greg DuPree Don't sleep on halloumi as an excellent summer vegetarian meal! This chewy cheese is amazing on the grill, as a salad topper, or on its own with your own choice of grilled veggies. If you don't want to cook the halloumi in a skillet, try it on skewers. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 49 Lemony Pasta Salad With Cucumber Greg DuPree The combo of mustard, garlic, and lemon in this dressing may just make it your new summer salad go-to, but first, you need to try it with pasta and cucumbers. Talk about beach picnic goals! GET THE RECIPE 11 of 49 Meatless Meatball Subs Caitlin Bensel Summer is a perfect time for a lighter version of a traditional meal like this vegetarian take on meatball subs featuring eggplant and umami-filled mushrooms. It's also a great recipe to double: Freeze the second batch or use them a day or two later in a grain bowl. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 49 Mole-Spiced Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl Jen Causey You may be used to mole with chicken, but it works equally well to flavor beans, veggies, and dressings. Crispy cauliflower and pumpkin seeds make this bowl a crunchy delight. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 49 Black Bean Tostadas With Sweet Potato and Poblanos Victor Protasio A rainbow of bright veggies adorns this black bean tostada. Shredded cabbage and radishes add a fresh crunch alongside the sweet potato and poblanos. To switch things up, turn this dish into nachos by subbing tortilla chips for the corn tostadas. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 49 Summer Nachos Greg DuPree Corn spiced with paprika and golden-seared zucchini top these cheesy nachos. Tie it all together by drizzling a creamy avocado-yogurt dressing over the tray. This works as a meal or as a fun, semi-healthy appetizer for a summer soiree. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 49 Mushroom White Pizza Greg DuPree This pizza's "sauce" couldn't be easier: Just spread a mixture of ricotta, shredded mozzarella, garlic, and oil onto a par-baked, store-bought pizza crust. Add sauteed mushrooms, slide into a hot oven for 12 minutes, and serve with a side salad for a light, summer meal. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 49 Cauliflower Tartine With Romesco Sauce Caitlin Bensel You'll need a fork and knife to eat this unique, open-faced, vegetarian sandwich. Shallots, garlic, and raisins join two types of cauliflower (roasted and pickled) on sourdough, and it's topped off with a creamy Romesco sauce made from red peppers. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 49 Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad Greg DuPree Take advantage of fresh summer tomatoes in this vegetarian pasta salad recipe. The olives, eggplant, and feta cheese come together with a quick-and-easy dressing made of chopped oregano, vinegar, salt, pepper, and oil. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 49 Mustardy Kale Salad With Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple Roland Bello This super-healthy summer salad is full of fiber and protein, and it works as a main course. It pairs a tangy vinaigrette with chopped apple, kale, roasted sweet potato, and almonds. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 49 Spicy Coconut Noodles Beatriz da Costa You can use rice noodles or fettuccine in this light meatless summer dish. It gets a healthy boost from bean sprouts and a delicious creaminess from coconut milk. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 49 Vegetarian Tacos With Goat Cheese Con Poulos These vegetarian tacos are a quick-and-easy summer dinner you can throw together in minutes. Make it an even lighter lift by using store-bought refrigerated salsa. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 49 Superfood Lentil Salad Victor Protasio Zucchini is an excellent grilled summer vegetable. It anchors this vegetarian recipe with a boost of flavor from al dente lentils and sweetness thanks to a sprinkling of golden raisins. Top the dish with avocado slices or pan-crisped tofu. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 49 Black Bean-Oat Burger Greg DuPree Veggie burgers can be hit or miss, but this one is a real winner for a quick summer meal. Texture-wise, it's a crispy-tender combination, and it's full of Southwest flavors. Serve with a tomato, onion, lettuce, and a dollop of salsa. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 49 Vegetable Fried Rice Dana Gallagher Here's a light, fresh vegetarian meal that's perfect for summer. The recipe gives directions for cooking the carrots, snow peas, and bean sprouts to turn out perfectly tender but also a little crunchy. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 49 Crispy Mushroom Reuben Sandwiches Greg Dupree Because mushrooms are high in umami, they have a meaty, savory taste that makes them a great vegetarian mainstay. This iconic sandwich lookalike is also highly nutritious thanks to its probiotic-rich sauerkraut. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 49 Chickpea Salad Sandwich Alison Miksch A healthier version of a chicken salad sandwich? Yes, please! Dress up this sandwich any way you like—try bean sprouts, tomatoes, or romaine—and serve with a side of homemade potato chips. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 49 Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata Marcus Nilsson Summer is for enjoying the nice weather, not standing around in a hot kitchen. This frittata recipe has only 15 minutes of hands-on prep, and it's light and healthy, too. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 49 Chickpeas With Chard and Pan-Roasted Tomatoes Romulo Yanes Any excuse you can find to use your summer tomatoes, go ahead and take it. This recipe browns them in a skillet before pairing them with chard, chickpeas, and sweet, golden raisins. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 49 Grilled Eggplant and Smoked Mozzarella Melts Charles Masters A BLT may be a quick-and-easy meal, but this vegetarian ELT sandwich can be made in just 25 minutes and is full of eggplant's soluble fiber and antioxidants. Since it cooks on the grill, cleanup's quick and easy, too. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 49 Grilled Mediterranean Salad Jennifer Causey Here's a chance to elevate your standard summer pasta salad. This recipe does it using twisty campanelle pasta, cubes of halloumi, a wide variety of grilled vegetables, and a balsamic dressing. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 49 Grilled Asparagus and Hot Honey Flatbreads Greg DuPree This recipe starts with naan, an Indian flatbread that you can find in most supermarkets. It also features arugula, ricotta, pistachios, and of course, grilled asparagus, but it's the hot honey—equal parts honey and sriracha—that steals the show. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 49 Rigatoni With Grilled Peppers and Onions Marcus Nilsson Grilled summer veggies, spinach, and Parmesan enliven this rigatoni dish. Top it with basil leaves for a fresh and flavorful garnish. GET THE RECIPE 32 of 49 Tofu and Mushroom Lettuce Wraps Fred Hardy When grated and combined with soy sauce and shiitake mushrooms, tofu resembles ground meat, making it the perfect protein for these lettuce cups. The addition of rice elevates them from appetizer territory to main dish-worthy status. GET THE RECIPE 33 of 49 Vegetarian BLT With Shiitake Bacon Caitlin Bensel This clever summer vegetarian recipe uses umami-rich mushrooms in place of bacon. For extra points, schmear its whole-grain bread slices with mayo made from scratch. Make sure to use in-season tomatoes from the farmer's market. You won't regret it! GET THE RECIPE 34 of 49 Potato Leek Tart With Feta and Zucchini Tracey Kusiewicz/Getty Images This hearty potato tart offers a medley of veggies, such as zucchini and leeks, plus salty crumbled feta and fresh dill. Using a store-bought pie crust ensures it's easy to make, but still looks and tastes completely from scratch. GET THE RECIPE 35 of 49 Khichdi VICTOR PROTASIO; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Khichdi (pronounced kih-CHA-dee) is India's version of comfort food in a bowl. It's founded on a base of Indian-spiced rice and lentils but, from there, variations abound. This recipe allows for a wide range of just about whatever mixed veggies and leafy greens you can find in your produce drawer. Top with fresh cilantro and a dollop of yogurt. GET THE RECIPE 36 of 49 Cauliflower Piccata Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Pan-seared cauliflower steaks star in this version of an Italian classic that traditionally features breaded veal or chicken. Ready in just 35 minutes, it's a one-skillet dish highlighted with a zesty lemon-caper-broth sauce for a bright, briny finish. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 49 Za’atar Tofu Skewers with Tomato Salad & Hummus Jennifer Causey Summer is for grilling, and so are these tofu skewers seasoned with za'atar, a zesty Middle Eastern spice blend. Not a tofu fan? Sub with halloumi, a cheese that can stand up to the grilling. Save some room on the grill to throw a few pita rounds on there, too. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 49 Watermelon Poke Bowls Victor Protasio Watermelon rarely gets to star on the main stage, but this recipe puts it front and center in an iconic Hawaiian dish. Poke traditionally features ahi tuna, but here it's swapped with watermelon cubes marinated in an Asian-inspired sauce. Avocado, carrots, and cucumber join in, too, all drizzled in sriracha-spiked mayo. GET THE RECIPE 39 of 49 No-Bake Summer Veggie Lasagna Fred Hardy. Interested in a lasagna with no meat, no oven, and no jars or cans? If so, this recipe's for you. It uses the usual lasagna noodles, Italian herbs, and creamy ricotta layers, but this one features fresh cherry tomatoes with chopped zucchini and onion for a fresh, summery version that's ready in just 25 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 40 of 49 Eggplant Tart With Lemon and Feta Greg DuPree Get ready for raves about this dish whether you serve it as a party appetizer or as the star of the meal. It's a great way to highlight summer-fresh eggplant, which is seasoned with za'atar and layered atop flaky puff pastry and creamy feta. GET THE RECIPE 41 of 49 Veggie Patties Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless This delicious recipe does double duty as it can reduce food waste—it's meant to be made with leftover veggies from the fridge. It's vegan, and you can turn this gluten-free as well by using chickpea flour. These patties pack in the flavor without skimping on the vegetables—a win-win! GET THE RECIPE 42 of 49 Cheesy Heirloom Tomato Tart Greg DuPree Bright, juicy heirloom tomatoes take center stage in this easy-to-make summer tart. But don't worry—seasoning the tomatoes beforehand ensures that the juices won't make the tart soggy. A Cheddar-mayo mixture finishes off this gorgeous tart that's sure to wow. GET THE RECIPE 43 of 49 Pistachio Pudding Hector Manuel Sanchez A cold scoop of fresh pudding on a hot day just hits the spot, especially when it boasts a beautiful green hue. And yes, that color is all natural thanks to this recipe's liberal use of healthy pistachios. GET THE RECIPE 44 of 49 Frozen Strawberry Trifle Caitlin Bensel This make-ahead dessert recipe calls for just six ingredients, making it a breeze to assemble and have ready in the freezer for a special occasion. Cutting into the layers for that first bite of ice cream-covered strawberries is just delightful! GET THE RECIPE 45 of 49 Mixed Berry Biscuit Cobbler Kelsey Hansen When it's not too hot to turn on your oven, a berry cobbler is the perfect summer dessert. The biscuits on top of these berries add a wonderful crumbly layer, making this a tasty breakfast treat, too. GET THE RECIPE 46 of 49 Orange Dreamsicle Icebox Cake Caitlin Bensel Making a cake crust from flat graham crackers is the ultimate hack, and you just know that dreamsicle anything sparks so much joy. Bring this no-bake cake out at the end of a summer vegetarian meal for the ultimate creamy, sweet treat. GET THE RECIPE 47 of 49 Vegan Banana Bread Alison Miksch Meatless Monday also needs a dessert dish, and this banana bread is not only vegetarian-friendly; it's also a favorite for vegans. It swaps the butter and eggs for coconut milk and yogurt to keep it moist. Chopped walnuts add a crunchy twist to the otherwise smooth and sweet banana-filled texture. GET THE RECIPE 48 of 49 Mushroom and Burrata Orzotto Greg DuPree This vegetarian recipe comes out like a creamy risotto. Instead, however, this recipe calls for orzo, a small, rice-shaped pasta. It's much faster to cook. Mix it with roasted mushrooms and chopped onions, and toss in some burrata cheese for a savory and satisfying orzotto. GET THE RECIPE 49 of 49 Spinach Alfredo French Bread Pizza Greg DuPree French bread pizza, a childhood favorite, gets a glow-up in this elevated version. Creamy Alfredo sauce, salty Fontina cheese, fresh spinach, and crispy red onions team up to make a magnificent vegetarian play on the classic French bread pizza. And it only takes about 10 minutes of hands on time, making it perfect for nights when you don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit