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Home » Vegetarian

If You Don’t Like Veggies, Try These 20 Recipes First

Published: Jul 1, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Veggies get a bad rap, but the truth is, they can actually taste great—you just need the right recipes. These aren’t the kind that make you feel like you're forcing yourself to eat something “healthy.” They’re bold, super flavorful, and the kind of thing you’d actually look forward to making again. Whether you're veggie-shy or just stuck in a rut, these are a great place to start.

An eggplant casserole in a baking dish, accompanied by a wooden spoon.
Eggplant Casserole. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie

Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

An overhead image of baked cauliflower with cheese with a serving missing at the bottom.
Baked Cauliflower with Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Baked cauliflower cheese includes a creamy sauce and crispy finish, ready in about an hour. It’s a solid veggie side dish for dinner parties when you want something warm that holds up well.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close up view of cooked tortellini pasta salad in a white bowl.
Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tortellini pasta salad is ready in 20 minutes with fewer than 10 ingredients, making it manageable even on busy days. It’s a smart veggie dish for gatherings, especially in warmer weather.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of a cooked gouda mac and cheese in a baking pan.
Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Baked gouda mac and cheese takes around 45 minutes and brings a creamy texture with minimal steps. It’s a strong veggie choice when you want something comforting that’s not complicated to make.
Get the Recipe: Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Mushroom Stroganoff

An image of mushroom stroganoff and white rice on a plate, with a fork on the side.
Mushroom Stroganoff. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This creamy mushroom stroganoff comes together in 30 minutes and pairs easily with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes. It's a dependable option for veggie that suits dinner gatherings without taking much time to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

Black Bean Enchiladas

An overhead image of black bean enchiladas in a baking dish.
Black Bean Enchiladas. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These black bean enchiladas are made with red sauce and queso fresco, finished in under an hour. They’re a solid veggie choice when you want something filling without complex steps.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Enchiladas

3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

An image of broccoli cheese casserole served on a table with a spoon on the right side.
3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Broccoli cheese casserole uses three core ingredients and cooks in 30 minutes. It’s an easy veggie recipe that works well for relaxed hosting or busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Nigerian Fried Rice

An overhead image of Nigerian fried rice in a serving bowl.
Nigerian Fried Rice. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Nigerian fried rice adds color and flavor to any table, taking only 15 minutes to put together. It's a quick way to include veggie in meals where variety matters.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

Eggplant Casserole

An eggplant casserole in a baking dish, accompanied by a wooden spoon.
Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This eggplant casserole uses herbs, layered vegetables, and cheese for a baked meal that’s simple to put together. It’s a good veggie dish for gatherings where something hearty is needed.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus on foil-lined baking sheet with lemon slice.
Grilled Asparagus. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Grilled asparagus takes 25 minutes and only five ingredients, keeping the process straightforward. It’s a dependable veggie side for cookouts or when hosting without much lead time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad in a white bowl being drizzled with cilantro lime dressing.
Mediterranean Black Bean Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing is ready in 10 minutes and made with fresh ingredients. It’s a practical veggie side dish for lunches or potlucks when you’re short on time.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Straight view of cooked one-pot lemon ricotta pasta garnished with rocket and fresh basil leaves placed in a white plate with a fork on the side.
One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Lemon ricotta pasta is ready in 15 minutes and uses just one pot. Its quick prep makes it a helpful veggie option for casual meals or weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Pasta e Piselli

An image of Pasta e Piselli served in a bowl.
Pasta e Piselli. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pasta e piselli is made with peas and cheese, offering a simple meal that’s ready fast. It’s a useful veggie option for weeknight hosting when time is limited.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Piselli

Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Close up of cacio e pepe in white bowl with fork and spoon.
Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Bucatini cacio e pepe is a three-ingredient pasta that’s ready quickly and easy to get right. This veggie dish suits hosted meals when you're working with limited time.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Penne Pomodoro

An close up photo of cooked penne pomodoro in a pot.
Penne Pomodoro. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Penne Pomodoro uses simple ingredients and is done in under 30 minutes. It’s a budget-conscious veggie meal option that fits easily into any hosted dinner without needing much prep.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro

Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl.
Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegan cabbage soup is simple to make in one pot and scales easily for larger portions. It’s a convenient veggie dish to serve when you need something reliable during busy days.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Pizza Sliders

An image of a hand picking up one pizza slider from the baking pan.
Pizza Sliders. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pizza sliders filled with cheese, sauce, and vegetables are quick to assemble and baked all at once. They're a solid veggie choice for casual get-togethers where finger foods work best.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

An image of roasted cabbage steaks on a serving plate.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Roasted cabbage steaks take 35 minutes and use just a few basic ingredients. They make a good veggie side dish when you want something easy and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of two bowls of mac and cheese with a fork beside each.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Slow cooker mac and cheese comes together with minimal effort and cooks while you focus on other tasks. It’s a crowd-pleasing veggie dish that fits well into laid-back gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Ethiopian Cabbage

A close up image of cooked Ethiopian cabbage in a skillet pan with a wooden serving spoon mixing the dish.
Ethiopian Cabbage. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A one-pot Ethiopian cabbage stew with pantry vegetables and familiar spices, ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a strong veggie option when you want something hearty without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage

Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Close up of zucchini and summer squash casserole in glass dish.
Squash and Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This squash and zucchini casserole is made with vegetables and cheese and is done in 30 minutes. It’s an easy veggie recipe for weeknight meals or casual potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Squash and Zucchini Casserole

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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