Listen to the olive podcast where Janine Ratcliffe chats to author, cook and photographer Nik Sharma talks about making humble veg the star of the plate and how he uses a science-based approach to getting maximum flavour when cooking.
Quick vegetarian recipes
Thai-style broccoli fried rice
Swapping out rice for whizzed up broccoli makes this a great, healthy alternative to fried rice. Packed with protein and low in calories, it's full of exciting texture and flavour, and takes just 25 minutes to make.
Bang bang cauliflower
An epic cauli dish to add to your veggie dinner rotation, this sweet and spicy dish sees crispy baked cauliflower drizzled in a sriracha, sweet chilli, honey and lime sauce.
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Smashed falafel platter with pink pickled onions
Using ready-made falafel, this recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for effortless entertaining. The quick-pickled onions add colour.
Grilled goat’s cheese with hot honey and pink peppercorns
Throw together this impressive-looking starter in just 20 minutes start to finish. Grilling the goat's cheese gives it extra oomph, along with the drizzled hot honey.
Penne arrabbiata
This classic, speedy vegetarian Italian dish is ready in under 30 minutes, delivering a burst of flavour. Pair with ciabatta or focaccia to soak up the remaining sauce.
Singapore noodles
Ready on the table in just 25 minutes, rustle up these Singapore noodles for a quick yet flavour-packed dinner.
Saag paneer
Taking only 30 minutes to prepare, this Indian side dish should not be missed at your next curry night.
Lime, feta and coriander sweetcorn
This zesty and refreshing side uses tinned sweetcorn to keep things simple. Top with warming chilli flakes or a finely chopped fresh green chilli for more heat.
Chilli paneer fry
Served with rice or noodles, this spicy chilli paneer is ready on the table in just 25 minutes.
Veggie fajitas
Make it a fajita night with this speedy veggie dinner, perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Seve it all in the middle of the table and let everyone tuck in. Use a little mild chilli powder to give these wraps a kick, and hot-smoked paprika for colour.
Vegetable hakka noodles
Ready in just 25 minutes, this Indo-Chinese dish combines noodles with lots of crunchy veggies stir-fried over a high heat.
Spicy Mexican rice
This vegan rice dish can be eaten on its own or, if you want to add some protein, it’s good with beans, crumbled feta, cooked chicken or prawns stirred through. Ready in 30 minutes, it's a great dinner to have up your sleeve, midweek.
Kimchi noodles
It only takes 20 minutes to make this fiery (and high protein) veggie dinner, complete with udon noodles, green beans, kimchi, fresh ginger and sesame fried eggs on top.
Honey and sesame halloumi with jalapeño yogurt and tabbouleh
A clever new way to serve your favourite squeaky cheese. Honeyed halloumi sits on top of a freekeh salad, made punchy with jalapeño yogurt. This speedy meal is ready in 25 minutes.
Spiced grains with peas, spinach and jammy eggs
A riot of colour, this buttery freekeh dish is packed with spinach and peas, and flavoured with cumin, coriander and turmeric. A nutritious 30-minute meal.
Garlic butter gnocchi with crispy purple sprouting broccoli
This flavour-packed gnocchi dish with cheesy sauce and charred broccoli looks so impressive that no-one will guess it only took 30 minutes to make.
Soy-and-butter-braised mushrooms
Pan fry mushrooms in butter with ginger, chilli and soy for a quick and easy vegetarian meal.
Halloumi wraps
Salty halloumi makes a satisfying vegetarian wrap filling. Serve with a fresh and bright salad for a quick, nutritious midweek meal.
Super-seedy salad with tahini dressing
This veggie salad recipe is packed with prebiotic goodness from the resistant starch in the seeds and finished with a tangy tahini-yogurt dressing.
Pasta salad with bocconcini, capers and tomatoes
Take your pasta salad to the next level by adding sweet diced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese balls for a quick and easy veggie dinner.
Quinoa-coated halloumi with sprouting broccoli and romesco dressing
Coat salty halloumi in a layer of quinoa for added crunch. Our veggie salad is quick to make and served with an easy romesco dressing and seasonal sprouting broccoli.
Rice-stuffed omelette with pickled cucumber
Give your basic omelette a lift with this quick and easy idea, packed with crunchy spring onions, shredded carrot and fiery ginger.
Halloumi burger
Check out our recipe for the ultimate veggie burger packed with mushroom, avocado, spinach and halloumi, ready in just 30 minutes.
Halloumi fajitas
If you're a veggie who loves fajitas, check out these super simple wraps with salty halloumi, sweet red peppers and crunchy red onions. Ready in 20 minutes, this easy recipe is a great midweek meal for two.
Baked feta with lentils, chilli and herbs
Check out this recipe with creamy, salty feta, sweet red onion and punchy chilli. This easy meal is low in calories, veggie friendly and ready in just 30 minutes.
Spiced falafel burgers
These substantial falafel burgers give the classic beef burger a run for their money. Healthy chickpea patties packed full of flavour nestle among citrusy red cabbage, hummus, beef tomato and pickled chilli. A quick vegetarian recipe to feed four.
Courgetti with pesto and balsamic tomatoes
Try our spiralized courgette recipe for a healthy alternative to pasta, then toss with fresh pesto, crunchy pine nuts and baby plum tomatoes. Taking just 15 minutes to make, this is great for a quick vegetarian meal for one.
Allotment burgers
Perfect for green-fingered enthusiasts or simply for those who love a super-easy, great tasting vegetarian meal, the idea behind these burgers is that you can grow many of the ingredients. From garden to plate in under 30 minutes!
Gnocchi with kale and dolcelatte
Soft, pillowy gnocchi, kale and meltingly creamy dolcelatte make for a dreamy combination in this super simple vegetarian recipe. With only a few ingredients and dinner on the table in just 20 minutes, this gnocchi recipe is midweek perfection.
Halloumi shawarma
Grill spiced halloumi until golden and serve with warm flatbreads and a fresh salad for a spiced veggie midweek meal.
Spaghetti with ajvar, mozzarella and smashed olives
Try our fresh and simple vegetarian spaghetti recipe with creamy mozzarella, smashed kalamata olives and ajvar. Ajvar, a sauce traditionally from the Balkans and made up primarily of red peppers, is super quick and easy to whip up.
Buddha bowls with shredded sprouts and beets
Buddha bowls are generous portions of good-for-you ingredients piled into a bowl as a healthy but filling salad. They’re balanced in grains, protein, veggies and carbs, so choose what you fancy and get filling. Think of this as a savoury smoothie bowl; it’s all about those toppings.
Posh beans on toast
Make comforting beans on toast a bit posher with this vegetarian, low-calorie recipe for two. The best bit is it only takes 20 minutes to make. Finish with some grated parmesan if you like. Sometimes the best ideas come when you go back to the basics. Find our best ever British comfort food recipes here.
Rigatoni with broccoli pesto
Our recipe for rigatoni with broccoli pesto is a great twist on a classic pesto and a good way to use up broccoli. What's more, it's vegetarian and ready in just 20 minutes - perfect for midweek. It's a great way to get the kids eating their greens too.
One-pot pasta with goat’s cheese and spinach
Our pasta combines wilted spinach and soft goat's cheese to create a creamy and rich dish. Oh, and it's incredibly quick. Garnish with some extra parmesan and enjoy in 20 minutes!
California scramble
Our California scramble is a quick and easy vegetarian meal for one – try for breakfast, brunch or a quick midweek meal. We have plenty more quick and easy recipes for one here.
Pappardelle with buttery tomato and shallot sauce
Our recipe for pappardelle with buttery tomato and shallot sauce is a really quick, simple, vegetarian meal.
15-minute mushroom and tarragon stroganoff
Our super quick and easy mushroom and tarragon stroganoff makes for a great, healthy midweek meal, ready in just 15 minutes and under 300 calories.
Shakshuka
The classic brunch dish shakshuka is vegetarian and simple to make, with spices, peppers, tomatoes and eggs bubbled up in a pan. There are more delicious one-pot ideas right here.
Linguine with garlic mushrooms and sage
Our linguine with garlic mushrooms and sage is speedy,easy, vegetarian, and under 500 calories. A buttery, cheesy pasta dish for under 500 calories? You're welcome! We love vegetarian pasta.
Yaki udon noodles
Stir-fries are the best quick meal. This yaki udon noodle recipe is ready in 20 minutes and under 300 calories. Get all your ingredients ready then the cooking takes just minutes. Healthy and vegetarian, it's made with broccoli, peppers, ginger, garlic and udon noodles. Leave out the Worcestershire sauce for a vegetarian version.
Spiced paneer with chilli green lentils
Our spiced paneer with chilli green lentils recipe is vegetarian, easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes – perfect for midweek meal.
Coconut and peanut aubergine curry
Our creamy coconut and peanut aubergine curry is vegetarian, under 300 calories and ready in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect comforting meal to make midweek. Here's our pick of the best vegetarian curry recipes.
Falafel mezze bowl
Our quick and easy falafel mezze bowl makes a great vegetarian midweek meal. A whole lot of goodness in such a short amount of time. That's the magic formula we all want!
Tuscan bean and barley stew
Our recipe for Tuscan bean and barley stew is a perfect one to have on hand for a quick midweek meal. It’s ready in 30 minutes, serves four and is under 200 calories. You can use any leafy greens for this, just whatever you have around.
Wild mushrooms and horseradish labneh on toast
Dial the quick-and-easy dish of mushrooms on toast up a few notches with homemade labneh, garlic and herbs.
Soba noodle salad with teriyaki mushrooms
Our quick and easy soba noodle salad with teriyaki mushrooms is vegetarian, ready in 30 minutes and under 300 calories. All these cuts for so many gains. It sounds like a winner to us!
Ginger, spring onion and mushroom omelette
Our recipe for ginger, spring onion and mushroom omelette makes a speedy midweek meal for one. Easy to make and you only need to flash it under a hot grill to finish, then flip onto a plate – or eat straight from the pan. Serve with kejap manis and sriracha sauce, if you fancy.
Pea and halloumi fritters with charred lemon dip
Try these pea and halloumi fritters for a speedy and satisfying dinner, ready on the table in 30 minutes.
Courgette frittata
Easy to make and ready in 20 minutes, you can’t go wrong with this veggie frittata featuring courgette, spring onions and goat's cheese.
Spring greens shakshuka
Our quick and easy vegetarian brunch recipe is a real winner. Shakshuka, traditionally a North African dish, is typically comprised of spices, eggs and tomatoes. This is our spring green version, using asparagus tips and broad beans whilst keeping the classic cumin flavours. Check out our best ever brunch recipes here.
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Za’atar aubergine steaks with sesame dressing and pomegranate
Our recipe for za’atar aubergine steaks with sesame dressing and pomegranate makes for a quick, easy and delicious veggie dinner. Plus, it’s under 300 calories and gluten free.
