Our Best Vegetarian College Meals

Updated on Feb. 25, 2022

Low ingredient count, quick cooking methods — these vegetarian meals thrive in college apartments, dorms and mini fridges!

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1/30

Coconut French Toast

Total Time 15 min
Servings 7 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Coated with coconut, these special slices are from Charlotte Baillargeon of Hinsdale, Massachusetts.
Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 435 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat), 371mg cholesterol, 473mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.
2/30

Refried Bean Tostadas

Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 tostadas
From the Recipe Creator: For a change of pace, you can substitute purchased tostada shells for tortillas or add more lettuce and use taco salad shells. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 1 tostada: 588 calories, 31g fat (10g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 1250mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 12g fiber), 19g protein.
3/30

Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas

Total Time 5 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time. They haven’t noticed that as good as the pitas taste, they’re good for them too.—Kim Holmes, Emerald Park, Saskatchewan
Nutrition Facts: 1 pita half: 324 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 6g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 lean meat.
4/30

Peanut Butter Noodles

Total Time 30 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: To get that luscious taste of Thai cuisine, combine ginger, basil, lime and peanut butter in a sauce for linguine. It's so good, we've never had leftovers. —Allil Binder, Spokane, Washington
Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 365 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 10g fiber), 14g protein.
5/30

Veggie Tacos

Total Time 30 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: These vegetarian tacos are stuffed with a blend of sauteed cabbage, peppers and black beans so filling, you won't miss the meat. Top with avocado, cheese or a dollop of sour cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 430 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 770mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 10g fiber), 12g protein.
6/30

Pronto Vegetarian Peppers

Total Time 25 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: In the summer I love to serve these peppers with salad and a roll. At the end of summer, I freeze them for cold months when produce costs are high. For a hot meal on a cold day, I love to serve them with a side of warm pasta tossed in olive oil. —Renee Hollobaugh, Altoona, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed pepper halves: 341 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 556mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 11g fiber), 19g protein.
7/30

Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My son and I eat this peanut butter oatmeal recipe every day for breakfast. It's a hearty, healthy way to jump start our morning. — Elisabeth Reitenbach, Terryville, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 323 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein.
8/30

Kale Salad

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I love making meals that wow everyone. The flavor and nutrition in this kale salad set it apart from other 30-minute creations. —Gina Myers, Spokane, Washington
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 113 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 381mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1/2 starch.
9/30

Corn, Rice & Bean Burritos

Total Time 30 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: No one will miss the meat when you dish up these satisfying burritos bursting with a fresh-tasting filling. They’re fast to fix and won’t put a dent in your wallet. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts: 1 burrito with 1 tablespoon salsa: 326 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
10/30

Gnocchi with White Beans

Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Here’s one of those no-fuss recipes you can toss together and cook in one skillet. Ideal for a busy weeknight, it’s also good with crumbled Italian chicken sausage if you need to please meat lovers. —Julianne Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 307 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 789mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein.
11/30

Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches

Total Time 10 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 278 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
12/30

Insalata Caprese

Total Time 25 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: A classic Caprese salad has colors that resemble the Italian flag. For extra zing, I add a splash of balsamic vinegar. —Melba Wilson, Murrells Inlet, SC
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 160 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
13/30

Southwest Tortilla Scramble

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Here’s my version of a deconstructed breakfast burrito that’s actually good for you. Go for hefty corn tortillas in this recipe. Flour ones can get lost in the scramble. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 195 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 217mg cholesterol, 391mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch.
14/30

Black Bean Tacos

Total Time 30 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We eat meatless meals a few times a week, so I replaced the beef with nutty brown rice to bulk up these tacos. Sometimes I also like to swap in quinoa for the rice. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington
Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 423 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 682mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 10g fiber), 17g protein.
15/30

Coconut-Ginger Chickpeas & Tomatoes

Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This is my go-to quick dish. When you add tomatoes, you can also toss in some chopped green peppers (jalapenos, if you like heat) to make it even more colorful. —Mala Udayamurthy, San Jose, California
Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup chickpea mixture with 3/4 cup rice: 402 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 590mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 10g fiber), 11g protein.
16/30

Spanish Omelet

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Wake up your taste buds with the yummy flavors of warm refried beans, salsa and shredded cheese in 15 minutes flat. Spice it up with a hot salsa, or add sizzling cooked bacon for a smoky twist. —Teresa Gunnell, Lovettsville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts: 1 omelet: 450 calories, 26g fat (10g saturated fat), 583mg cholesterol, 944mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 31g protein.
17/30

Garbanzo-Vegetable Green Curry

Total Time 20 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My son loves anything with coconut milk, so I always keep some on hand for weeknight meals like this one. For a milder version, I like to use red or yellow curry paste instead of green. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup with 2/3 cup rice: 516 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 10g fiber), 15g protein.
18/30

Vegan Burritos

Total Time 25 min
Servings 8 servings
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.
19/30

Fettuccine with Black Bean Sauce

Total Time 30 min
Servings 5 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When my husband needed to go on a heart-smart diet, I had to come up with new ways to get more vegetables into our daily meals. This meatless spaghetti sauce is a winner; it's especially delicious with spinach fettuccine. —Marianne Neuman, East Troy, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup sauce with 3/4 cup pasta: 350 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 761mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 8g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.
20/30

Sweet Potato & Bean Quesadillas

Total Time 30 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Sweet potatoes and black beans roll up together for a quesadilla that’s easy, fast, fun and delicious. —Brittany Hubbard, St. Paul, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 quesadilla with 3 tablespoons salsa: 306 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 531mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein.
21/30

Thai Pasta with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We love how the whole wheat pasta and crisp, raw vegetables blend with the rich and creamy peanut sauce. The addition of fresh lime juice really brightens the flavor of the dish. Some eat it hot, but my husband and I prefer to wait until it's closer to room temperature. —Donna McCallie, Lake Park, Florida
Nutrition Facts: 1-3/4 cups: 410 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 452mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 8g fiber), 14g protein.
22/30

Summer Bounty Ratatouille

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Make use of your garden's surplus with this comforting dish from the Provence region of France. It's a vegetable dish traditionally made with eggplant, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, garlic, bell peppers and various herbs. I highly recommend accompanying it with some freshly baked bread. —Phyllis Jacques, Venice, Florida
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup ratatouille with 1 cup bread cubes: 205 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 542mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 7g protein.
23/30

General Tso’s Cauliflower

Total Time 45 min
Servings 4 servings
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.
24/30

Black Beans with Bell Peppers & Rice

Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My meat and potatoes husband goes for this cheesy, hearty black beans and rice recipe, and the kids gobble it up. For extra kick, add a splash of hot sauce. —Stephanie Lambert, Moseley, Virgina
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 347 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 477mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat.
25/30

Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner

Total Time 15 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: On the days I get home late and just want a warm meal, I stir together tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle it over noodles if you're in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups (calculated without pasta and cheese): 147 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 353mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 9g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
26/30

Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro Black Beans

Total Time 20 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: As a vegan, I'm always looking for impressive dishes to share. Sweet potatoes loaded with beans and a touch of peanut butter are one of my mom’s favorites. —Kayla Capper, Ojai, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 potato with 1/2 cup black bean mixture: 400 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 426mg sodium, 77g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 12g fiber), 11g protein.
27/30

Quick Italian Veggie Skillet

Total Time 25 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When you don’t know what to serve, Italian flavors are a good starting point. We combine cannellini and garbanzo beans for this snappy rice dish. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 342 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 660mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 11g fiber), 16g protein.
28/30

Vegetarian Tacos

Total Time 25 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I love Mexican food but was looking for a healthier option to share. My family devours these tasty tacos whenever I make them. —Amanda Petrucelli, Plymouth, Indiana
Nutrition Facts: 1 taco (calculated without optional toppings): 413 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 774mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 16g fiber), 17g protein.
29/30

Yankee Rancheros

Total Time 25 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: After my in-laws began affectionately referring to me as a Yankee, I decided I had to learn to make some Mexican dishes. These are super easy and make my Tex-Mex-loving family happy—even if they do come from a Northerner!. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 430 calories, 23g fat (6g saturated fat), 202mg cholesterol, 703mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 16g protein.
30/30

Avocado Egg Salad Toast

Total Time 20 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I had a surplus of avocados after purchasing too many for an event. A few days later, I was making egg salad sandwiches for lunch and had the fantastic idea to use avocado to bind it together instead of traditional mayo. Not only was this version unbelievably delicious but the healthy fats in the avocado make this a much better option than the traditional mayo-laden version. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 367 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 280mg cholesterol, 671mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.