The Best Vegetarian Recipes of 2019
Boring veggie dishes are *SO* last year. Take a bite into 2019's best vegetarian recipes.
Veggie Tacos
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, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Homemade Polish Pierogi
My mother made many dozens of these and measured ingredients using the palm of her hand. We've passed the recipe down over the years as the family has grown. —Veronica Weinkauf, South Bend, Indiana
Vermicelli Pasta Salad
I started making this salad because it's loaded with peppers, my husband's favorite. Don't be surprised when there are no leftovers to take home after the family reunion, picnic or church potluck. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas
Garlic Creamed Spinach
This creamed spinach side goes with just about anything. Try it with pasta, roasted pork or baked chicken. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Slow-Cooker Thai Butternut Squash Peanut Soup
This seemingly exotic dish is simple, vegan, healthy and hearty. The peanut butter blends beautifully with the sweetness of the squash and Thai seasonings. You can also serve this soup without pureeing it first. —Kayla Capper, Ojai, California
Mom's Macaroni and Cheese
The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
Balsamic Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad recipes are my absolute favorite! This fast, fresh salad is a winner at every get together. It's an easygoing, healthy side dish for kabobs, chicken or anything hot off the grill. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Pressure-Cooker Raisin Nut Oatmeal
There’s no better feeling than starting off the day with a great breakfast. I love that the oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together on their own. —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California
Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup
I love mushrooms and am learning how to make heartier dishes out of my old favorites. This delicious vegan cream of mushroom soup is low in fat and high in nutrition, and it meets my dietary restrictions. —Maria Davis, Flower Mound, Texas
Oregano Green Beans with Toasted Pine Nuts
This super easy side dish is an ideal picnic or potluck recipe. It's a beautiful, surprising dish that leaves guests and even family raving. You can substitute any kind of nut for the pine nuts, or even replace them with fresh berries. —Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida
Vegetarian Pad Thai
This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Homemade Potato Chips
Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pressure-Cooker Rhubarb Compote with Yogurt
My grandma Dot made rhubarb compote and always had some in the freezer when I came to visit. This breakfast is a tribute to her. No two batches of rhubarb are exactly alike, so make sure to taste your compote before you chill it. It should be tart, but sometimes it needs a little extra sugar. —Michael Hoffman, Brooklyn, New York
Kansas Cucumber Salad
Cucumbers are my very favorite garden vegetable, so I use this recipe often. I got it from a friend years ago. I've heard this refreshing dish keeps very well in the refrigerator, but it goes so fast around our house, I've never found out for myself. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
Quick Biscuits
These biscuits make a satisfying accompaniment to any meal. I never made biscuits until I tried this two-ingredient recipe, now my husband wants them all the time! —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Mushroom Burgers
Ready to turn over a new burger? I guarantee no one will be missing the beef after tasting these vegetarian burgers. They're moist, tender and full of flavor. —Denise Hollebeke, Penhold, Alberta
Spicy Grilled Eggplant
This grilled side goes well with pasta or meats also made on the grill. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, it gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
Tuscan Portobello Stew
This is a heart-healthy, one-skillet meal that is quick and easy to prepare, yet elegant enough for company. Vegetarian teachers and students alike appreciate this stew at school potlucks. —Jane Siemon, Viroqua, Wisconsin
Fry Bread
Whilte taking a trip to the Grand Canyon, my family drove through the Navajo reservation and stopped at a little cafe for dinner. I complimented the young waiter on the delicious Indian fry bread and he gave me the recipe. It is very easy to make. —Mildred Stephenson, Hartselle, Alabama
Mini Caramel Rolls
Here's the perfect warm treat for pajama-clad family mornings. These ooey-gooey baked rolls come together in moments—thanks to a tube of refrigerated crescent rolls—and disappear just as quickly. —Kayla Wiegand, Congerville, Illinois
Vegan Mac and Cheese
The combination of soaked cashews and nutritional yeast creates a savory sauce for this vegan mac and cheese. The cashews don't blend up completely smooth, but will have a fine texture even after processing, which helps the sauce cling to the noodles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Rich Fruit Kuchens
This German classic is such a part of our reunions, we designate a special place to serve it. Five generations flock to the "Kuchen Room" for this coffee cake. —Stephanie Schentzel, Northville, South Dakota
Veggie-Packed Strata
This is a wonderful, colorful casserole that everyone enjoys. I'm sure you'll be hooked on it after one bite, too. —Jennifer Unsell, Vance, Alabama
Pressure-Cooker Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal
I absolutely love this one-dish oatmeal. The steel-cut oats have so much flavor and texture. My family loves to sprinkle toasted pecans on top. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
No-Knead Knot Rolls
My mom, Velma Perkins, loved to serve these light, golden rolls when I was growing up on our Iowa farm. They're extra nice since they require no kneading. The dough rises in the refrigerator overnight, so there's little last-minute fuss to serve fresh hot rolls with any meal. —Toni Hilscher Omaha, Nebraska
Perfect Winter Salad
This is my most-requested salad recipe. Serve it as a side salad along with your holiday meal, or enjoy it for lunch the next day with cubed turkey or chicken on top. —DeNae Shewmake, Burnsville, Minnesota
Swiss Corn Casserole
My mom shared this recipe with me back in the '80s and now it's a Turkey Day mainstay. We freeze locally grown corn during peak season, and I love to use it in this special side. —Wendy Young, Cordova, Maryland
Chocolate Pecan Pie Snack Mix
My crowd-pleasing party mix is buttery, chocolaty and nutty. The recipe yields a party-size portion, but I recommend keeping it covered so it doesn’t disappear before the event. —Annette Niemiec, Scottsdale, Arizona
Cheese Enchiladas
You won't bring home leftovers when you make this cheese enchilada recipe. With a homemade tomato sauce and cheesy filling, they always go fast. You can substitute any type of cheese you wish. —Ashley Schackow, Defiance, Ohio
Sour Cream Chip Muffins
Take one bite and you'll see why I think these rich, tender muffins are the best I've ever tasted. Mint chocolate chips make them a big hit with my family and friends. —Stephanie Moon, Boise, Idaho
Hungarian Nut Rolls
It isn't officially the holidays until I've made this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband's grandmother. The apple-walnut filling is moist, subtly sweet and flavorful. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
Orange Cranberry Bread
These moist loaves are packed with the zesty taste of cranberries and orange peel. I suggest serving slices toasted with butter or cream cheese. —Ron Gardner, Grand Haven, Michigan
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Your family will be impressed with the soft texture and appealing swirls of cinnamon in these lovely breakfast loaves. —Diane Armstrong, Elm Grove, Wisconsin.
Golden Mashed Potatoes
When there's no gravy with the meat, this is great to serve in place of regularly mashed potatoes. I make it often to take to picnics and church socials. My husband even made it for his family's reunion one year when I couldn't go! —Cindy Stith, Wickliffe, Kentucky
Favorite Cheesy Potatoes
My family loves these potatoes. I make a large batch in disposable pans and serve them at all our get-togethers. The holidays aren't the same without them. It's also a super recipe for Christmas morning brunch. —Brenda Smith, Curran, Michigan
Puff Pastry Danishes
Even though they're simple to make, these jam-filled pastries are right at home in a holiday brunch spread. They were my dad's favorite, so the recipe will always be close to my heart. —Chellie Helmke, Jackson Center, Ohio
Tasty Lentil Tacos
When my husband's cholesterol numbers rose, I quickly lowered the fat in our family's diet. Finding dishes that were healthy for him and yummy for our five children was a challenge, but this fun taco recipe was a huge hit with everyone. —Michelle Thomas, Bangor, Maine
Crumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese
Everyone loves this grown-up macaroni and cheese. It's also tasty with sharp cheddar and cream cheese instead of Gruyere and mascarpone. Throw in some crispy bacon for a twist. —Jennifer Standing, Taos, New Mexico
Sweet Corn-Tomato Salad
I always make this for family events and parties. It reminds me of all the fun barbecues and picnics over the years. Fresh corn and basil make a huge difference in this recipe. —Jessica Kleinbaum, Plant City, Florida
Sweet & Savory Pineapple Cheese Ball
One of my favorite dishes in childhood was my mom's pineapple and green pepper cheese ball. Now I make it, and it’s always a hit. —Susan Harrison, Laurel, Maryland
Mint Watermelon Salad
I invented this refreshing fruit salad one sultry afternoon while my friends were gathered around my pool. It was quick and easy to prepare and disappeared from their plates even quicker. Even the kids loved it! —Antoinette DuBeck, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Rhubarb Scones
My grandfather grows rhubarb and gives us a generous supply. The tartness is similar to a cranberry—perfect for tossing into a scone. —Danielle Ulam, Hookstown, Pennsylvania
Vegetable Strata
We always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington
Layered Hummus Dip
My love for Greece inspired this fast, easy Mediterranean dip. It's great for parties and a delicious way to include garden-fresh veggies on your menu. —Cheryl Snavely, Hagerstown, Maryland
Mediterranean Pastry Pinwheels
These quick appetizers are irresistible. The flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and pesto balance beautifully. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Honey Mustard Red Potato Salad
This summer cookout star is crunchy-delicious with a brilliant zesty dressing. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Cauliflower-Broccoli Cheese Bake
One of the first dishes my mom taught me is a tasty pairing of cauliflower, cheese and broccoli. It's absolutely my best side. —Devin Mulertt, Napa, California
Roasted Beet Wedges
This recipe makes ordinary beets taste tender and delicious with just a few sweet and good-for-you ingredients. —Wendy Stenman, Germantown, Wisconsin
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
This recipe for apple cinnamon overnight oats couldn't be easier to make. Prep takes only five minutes! —Sarah Farmer, Taste of Home Executive Culinary Director
Jelly Doughnuts
There's no need to run to the bakery for delicious jelly doughnuts! These sweet treats are lighter than air. I've been fixing them for 25 years for my husband, our two daughters and their families. They disappear almost as fast as I make them. —Kathy Westendorf, Westgate, Iowa