31 Easy Vegetarian Recipes with 5 Ingredients

These easy vegetarian recipes call for just 5 ingredients (or less). Affordable, fast and fresh, they're perfect for nights when you don't want to cook.

1 / 31

Quinoa with Peas and Onion

Even picky eaters will love this protein-packed dish. If you have freshly shelled peas on hand, substitute them for the frozen. —Lori Panarella, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Also, check these best vegetarian recipes to give an interesting twist to your veggies.

2 / 31

Acorn Squash Slices

Roasted acorn squash slices are a favorite with my family. This recipe has a sweet maple flavor from syrup and an appealing nuttiness from pecans. It's easy, too, because you don't have to peel the squash. —Richard Lamb, Williamsburg, Indiana
3 / 31

Garbanzo-Stuffed Mini Peppers

Mini peppers are so colorful and are the perfect size for a two-bite appetizer. They have all the crunch of pita chips but without the extra calories. —Christine Hanover, Lewiston, California
4 / 31

Spinach-Mushroom Scrambled Eggs

My husband and I had breakfast at a hotel and enjoyed an amazing mushroom and egg dish. As soon as I got home, I made my own rendition. —Rachelle McCalla, Batesville, Arkansas
5 / 31
6 / 31

Contest-Winning Roasted Tomato Soup

Just before the first frost of the season, we gather up all of the tomatoes from my mom’s garden to create this flavor-packed soup. Although it sounds like a lot of garlic, when it’s roasted, the garlic becomes mellow and almost sweet. We serve this soup with toasted bread spread with pesto.—Kaitlyn Lerdahl, Madison, Wisconsin
7 / 31

Spinach-Parm Casserole

For those who ignore Popeye and won’t eat their spinach, I find that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps change their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
8 / 31

Jeweled Endive Salad

Every Christmas, friends have a huge potluck party. I wanted to bring something unique, so I topped off endive and watercress with jewel-toned pomegranate seeds. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario
9 / 31

Mediterranean Omelet

This fluffy omelet gives us reason to get a move on for breakfast. For a bit of extra flair, add some chopped fresh herbs like basil, oregano or tarragon. —Milynne Charlton, Scarborough, Ontario
10 / 31

Sauteed Radishes with Green Beans

I’ve heard radishes are the only vegetable you don’t cook, but a cookbook from the 1950s disagrees. Green beans and wax beans round out this dish. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri
11 / 31

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

We love eggplant Parmesan, but when it’s hot outside, the dish feels too heavy. Grilled eggplant slices topped with tomato, mozzarella and Parm satisfy everyone. —Joann Parlin, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey
12 / 31

Portobello & Onion Tart

This fragrant tart is comfort with a capital “C,” especially with fresh rosemary or thyme. We pair it with a salad for dinner or an egg for breakfast. —Robin Wagganer, San Jose, California
13 / 31

Spinach-Artichoke Rigatoni

I love pasta and so does my family, but they are not so keen on their veggies. This a one-pot meal that gets us all eating our spinach. —Yvonne Starlin, Hermitage, Tennessee
14 / 31

Spanakopita Mashed Potatoes

I learned to cook by watching my mom in the kitchen. Most of the recipes I make use only five or six ingredients and have a healthier bent. I created this recipe after I tried a spinach-topped baked potato. Flecks of red and green from the potato skin and spinach make these potatoes look festive and special. By not peeling the potatoes, you not only keep some nutrients, but you also save on prep time. —Ashley Levy, Columbia, Maryland
15 / 31

Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner

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

Also, check if there is a difference between butter beans vs lima beans and make grocery shopping a little less confusing.

16 / 31

Swiss Chard with Onions & Garlic

I like to make this sauteed Swiss chard a main dish by serving it with pasta, but it’s also a tasty side dish all on its own. My boys love it and ask for it often. —Rebekah Chappel, Portales, New Mexico
17 / 31

Kale Salad

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
18 / 31

Balsamic Zucchini Saute

This super fast vegetarian dish is flavorful and uses only a few ingredients, so it’s easy to whip up while your entree is cooking. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
19 / 31

Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

When my mom made this spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so good that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors have really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
20 / 31

Insalata Caprese

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
21 / 31

Apple, White Cheddar & Arugula Tarts

These tarts remind me of the autumns I spent in Michigan, where I grew up. —Maria Davis, Hermosa Beach, California
22 / 31

Sweet Potato & Bean Quesadillas

Sweet potatoes and black beans roll up together for a quesadilla that’s easy, fast, fun and delicious. —Brittany Hubbard, St. Paul, Minnesota
23 / 31

Fresh Corn Omelet

I throw in homegrown corn and from-scratch salsa when I make this super summertime omelet. Sprinkle on onions, mushrooms, peppers and breakfast meat to customize it. —William Stone, Robson, West Virginia
24 / 31

Southwest Tortilla Scramble

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
25 / 31

Toasted Ravioli Puffs

I call toasted ravioli a fan favorite because it disappears faster than I can make it. With just five ingredients, this is how you start the party. —Kathy Morgan, Temecula, California
26 / 31

Broccoli & Chive Stuffed Mini Peppers

There's plenty of both crunch and cream in these party appetizers. Fresh chives help them really stand out. —Jean McKenzie, Vancouver, Washington
27 / 31

Muffin-Tin Lasagnas

This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa
28 / 31

Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches

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
29 / 31

Bean & Cheese Quesadillas

My son doesn't eat meat, so I created this recipe as a way for me to cook one meal for the family instead of two. It's so easy, my toddler grandson helps me make it! —Tina McMullen, Salina, Kansas
30 / 31

Roasted Greek Potatoes with Feta Cheese

Lemony Greek potatoes are a traditional side dish for grilled chicken or steak. When they come out of the oven, we top them with feta for a little melty goodness. —Arge Salvatori, Waldwick, New Jersey
31 / 31

Confetti Quinoa

If you have never tried quinoa, start with my easy side, brimming with colorful veggies. I serve it with orange-glazed chicken. —Kim Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Emily Racette Parulski
Emily has spent the last decade writing and editing food and lifestyle content. As a senior editor at Taste of Home, she leads the newsletter team sharing delicious recipes and helpful cooking tips to more than 2 million loyal email subscribers. Since joining TMB seven years ago as an associate editor, she has worked on special interest publications, launched TMB’s first cross-branded newsletter, supported the launch of the brand's affiliate strategy, orchestrated holiday countdowns, participated in taste tests and was selected for a task force to enhance the Taste of Home community. Emily was first mentioned by name in Taste of Home magazine in 1994, when her mother won a contest. When she’s not editing, Emily can be found in her kitchen baking something sweet, taking a wine class with her husband, or making lasagnas for neighbors through Lasagna Love.