40+ Vegetarian Recipes We Found in Grandma’s Church Cookbook

All Veggie Lasagna

People often tell me you can't call something "lasagna" if it doesn't have meat. Then they try my zucchini lasagna and ask for the recipe. —Kim Bender, Aurora, Colorado

Blueberry Kuchen

In the summer, we can get beautiful, plump blueberries, which I use in this easy-to-make coffee cake. I like to freeze extra blueberries so I have them available anytime I want this treat. —Anne Krueger, Richmond, British Columbia

Northwoods Wild Rice Salad

This is my Minnesota version of a vintage German slaw served at church suppers. The wild rice has a nutty flavor that’s perfect with tangy sauerkraut. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

French Crescent Rolls

Whenever we have rolls and coffee after church, these come along with me. Here on the high plains, we’ve been raising cattle, wheat and daughters for 30 years. Our two oldest are grown, and our youngest just began college. —Betty Ann Wolery, Joplin, Montana

Molded Cranberry Nut Salad

We try lots of cranberry recipes, and this one is always requested when we have family get-togethers at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's also been a favorite dish at every church potluck I've taken it to! —Eleanor Arthur, Seattle, Washington

Dutch Baby Pancake with Strawberry-Almond Compote

Pannekoeken, or Dutch baked pancakes, are a treat in my husband’s family. You can also try this recipe with vanilla extract, blueberries and lemon peel. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia

Sour Cream Cut-Out Biscuits

After trying different ways to make biscuits without being completely satisfied, I decided to incorporate sour cream. Success! Split while warm, butter and enjoy. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, ON

Partytime Beans

A friend brought this colorful bean dish to my house for a church circle potluck dinner. As soon as I tasted the slightly sweet slow-cooked beans, I had to have the recipe. I've served the beans and shared the recipe many times since. —Jean Cantner, Boston, Virginia

Picante Omelet Pie

This zippy egg bake is a favorite of one of my daughters. She comes for brunch every week before church, so I serve it often.—Phyllis Carlson, Gardner, Kansas

Fresh Tomato Bruschetta

The topping for this simple Fresh Tomato Bruschetta appetizer can be put together ahead of time and refrigerated. We also love it on top of grilled chicken sandwiches, hamburgers and homemade pizza. —Samantha Cass, Swartz Creek, Michigan

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

Spinach Souffle Side Dish

You just can't make an easier, more delicious side dish than this. It's great with beef, pork and lamb, and I especially like serving it for a festive meal like New Year's Eve. —Bette Duffy, Kenmore, Washington

Sour Cream Cucumbers

We have a tradition at our house to serve this creamy cucumber salad with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are freshly picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal

This recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekend mornings. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Creamy Grape Salad

Everyone raves when I bring this refreshing, creamy salad to potlucks. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans. —Marge Elling, Jenison, Michigan

Pineapple & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding

This bread pudding is easy, convenient, versatile, and delicious. Every time I take it to church or school everyone asks for the recipe because it's the best bread pudding they have ever tasted—I never have any leftovers. This delicious brunch casserole has been requested for family gatherings, holidays, weddings, and birthday parties.—Laura Ellis, Biloxi, Mississippi

Pillow-Soft Dinner Rolls

The dough for these rolls has a nice texture and is simple to shape. The recipe came from an old church cookbook. —Norma Harder, Weyakwin, Saskatchewan

Tortellini with Tomato Spinach Cream Sauce

I enjoy all things pasta, and tortellini is my favorite. The flavor of this dish is amazing. Even my husband, who hates pasta of any kind, loves it! It's a great recipe for non-spinach fans to try, too. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia

Maple Nut Coffee Cake

Every time I make this coffee cake for the holidays or church functions, the pan is emptied in a hurry. People rave about it. —Rosadene Herold, Lakeville, Indiana

Summer Bounty Ratatouille

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

Grilled Three-Potato Salad

Everyone in our extended family loves to cook, so I put together all of our favorite recipes in a cookbook to be handed down from generation to generation. This recipe comes from that cookbook. It's a delicious twist on traditional potato salad. —Suzette Jury, Keene, California

Potato Stuffing Casserole

I adapted this recipe from a Pennsylvania Dutch cookbook, and it's indicative of the fine German cooking found in this area. If you're looking for an alternative to mashed potatoes, try this dish. —Elsa Kerschner, Kunkletown, Pennsylvania

Appetizer Tomato Cheese Bread

I found this recipe a few years ago in a dairy cookbook, and it has become a family favorite. My husband, Wayne, and our two children are mostly meat-and-potato eaters, but I don't hear any complaints when I make this bread! —Penney Kester, Springville, New York

Baked Mac and Cheese

Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware

Fruit Salad with Apricot Dressing

When I serve this lovely refreshing salad for picnics and holidays, the bowl empties fast. —Carol Lambert, El Dorado, Arkansas

Brandy-Glazed Carrots

Carrots sport a light brandy sauce for a beautiful side with mass appeal. —Tammy Landry, Saucier, Mississippi

Green Bean-Cherry Tomato Salad

My grandmother made a cold green bean salad with potatoes for every family barbecue. Now I bring my own version of the recipe to parties. With added color and taste from the cherry tomatoes, this classic favorite is even better. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey

Mushroom Bolognese with Whole Wheat Pasta

A traditional Bolognese sauce is meat-based with everything from pork to pancetta. Skipping the meat, I loaded this pasta dish with baby portobellos and veggies. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

Dutch Apple Loaf

Being of Dutch descent, I knew I had to try this recipe for a moist, fruity quick bread. It freezes well, so I often have a loaf on hand for church bazaars. —Gladys Meyer, Ottumwa, Iowa

Makeover Meatless Lasagna

If you've never tried tofu before, this is the best recipe to give it a try. It blends in with all the other ingredients, adding protein without the fat and calories of ground beef. —Mary Lou Moeller, Wooster, Ohio

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Although my coffee cake makes a large pan, it never lasts very long! It's great for a Sunday brunch after church and nice to bring to family reunions, too. —Dorothy Morehouse, Massena, New York

Southern Potato Salad

This potato salad with a southern twist is perfect for a church supper or potluck. The pickles add an extra sweetness. —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama

Onion Cheese Soup

I made a few adjustments to this savory soup recipe I came across in a community cookbook. It's rich, buttery and cheesy, plus it's so quick to prepare. —Janice Pogozelski, Cleveland, Ohio

Pecan Pie Mini Muffins

While these are delicious year-round, you could easily turn them into an edible Christmas gift. They look festive on a decorative tray wrapped in red or green cellophane or tucked into a giveaway cookie plate. And don't forget to include the recipe so your recipient can enjoy this treat over and over again! —Pat Schrand, Enterprise, Alabama

Beet Salad with Lemon Dressing

I was looking for a recipe for pickled beets and saw one with lemon instead of vinegar. I immediately thought of making a tabbouleh-inspired salad with beets instead of tomatoes. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Glorified Hash Browns

You'll be surprised at how quick and easy it is to put together this dressed-up potato casserole! When a friend made it for a church supper, I had to have the recipe. It's great for parties, potlucks and family reunions. —Betty Sitzman, Wray, Colorado

Orange-Cinnamon French Toast

Everyone eats at the same time when you fix this tasty oven-baked French toast. —Bernice Smith, Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota

Pea Pod Carrot Medley

We grow pea pods, and I wanted to use them in something other than stir-fries. This fit the bill! I've carried it to church potlucks and received compliments on its pretty orange glaze and fresh taste. —Josie Smith, Winamac, Indiana

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

Quick Tomato Soup

My family often requests my sweet homemade tomato soup on cold days. It's terrific with a sandwich and nearly as quick to fix as the canned variety. —Jane Ward, Churchville, Maryland

Slow-Cooked Green Beans

I spent hours in search of sides for a cooking demo to present to women from my church. These easy green beans became my star attraction. —Alice White, Willow Spring, North Carolina

Sweet Potato, Orange & Pineapple Crunch

I combined my two absolute favorite sweet potato casseroles in the world to create my own version for the holiday table. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas