16 One-Pot Vegetarian Dinners to Make Forever

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a recipe photo of the Skillet Curry Chickpea Potpie with Puff Pastry Crust
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Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

Whether you follow a fully vegetarian lifestyle or simply want to reap the benefits of adding more veggie-based meals to your diet, you’re sure to find inspiration in these recipes! EatingWell readers have rated them four stars and above, so we think you’ll find something you love on this list. Plus, there’s no need to fret over cleanup, because they all come together in just one pot. With options like Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach and Zucchini & Corn Enchiladas, these dinners will make a satisfying and delicious meal.

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01 of 16

High-Fiber Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Skillet

Recipe image of Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Skillet.

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Josh Hoggle.

This Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Skillet is a delicious, one-pan meal that’s packed with flavor. Tender cubes of butternut squash and hearty black beans are simmered in green enchilada sauce, with tortilla strips stirred in. As it cooks, the tortillas soak up the sauce. A layer of melted cheese ties everything together. It’s a satisfying, vegetarian-friendly dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.

02 of 16

Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach

Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach

Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.

03 of 16

Spanakopita-Inspired Skillet Beans

Recipe image of Spanakopita-Inspired Skillet Beans

Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Isabelle Easter, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Creamy, herbaceous and comforting, these skillet beans draw inspiration from spanakopita, the Greek spinach pie. Cannellini beans add plant-based protein and fiber to make this dinner filling while fresh dill, parsley and a squeeze of lemon provide brightness. Serve it straight from the skillet with multigrain pita chips for dipping.

04 of 16

One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

an image of the Creamy White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo with Spinach & Artichokes

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This creamy orzo with white beans and sun-dried tomatoes is the ultimate weeknight winner, ready in just 30 minutes! This comforting dish combines tender orzo, protein-packed white beans and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy garlic-and-herb cheese sauce. This one-pot meal is both quick and satisfying, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something hearty without the hassle.

05 of 16

Skillet Curry Chickpea Potpie

a recipe photo of the Skillet Curry Chickpea Potpie with Puff Pastry Crust

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

Treat yourself to this chickpea potpie, featuring 10 grams of fiber enveloped in a fragrant blend of spices and a creamy coconut milk-based sauce. We streamline the prep by cooking everything in one skillet and topping it with a shingled layer of puff pastry, eliminating the need for a bottom crust. This way, you can enjoy a delicious dinner in just about an hour.

06 of 16

High-Protein Enchilada Skillet

Recipe image of High-Protein Enchilada Skillet

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This black bean and tofu enchilada skillet is a one-pan meal packed with plant-based protein. Crumbled tofu soaks up the sauce, while corn tortillas soften into it for a rich, satisfying filling. Black beans provide protein and fiber, and a sprinkle of cheese on top adds melty goodness to every bite. Quick and nutritious, this skillet meal is perfect for your next weeknight dinner.

07 of 16

Crispy Gnocchi with Tomatoes & Leeks

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These gnocchi are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside because you sauté them in hot oil. Plus, they leave a little fond (crispy brown bits) in the pan that adds toasty flavor to the tomato and leek sauce, which is cooked in the same pan.

08 of 16

One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

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This one-pot pasta with tangy tomato-basil sauce is a simple, fast and easy weeknight dinner. All of your ingredients go into one pot, and with a bit of stirring and about 25 minutes of cook time, you'll have a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy.

09 of 16

Zucchini & Corn Enchiladas

Zucchini & Corn Enchiladas

Skip rolling and just layer these quick and easy enchiladas. This recipe uses a quick blender sauce, but if you're short on time, pick up a can of your favorite red enchilada sauce in the international aisle of your grocery store—you'll need about 3 cups.

10 of 16

Vegan Jambalaya

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You won't miss the meat in this healthy jambalaya recipe. Vegan smoked sausage takes its place while the classic "trinity" of vegetables—onion, red bell pepper and celery—get a kick from jalapeño peppers. And everything is cooked in one skillet, which means cleanup is a breeze!

11 of 16

Instant Pot Vegetarian White Chili

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Parsnips lend a wonderful sweet and nutty flavor to this healthy white bean chili. Pureeing some of the chili gives the stew a nice creaminess, but feel free to skip that step to save time. 

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Tofu & Snow Pea Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

Tofu & Snow Pea Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

A fast dinner recipe perfect for busy weeknights, this easy stir-fry recipe will quickly become a favorite. To save time, use precooked rice or cook rice a day ahead.

13 of 16

Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry

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To make this 20-minute vegan curry even faster, buy precut veggies from the salad bar at the grocery store. To make it a full, satisfying dinner, serve over cooked brown rice. When shopping for simmer sauce, look for one with 400 mg of sodium or less and check the ingredient list for cream or fish sauce if you want to keep this vegan. If you like a spicy kick, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce at the end.

14 of 16

Vegetarian Gumbo

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This flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It's chock-full of butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers and okra, to name just a few. This vegetarian gumbo is a quick dinner packed with flavor and spice that's done in only 30 minutes.

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Bean & Barley Soup

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This hearty bean and barley soup tastes like it has simmered for hours, but actually it's quite quick to throw together. Plus this recipe for healthy bean and barley soup freezes beautifully. 

16 of 16

One-Pot Potato Curry

a recipe photo of the Potato Curry

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

This potato curry recipe takes inspiration from both north and south Indian dishes, blending the aromatic spices common in the north, with a nod to thoran in the south with the addition of coconut milk. The simplicity of cooking everything in one pot adds to its appeal, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully for a truly comforting meal.

Medically reviewed by
Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Square Headshot of Jess Ball
Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is the senior nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & WineReal SimpleParentsBetter Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes.
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