18 Vegetarian Dinners That Aren’t Chickpeas By Lily Menk Lily Menk Lily Menk is EatingWell’s editorial fellow. As a native Vermonter, Lily combines her hands-on experience with local and sustainable food systems with her background in journalism. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on October 20, 2025 SAVE RECIPES NEW! Save as a collection on MyRecipes Close Credit: See More Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall. Chickpeas are a great source of flavor and nutrients, but you can still have a tasty vegetarian meal without them. These healthy dinner recipes are completely meat-free, while still bringing plenty of flavor. With nutritious and filling ingredients like white beans, lentils, squash and fresh veggies, these dinners are sure to become weekly staples in your house. From our hearty and comforting Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Skillet to our quick and easy Brown-Butter Corn Pasta, there's a delicious dinner here for everyone, vegetarian or not! Love these recipes? Join MyRecipes to save them all with one click. It’s so easy—and free! 01 of 18 Marry Me White Bean Soup Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall. This Marry Me White Bean Soup borrows inspiration from the beloved Marry Me Chicken recipe with a combination of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream and Parmesan. Here, those same flavors are transformed into a hearty, soul-warming vegetarian soup with white beans taking center stage. Finished with basil and extra cheese, it’s cozy, crowd-pleasing and sure to win hearts at the table. View Recipe Save 02 of 18 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. View Recipe Save 03 of 18 Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood. These broccoli-Cheddar butter beans are a cozy dish that will remind you of broccoli-Cheddar soup, but in a convenient skillet. Tender butter beans add creaminess and plant-based protein, making the dish filling enough for a main course. Broccoli florets bring color, while sharp Cheddar cheese melts in for that classic flavor. Everything comes together in one pan, creating a thick texture that’s perfect for scooping up with crusty bread. View Recipe Save 04 of 18 Spaghetti Squash Caprese Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf. This Spaghetti Squash Caprese is a fun twist on the classic Italian salad, combining traditional caprese salad ingredients with tender strands of roasted spaghetti squash. The squash is tossed with juicy plum tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant fresh basil and great northern beans for a boost of plant-based protein. A drizzle of balsamic glaze ties the dish together with a sweet-tangy finish. View Recipe Save 05 of 18 Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes Ali Redmond This Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes is a bright, flavorful dish that comes together quickly. Pasta is cooked alongside frozen sweet peas, then tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes and basil pesto for a fresh, herbaceous finish. You can serve it warm or chilled, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks or picnics. A sprinkle of Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon add the perfect final touch. View Recipe Save 06 of 18 20-Minute Black Bean Soup Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless. This easy black bean soup takes only 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Canned black beans help speed things up, and taco seasoning and fire-roasted tomatoes help build rich, savory flavor in just minutes. Cream cheese melted in at the end gives this soup a silky texture. Pair it with warm tortillas or crusty bread for a simple, comforting meal. View Recipe Save 07 of 18 Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle This Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet is the perfect dish for scooping up with your favorite toasted whole-grain bread. Juicy cherry tomatoes burst as they roast, mingling with creamy white beans to create a flavorful base. Chunky pieces of feta cheese are nestled into the skillet and baked until warm and soft. The result is a savory, creamy mix with tangy bites of feta in every bite. View Recipe Save 08 of 18 Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Kale Pasta Bake Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall. This pasta bake is a cozy, flavor-packed dish that turns simple ingredients into a satisfying meal. Whole-wheat rotini and tender kale are tossed in a creamy, lightly spiced sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, then baked to bubbly perfection with a sprinkle of mozzarella on top. It’s a nutritious, family-friendly dinner that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests. View Recipe Save 09 of 18 Black Bean & Pepper Jack Quiche Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless. This black bean quiche with pepper Jack cheese is perfect for brunch or a light dinner. The creamy egg filling is packed with fiber-rich black beans, sweet peppers and spicy pepper Jack cheese for a flavorful kick. If you want to tame the heat, Monterey Jack cheese can be used in its place. Serve it with a simple green salad or fresh salsa on the side. View Recipe Save 10 of 18 Brown-Butter Corn Pasta Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jasmine Smith , Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. This brown-butter corn pasta is perfect for late-summer dinners when corn is at its peak. Butter is cooked until golden and fragrant, then tossed with sautéed corn kernels, garlic, shallots and a splash of pasta water to create a silky sauce. Whole-wheat pasta soaks up all that buttery flavor, and a sprinkle of Parmesan adds depth. Fresh basil brings a pop of brightness, but another fresh herb like chives or parsley will work well too. View Recipe Save 11 of 18 Roasted Eggplant Parmesan Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Grennwood. This eggplant Parmesan is a comforting version of the classic Italian dish that’s simple to make. Slices of eggplant are layered with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This method skips the deep-frying step, making it lighter without sacrificing flavor. It’s perfect as a vegetarian main course and pairs well with pasta, crusty bread or a crisp green salad. View Recipe Save 12 of 18 No-Cook Black Bean Taco Bowls Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek. These black bean taco bowls with lime crema are a refreshing no-cook meal that's perfect for busy days. They feature hearty black beans, veggies and zesty toppings layered over crispy cabbage and lettuce. The lime crema adds a tangy, creamy finish that brings all the flavors together. Enjoy these effortless bowls with the suggested toppings below, or customize them with your own favorites. View Recipe Save 13 of 18 Marry Me Quiche Photographer: Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle This savory dish, inspired by the beloved Marry Me Chicken, features the same delicious ingredients in the form of a crustless quiche! Sun-dried tomatoes bring a deep, tangy sweetness that melds beautifully with creamy goat cheese and spinach. Whether served for brunch, lunch or a cozy dinner with a salad on the side, Marry Me Quiche is guaranteed to win hearts with its comforting, bold flavor. View Recipe Save 14 of 18 Baked Pasta & Spring Veggies Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell This spring vegetable pasta bake is a comforting dish that celebrates the fresh flavors of the season. Whole-wheat pasta adds a boost of fiber, while green peas, tender asparagus and baby spinach add color and flavor. A creamy blend of mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan melts into every bite. This spring pasta bake is wholesome, flavorful and easy to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a spring gathering. View Recipe Save 15 of 18 Baked Feta & Veggie Soup Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell This baked feta and veggie soup is a creamy, flavorful dish that highlights the best of spring’s seasonal produce. Fresh peas, which have a sweet and vibrant flavor, are featured here—look for them in bags in the produce aisle to keep prep quick. The baked feta, roasted until soft, melts into the soup, creating a rich, tangy contrast to the fresh vegetables. Served with crusty bread, this soup is a perfect way to enjoy the bright, fresh flavors of spring. View Recipe Save 16 of 18 Fajita-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer These fajita-stuffed portobello mushrooms are the mash-up you’ve been waiting for! This flavorful vegetarian dish fills roasted portobello mushroom caps with fajita-style veggies and black beans, giving them a boost of fiber and protein. Top it off with melted cheese and Greek-style yogurt for a satisfying dinner. View Recipe Save 17 of 18 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. View Recipe Save 18 of 18 Marry Me Lentils Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen This Marry Me Lentils recipe is a plant-based twist on the classic Marry Me Chicken, featuring tender lentils simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato and garlic sauce. Packed with protein and fiber, this dish delivers a rich, comforting texture using lentils in place of chicken. We love sopping up the sauce with toasted whole-grain bread, but feel free to pair it with brown rice, quinoa or whole-wheat pasta instead. View Recipe Save Explore more: Healthy Recipes Lifestyle Diets Vegetarian Vegetarian Dinner Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit