We all know that reducing our intake of meat is great for the environment and our health, but falling back on familiar meat-based dishes is easily done, particularly after a long day at work when time is of the essence. Enter this collection of fast and simple veggie midweek meals, all of which can be thrown together quickly, without compromising on flavour. From a cheesy pasta bake to a warming curry, these dishes will revamp your repertoire and brighten up your weeknight evenings.
Yotam Ottolenghi’s One-pot Orecchiette Puttanesca
A vegan twist on the all-time classic, pasta puttanesca, this intensely flavoursome recipe replaces the anchovies with capers, toasted chickpeas, and sweet smoked paprika. It’s cooked in just one pan, meaning you’ll have less washing up to do.
Mob’s Pesto Lentils with Lemony Leeks
Packed with flavours and contrast (think zesty yet buttery), these green lentils topped with charred leeks require just a handful ingredients to make a decadent vegetable-forward dinner.
Lazy Day Pasta and Garlic Kale Sauce
Any recipe that promises to be for a lazy day earns itself a place in this collection. This quick and easy pasta recipe also happens to taste fantastic and pack plenty of nutrition onto your plate with a verdant kale sauce.
Charred Lemon Risotto
This simple risotto recipe uses just a few ingredients, including burned lemon pieces in lieu of traditional stock, to achieve a rich depth of flavour.
Jamie Oliver’s Mushroom Stroganoff with Crunchy Cornichons, Fragrant Capers, Creamy Whisky Sauce and Parsley
Jamie Oliver’s vegetarian take on this old favourite can be whipped up in just 20 minutes and packs a flavoursome punch, with mushrooms offset by crunchy cornichons and coated in an indulgent whisky sauce.
Meera Sodha’s Peanut Butter and Purple Sprouting Broccoli Pad Thai
Meera Sodha’s pad thai is made with tofu, broccoli, and peanut butter, and flavoured with plenty of tangy lime. It’s quick to make, and suitable for vegans too.
Aubergine, Tomato and Chickpea Traybake
Every cook needs a good traybake in their repertoire and this recipe from Elly Pear is an excellent veggie option, packed with nutritious chickpeas, silky aubergine and flavourful cherry tomatoes.
Jamie Oliver’s Amazing Veggie Chilli with Comforting Black Rice, Zingy Crunchy Salsa, Chilli-rippled Yoghurt
This bold, flavourful chilli from Jamie Oliver is comfort food at its best. It’s packed with beans, and the fresh, crunchy salsa adds a welcome zing.
Roasted Aubergine, Courgette and Macaroni Bake
The addition of Boursin to this easy pasta bake is a great way to get that moreish garlic-and-herb flavour while minimising time spent chopping and prepping ingredients.
Puy Lentil and Aubergine Stew
Looking for a vegetarian meal that feels substantial and comforting? Yotam’s got you covered with this hearty aubergine and lentil stew, topped with crème fraîche and Urfa chilli flakes.
One-pan Creamy Squash Pasta
The perfect recipe to help you incorporate more starchy veg into your diet, this one-pan pasta is the kind of recipe a hectic midweek evening is crying out for. Just switch the Parmesan for a vegetarian-friendly alternative and away you go.
Paneer Butter Masala
Love chicken tikka masala, but yet to find a meat-free alternative that is just as good? Call off the search because this paneer-based recipe from is just what you’ve been looking for. Sweet, creamy, substantial and quick to cook, it’s a true all rounder.
Crispy Gnocchi with Roasted Peppers, Chilli, Rosemary and Ricotta
This one-tin gnocchi wonder is a Rukmini Iyer classic. Just chuck all of the ingredients in a tin and leave the hard work to the oven.
Vegetarian Toad in the Hole
A vegetarian twist on the comfort food classic, this super-quick toad-in-the-hole recipe is as soul-soothing as it is budget-friendly.
The Ottolenghi Test Kitchen’s Sweet Potato Shakshuka with Sriracha Butter and Pickled Onions
Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? This twist on shakshuka from the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen team involves sweet potato, sriracha butter, and tangy pickled onions.
From the book
Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love
A collaborative effort from the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen team
Designed to help you make the most of your pantry, fridge, and freezer
With recipes ranging from one-pot feasts to sumptuous bakes
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Super Green Spaghetti
Using just five ingredients and less than 15 minutes of your time, this creamy pasta will become your new go-to recipe for hectic evenings. Switch to vegetarian Parmesan for a veggie-friendly and equally delicious dish.
Bulgur Wheat with Roasted Red Peppers, Tomatoes, Feta and Pine Nuts
Another one-tin favourite from Rukmini Iyer, we love the Mediterranean flavours of this easy dinner. It also works very well as a packed lunch (if you manage to leave leftovers). Use a rennet-free feta cheese to ensure this dish is fully vegetarian.
