Discover this carefully curated collection of easy veggie lunch recipes that promise to add a burst of flavor and nutrition to your midday meals.
From the zesty chickpea salad, a Mediterranean-inspired dish brimming with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and feta cheese, to the delectable black bean sweet potato burritos that combine sweet potatoes, black beans, and a medley of vegetables for a wholesome delight, these vegetarian recipes cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
Explore the convenience of the easy vegan falafel, a freezer-friendly twist on the classic, or savor the vibrancy of the vegan flatbread pizza topped with a rainbow of vegetables and vegan pesto.
Whether you’re craving the heartiness of the best lentil soup or the refreshing crunch of the crunchy Thai peanut salad, these easy recipes offer a perfect balance of taste and nutrition. With options ranging from the comforting classic three bean salad to the quick and easy egg salad sandwich, elevate your vegetarian lunch ideas with these flavorful and satisfying recipes.
1. Chickpea Salad Recipe
Indulge in the fresh and vibrant flavors of chickpea salad, a quick and healthy dish featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing. This Mediterranean-inspired salad, rich in plant-based protein, is perfect for a satisfying lunch or a delightful vegetarian dinner side. With a prep time of just 10 minutes, it’s a convenient and nutritious choice, offering a burst of colors and flavors in every bite.
2. Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos
These black bean sweet potato burritos are a delectable and wholesome vegetarian meal that might just become your new favorite. Combining sweet potatoes, black beans, and an array of vegetables with simple spices, lime, and cilantro, these burritos deliver an unparalleled burst of flavors. Roasting the vegetables intensifies their savory goodness, and the filling can be conveniently prepared a day in advance. The assembly is quick, resulting in a satisfying and mouthwatering dish. Whether you’re a meat lover or veggie enthusiast, these burritos are sure to win your heart and become a frequent star on your meal plan.
3. Easy Vegan Falafel (Freezer Friendly!)
This easy vegan falafel recipe offers a quick and flavorful twist on traditional deep-fried falafel, using canned chickpeas for simplicity. Blending chickpeas, parsley, shallots, garlic, and spices, the mixture is shaped into discs, optionally coated in panko breadcrumbs, and pan-fried for a crisp exterior. Served in a pita with garlic-dill sauce or hummus, this recipe is both convenient and freezer-friendly, making it an ideal homemade falafel option.
4. Vegan Flatbread Pizza
This vegan flatbread pizza features a pre-made 4×8” flatbread topped with a rainbow of vegetables, including diced bell peppers, red onions, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. A layer of flavorful vegan pesto is spread on the flatbread, followed by roasted vegetables, a sprinkle of oregano, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The pizza is baked until the crust is browned, then finished with crushed red pepper and salt. Each serving (1/2 flatbread) provides 541 calories, 10.1g of total fat, 97.1g of total carbohydrates, 8.2g of dietary fiber, and 16.2g of protein. The addition of balsamic glaze adds an umami flavor that enhances the overall appeal of this delicious vegan pizza.
5. Best Lentil Soup
This hearty lentil soup recipe offers a flavorful and nourishing blend of green lentils, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices. The addition of kale, thyme, and a splash of white wine vinegar enhances its complexity, creating a satisfying and healthy meal. With easy preparation and variations for personal preferences, this soup is the perfect comforting winter dinner recipe and becomes even more delicious as leftovers for your lunchbox.
6. Quick and Easy Pasta Salad
This quick and easy pasta salad is a versatile dish with a quick preparation time of under 20 minutes, making it a convenient option for last-minute meals or side dishes. The recipe allows flexibility, encouraging the use of seasonal ingredients or substitutions based on personal preferences. With a flavorful vinaigrette comprised of red wine vinegar, olive oil, and dried oregano, combined with a variety of veggies, fresh mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and optional proteins, this pasta salad is both quick and customizable, offering a perfect balance of tanginess and richness.
7. Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad
Savor the delightful fusion of textures and flavors with this crunchy Thai peanut salad, a quick and easy lunch combining crisp veggies, creamy peanut dressing, and optional plant-based protein. This vibrant and nutrient-packed slaw is perfect for picnics, BBQs, or a speedy mid-week meal, offering a mouthwatering experience in just 10 minutes. Whether enjoyed as a main or side dish, this gluten-free, low-carb, and vegan option is a versatile and delicious meatless addition to your repertoire.
8. Italian Herb Tofu Wraps with Garlicky Hummus Sauce
These Italian herb tofu wraps with garlicky hummus sauce is a perfect plant-based lunch or dinner option. Bursting with fresh, savory, and satisfying flavors, these wraps are quick, easy, and meal-prep friendly. The wraps feature crispy baked tofu with Italian herbs, fresh veggies like lettuce and tomato, and a delightful hummus sauce. With just 9 ingredients and 15 minutes of assembly time, these wraps are a flavorful and convenient meal, suitable for various dietary preferences including vegan and gluten-free. The recipe includes homemade options for flatbread but suggests store-bought alternatives for simplicity.
9. Avocado Toast (Plus Tips & Variations)
Avocado toast is celebrated in this basic yet delightful recipe, emphasizing the importance of quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. Ripe Hass avocados, golden well-toasted whole-grain bread, and a pinch of salt come together to create a creamy and satisfying meal. With bonus tips and creative variations, including everything from garlic and herbs to eggs and unique toppings, this versatile dish allows for personalization and experimentation.
10. 5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes
These 5 quick & easy quinoa salad recipes provide versatile and nutritious options for meal prep. With variations like Southwest, Mediterranean, Curried, Caprese, and Green Goddess, each salad combines quinoa with a range of delicious toppings and flavors. The author also offers helpful tips, including pre-cooking quinoa for easy preparation and customization options for different ingredients. The salads are ideal for a refreshing and healthy lunch or a veggie-packed dinner side dish, lasting up to 5 days in the fridge.
11. Egg Salad Sandwich
This easy egg salad sandwich recipe is a versatile and delicious choice for both kids and adults. With just five simple ingredients—hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), yellow mustard, salt, and pepper—this recipe is easily customizable. You can add extras like celery, onions, pickles, avocado, or make it a BLT with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. The preparation is straightforward, and the egg salad can be made ahead for convenient meal prep, staying fresh in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
12. Classic Three Bean Salad
This three bean salad recipe offers a fresh spin on the classic American dish, perfect for picnics and potlucks. It combines kidney beans, pinto beans, green beans, and wax beans, along with white and red onions, curly parsley, and a flavorful dressing of white vinegar, olive oil, sugar, dried dill, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. The recipe is easy to prepare, with the option to marinate for at least 1 hour for enhanced flavors. It’s a protein-packed vegan side dish, and its versatility makes it suitable for various occasions. The storage recommendation is 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
13. Easy Butternut Squash Soup
This easy butternut squash soup is a delightful fall comfort food, effortlessly prepared in the Instant Pot in just 25 minutes. The vegan and gluten-free recipe features a blend of butternut squash, aromatic vegetables, and a hint of apple, seasoned with cinnamon, thyme, and rosemary. Toppings like fresh herbs, pepitas, or a drizzle of cream enhance the soup’s richness, making it a nourishing and flavorful meal.
14. The Easiest Egg Fried Rice (蛋炒飯)
This easiest egg fried rice recipe is a quick and delicious Chinese staple, ready in 15 minutes. Using day-old jasmine rice enhances texture, while variations allow for personalization with different vegetables or proteins. The straightforward cooking process involves scrambling eggs, stir-frying vegetables, and seasoning with soy sauce, resulting in a flavorful and comforting dish.
15. Easy Vegan Peanut Sauce Stir Fry Recipe with Noodles
This easy vegan peanut sauce stir fry is a quick and flavorful dish featuring fragrant ginger, assorted veggies, soft noodles, and a creamy peanut stir fry sauce. With a prep time of 25 minutes, this healthier alternative to takeout combines the richness of peanut butter with a variety of vegetables, offering a high-protein, vegan delight. Readers praise the recipe for its simplicity, delectable taste, and versatile ingredient choices, making it a go-to option for a speedy and satisfying meal.
16. Vegetarian Quesadillas
These vegetarian quesadillas offer a healthy and customizable twist on the classic dish, loaded with black beans, corn, bell pepper, and whole wheat tortillas. The recipe emphasizes simplicity, avoiding the need for sautéing by incorporating raw vegetables into the tortillas and using just enough cheese to hold everything together. With a quick assembly and 20 minutes of baking time, these quesadillas provide a delicious, nutrient-rich lunch or dinner option, and they can be conveniently frozen for future use.
17. Summer Corn Zucchini White Bean Soup
This summer corn zucchini white bean soup is a delightful 30-minute recipe, perfect for warmer days. Packed with fresh veggies, including corn right off the cob, the soup offers a burst of flavors and is both vegan and gluten-free. The recipe involves a quick sauté of onions, carrots, and celery, followed by the addition of garlic, white wine, white beans, wild rice, and an array of spices. The finishing touch includes fresh corn kernels and diced zucchini, resulting in a light yet satisfying summer soup that can be enjoyed with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of cheese.
18. Easy Vegan Tacos with Tempeh “Meat”
These easy vegan tacos with tempeh “meat” are a flavor-packed delight, combining chipotle corn salsa, fresh tomato pico de gallo, and mouth-watering tempeh taco meat. Tempeh, known for its firm texture and ability to absorb flavors, serves as a perfect plant-based alternative for taco meat. The recipe incorporates two salsas—a smoky chipotle corn salsa and a juicy tomato salsa—along with avocado slices, lime, salt, and pepper, all encased in your favorite corn or whole wheat tortilla. These tempeh tacos are fresh, healthy, and easily customizable, offering a vegan twist to the classic Mexican dish. Cook’s tips include making a big batch of tempeh meat for versatile use and freezing, while recipe variations suggest using corn tortillas for a gluten-free option or adding extra jalapeño for more heat.
19. Mushroom And Goat Cheese Veggie Panini
This mushroom and goat cheese veggie panini is a delicious vegetarian lunch recipe with a crispy texture and a rich, flavorful combination of ingredients, including caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, goat cheese, roasted red bell pepper, and spinach. The recipe is easy to make without the need for a specialized panini press, making it a versatile option for picnics, lunch, or dinner. Enjoy it warm or chilled, and feel free to use sourdough focaccia, ciabatta, or thick-cut sourdough for the bread.
20. Tahini Ranch Tofu Sheet Pan
This tahini ranch tofu sheet pan recipe offers a flavorful quick lunch or weeknight dinner option ready in under 30 minutes. The dish features extra firm tofu, red potatoes, and Brussels sprouts seasoned with a blend of tahini, plant-based yogurt, lemon juice, and herbs. The versatility of sheet pan meals allows for easy customization, and the nut-free recipe is perfect for hassle-free meal prep.
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