The Best Vegetarian Recipes of 2021

Homemade Ravioli

I love to bake and cook, especially Italian dishes like this homemade ravioli recipe. In fact, my idea of a perfect day consists of cooking my family’s favorite foods then watching them dig in!—Lori Daniels, Hartland, Michigan

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Cauliflower Soup

This cheesy recipe is way tastier than any other cauliflower soup I've tried! We like it with hot pepper sauce for a little extra kick. —Debbie Ohlhausen, Chilliwack, British Columbia

Homemade Pierogi

Pierogi, dumplings stuffed with a filling, make for a wonderful change-of-pace side dish. —Diane Gawrys, Manchester, Tennessee

Basic Homemade Bread

If you’d like to learn how to bake bread, here’s a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread recipe bakes up deliciously golden brown. There’s nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

Eggplant Rollatini

Want to learn how to cook eggplant? Here’s where to start. These authentic eggplant roll-ups may take some time to prepare, but the end result is restaurant-quality. Your family will request this recipe time and again. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

Black Bean and Rice Enchiladas

I love Mexican food, but I’m always looking for ways to make it more healthy. I “renovated” a dish that I have enjoyed in restaurants to suit my taste and lifestyle. —Christie Ladd, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole

People who don’t even usually like broccoli casserole beg me to make this comforting broccoli cheese casserole recipe. It’s similar to a classic green bean casserole, but the melted cheese just puts it over the top. —Elaine Hubbard, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania

Homemade Guacamole

Ever wonder how to make guacamole? Just whip together this delicious blend of your favorite fresh ingredients.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

German Red Cabbage

Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee

Homemade Tortillas

I usually have to double this flour tortilla recipe because we go through them so quickly. The homemade tortillas are so tender and chewy, you’ll never use store-bought again after learning how to make tortillas. —Kristin Van Dyken, Kennewick, Washington

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

I love the excellent texture of this easy coffee cake recipe. Its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma’s! Make it the night before a holiday to save time in the morning. —Eleanor Harris, Cape Coral, Florida

Candy Bar Apple Salad

This creamy, sweet snickers salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Simple Au Gratin Potatoes

These homemade au gratin potatoes are always welcome at our dinner table, and they're so simple to make. A perfect complement to ham, this homey potato gratin also goes well with pork, chicken and other entrees. —Cris O'Brien, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Easy Refrigerator Pickles

This easy refrigerator pickles recipe is a great way to use cucumbers and onions from the garden. Here in Upstate New York, we have an abundance of cucumbers. —Catherine Seibold, Elma, New York

Monterey Spaghetti

I’m a working mother with two young boys. Our family leads a very active life, so I make a lot of casseroles. It’s so nice to have a hearty side dish the kids will eat. Topped with cheese and french-fried onions, this tasty spaghetti casserole recipe is a hit at our house. —Janet Hibler, Cameron, Missouri

Chocolate Chip Dip

Is there a kid alive (or a kid at heart) who wouldn’t gobble up this cookie dough dip with graham crackers? It beats dunking them in milk, hands down! You can also try it with apple wedges. —Heather Koenig, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

Yellow Squash and Zucchini Gratin

This gratin is the perfect way to use up an abundance of summer squash. It’s easy to prepare, takes just 10 minutes in the oven, and serves up bubbly and delicious. —Jonathan Lawler, Greenfield, Indiana

Basic Banana Muffins

This banana muffin recipe goes over so well with kids. Not only are these banana bread muffins like cupcakes, but they’re ready, start to finish, in just half an hour! —Lorna Greene, Harrington, Maine

Mushroom Burgers

Ready to turn over a new burger? I guarantee no one will be missing the beef after tasting these vegetarian burgers. They're moist, tender and full of flavor. —Denise Hollebeke, Penhold, Alberta

Creamy Grape Salad

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

Hush Puppies

Mom is well known for her wonderful hush puppies. Her recipe is easy to prepare and oh, so tasty. The chopped onion adds to the fantastic flavor. —Mary McGuire, Graham, North Carolina

Creamy Coleslaw

For me, this is the best vegetarian recipe because there isn’t much prep time. This creamy coleslaw recipe is great for parties or to serve to your family on a busy weeknight. —Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois

Fluffy Pancakes

This is the best fluffy pancakes recipe according to my family. They are quick and easy to prepare, but we still consider these homemade pancakes a special treat. —Eugene Presley, Council, Virginia

Carrot Raisin Salad

This colorful traditional salad is one of my mother-in-law’s favorites. It’s fun to eat because of its crunchy texture, and the raisins give it a slightly sweet flavor. Plus, the dish is easy to prepare. —Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas

Lemon Blueberry Bread

Of all the quick breads we had growing up, this beautiful lemon blueberry bread is the best vegetarian recipe! The citrus glaze adds a lustrous finish and locks in moisture. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota

Beer Dip

Ranch dressing mix flavors this easy dip packed with shredded cheese. It’s perfect paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it’s hard to stop eating once you’ve started! The beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I’ve taken it to many parties and I am always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, Colorado

Bean Burritos

I always have the ingredients for this cheesy bean burrito recipe on hand. Cooking the rice and shredding the cheese the night before save precious minutes at dinnertime. —Beth Osborne Skinner, Bristol, Tennessee

Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes

Take the chill off any blustery day and make something special to accompany meaty entrees. This is the best scalloped potatoes recipe ever, and my family loves when I serve it. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Appetizer Tortilla Pinwheels

A friend gave me this recipe, and whenever I serve these tortilla roll ups, people ask me for the recipe, too! The cream cheese pinwheels can be made ahead of time and sliced just before serving. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Baked Cheddar Eggs & Potatoes

I love making breakfast recipes with eggs for dinner, especially this combo with potatoes and cheese that’s started in a skillet on the stovetop and then popped into the oven to bake. —Nadine Merheb, Tucson, Arizona

Balsamic Green Bean Salad

Serve up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan

Southern Fried Okra

Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, this fried okra recipe is crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas

Best Cinnamon Rolls

When I married him, I discovered that my husband’s family has the best cinnamon roll recipe! I asked his mom how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, and I’ve been making them ever since. Serve them with scrambled eggs, and you have a filling breakfast. As a variation, you can replace the filling with a mixture of raisins and pecans. —Shenai Fisher, Topeka, Kansas

Air-Fryer Potato Chips

For Christmas one year, I received an air fryer. Potato chips are simple to make in it and are an essential, crispy side for lunch. —Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York

Baked Parmesan Broccoli

I began making this creamy side dish years ago as a way to get my kids to eat broccoli. They’ve since grown up, but still request this satisfying dish. It’s truly a family favorite. —Barbara Uhl, Wesley Chapel, Florida

Mama’s Potato Salad

This homemade potato salad recipe doesn't have many ingredients, so it isn't as colorful as many that you find nowadays. But Mama made it the way her mother did, and that's the way I still make it today. Try it and see if it isn't one of the best-tasting potato salads you have ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

True Belgian Waffles

It was on a visit to my husband’s relatives in Europe that I was given this Belgian waffle recipe. These homemade waffles are great with any kind of topping: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, fried apples, powdered sugar or whipped topping. —Rose Delemeester, St. Charles, Michigan

Southwest Vegetarian Bake

This veggie-packed casserole hits the spot on chilly nights. But it’s equally good any time I have a taste for Mexican food with all the fixings, too. —Patricia Gale, Monticello, Illinois

Creamy Strawberry Crepes

Take summer-ripe strawberries plus a creamy filling and tuck them into these delicate crepes for an elegant brunch entree. —Kathy Kochiss, Huntington, Connecticut

Mom’s Macaroni and Cheese

The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother’s kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

Air-Fryer Garlic-Rosemary Brussels Sprouts

This air-fryer Brussels sprouts recipe is my go-to Thanksgiving side dish. It’s healthy and easy, and it doesn’t take very much time or effort to make. I usually use rosemary for my turkey, so this lets me use up some of the leftover herbs! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Cheese & Herb Potato Fans

It’s downright fun to make and serve this potato recipe. The fresh herbs, butter and cheeses are just what a good potato needs. —Susan Curry, West Hills, California

Best Ever Banana Bread

Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is amazingly good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers

My mom’s side of the family was German and Irish. Settling in Pennsylvania, they adopted some of the cooking and customs of the Pennsylvania Dutch. This is a dish Mom loved, and today it’s my favorite garden salad. It tastes delicious alongside a plate of homegrown tomatoes. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan

Cheese Manicotti

Cheese manicotti was the first meal I cooked for my husband, and all these years later, he still enjoys it! —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Crispy Fried Onion Rings

We use this onion rings recipe as a burger topper to add an extra element to already fantastic burgers. These onion rings are also perfect for giving your salads a little crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Spinach and Tortellini Soup

A simple tomato-enhanced broth is perfect for cheese tortellini and fresh spinach. Increase the garlic and add Italian seasoning to suit your taste. —Debbie Wilson, Burlington, North Carolina

Garlic Bread

Ever wonder how to make garlic bread? This homemade garlic bread is the answer! Minced fresh garlic is key to these flavor-packed crusty slices, which our big family would snap up before they even had a chance to cool. —Grace Yaskovic, Branchville, New Jersey

Best Deviled Eggs

Herbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab.—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia

Corn and Black Bean Salad

This colorful, crunchy black bean and corn salad is chock-full of easy-to-swallow nutrition that all ages will love. Try it with a variety of summer entrees, or as a wholesome salsa! —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon