40 Greek-Inspired Recipes for Vegetarians

Spanakopita Pinwheels

I'm enthralled with spanakopita, and this spinach and feta pinwheel recipe was a quick and easy way to enjoy it. I have used this for teacher get-togethers and family events. Ryan Palmer, Windham, Maine

Chopped Greek Salad

While living in San Diego during college, I had a favorite Greek casual dining spot. Now that I'm back in my hometown, I've re-created some dishes from the Greek diner and it takes me right back. Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Baklava Thumbprint Cookies

The topping on my sister-in-law's peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe, then decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two morewhich is unusual for him! It's a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware

Feta-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

My husband adores mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms have loads of room for stuffing with feta cheese and pesto. Plan on one mushroom per person. Amy Martell, Canton, Pennsylvania

Roasted Greek Potatoes with Feta Cheese

Lemony potatoes are a traditional side dish for grilled chicken or steak. When they come out of the oven, we top with feta for a little melty goodness. Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey

Lemon-Garlic Hummus

You'll need just five ingredients to blend together this smooth and creamy bean dip. It's delicious and quick to make. Kris Capener, Ogden, Utah

Greek Brown and Wild Rice Bowls

This fresh rice dish tastes like the Mediterranean in a bowl! It's short on ingredients, but packs in so much flavor. For a hand-held version, leave out the rice and tuck the rest of the ingredients in a pita pocket. Darla Andrews, Schertz, Texas

Greek Asparagus Salad

Asparagus is one of my favorite spring vegetables, but my family gets bored with it. So I developed a tasty variation of my favorite beet salad using asparagus instead. My husband gave this yummy asparagus salad rave reviews. Kriss Erickson, Everett, Washington

Spinach Feta Turnovers

These quick and easy turnovers are a favorite with my wife. The refrigerated pizza dough makes preparation a snap! David Baruch, Weston, Florida

Cucumber and Hummus Boats

The refreshing combo of cucumber and hummus really brings this meatless meal together. It transports easily, making it a great option for weekday lunches. Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin

Greek Pasta Salad

Chock-full of tomato, red and green pepper and tricolor spirals, this full-flavored Greek pasta salad is as attractive as it is delicious. I add feta cheese and black olives to the medley before coating it with a speedy homemade dressing. Dawna Waggoner, Minong, Wisconsin

Greek Salad-Inspired Quiche

I love using my cast-iron skillet to create this meatless, family-sized Greek quiche for a quick meal. Just add a green salad and some pita bread, and dinner is on the table with little fuss and no extra dishes to wash! Donna M. Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Greek Potato Casserole

The crunchy golden brown topping and tangy yogurt and feta make this recipe a winner. You can loosen the mixture with a few tablespoons of milk if necessary. Cheryl Woodson, Liberty, Missouri

Mediterranean Chickpeas

Add this to your meatless Monday lineup. It's great with feta cheese on top. Elaine Ober, Brookline, Massachusetts

Greek Pita Spread

I first tried this at a family gathering and was blown away! I have since made it for my co-workers, and they just love it. I've gotten many requests for the recipe. Joyce Benninger, Owen Sound, Ontario

Couscous Tabbouleh with Fresh Mint & Feta

Using couscous instead of bulgur for tabbouleh really speeds up the process of making this colorful salad. Other quick-cooking grains, such as barley or quinoa, also work well. Elodie Rosinovsky, Brighton, Massachusetts

Spanakopita Spring Rolls

I was inspired to turn original spanakopita into a hand-held hors d'oeuvre. I use wonton wrappers in place of phyllo dough, and now these are the biggest hit among my friends. Jade Randall, Las Vegas, Nevada

Tzatziki Potato Salad

My son has an egg allergy, so this potato salad is perfect for him. For extra color, add radishes, apple and garlic dill pickles. Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario

Greek Breadsticks

Get ready for rave reviews with these crisp breadsticks twisted with Greek-inspired goodness. Best served fresh from the oven. Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida

Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad

My family and friends all love this salad, which they've referred to as "the Greek salad." The recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, so it's a perfect bring-along for a big party. No matter what you're looking forsomething with the Greek flavors you love, or just a healthy, simple saladit will not disappoint! If you'd like, substitute orzo for the rice. Sarah Hawkins, Wanatah, Indiana

Mediterranean Cauliflower

I adapted a recipe I received from a friend to make this deliciousand deliciously differentcauliflower dish. It's prepared quickly in a skillet and uses only a handful of ingredients. What a great way to take ordinary cauliflower to a whole new level! Valerie Smith, Aston, Pennsylvania

Baklava

Many ethnic festivals are held in my city throughout the year. One in May is the Greek Hellenic Festival. My family enjoys baklavaa traditional walnut strudel. The recipe uses phyllo dough, which is not difficult to work with. Just have your ingredients ready to go and follow the directions on the package. The results are scrumptious and well worth the effort. Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York

Healthy Greek Bean Dip

This crowd-pleasing appetizer is healthy to boot! Folks will love to eat their veggies when they can dip them in this zesty, fresh alternative to hummus. Kelly Silvers, Edmond, Oklahoma

Mediterranean Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes

I love to use my slow cooker when family comes over. On Sundays when I make my special turkey meat loaf, this is a no-fuss side dish that tastes amazing! Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Marinated Olives

Our son often made these olives for holiday get-togethers. They are simple to make and add a little zest to the other offerings on the buffet table. Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey

Greek-Style Lentil Soup

This healthy, warming soup is a satisfying vegetarian recipe, but you can use chicken broth or add cooked meat if you like. Mary E. Smith, Columbia, Missouri

Classic Hummus

We love hummus, and this version is really amazing. If you have a pressure cooker, this is an easy, tasty reason to pull it out! We pair hummus with fresh veggies for a meal or snack. Monica and David Eichler, Lawrence, Kansas

Lemon-Garlic Lima Beans

When I was growing up on Cyprus, my mother would often make this side dish to have with roast lamb. Although I hated lima beans when I was a kid (who didn't?), I love them now. They always remind me of home. Paris Paraskeva, San Francisco, California

Vegetable Couscous Salad

This salad is great as a side with any kind of grilled meat or fish. If you want to serve it as a vegetarian main, add some crumbled goat cheese or tangy feta cheese. Patricia Levenson, SANTA ANA, California

Quick and Easy Baklava Squares

I love baklava but rarely indulged because it took so much time to make. Then a friend of mine gave me this simple recipe. Ive made these squares for family, friends and co-workersthey cant get enough. Im always asked to bring them to special gatherings and parties, and I even give them as gifts during the holidays. Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania

Mama Rachel's Mediterranean Pizza

Pizza has been a regular weekend dinner at our house since my pizza-crazy boys, now 21 and 25, were just little guys. We laughingly call pizza an art form around here. Every one is an original! Rachel Barton, Austin, Texas

Greek Butter Crescents

I had to bake something from my heritage for school. I made these little drops of heaven called kourabiedes. Rebecca Sprague, St. Louis, Missouri

Mediterranean Bulgur Bowl

You can also transform this tasty bowl into an Italian version with mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes, spinach and basil. Renata Smith, Brookline, Massachusetts

Tomato Feta Salad

One summer I combined my love for onions with a bumper crop of tomatoes and a homemade balsamic dressing. The result was this salad that receives thumbs-up approval whenever it's served. Robert Golus, Greer, South Carolina

Double Nut Baklava

It may take some time to make this rich, buttery treat, but it's well worth the effort! The blend of coconut, pecans and macadamia nuts is irresistible. Kari Kelley, Plains, Montana

9-Layer Greek Dip

Instead of the same taco dip at every family event or potluck, try this light, cool and refreshing Greek dip. It looks and tastes healthyand it is. Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

Slim Greek Deviled Eggs

When you're in the mood for some good finger food, try this sinfully delicious variation on deviled eggs. They are a cinch to make and a popular contribution to any potluck or brunch. Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Mediterranean Bulgur Salad

Whether it's nutritioin or taste you're after, it doesn't get any better than this. Bulgur, beans, tomatoes, pine nuts and olive oil team up in this vegetarian main dish salad. Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Greek Salad Dressing

Homemade Greek salad dressing doesn't get much easier. If you don't have lemon juice on hand, replace it with additional vinegar. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Greek Pinwheels

These pinwheels taste and look so good that everyone was surprised to learn they were pretty simple to make.Veronica Worlund, Pasco, Washington