Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

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A colorful bed of roasted veggies are so often featured as the supporting cast in many healthy, hearty dishes, but to shine the spotlight on them as the star of the dish? It’s one of Ina Garten’s signature moves. The Barefoot Contessa host ⁠— and our culinary queen ⁠— has never shied away from veggies. She now has so many vegetable-forward, vegetarian-friendly recipes to choose from, we put in the work for you and narrowed down the 15 best Garten’s best vegetarian recipes, including everything from appetizers and side dishes, to substantial main courses and rich, decadent desserts.

Related story15 Ina Garten Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

One of our favorite vegetarian recipes ⁠— and a favorite among many food bloggers, too ⁠— is Garten’s roasted eggplant parmesan, a saucy, three-cheese casserole brimming with more than two pounds of sliced eggplant. Garten’s goat cheese and zucchini tart is another devour-able dish, one that’s rich with thyme- and lemon zest-seasoned goat cheese. Or, if you’re in the market for a light, yet filling sharable dish, Garten’s Israeli vegetable salad is comprised of creamy hummus and chopped veggies, with a side of toasted pita bread. What we’re trying to say here is, you can’t go wrong with any of Garten’s vegetarian recipes.

  • Roasted vegetable paella

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (3)

    This creamy, colorful paella is chock-full of veggies such as Holland bell peppers, roasted red peppers, fennel bulbs, baby eggplants, garlic, and yellow and red onions. Merely swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Crusty baked shells & cauliflower

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (4)

    For a heartier pasta dish sprinkled with cauliflower florets and bursting with flavor, Garten’s crusty baked shells and cauliflower dish is an easy recipe that’ll fill the family up.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Potato-fennel gratin

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (5)

    This popular recipe has more than 180 reviews and a perfect, five-star rating ⁠— for good reason. The addition of fennel really elevates this classic potato-based dish, making it a fan favorite.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Goat cheese & zucchini tart

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (7)

    Advanced-level home chefs, this vegetarian dish is calling your name. Garten’s zucchini and goat cheese tart takes real knife work and a food processor. But, in the end, you’re left with a stunning ⁠— and creamy ⁠— tart.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Roasted vegetable lasagna

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (8)

    On chilly nights, lasagna’s what’s for dinner. And for vegetarians, Garten’s roasted veggie lasagna ⁠— loaded with eggplant, zucchini, garlic, ricotta, goat cheese, Rao’s marinara sauce, and more ⁠— should be your go-to recipe.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Tomato tart

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (9)

    We can’t decide if our favorite part of this tart is the Gruyère and parmesan cheese filling or the juicy, herb-crushed tomatoes layered atop…

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Vegetable tian

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (10)

    What is a tian? A tian is any casserole cooked in an earthenware vessel of the same name. It also happens to be a popular way to eat roasted veggies. Garten’s tian recipe calls for yellow onions, garlic, potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, and grated Gruyere cheese.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Maple-roasted carrot salad

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (11)

    A great lunch option, this baby arugula salad features a colorful cast of ingredients, including cranberries, carrots, Marcona almonds, goat cheese, orange juice, and maple syrup.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Herbed-baked eggs

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (12)

    Breakfast for dinner? When it’s Garten’s herbed-baked eggs with fresh herbs, like thyme, rosemary, and parsley, and a half-dozen eggs, the answer’s always a ‘yes.’

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Israeli vegetable salad

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (13)

    This is far from your average salad. Garten’s Israeli veggie salad is comprised of hummus, chopped veggies, and toasted pita bread for dipping.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Zucchini gratin

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (14)

    Another very popular recipe ⁠— one that has nearly 400 reviews and a five-star rating ⁠— is Garten’s zucchini gratin, a beginner-level dish that calls for 2 pounds of zucchini.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Sautéed shredded Brussels sprouts

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (15)

    In search of a vegetarian appetizer? Look no further than Garten’s sautéed shredded Brussels sprouts, tossed with butter, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, and seasoned with black pepper and salt.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Parmesan & chive smashed potatoes

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (16)

    Boil potatoes ’til tender, press ’em, toss ’em with olive oil, roast ’em, and sprinkle ’em with parmesan cheese, chives, and fleur de sel: this parmesan and chive smashed potatoes recipe is so easy ⁠— and even more delicious.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Outrageous brownies

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (17)

    Ah, finally, dessert: Garten’s “outrageous” brownies are the epitome of sweet and salty, as they’re loaded with bitter chocolate, semisweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. They also feature a very unexpected ingredient: instant coffee granules.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

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    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (18)

    Pin it now, and make these delicious vegetarian recipes later.

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Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous vegetarian dish? ›

Originating in the Middle East, falafel is one the most popular vegetarian foods in the world! As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction!

How can I be a good vegetarian cook? ›

How to Make Flavorful, Healthy Vegetarian Meals
  1. Embrace Alterna-Protein. This (hopefully) goes without saying: A vegetarian recipe needn't be comprised exclusively of vegetables. ...
  2. Get a Little (or a Lot) Spicy. ...
  3. Build Deep, Dark Flavors. ...
  4. Use All of the Colors. ...
  5. Don't Be Afraid of Fat. ...
  6. Fill Up on the Good Stuff.
Jan 19, 2015

Which is the No 1 vegetarian country in the world? ›

India is ranked top in the world with 38% of the total population being vegetarian. Vegetarianism in the region became popular after the introduction of Buddhism and Jainism, which was around the 6th Century BC.

What do most vegetarians lack? ›

The nutrients of concern in the diet of vegetarians include vitamin B(12), vitamin D, ω-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, and zinc. Although a vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients, the use of supplements and fortified foods provides a useful shield against deficiency.

What foods are surprisingly vegetarian? ›

Top Accidentally Vegan Foods
  • Cinnamon Life.
  • Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.
  • SkinnyPop White Cheddar Flavored Popped Popcorn.
  • Airheads.
  • Cracker Jack.
  • Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili–Flavored Tortilla Chips.
  • Fritos.
  • Fruit by the Foot.

What food do vegetarians miss most? ›

Top 10 foods vegans miss
  • Chocolate (18,100)
  • Banana bread (12,100)
  • Cheese (12,100)
  • Burger (8,100)
  • Curry (8,100)
  • Butter (6,600)
  • Cupcakes (6,600)
  • Ice Cream (6,600)
Jan 16, 2024

How many meals a week should be vegetarian? ›

Plant-based proteins offer many health benefits and can be less expensive than meat. One way to get these benefits is to choose a meatless meal once or twice a week.

How many meals a day should a vegetarian eat? ›

A vegetarian diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, grains, beans and includes eggs and dairy in some variations. Most people eat the standard three meals a day with snacks as desired.

What is the code for vegetarian meal? ›

Meal codes used in Service Requests (SSRs)
Meal codeDescription
VGMLVegetarian vegan meal
VJMLVegetarian Jain meal
VOMLVegetarian Oriental meal
VLMLVegetarian lacto-ovo meal
23 more rows

What's the hardest thing about being vegetarian? ›

While you can get plenty of protein and fiber as a vegetarian, you may have a harder time getting some specific nutrients. Iron and omega-3s can be hard to get enough of, even though there are plant-based sources.

How do vegetarians get full? ›

Eat a protein serving with each meal to keep you feeling full. Great vegan and vegetarian protein sources are beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, quinoa, lentils, whole grains, and starchy vegetables. As long as you focus on whole foods (rich in nutrients) and avoid processed foods and oils, it will be hard to overeat.

How to eat vegetarian easily? ›

10 Ways to Make Going Meatless Almost Too Easy
  1. Don't Go Cold Turkey. Drastically cutting out all meat can leave you feeling like there's nothing to eat that you like. ...
  2. Focus on What You Already Eat. ...
  3. Keep Frozen Tofu on Hand. ...
  4. Use HappyCow. ...
  5. Branch Out With Beans. ...
  6. Don't Forget Umami. ...
  7. Sign Up for a CSA. ...
  8. Mimic the Texture of Meat.
Jan 10, 2021

What do vegetarian Americans eat for dinner? ›

Classic American Vegetarian Food
  • Southern mac and cheese.
  • Fried green tomatoes.
  • Hush puppies.
  • Red beans and rice.
  • New York pizza.
  • Tomato soup.
  • Classic apple pie.
  • Creamed spinach.
Apr 28, 2023

Who was the first famous vegetarian? ›

Some of the first self-proclaimed vegetarians were the Pythagoreans, a title derived from the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, creator of the geometric Pythagorean theorem. Though Pythagoras loaned his name to the meatless diet, it is unclear whether or not he followed a strict vegetarian regimen.

Which country has most tasty vegetarian food? ›

The best countries for vegetarians
  1. The Seychelles. The Seychelles was officially named the new go-to destination for vegetarians. ...
  2. Thailand. Thailand was named the world's second most vegetarian-friendly country, with a Global Vegetarian Index score of 326, only two points shy of first place. ...
  3. Peru. ...
  4. Cambodia.

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