We’ll never have enough quick weeknight recipes, so I’m sharing a collection of my favorites today. These are warm and comforting, yet fresh and full of nutritious vegetables. They’re exactly what I’m craving right now.
If you appreciate this post, you might also want to bookmark my “easy weeknight dinners” category, which I update with recipes as they are published. For all of my vegetarian dinner recipes, simply click here or click on the “dinner” link in the menu bar.
Don’t forget that my cookbook has many more meatless dinners, big salads, soups, and more. Cheers to a delicious dinner tonight!
1) Caprese Pasta Salad
Easily gluten free (just use gluten-free pasta)
Hurry, make this one before the good tomatoes are gone! It’s a super simple burst cherry tomato pasta dish with little mozzarella balls, fresh basil and a splash of white balsamic vinegar. It packs well for lunch the next day, too.
2) Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls
Gluten free and vegan
Hearty burrito bowls made with a base of perfectly roasted spaghetti squash. These are such a fun dinner option.
3) Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
Gluten free and easily made vegan (skip the feta)
Finally! Homemade tortilla soup that’s even better than the restaurant versions I enjoyed before giving up chicken. Posole might be a better name for this soup, but whatever you want to call it, it’s light but filling, spicy and delicious.
4) Spicy Kale and Coconut Fried Rice
Gluten free, easily vegan (skip the eggs)
This recipe turned my friend’s one-year-old baby into a kale fan. She’s not the only fan of this fried rice. If you haven’t made it yet, you’ve been missing out!
5) Classic Minestrone Soup
Easily gluten free and/or vegan
“Very tasty and satisfying soup. Turned out great with no changes. Perfect on a cold winter day. I really love your recipes. I actually bought your book at Barnes & Noble and then found your website. Thank you so much for making all these delicious and healthy recipes.” – Karen
6) Broccoli, Cheddar & Quinoa Gratin
Easily gluten free
“Gratin” sounds fancy, but this is essentially a broccoli casserole, lightened up with quinoa. Roasting the broccoli adds tons of flavor.
7) Extra Vegetable Fried Rice
Gluten free and easily vegan
“With more mouths to feed than usual over the holidays, I made this twice in the last 10 days! Both times, I followed the recipe exactly, and it was a huge hit! I used snow peas and red pepper for the 2 cups of extra veggies. Everyone gobbled it up and asked for seconds. Thanks, Kate!” – Emily
8) Kale Pecan Pesto
Gluten free and easily vegan
Extra kale? Make this easy kale pesto recipe! It’s an absolutely delicious way to eat your greens. Use it like regular basil pesto—on pasta, pizza and more. You can throw this together in 5 minutes while the pasta is cooking.
9) Crunchy Thai Peanut & Quinoa Salad
Gluten free and vegan
“Made this for dinner tonight when a friend came over. Even my four-year-old loved it! He is not always into raw veggies, but upon the first bite, exclaimed, “I like this! Yeah, I love it!” and had a second helping. We did leave the cilantro on the side for him. Will be making this again very soon.” – Lea
10) Hearty Spaghetti with Lentils & Marinara Sauce
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“I never thought of lentils and marinara together, or lentils and pasta, but the combination is delightful! I used my go-to marinara recipe and will absolutely be making this dish again. And the lentils were so tasty even before being mixed in with the sauce that I may make them separately for salads, etc. Thank you for another wonderful, easy weeknight recipe!” – Alex
11) The Easiest Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
Just vegetarian
This pizza dough really couldn’t be easier. Throw the ingredients into your food processor, give it a few kneads, roll it out and you’re ready to make pizza. Zero rising time required.
12) Best Black Bean Soup
Gluten free and vegan
A sweet college student named Amber just told me that this soup keeps her going through late night shifts at the hospital (thanks, Amber!). This soup gets its incredible flavor from just a few ingredients. You can totally use canned black beans for this one.
13) Lemony Collard Greens Pasta
Easily gluten free (just use your favorite gluten-free spaghetti)
This super simple pasta dish is light and fresh thanks to quickly cooked, ribboned collard greens. Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and a squeeze of lemon juice bring all the flavors together.
14) Thai Red Curry with Vegetables
Gluten free and vegan
Commenters report that this Thai red curry is the best they’ve ever made. Yay!
15) 10-Minute Quesadillas
Easily gluten free (just use gluten-free tortillas)
“These are a life-saver! It is so good to know that you can whip up something healthy in 10 minutes, that taste great… Made these more than I can count.” – Samantha
16) Vegan Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Easily gluten free, and vegan
This pasta dish is for olive lovers! It’s made with mostly pantry ingredients but tastes so fresh and vibrant.
17) West African Peanut Soup
Gluten free and vegan
If you think peanut butter in soup seems strange (I did), I dare you to give this a go. It’s perfect for cool evenings and makes great leftovers.
18) Creamy Cherry Tomato & Summer Squash Pasta
Just vegetarian
This veggie-packed pasta dish has quite a few fans. Goat cheese makes everything better.
19) Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Gluten free (see notes)
This Thai-style sweet and spicy pineapple fried rice includes red bell pepper, cashews and cilantro.
20) Best Lentil Soup
Gluten free and vegan
Best lentil soup ever. Yep, I said it. Try it and let me know what you think!
More resources you might appreciate: 23 healthy make-ahead breakfast recipes and 16 recipes that pack well for lunch. You might also like my monthly seasonal produce guides and healthy kitchen essentials. View all roundups and resource posts here.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats
This is a great post, I particularly like the flaxseed + kale pesto, the coconut quinoa with cauliflower and I see you discovered the magic that is kale + coconut!
I’d love to see what your grocery haul looks like for 1 week of cooking :) I’m terribly bad at eating leftovers, I always need to transform them into something else before eating it again but it always makes grocery shopping a little hard to predict…..
Kate
Thanks, J.S.! Hmm, I’m always shopping for blog posts so I don’t know how helpful my grocery haul would be… but in case you missed it, here’s an actual week’s worth of my meals: https://cookieandkate.com/2014/a-week-in-the-life-of-a-vegetarian/. I intend to publish another week’s worth soon!
dill
why are you veg
cheyenne
these all look so good! due to a bus schedule i haven’t been really cooking lately. feeling totally inspired now :)
xo, cheyenne
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
Ummmm can I have a little bit of everything, like, right now? These look great! I’ll definitely be checking out those kale and bean burritos. As for peanut butter in soup, I can attest that this is quite possibly one of the best ideas ever! I made a similar peanut-ified soup over the weekend and it was absolutely delicious. Sharing this post out to the Twitterverse!
Kate
One of everything, coming up! :) Glad you’re with me on the peanut butter soup concept. Thank you, Angela!
Bec
What delicious meals! I must try them all.. new challenge!!!! Lovely bookmark Kate.
Kate
Ooh, that’s a fun challenge! Thanks, Bec!
Meg Sylvia
Love this list! Now that I’m working from home, I’m cooking more and I’m in desperate need of simple recipes to add to my limited knowledge base. I love how fresh and clean all of your food is, will be trying a few of these!
Kate
Perfect! Hope you enjoy the recipes, Meg!
Denise
You’ve been really busy creating, what a treat for me, little happy dance going on here, Love new recipes But like JS@Sun Diego Eats wondering what does your groc haul look like? Since you are my go-to blog even my groc list is sizable, to stock up for a week means I only hope the refrig door will magically close.
Kate
Thanks, Denise! My grocery haul is usually geared toward upcoming blog recipes, so I’m afraid it’s not a very good representation of creative weeknight dinners… but maybe I’m wrong! That’s a great idea for an upcoming post, thank you!
laurasmess
This is such a beautiful recipe round up Kate!! Ah, the black bean and kale burritos totally get my vote; I’ve been drooling over that recipe for ages (and the tortilla soup – I am craving Mexican at the moment. It seems very difficult to get healthy and authentic Mexican in the United Kingdom, argh!). One thing that they DO do well is goats cheese. I had some amazing Scottish goats curd yesterday that went so well with a sunny egg and wholegrain toast; ah! Totally redeemed the terrible black pudding that Aaron bought for last night’s dinner (out of curiosity, no less. Why that sausage still exists cannot be fathomed). I definitely agree that goats cheese makes everything better. Yum! Hope that you and Cookie are well beautiful, I have gotten so behind on your posts recently :( :(
Hugs xx
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen
Thanks for pulling me out of my dinner rut! I love all of these recipes! I’ve made the curried coconut quinoa w/ greens & cauliflower no less than 10 times (sometimes subbing freekeh for the quinoa)….it’s safe to say i love this dinner!
Kate
Hooray, that’s so great to hear! Thanks, Kelli!
erin {yummy supper}
Great ideas Kathryne!We all need good weeknight recipes in our arsenal and I love your variety!
xoxo
E
Erin
I’m a solo cooker and the West African Peanut Soup was one of the best recipes I’ve tried all year! So easy, filling, and delicious. Oh and warming in the best possible sense. Thanks for all the great recipes!!
Kate
Hooray! Thank you, Erin!
Jessica | Saucy Pear
I love round ups like this (when they’re actually good!) because I so often forget all of my quick dinner ideas (especially when I really need something quick). Love how many of these have kale in them too – I’m kind of hooked on the stuff!
Lynda
Thanks for all the great simple ideas, I live alone and tend to get lazy about eating properly. These receipes are quick and easy and leave no excuses for a proper dinner. I am still working my way through the lunch recipes you posted awhile back too. Thanks for all the great inspiration.
Kate
Thank you, Lynda! :)
Kate
I love this selection – we eat your kale stir fry and black bean burritos all the time, and I tried the peanut stew for the first time this week and loved it. I want to cook the rest of this list! You really cook things that I want to eat – I hope there’s a cookbook in the future.
Kate
Thank you so much, Kate! And we’ll see about that cookbook. :)
Ella
Great roundup! I’d like to add that Slaw comes together super quick if you use slaw mix instead of chopping all the veggies :)
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
Yosef {This American Bite}
A wonderful selection, I love the burritos, and that kale pesto. Magical! I’ll be sharing this post with my Facebook fans!
Lisa
I’m cooking and shopping for myself for the first time this year, and this is perfect! I need more ideas for simple dinners, ‘cos right now dinner time is kind of a “what can I make with potatoes, carrots, and oatmeal?” thing. Thanks so much Kate!
kristina @ love & zest
that chili and quesadillas… i could eat them for breakfast!
Joanne
There are some nights when I REEAALLLYYY need easy dinner inspiration. Loving this list.
Elena@Elena's Travelgram
Dying to try Quesadillas with Dill Yogurt Dip right now! And I had no idea it’s soo simple to make them! Thanks, Kate!
Rachel
It wasn’t too long ago that I stumbled on your site, but the things I’ve tried have all been awesome! This post is SO helpful as I’m trying to move into an “eat less meat” lifestyle, which is hard because I’m athletic and it’s difficult for me to figure out how to get enough protein…. And I’m friggin’ busy, so having quick, easy, nutritious ideas is invaluable. So glad you’re creating a new category just for this purpose!
Kate
Thanks, Rachel! Glad you’re finding this post helpful!
Allison
I made your quesadillas two nights ago (made it for 3 people) and had them alongside some squash soup (I put a dollop of the dip on the soup too!). Oh my gosh. Best meal of the week! Thanks for the great recipe. That dip was nice with carrots & celery too… I love that dip, if you could tell! :)
Kate
Thanks, Allison! I love that dip, too… which reminds me, I should use it in something else soon! Your squash soup sounds like such a delicious pairing!
MissLilly
Thanks, this is such a lovely collection of easy to do meals
Christine
Your spicy kale and coconut stir fry was awesome! My husband, toddler, and I really chowed down! The flavor combination was genius, and the texture was great. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
Kate
Thank you, Christine! Hope you love all the other recipes, too.
Christy
I am newly pregnant and LOVE all of your meatless recipes on here, they look soo yummy and healthy. Can wait to try them out this week! :D
Kate
Congratulations, Christy! Hope you enjoy my recipes!
Jyll
The West African Peanut Soup has become a staple at our house. I finally got the courage to mix tomato paste and peanut butter and boy am I ever glad I did! My 14 year old stepdaughter even loved it! I would encourage everyone to try it – Thanks for the great recipe!
Kate
Yay, glad to hear it! I know, tomatoes and peanut butter sound like such a strange combo, but I adore that soup!
Emily
Love your recipes!
Kate
Thank you, Emily!
Kim
Looks great! Can’t wait to try them all…
Too bad about the off-handed “Oklahoma girl” comment under the curry pic. As someone who has traveled extensively in SE Asia and Latin America, I can’t wait to compare your curry to what I’ve experienced overseas. But as a native Oklahoman, that comment rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe there’s more funny to your story than what comes across… but some of your readers probably won’t know it.
Kate
I’m sorry to have offended, Kim. I’m proud of that recipe and proud to be from Oklahoma.
Stephen Boyle
Thank you so much for such healthy and wonderful receipes
Susan
I have found a couple of recipes that I’m going to want to try. The kale salad with coconut sounds amazing.
Eliza
I’m so excited you are coming out with a cookbook! Your food blog has been my fav for years and my go to for delicious weeknight dinners. The caprese pasta and red Thai curry recipes are staples in our household and I always share your site and recipes with everyone I know :) Thank you for doing what you do!
Rhian @ Rhian's Recipes
This looks great, thanks for putting together such a fab list! I’d love to try the Peanut Soup and those Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls are a wonderful idea!
Lisa | Garlic + Zest
It’s times like this I wish you were my next door neighbor. I would make dinner and share with you .. and you would whip up some of those burritos and I’d bring the wine.
Kate
Oh I wish!!! :)
Libby
That pasta in the lede photograph looks so, so delicious.
Good luck with your busy week! xoxo
Maria
Wow!! There are so many of these that are perfect for fall!! Excited to get to it!! Especially that Kale salad with tahini maple dressing! Yum!
Jackie
Oh my gosh – these all look so amazing! I’ve been a vegetarian for 15+ years and have totally gotten into a rut… Excited to try some of these out and will be pinning to come back to these – thanks!
Alison
Thank you!! Just what I needed. So excited to make all of these in the coming weeks :)
Kate
I hope you love them all! :)
Audrey
Thank you for these delicious recipes, my daughter has recently decided to go vegan and gluten-free and so I prepares these meals for her all the time so thank you for helping me out here. It had been a real challenge until I saw your recipes.
Audrey
Thank you for these delicious recipes, my daughter has recently decided to go vegan and gluten-free and so I prepare these meals for her all the time so thank you for helping me out here. It had been a real challenge until I saw your recipes.
Bharat Ratna
Love all your dishes! great work at your blog..love it! bless you :)
Anna
Was hoping this would be a keeper when scrolling earlier…and it definitely is!!! Thanks a lot Kate :)
Komal
Super and quick ideas. Thanks for sharing. Will definitely try to make at home.
Kristin
What a great list! Thank you:)
Kate
You’re welcome, Kristin! Let me know if you make any of these, and how they turn out for you.
Amy
Thanks for the ideas!! I’ll put them to use ASP! Amy
Abbi
You are really helping my journey into vegetarianism wit his my husband easy! Thank you for helping me write my weekly meal plan with ease!
Kate
You’re welcome, Abbi! All the best on your journey.
Essence
This is such a helpful post especially for people like me who hardly cook! It all looks soo yummy thank you!(:
Kate
You’re welcome, Essence! I hope some of these move into your regular rotation. :)
Dominic Jones
Good collection. You’ve taken dishes from around the world. Most of these dishes are really easy to make. The images you’ve share make them look delicious! Love the burrito bowls.
Kate
Thanks, Dominic! I get inspiration from so many different cuisines, they are all so fun to experiment with.
Vanessa
This is a wonderful post! Never thought I’d be drooling over veggies!
Kate
Thanks, Vanessa! They taste just as good as they look. :)
Maryann
I made the Vegan Lentil soup and it was awesome. I will make this one again and again. I added chopped sweet potatoes this time. I also think I might use less liquid and use it as a stew over brown rice. Thanks for this one it is a keeper!
Sara
I made the creamy tomato and squash pasta and bought your book about 10 seconds after. It’s really hard to find good veggie options that don’t include onion or cilantro.. so this IS perfect! Especially for someone who pre-makes meals it was very quick and stays well in the fridge.
Kate
Hooray! Thanks, Sara! I hope you enjoy the book, too.
Anna
I’m always looking for something different, but my husband isn’t quite as experimental (he has become a little more open minded over the years). In the past I’ve made large amounts of food and had leftovers or stuff to freeze, but I am becoming obsessed with eating healthier, learning to cook for 2, and becoming a vegetarian. I’ve turned 50, and I want lighter, simpler, and fresher-not good ol country cookin! I can’t wait to try these recipes-I will keep you posted!
Kate
Oh, I hope you find some winners in here, Anna! Have fun experimenting. :)
SD
Thank you so much Kate. Great meals for a tight college student budget.
Kate
You are welcome! I am happy it was useful.
Brook
Im gonna become a vegetarian in 2018 and I have no clue what I can have for dinner because the rest of my family are meat lovers and this was very helpful for me to start out. Thank you!! God bless you and Happy New Year!!
Kate
Good luck! this is a great place to get some inspiration :)
Allison A Adams
Going to try a few out over the next couple of days with stuff that I either had already and needed a few ingredients for (always love it when I have most of the stuff in my pantry already) and these recipes look easy to make and healthy! And I found a few new things to try..like the lentils in the marinara instead of the ground “meat” crumbles that I normally use..let’s see if the boyfriend notices!
Kate
Let me know what you and him think!
Deirdre
So glad I found these, they look so yummy. I need healthy quick midweek recipes. Love the pin by the way!
jessica
Hi Kathryne, My favorite: 8 Super Kale Pesto. Thank you for the list.
Kate
Great to hear you love the pesto, Jessica!
Deborah
Thanks Kate! These recipes arrived just in time. I was looking for menu ideas for when we have family visiting! You have such wonderful ideas!
Kate
Thank you, Deborah!
kohlene
I just love all of these!! YAY
Kate
Great to hear, Kohlene!
Tessa
Oh my goodness, pretty sure my son would eat almost every one of these, and we already love the peanut soup! Pinning this and will be working my way through it as I meal plan!
Kate
I love that! Let me know what’s your favorite, Tessa!
Elaine Cox
Where’s the potatoes?
Emma Leigh Carlsen
I’ve made a few of the recipes on this list, including the black bean soup and lemony collard greens pasta. All of them were delicious, 5 starts!
Kate
Love to hear that, Emma!
Amy Holland
Thanks for all the great easy recipe ideas! I’d love to try the Creamy Cherry Tomato & Summer Squash Pasta, but it looks like the link might be broken?
Kate
Hi Amy! I’m sorry for your experience with Cookie and Kate this weekend. My website hosting made a big mistake and I’ve worked with them to resolve the issue. All should be working now. Let me know if you have any issues!
Jessica Smith
Hi Kathryne, I love the huge variety of options you give here.. Being a vegetarian this is surely going to be helpful in the coming days, in terms of ideas on what to make.
Lucy
You are the best you well i am only 10 and i am a vegetarian only 2 days or3 days ago. I would give you 100% defiantly. Also i have a dog called cookie as well but she’s a border Terrier what time of dog is your’s. Also she is gorges my dog is 5 how old is your’s.
I am using my dad’s email
Kate
Good luck! I hope the blog is a great resource for you. Cookie is a great name!:)
Collyn
I just discovered your site, and thank you! I am trying to break the meal kit delivery habit, and you are really helping. I’m ordering your cookbook now.
Nathaniel Lee
All of these recipes look delicious and healthy! Thanks for sharing these recipes, Kathryne! :)
Ambreen Mahmood
Excellent job
Teddy
Its really good!!!
Patricia
Thanks Kate,
I’m loving your recipes and recommending you to my veggie friends!
Linda Gaston
Great recipes!
Lalita Bhatia
Your recipe is too good…i have tried just one…but impressed with the way you describe it…i always like easy and simple recipes and I am happy to get in your recipes. Thanks n God bless you