12 Vegetarian Recipes to Make for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Cutting down on the amount of meat you're eating is hard—it's everywhere. But past research has shown making it your mission to reduce your consumption—even one day a week—can greatly benefit the planet.

It's no secret that meat products increase our water footprint. For example, according to FoodPrint, just one-fifth of a pound of turkey uses 105 gallons of water. Animal products also produce more greenhouse gas emissions, with one study finding beef production leads to 13 times more greenhouse gas emissions than vegetable production.

But don't worry. You don't have to give up meat completely in order to make an impact. Instead, focus on reducing your overall consumption by making some of the delicious vegetarian recipes below.

12 Vegetarian Recipes for Tasty Meatless Meals

1. Huevos Rancheros

Eggs are a staple in most breakfasts, especially vegetarian ones. This recipe is quick, easy to make, and uses eggs, corn tortillas, and black beans. It can also be topped with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Not sure how to choose the most ethical eggs? Here's a guide.

2. Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole

If you like savory foods, this is the recipe for you! Breakfast casseroles are similar to dinner ones, except they usually also include eggs. This recipe combines roasted veggies, cheese, and your favorite spices to create a mouth-watering meal that's perfect for lazy mornings. It can even be reheated for lunch or dinner.

3. Asparagus Mushroom Alfredo Pasta

Fettuccine Alfredo is a pasta lover's dream. The thick, creamy sauce is combined with mushrooms and asparagus for this recipe, and it can be topped with fresh parmesan cheese. While this recipe calls for a lot of asparagus, feel free to use half of the recommended measurements.

4. Caramelized Onion Frittata

Frittatas are another great egg-based vegetarian dish. If you like quiche, you'll probably like this recipe. Combining caramelized onions, spinach, mushrooms, and cheese, this meal is light, savory, and perfect for any time of day.

5. Creamy Vegetable Sandwich

What makes a vegetable sandwich creamy, you ask? Cheese, of course! This vegetarian sandwich combines delicious veggies, your choice of seasonings, and cream cheese on toasted bread.

6. Stuffed Bell Peppers

This vegetarian recipe is an effective way to use leftover vegetables in your fridge. The process to make these stuffed bell peppers is quick and easy; it only takes 15 minutes to bake! You can even try this recipe with tofu, or you can swap out the cheese for a dairy-free alternative to make the meal vegan.

7. Mediterranean Baked Sweet Potato

This dish is a twist on the classic baked potato recipe we all know and love. It's both savory and sweet, using sweet potatoes, roasted chickpeas, and garlic-herb sauce. It also only takes 30 minutes to prepare this lunch dish.

8. Smoked Shiitake Ramen

Yes, it's true! You can make a great ramen noodle dish without the meat. This vegetarian recipe uses ingredients like seaweed, onion, garlic, and veggie stock to create a flavorful broth. With the addition of mushrooms, tofu, and bok choy, it's a super hearty meal.

9. Garden Vegetable Lasagna

If you're not sure whether lasagna can be a filling meal without meat, you'll want to try this recipe. This dish uses fresh, seasonal vegetables like onions, zucchini, broccoli, and yellow squash.

10. Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Chili is an easy vegetarian recipe to make. It calls for mushrooms, onions, carrots, roasted tomatoes, and beans, making it hearty and healthy. Your chili toppings can even be customized. Try it with avocado slices, lime wedges, or sour cream.

11. Tofu Stir Fry with Spicy Peanut Honey Sauce

Stir fry is another dish that can easily be made vegetarian by adding beans or tofu instead of meat. This recipe uses a salty-sweet peanut sauce, which gives the tofu a great flavor. It also only takes 30 minutes to make, so it's perfect for the days you don't feel like spending too much time in the kitchen.

12. BLT Sandwich

Surprise! You don't need bacon to make mouth-watering BLTs. This vegetarian option uses eggplant to create a bacon-like alternative that's crispy, smoky, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with the mayo, lettuce, and tomato.