Discussions

For you vegetarians, what are some quick vegetarian dinners that YOU make? Looking for ideas on something quick, easy and with protein. A lot of internet searches come up with all these fancy meals that take a lot of time to prep and cook. I don’t have that time on weeknights. Please let me know what you make

Are you looking for vegetarian or vegan? Cause if eggs are okay, those are my go-to for meatless days. Omelets especially, or egg sandwiches.  
 
While I'm not a vegetarian we do try to eat meatless a few times a week. I find prepping ahead helps, as I find they often do require somewhat more effort than meat.  
 
For example, make up some black bean patties and freeze them. You can cook them from frozen either by baking or frying in a bit of oil in a cast-iron skillet, serve on a bun with all your toppings (don't forget avocado for that filling fat!)  
 
Or cook chili in the crockpot (delicious if you sub the ground beef with red lentils and finely diced mushrooms, and serve over brown rice). I will often prep chili ingredients and freeze in a ziploc bag, then I can just thaw overnight in the fridge and toss it in the crockpot in the morning for an easy supper. Chickpea stew is really good too, easy to toss in the crockpot and have it waiting for you for supper.  
 
We also eat a lot of stir-fries. Again, if you eat eggs they are great but you could also subsitute tofu if you eat that, tempeh, black beans, or whatever else strikes your fancy. If you're really pressed for time you can buy frozen stir-fry veggies, but if can also prep them the night before bed and have them ready in the fridge if you truly don't have time after work. Serve over rice, or with noodles (we often mix the noodles in). Lots of great recipes out there for different sauces that are quick and easy, but a basic sauce would have soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, seasame oil, ginger, garlic and some sweetener. Thicken with cornstarch or whatever else is acceptable.  
 
And again, depending if you're eating vegan or not and if dairy is acceptable, things like home made mac & cheese (takes less time than you think), ready-made lasagna, home made bean burritos or enchilladas (make in advance and freeze, ready to pop in the oven), or fetticini alfredo/primavera all have dairy but are all meatless (although the burritos and enchilladas you can easily make dairy free as well).  
 
Hopefully that gives you a few ideas!

I haven’t thought of substituting lentils for beef in chili, that’s a good suggestion. Same with chick pea stew. I like to cook in large quantities when able, and freeze for later.

I was thinking after I posted my previous reply, and soups too are a good way to get some yummy vegetarian grub. They can be made the day before and reheated, or tossed in the crockpot.  
 
Things like pasta fagioli soup already has lots of veggies and beans in it - just omit the meat and serve with a nice crusty whole grain bread. Or check out the Moosewood cookbook pea soup recipe - that's a go-to for us. Lots of different soups can use different things like pea, lentils, beans etc, and once you pair it up with a whole grain like barley, bread, whole wheat pasta, etc, it becomes very satisfying.