QUICK Vegetarian Recipes and Meal Ideas

I've been cooking big meals on the weekends and freezing them, but it's getting a little old.  I don't have much time to cook!  What are some meal ideas for lunch and dinner that require minimal prep time?  Suggestions from the frozen food aisle are welcome, as well, as long as they're tasty and healthy!  Thanks 

I love using black beans or veggie refried beans. Just sautee some with vegetables and then put them in to a tortilla. OR if you're really strapped for time, just microwave the beans in a bowl and then throw some raw veggies on top.

I totally live on veggie refried bean burritos!  Just had one for lunch.  I mix 1/2 cup beans, some chopped up bell pepper and 1 laughing cow light cheese wedge (obviously not for the vegans).  I microwave this mixture and put it in a rice tortilla...yum!

 I also like to make a big batch of veggie chili and then portion it out for the week.  We use a variety of canned beans (pinto, black, kidney, etc), chopped onion and bell pepper, a couple cans of diced tomatoes, sometimes corn....pretty much whatever we have/feel like.  We also add whatever spices we want...cumin is a must.

I re-read your post and since you are also asking about frozen foods, I'll add:

 I love the Amy's products!  My favorites are the frozen burritos and the garden veggie lasagna.

Original Post by gwen25:

I re-read your post and since you are also asking about frozen foods, I'll add:

I love the Amy's products! My favorites are the frozen burritos and the garden veggie lasagna.

 The tofu scramble and Black Bean Enchilada are delectable!

ahhh ANYTHING by Amy's Kitchen. Everthing is vegetarian, and I've yet to taste a meal I've been disappointed by. The teryaki bowl is the BEST frozen dinner I've ever had (the tofu and sauce in it are amazing). The veggie loaf is also really good, filling, and low in calories.

Seeds of Change also makes some good vegtarian entrees... and cedarlane. I also love Boca lasagna and chili.

Thanks everyone, I'll look into Amy's Kitchen products!  I have yet to try to make myself a burrito, that sounds good, too!  

I made this dish for dinner tonight that was pretty simple and quick to make:

-1 package of firm tofu cut into 1/4 inch cubes 

-2-3 leaves of romaine lettuce ripped into pieces

-A couple carrots, shaved or diced

-soya sauce

-curry powder

Put tofu, carrots, and lettuce into a small frying pan or whatever you have on hand, put in some soya sauce, about 1-2 tablespoons.  Add some curry powder, about 2-3 tablespoons.  Add more water if you need more sauce.  Let it cook on high and then move it to medium heat for a few minutes and you're done.

This whole process sounds long but really, it's not.

In response to the big batch of chili...I do that as well, and to avoid eating the same thing all week, I use it as topping for 'taco' salad, baked potatoes, eggs (if you're not vegan), etc.  Chili also freezes well.

Kashi has two vegetarian frozen entrees that are both AMAZING..

pesto pasta primavera and black bean mango..

Tempeh reubens! Slice your tempeh (I prefer garden veggie flavor) once width-wise, and once lengthwise (you end up with four palm-sized slabs ~1/4" thick). Heat through in a skillet. If you want to marinate them first, there are lots of recipes online, just google "tempeh reuben" +"marinade" Personally, I think if you use good quality ingredients, marinating is unnecessary. Once the tempeh is heated through, spread butter/margarine on one side each of your bread slices, and stick the tempeh and a few slices of swiss cheese (or your preferred substitute) in between. Brown in the skillet until the cheese melts, being sure to brown evenly. Meanwhile, in another skillet, sautée the best quality sauerkraut you can find (preferably from Germany) with a really good mustard (I like Grey Poupon), just until heated through. Once your cheese is melty, peel apart, insert the sauerkraut, reassemble and serve. YUM! Tastes delicious, feels naughty, isn't bad for you!

I also love to stirfry fresh veggies with tofu or tempeh, using broth or olive oil and soy sauce for flavoring, or making a satay sauce that I got from this recipe:

• ¼ cup smooth peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons rice wine (do NOT use rice wine vinegar)
• 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup hot tap water

Beat the mixture with a fork and don't sweat the lumps, it smooths out eventually, and it's wickedly delicious.

My roommate usually puts her chicken back in the freezer and grabs a plate when I make either of these dishes :)

 

i'm a big stir fry fan...and if you don't have much time (or you want to be super lazy), you can always buy frozen or pre-cut veggies.

I make a big batch of my special refried beans:

sautee a little garlic and an onion (chopped) in EVOO. Add two cans of organic refried beans (like Bearitos or something) and water or veggie broth until you get a looser consistency that you like. Add 1/2-1 cup of salsa (any type you like... I like roasted tomato). Stir. Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, hot pepper flakes and chopped (fresh!!) cilantro to taste. I put this in burritos along with sprouts, more salsa, (cheese if you want... I don't eat cheese) for a lunch or on eggs for breakfast. It is high in fiber, has some veggies, almost no fat and keeps you totally full.

Hi there,

I am pretty busy and need to eat frozen meals sometimes when I am in a rush...two of my favorites at safeway (if you shop there) are below. They are usually always on sale for $2 which is a pretty cheap and filling healthy lunch. I also throw in a handful or two of spinach after it comes out of the microwave which makes it more filling and bulky plus you get to eat spinach. The other meals from this company are pretty bad tasting and look simply awful but they really made these two meals actually taste good! Give em a shot!

More Info  Eating Right Vegetarian Masala - 10 Oz

Eating Right Santa Fe Style Rice And Beans Frozen Dinner - 10 Oz

My favorite quick meal of the moment:  Tofu Salad sandwiches.

Mix firm tofu, mayo (or veg mayo, or salad dressing), mustard, and veggies (like pickles, onions and celery) in whatever combination makes you happy and put it on bread.  My husband LOVES these and the salad take about 30 seconds to make.

I agree that stir fry and burritos are good stand-bys. 

My favourite burrito is black bean and sweet potato.  You can get both of these canned, and it's especially good if you sautee some onions and/or green onions, mix in some crunchy peanut butter, and then mix in the black beans and sweet potatos.  Again, this takes hardly any time at all.

For a quick stir-fry sauce, I mix veggie broth with a little soy sauce, stir in a little cornstarch to thicken it up when you heat it with the veggies, and just dump it on.  You can add all kinds of other sauces and spices, but this makes a good base.