15 Veggie Dishes That Prove Meat Isn’t Required to Steal the Show

You don’t need meat to make a meal that holds its own. These 15 veggie dishes are proof that simple ingredients can do plenty on their own. They’re filling, full of flavor, and don’t feel like something’s missing. If you’re cooking without meat, this is where to start.

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Stuffed shells with spinach and ricotta take about 1 hour to prepare. Pasta shells, ricotta cheese, spinach, and marinara sauce are used. The flavor is creamy, savory, and balanced with just enough richness. It’s filling without needing anything on the side. You won’t miss the meat once the pan hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Two bowls of butternut squash soup on a wooden table. — Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Butternut squash soup with homemade dumplings takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It’s made with squash, broth, herbs, and soft dumplings that soak up the flavor. The texture is creamy, with just enough bite from the dumplings. It’s the kind of dish that fills you up without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Sweet potato fritters with sweet & spicy sauce take about 35 minutes. They use grated sweet potatoes, flour, spices, and a honey-chili dipping sauce. The flavor is sweet with just a little kick, and the texture is crisp on the outside. They hold their own at any table, meat or not.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Greek Quinoa Salad

A bowl of quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and leafy greens, topped with a piece of flatbread. — Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Greek quinoa salad takes about 25 minutes and includes quinoa, cucumber, tomato, olives, and feta cheese. The flavor is salty, tangy, and fresh, with a nice bite from the quinoa. It holds up well and works warm or cold. It’s hearty enough that no one asks what’s missing.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad

Tomato Basil Bisque

A bowl of tomato soup garnished with cream swirls and two basil leaves, in a black dish. — Tomato Basil Bisque. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Tomato basil bisque takes around 45 minutes and uses tomatoes, garlic, onion, cream, and basil. It’s smooth and rich, with a little sweetness from the tomatoes. This soup feels like a full meal with just bread on the side. It stands strong without any help from meat.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots take about 35 minutes, and carrots, garlic, honey, and olive oil are used. They come out tender with just enough caramelization to bring out the natural sweetness. The garlic adds a savory edge that makes them more than a side. Nobody asks for meat when the bowl’s empty.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns

An overhead shot of breakfast casserole next to a single serving and a toppings bar. — Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Overnight breakfast casserole with hash browns takes about 1 hour to bake after chilling. It’s made with eggs, cheese, milk, and hash browns for a warm, filling bite. The flavor is savory and simple with crispy edges and a soft center. It holds the table just fine without anything extra.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns

Carrot Ginger Soup

A square white bowl with orange soup next to a piece of cornbread on a woven placemat. A metal spoon and napkin are on the right. — Carrot Ginger Soup. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Carrot ginger soup takes about 1 hour and includes carrots, fresh ginger, onions, and vegetable broth. It’s bright, smooth, and just a little spicy from the ginger. The flavor stands out without being too much. You don’t think about meat because you’re too busy finishing the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

A white dish filled with kale leaves topped with slices of cheese. A glass of water, a fork, and a napkin are in the background on a dark wooden table. — Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Rubbed kale salad with parmesan takes 15 minutes and includes fresh kale, lemon juice, olive oil, and shaved parmesan. The texture is tender but still has a bit of chew, and the flavor is sharp and savory. It holds its own as more than just a side. Nothing feels missing on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Parsnip Potato Soup

Parsnip potato soup takes about 1 hour and is made with parsnips, potatoes, onions, and broth. It’s creamy, earthy, and just a little sweet from the parsnips. The flavor is solid and warming without any added protein. It’s a full meal, not just a first course.
Get the Recipe: Parsnip Potato Soup

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown butter garlic mashed potatoes take around 40 minutes, and use russet potatoes, roasted garlic, and browned butter. They’re creamy with a nutty richness and a smooth finish. There’s enough flavor to carry the plate on their own. Nobody misses meat when these are around.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy mashed potatoes take about 30 minutes, and potatoes, butter, cream, and salt are used. The texture is smooth with just enough thickness to feel filling. The flavor is rich and classic without needing anything added. They’re a solid dish that doesn’t play backup to anything else.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Veggie Couscous Salad

A white bowl filled with couscous salad, containing diced tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and garnished with herbs. A spoon is placed in the bowl. — Veggie Couscous Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Veggie couscous salad takes 20 minutes and includes couscous, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, and a light dressing. It’s fresh, slightly tangy, and light without being boring. The grains soak up flavor well and give it enough weight to stand alone. It belongs at center stage, not on the side.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad

A plate of zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes and diced yellow bell peppers, served in front of a glass bowl with more salad. A folded napkin and forks are in the background. — Zucchini Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Zucchini noodle salad takes 15 minutes and uses spiralized zucchini, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice, and olive oil. The texture is light and crisp with a clean, tangy finish. It’s simple, refreshing, and easy to make ahead. You won’t be asking where the protein is.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Oven-roasted root vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, take about 45 minutes to prepare. Their deep, naturally sweet flavor is enhanced by crispy edges and soft centers. With just a little salt and oil, they’re satisfying on their own; you don’t need anything else on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables