No meat? No problem.

By

Yasmine Maggio

Associate Editor

Yasmine is an Associate Editor at Serious Eats. Her work has been featured in Women’s Health and on L’Officiel USA, and she recently graduated from New York University with a master’s in journalism. You can find her at Bleecker Street Pizza on any given weekend.

and

The Serious Eats Team

At Serious Eats, we’re a team of self-proclaimed food nerds who are ever-curious about the “why” behind cooking. The staff has worked in restaurants, test kitchens, bakeries, and other notable publications, bringing extensive culinary and editorial expertise to the table.

Published December 27, 2025

Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

Don’t get me wrong, I *love *meat. But there are some days when eating it can feel a little too heavy, and there are others when I just don’t want to be bothered cooking it. Those days happen at least once or twice a week, so I find myself browsing for easy vegetarian dinner recipes quite often. In the winter months, I tend to gravitate towards nourishing Indian and Thai curries that warm me from the inside out, but I also crave pizza and veggie burgers from time to time. With a list as varied as ours, there’s something for everyone to choose from, whether you’re a practicing vegetarian or just looking to cut out meat a few nights a week. Which one will you make first?

Serious Eats / Qi Ai

Simmer black gram and kidney beans with spices, cream, and butter for dal makhani—a rich, comforting meal that’s typically reserved for special occasions in India.

Andrew Janjigian

These veggie burgers are complex and satisfying, with a robust texture that even carnivores will love.

Serious Eats / Mateja Zvirotic Andrijanic

Here, classic French bread pizza gets upgraded with a heavy dose of garlicky butter, two cheeses, and fresh herbs.

Vicky Wasik

Spiced roasted cauliflower and crispy tofu with a gingery yogurt make a filling meal.

Continue to 5 of 10 below

Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

This savory mushroom and sun-dried tomato farrotto is a great alternative to risotto.

Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

This recipe features an assortment of tender vegetables and paneer in a rich, creamy sauce.

Vicky Wasik

Yes, a 100% vegetarian Thai curry can be delicious.

Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

With just a few technical tricks, this thick and flavorful chana masala comes together in an impossibly short time.

Continue to 9 of 10 below

Serious Eats / Kanika and Jatin Sharma

Spiced with turmeric and flavored with a fragrant onion and tomato masala, moong dal is a staple in many South Asian households.

Vicky Wasik

For a twist on the classic, this version of Greek spanakopita uses an assortment of greens and tender herbs in addition to spinach.