Cook classic recipes minus the meat, from shepherd's pie to a rich and warming bolognese. Our delicious vegetarian swaps are sure to wow all the family.
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With our veggie twists on traditional recipes, no one need miss out on family favourites. The BBC Good Food cookery team have come up with clever substitutes for different types of meat to create vegetarian dishes the whole family will love. Browse even more veggie meals for kids or take a look at our ultimate vegetarian kids' collection to keep tummy grumbles at bay.
1. Veggie pasta bakes
Tray of cauliflower macaroni cheese
Everyone loves perfectly al dente pasta with a bubbling cheesy topping – it's pure comfort food in a bowl. This macaroni cheese has chunks of tender cauliflower and can be prepped in just 10 minutes, making it a midweek lifesaver. If you have a bit more time, go for full-on indulgence with our next level yeast extract mac 'n' cheese.
Keep it slow and low-calorie with our slow cooker veggie lasagne, which packs in all five of your five-a-day. Alternatively, make our fantastically simple cherry tomato & ricotta cavatappi. It will be on your table in 35 minutes. Cherry tomatoes and ricotta makes for a deliciously creamy bake.
2. Veggie curries
Two plates of butternut squash korma with naan breads and rice topped with almonds
We're always craving a curry. Our easy, adaptable recipes are great for fridge-clearing, too, as you can chuck in a range of your favourite veggies. Save time by using shop-bought curry paste to make the base for this creamy butternut korma, then enhance it with fresh herbs, spices and veg.
Serve with mini naan breads for a satisfying family supper. Or try our delicious paneer makhani, no Indian feast is complete without paneer, and this cheesy delight will be a winner with the whole family.
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Make our chana masala for a simple storecupboard feast, or try our aubergine & coconut curry for a subtly smoky flavour. Short on time and energy? Go for our cheat's black dhal and we promise not to tell. If you have a bit more time to spare, you could serve your curry alongside soft and fluffy homemade naan bread.
Browse our vegetarian curry collection for even more recipes.
3. Veggie bolognese
Lentil ragu on top of spaghetti with parmesan
Every family has their own definitive Bolognese recipe, but you could try something new with a rich lentil ragu. This healthy family dish gets you four steps closer to your five-a-day – plus it's light and bursting with flavour. You may find that even meat-eaters are converted. Alternatively, make the most of meat-free mince with our easy vegetarian Bolognese.
To add in yet more vegetables, try our courgetti version or get the kids involved in making veggie mince bolognese, which gives you two of your five-a-day. Instead of buying all the vegetables separately and ending up with leftover celery sticks, you can buy a handy sofrito mix from most supermarkets to use in this dish.
4. Veggie chilli
Pot of aubergine chilli next to a bowl of rice
Another dish that lends itself well to a veggie makeover is chilli. You can adapt the ingredients to your liking, batch cook it and stash it in the freezer. Our burnt aubergine chilli is a class act, delivering depth of flavour with soft mouthfuls of veg that add up to four of your five-a-day. Serve with all the trimmings – rice, tortilla chips, soured cream and a dollop of guacamole.
Try a mix of beans for extra protein in our roasted pepper chilli. Great for serving a crowd, this is a healthy option that doesn't skimp on flavour.
5. Veggie shepherd's pie
Small baking dish of vegan shepherds pie
If you think a pie can't be a pie without meat, we're about to blow your mind. Our vegan shepherd's pie is sure to be a hit, dished out warm from the oven with a squirt of ketchup for good measure. This dreamy, low-fat pie is topped with crisp roasties.
For an extra tasty twist, try our veggie shepherd's pie with a sweet potato topping, a dash of red wine and a generous grating of strong cheddar. Alternatively, combine two classics with our recipe for Indian sweet potato & dhal pies, using red lentils and creamy mash. We even have an Italian cottage pie for a Mediterranean revamp of an English classic – it's the perfect budget supper.
6. Veggie burgers
Halloumi and aubergine on a burger bun
There's no need to wait for barbecue season; rain or shine, just pop a burger on a bun and you're bound to have a good day. Get crafty with the kids and try our spinach-based green burgers. Serve with chunky sweet potato fries to add another helping of veg to your plate.
To add a touch of Middle-Eastern flavour, try our halloumi aubergine burgers with a spoonful of creamy hummus, plus a dash of harissa and roasted red pepper. For extra spice, our Me
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