Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

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A colorful bed of roasted veggies are so often featured as the supporting cast in many healthy, hearty dishes, but to shine the spotlight on them as the star of the dish? It’s one of Ina Garten’s signature moves. The Barefoot Contessa host ⁠— and our culinary queen ⁠— has never shied away from veggies. She now has so many vegetable-forward, vegetarian-friendly recipes to choose from, we put in the work for you and narrowed down the 15 best Garten’s best vegetarian recipes, including everything from appetizers and side dishes, to substantial main courses and rich, decadent desserts.

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One of our favorite vegetarian recipes ⁠— and a favorite among many food bloggers, too ⁠— is Garten’s roasted eggplant parmesan, a saucy, three-cheese casserole brimming with more than two pounds of sliced eggplant. Garten’s goat cheese and zucchini tart is another devour-able dish, one that’s rich with thyme- and lemon zest-seasoned goat cheese. Or, if you’re in the market for a light, yet filling sharable dish, Garten’s Israeli vegetable salad is comprised of creamy hummus and chopped veggies, with a side of toasted pita bread. What we’re trying to say here is, you can’t go wrong with any of Garten’s vegetarian recipes.

  • Roasted vegetable paella

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (3)

    This creamy, colorful paella is chock-full of veggies such as Holland bell peppers, roasted red peppers, fennel bulbs, baby eggplants, garlic, and yellow and red onions. Merely swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Crusty baked shells & cauliflower

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (4)

    For a heartier pasta dish sprinkled with cauliflower florets and bursting with flavor, Garten’s crusty baked shells and cauliflower dish is an easy recipe that’ll fill the family up.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Potato-fennel gratin

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (5)

    This popular recipe has more than 180 reviews and a perfect, five-star rating ⁠— for good reason. The addition of fennel really elevates this classic potato-based dish, making it a fan favorite.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Goat cheese & zucchini tart

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (7)

    Advanced-level home chefs, this vegetarian dish is calling your name. Garten’s zucchini and goat cheese tart takes real knife work and a food processor. But, in the end, you’re left with a stunning ⁠— and creamy ⁠— tart.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Roasted vegetable lasagna

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (8)

    On chilly nights, lasagna’s what’s for dinner. And for vegetarians, Garten’s roasted veggie lasagna ⁠— loaded with eggplant, zucchini, garlic, ricotta, goat cheese, Rao’s marinara sauce, and more ⁠— should be your go-to recipe.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Tomato tart

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (9)

    We can’t decide if our favorite part of this tart is the Gruyère and parmesan cheese filling or the juicy, herb-crushed tomatoes layered atop…

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Vegetable tian

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (10)

    What is a tian? A tian is any casserole cooked in an earthenware vessel of the same name. It also happens to be a popular way to eat roasted veggies. Garten’s tian recipe calls for yellow onions, garlic, potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, and grated Gruyere cheese.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Maple-roasted carrot salad

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (11)

    A great lunch option, this baby arugula salad features a colorful cast of ingredients, including cranberries, carrots, Marcona almonds, goat cheese, orange juice, and maple syrup.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Herbed-baked eggs

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (12)

    Breakfast for dinner? When it’s Garten’s herbed-baked eggs with fresh herbs, like thyme, rosemary, and parsley, and a half-dozen eggs, the answer’s always a ‘yes.’

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Israeli vegetable salad

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (13)

    This is far from your average salad. Garten’s Israeli veggie salad is comprised of hummus, chopped veggies, and toasted pita bread for dipping.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Zucchini gratin

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (14)

    Another very popular recipe ⁠— one that has nearly 400 reviews and a five-star rating ⁠— is Garten’s zucchini gratin, a beginner-level dish that calls for 2 pounds of zucchini.

    Get the recipe from Food Network.

  • Sautéed shredded Brussels sprouts

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (15)

    In search of a vegetarian appetizer? Look no further than Garten’s sautéed shredded Brussels sprouts, tossed with butter, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, and seasoned with black pepper and salt.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Parmesan & chive smashed potatoes

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (16)

    Boil potatoes ’til tender, press ’em, toss ’em with olive oil, roast ’em, and sprinkle ’em with parmesan cheese, chives, and fleur de sel: this parmesan and chive smashed potatoes recipe is so easy ⁠— and even more delicious.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Outrageous brownies

    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (17)

    Ah, finally, dessert: Garten’s “outrageous” brownies are the epitome of sweet and salty, as they’re loaded with bitter chocolate, semisweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. They also feature a very unexpected ingredient: instant coffee granules.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

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    Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (18)

    Pin it now, and make these delicious vegetarian recipes later.

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Ina Garten's 15 Best Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are Ina Garten's recipes healthy? ›

These are sure to help you have flavorful, healthy meals during the week. You can always count on Ina Garten recipes to be delicious and satisfying. She might be known for using 'good' expensive ingredients and a lot of butter, but so many of her recipes are approachable and nourishing too.

How can I be a better vegetarian cook? ›

How to Make Flavorful, Healthy Vegetarian Meals
  1. Embrace Alterna-Protein. This (hopefully) goes without saying: A vegetarian recipe needn't be comprised exclusively of vegetables. ...
  2. Get a Little (or a Lot) Spicy. ...
  3. Build Deep, Dark Flavors. ...
  4. Use All of the Colors. ...
  5. Don't Be Afraid of Fat. ...
  6. Fill Up on the Good Stuff.
Jan 19, 2015

How to make vegetarian food filling? ›

To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

What is the simplest dish in the world to cook according to Ina Garten? ›

The Simplest Dish In The World To Make, According To Ina Garten. After testing recipes for various projects all day, Ina Garten prefers to make something simple, quick, and ready straight out of the oven. Her favored dish is roast chicken. To make a roast chicken, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the unhealthiest cooking method? ›

Deep-frying is one of the worst ways to cook your food, as it bathes your food in oxidized fats, denatured proteins, and glycated sugars. The high temperatures used during deep-frying produce a number of toxic compounds that may increase your risk of cancer.

What is the best thing to eat as a vegetarian? ›

To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods. These include whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Nuts and legumes, such as lentils, beans and peanuts, also are considered healthy plant-based foods. At the same time, cut back on less healthy choices.

What is the weakness in vegetarian? ›

Iron from plant-based sources (non-heme iron) is less readily absorbed by the body compared to iron from animal products (heme iron). As a result, vegetarians may be more prone to iron deficiency anemia, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and impaired cognitive function.

What do vegetarians need the most? ›

Most vegetarians usually have enough protein and calcium (found in dairy products) in their diet. But if you don't plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients. For example, vegetarians need to make sure they get enough iron and vitamin B12 in their diets.

What is the most famous vegetarian dish? ›

Originating in the Middle East, falafel is one the most popular vegetarian foods in the world! As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction! However, the origin of these beloved patties is rather controversial.

What vegetarian foods keep you full for longer? ›

Plant-based foods you can add to your meals to help improve satiety
  • Lentils. Lentils are an economical and readily available ingredient that are used as staples in most plant-forward meals. ...
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Walnuts or Almonds. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Avocado.

How healthy are cook ready meals? ›

Whatever your reasons, ready meals aren't always as nutritious as cooking a meal from scratch. This is because they don't always provide your body with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Ready meals can be high in salt and fat and low in other nutrients.

Is homemade frozen meals healthy? ›

By making your own frozen meals you will be able to tailor them to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Homemade meals can have far less sodium and preservatives than store-bought counterparts. Try improving their nutritional quality by using brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and low sodium pasta sauces and broths.

Can you lose weight with Home Chef meals? ›

There are plenty of nutritious options

For those looking to lose weight, Home Chef offers a selection of calorie-conscious meals, which typically provide 400–600 calories per serving.

Can home-cooked meals be unhealthy? ›

Start with fresh, healthy ingredients.

Similarly, adding too much sugar or salt can transform a healthy home-cooked meal into an unhealthy one.

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