Beef up your fall dinners (minus the meat!).
Fall ushers in all our favorite dinner favorites, namely warm, comforting meals, like casseroles, soups, and pasta bakes. Too often, though, those meals revolve around meat (we know we’re partially to blame, we do love an easy chicken or steak dinner). Even if you don’t eat meat, you too can enjoy a cozy meal this autumn (check out our cabbage schnitzel for all the proof you'll need). Whether you’re a strict vegetarian or are just looking for occasional meatless meals, we’ve got recipes for you. Check out our 40 fall vegetarian recipes for ideas—they’re just as good as their meat-heavy counterparts (and maybe even better!).
Got a busy fall and need quick and easy weeknight dinner options? Try incorporating the bounty of fall produce into the meals you already know and love. Enjoy a cheesy, creamy noodle dish? Check out our pumpkin sage gnocchi, our butternut squash risotto, our pumpkin lasagna, or our for ideas on how to sneak more veggies into them. Into ordering takeout? Try our saag paneer, our tofu stir-fry (we’ve got the top tips for taking tofu from blah to amazing), our butternut squash curry, or our Nashville hot cauliflower. You might never need to order delivery again.
Looking for a dinner that’s a little more remarkable (for a special occasion or a holiday like Thanksgiving, perhaps)? We got you. For date night, birthdays, or just an extra momentous Tuesday, try one of our recipes that takes just a smidge more effort than normal. You could make your own pasta or dumplings, like in our pumpkin ravioli 0r butternut squash pot stickers, or try your hand at breading meat alternatives, like in our tofu katsu curry or our . If you’re looking for a vegetarian holiday showstopper, look no further than our whole roasted cabbage or our brown sugar BBQ whole roasted cauliflower. Served whole, surrounded by colorful veggies, they can stand up to even the most elaborate of meat mains.
Want more fall vegetarian inspiration? Check out our best plant-based recipes, our top vegan and vegetarian Thanksgiving dinners, and our favorite fall desserts too.
1
Cabbage Schnitzel
A breaded fried cutlet is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and these cabbage schnitzels are no exception. Coated in crispy golden brown bread crumbs and drizzled with a luscious mushroom gravy, this vegetarian spin on a meaty classic will delight meat lovers and vegetarians alike this fall.
Get the Cabbage Schnitzel recipe.
2
Vegan Meatloaf
This hearty "meat" loaf is made mostly out of chickpeas and baby bella mushrooms. We're in love! Serve it with a side of vegan mashed potatoes and green beans for the most comforting meal this fall.
Get the Vegan Meatloaf recipe.
3
Brown Sugar BBQ Whole Roasted Cauliflower
If you love whole roasted cauliflower, then you have to try our brown sugar BBQ version. It's perfect for when you're craving BBQ flavors without the meat. Hot tip: Give your cauliflower plenty of time to roast for the most delicious result.
Get the Brown Sugar BBQ Whole Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
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4
One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac
Looking for a hearty weeknight dinner this fall? Our smoky vegetarian chili mac is here to save the day! It all comes together in one pot, and it's SUPER versatile. Throw in your favorite bean and pasta shape, melt in your favorite cheese, and top with whatever you like!
Get the One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac recipe.
5
Best-Ever Pumpkin Ravioli
These autumnal ravioli may not be quick or easy, but they are SO delicious. Give yourself an afternoon to prepare them, or make the pasta dough the night before so you have half the work done already!
Get the Pumpkin Ravioli recipe.
6
Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragú
Make this showstopper with a custom blend of your favorite funghi! If wild mushrooms are not accessible, creminis or button mushrooms would also work perfectly. If serving for a dinner party or event, the ragú can be made up to three days in advance; just reheat gently on the stovetop while you make the polenta.
Get the Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragú recipe.
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7
Spicy Cottage Cheese Pasta
Cottage cheese continues to have its big moment in the sun. Its high-protein content has driven people to try and incorporate it into some of their favorite foods. Our take? Blending it with marinara until the sauce is creamy and smooth makes for an incredible pasta sauce.
Get the Spicy Cottage Cheese Pasta recipe.
8
Pumpkin Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Sticks
While we love classic tomato soup, we sometimes want to shake things up a bit. This soup is extra creamy, not only thanks to sweet pumpkin puree, but also heavy cream and sharp Parmesan. One of the best parts? Both the soup and cheese sticks are ready in under 30 minutes!
Get the .
9
Cabbage Parmesan
Craving chicken Parm, but following a vegetarian diet? No worries! This cabbage version is just as cheesy and flavorful as the original, with a welcome plant-based twist.
Get the Cabbage Parmesan recipe.
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10
Butternut Squash Curry
This curry is a one-pot meal with ALL the carbs, vegetables, and creaminess you crave. Butternut squash is toothsome and savory, kale is earthy and green, and coconut milk wraps everything together in a creamy sauce. Yum!
Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe.
11
Butternut Squash Potstickers
Making your own potstickers doesn't have to complicated. These vegan potstickers are easy to put together and most of your time is spent roasting your squash until really tender, which can be done ahead of time. Crimping takes a little practice, but the good news is that even if they look a little wonky they are still going to taste great!
Get the Butternut Squash Potstickers recipe.
12
Nashville Hot Cauliflower
Nashville hot chicken may be king, but Nashville hot cauliflower is coming to steal the crown. Coated in hot sauce-spiked buttermilk batter, fried to golden brown perfection, and drizzled with the iconic spicy oil, this vegetarian dinner is crispy, flavorful, and SO delicious.
Get the Nashville Hot Cauliflower recipe.
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13
Whole Roasted Cabbage
Expecting a vegetarian at your table this fall? This roasted cabbage is the way to go! It's savory, sweet, and salty on the outside and super tender on the inside. Topped with lots of silky mushroom gravy, we doubt anyone at your table will be missing meat.
Get the Whole Roasted Cabbage recipe.
14
Walnut Broccoli Stir-Fry
We all know classic , but for the days where you’re just looking for a little less meat this fall, it’s time to turn to the almighty walnut. It’s fatty and rich, with a fun, rippled texture that gives sauces lots of nooks and crannies to hug onto.
Get the Walnut Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe.
15
Corn & Ricotta Pasta
Fresh ricotta and sweet corn are the stars of the show for this quick and easy pasta. We utilize frozen corn here, but leftover kernels from grilled corn would make the dish even better; this is so much fun to make when corn is at its flavorful best.
Get the .
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16
Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole
With roasted sweet potatoes and black bean chili layered together under a gooey blanket of cheese, this easy vegetarian weeknight dinner is both incredibly comforting and surprisingly hearty.
Get the Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.
17
Stuffed Butternut Squash
You'll start by slathering the butternut squash halves with a brown sugar-butter mixture, which enhances the naturally sweet qualities of the roasted squash. After baking until perfectly tender, you'll top the squash with a hearty filling of quinoa, kale, and chickpeas.
Get the Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
18
Baked, not stirred, this recipe for pumpkin risotto takes some of the work off the chef without sacrificing that classic risotto flavor and texture. A sprinkle of goat cheese, parsley, and the tart-sweet touch of dried cranberries round out the earthy autumnal vibes.
Get the Baked Pumpkin Risotto recipe.
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19
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Creamy, sweet, and conveniently orange, butternut squash adds extra body and richness to . A little thyme does some heavy lifting, making the homey comfort classic a little fancy, and bringing some fall flavors to the table that are *chef’s kiss*.
Get the .
20
Baked Eggplant Parm
Classic eggplant Parm is one of our favorites dishes in the world when it's cold out, but it's definitely a labor of love. If we're being honest, we're not always down to put in the work. Enter this healthier, easier bake. Instead of frying each individual piece of eggplant, you bake them all at once until they're nice and crispy. 😍
Get the Baked Eggplant Parm recipe.
Camille Lowder
Digital Food Producer
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
