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If you think you need to miss out on delicious spaghetti-based dishes just because you’re a vegetarian, think again! As I’m about to show, there are more ways to serve up this simple pasta without meat than you might think. I’ve found 50 vegetarian spaghetti dinner ideas to get you started, and there’s a little something for everyone…
50 Vegetarian Spaghetti Dinner Ideas
Here’s a fun fact for you: Vegetarianism has been around since at least the 9th Century BC, so to all of those who believe it to be a ‘fad,’ you’re a little wrong. Or a lot wrong.
Ancient Indian cultures lived a meat-free life, as did (and do) Egyptians, Japanese, Chinese, and more. Even medieval European monks were believed to be vegetarian. It was only when Christianity came about, along with the Roman Empire, that meat-free living seemingly died out. It wasn’t until 1847 that the Vegetarian Society came along, with the 20th century seeing the lifestyle rise in popularity once again.
Mushroom Spaghetti Ideas for Vegetarians
Mushrooms are great meat substitutes for so many reasons. Firstly, they’re super absorbent, so they’ll soak up all the flavours you cook them in. Secondly, there are so many different types, you’re bound to find one that matches the dish you’re trying to cook. And thirdly, they’re cheap. You can buy and add as many of them to your dinner.
Mushrooms are one of the very few non-meat ways of getting vitamin D into your diet, and they also contain protein, fibre, and different B vitamins. B12 is especially troublesome for vegetarian and vegan eaters.
- Gluten-Free Orange and Mushroom Spaghetti by Recipes from a Pantry
- Mushroom, Spinach, and Miso Butter Spaghetti by Waitrose
- Spaghetti and Vegan Meatballs with Mushrooms and Lentils by Lazy Cat Kitchen
- Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti with Portobello Mushrooms, Parsley, and Garlic by Healthy Living James
- Creamy Garlic Spaghetti with Roasted Portobello Mushrooms by Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
- Mushroom and Leek Spaghetti by Tesco Real Food
- Balsamic Mushroom Spaghetti by Lazy Cat Kitchen
- Mushroom Spaghetti Bolognese by Waitrose
- Mushroom and Lentil Vegan Bolognese by Lazy Cat Kitchen
- Easy Kale and Mushroom Pasta by Vegan On Board
Tomato-Based Vegetarian Spaghetti Dinners
Spaghetti and tomato sauce go together like… well, spaghetti and tomato sauce! This is one of the most typical ways to serve up spaghetti and other strand-like pastas, but it’s definitely not the only way. As you’ll see, scrolling through this list of vegetarian spaghetti dinner ideas, there are plenty of ways to serve pasta without tomato-based sauces.
Here, though, you’ll find a few tomato favourites – but slightly different to the typical spaghetti Bolognese-style dishes. It’s never too late to switch up those dinner table favourites. In fact, what better time than right now?
- Cherry Tomato and Caper Spaghetti by BBC Good Food
- Roasted Onion and Tomato Spaghetti with Poached Egg by Delicious Magazine
- Lentil Bolognese by Nora Cooks
- Gluten-Free Roasted Tomato and Garlic Spaghetti by Gathered Nutrition
- Red Wine-Cooked Spaghetti with Tomato and Goat’s Cheese by Delicious Magazine
Nice n’ Cheesy Vegetarian Spaghetti Dinner Ideas
I’m a massive fan of cheese, so I was half-tempted to search for recipes for hours. I refrained, though. In all honesty, you can add cheese to the top of pretty much any pasta dish, in my opinion. Pasta and cheese go together almost as well as spaghetti and tomato sauce!
There are plenty of vegan-friendly cheese versions on the market these days, so if you don’t eat dairy, you can always use a substitute instead. You can find some of the most recommended substitutes here: Best Vegan Substitutes for Mozzarella Cheese.
- Black Pepper and (Vegetarian) Parmesan Spaghetti with Garlic and Thyme Tomatoes by Pinch of Nom
- Tomato and Mozzarella Spaghetti Bake by BBC Good Food
- Cauliflower Cheese Spaghetti by Jamie Oliver
- Cheesy Aubergine and Tomato Spaghetti by BBC Good Food
- Butternut Squash and Goat’s Cheese Spaghetti by BBC Good Food
Nutty Vegetarian Spaghetti Dinner Ideas
Walnuts are a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which meat-eaters would get mostly from fish. They also contain folate and vitamin E. You’ll also find folate and vitamin E in peanuts along with protein, copper (yes, small amounts are necessary), healthy fats, and more.
Nuts, generally, contain lots of nutrients and minerals that are especially helpful for those following a vegetarian diet. Other nut types to look at include hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachio nuts, and cashews.
- Walnut and Bean Bolognese by Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
- Peanut Butter Spaghetti with Veggies by Family Food on the Table
- Wholewheat Spaghetti with Kale, Pea, and Walnut Pesto by Waitrose
- Brown Butter Lemon and Walnut Spaghetti by Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
- Spaghetti with Pea, Almond, and Mint Pesto by Waitrose
15-Minute Vegetarian Spaghetti Dinner Recipes
If you’ve only got fifteen minutes to spare, you’ve got just enough time to make these 15-minute vegetarian spaghetti dinner ideas. Some of them take even less time than that! That’s just what you want at the end of a long day, right? Something quick, simple, and easy to whip up for dinner?
With tomatoes, vegan hummus, cauliflower, lemon, and more, these tasty dinner ideas are delicious and flavourful as well as speedy. These recipes are great for feeding a family quickly and cheaply, and you can mix and match ingredients depending on what you already have in your kitchen cupboards and fridge.
- 5-Minute Vegan Hummus Spaghetti by Lucy and Lentils
- Spaghetti Algio e Olio by Delicious Magazine
- Wholemeal Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and Olive Oil by The Vegetarian Society
- Sun-Dried Tomato and Lemon Spaghetti by Lucy and Lentils
- Cauliflower Alfredo Spaghetti by Oh My Veggies
Creamy Vegetarian Spaghetti Recipes
Do you like creamy pasta sauces? If so, you’re going to love these creamy vegetarian spaghetti recipes. You can make them vegan with a few tweaks, too. For example, cream can be substituted for plant-based milks, such as almond or soy milk, plus canola, olive, or vegetable oil, with a ratio of one part oil to two parts plant-based milk.
According to Harvard Medical School, a balanced, planned, and healthy vegetarian diet can fulfil all nutritional needs and even go as far as to reduce your chances of developing several health conditions. These can include heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.
- Sweet Leek Carbonara (with Thyme, Garlic, Cracked Black Pepper, and Parmesan) by Jamie Oliver
- Garlic Creamy Vegan Spaghetti in Squash by Lucy and Lentils
- Smoky Lentil Carbonara by Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
- Creamy Bean and Lemon Spaghetti by Tesco Real Food
- Creamy Garlic and Sprout Spaghetti by Waitrose
A Few More Vegetarian Spaghetti Dinner Ideas
If you’re looking for a food that is low in calories and high in nutritional fibre, aubergines are definitely a great option – and that’s just one beneficial ingredient you’ll find in this section of my vegetarian spaghetti dinner ideas.
I also feature brussels sprouts, which are jam-packed with vitamin K; asparagus, which is loaded with folic acid alongside vitamins A and C; and carrots, which contain vitamin A and beta-carotene alongside fibre, vitamin K1, and potassium.
- Aubergine Milanese with Spaghetti by Delicious Magazine
- Spaghetti with Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts by Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
- Nocerella Olive Gremolata Spaghetti by Waitrose
- Lemon Asparagus Spaghetti by Rainbow Plant Life
- Pepper and Lemon Spaghetti with Basil and Pine Nuts by BBC Good Food
- The Happy Pear’s Spaghetti Beet-Balls by Waitrose
- Caramelised Onion Spaghetti by Rainbow Plant Life
- Spaghetti Omelette by BBC Good Food
- Carrot Caponata Spaghetti by Tesco Real Food
- Classic Spaghetti Salad by Family Food on the Table
- Spaghetti Puttanesca with Red Beans and Spinach by BBC Good Food
- Super Green Spaghetti by Waitrose
- Cold Spaghetti Salad with Balsamic Tofu by Oh My Veggies
- Spaghetti with Roast Cauliflower Pesto by Delicious Magazine
- Grilled Vegetable Spaghetti by Waitrose
Thank you for checking out these vegetarian spaghetti dinner ideas. I hope you’ve found something that ticks all the boxes for you, but feel free to check out the other recipes on Buzzy Kitchen. If it’s vegetarian-specific recipes you’re looking for, you might find these helpful:
