We all need a list of meals we like that we can make with ingredients we usually have on hand in the pantry, fridge, or freezer. These are the vegetarian pantry meals that I’ve given a 5-star rating in my recipe organization system. The majority of these are quick, one-pot meals. An added bonus of vegetarian pantry meals is that they are cheap!

Pantry Staples

Keep a stash of ingredients that won’t spoil quickly on hand. Sometimes that’s in the pantry, sometimes it’s the fridge or freezer.

I always have:

• Milk/Cream
• Eggs
• Butter
• Pasta
• Canned Beans
• Chickpeas
• Canned Coconut Milk
• Vegetable Broth
• Rice (dry and minute)
• Onions
• Garlic (I keep peeled garlic cloves in the freezer)
• Olive Oil
• Spices

Frozen veggies can help to round out a meal that doesn’t otherwise have vegetables. Lots of fruits keep well in the fridge, like apples and oranges, and I always have frozen fruit available.

Remember, garnishes are optional. No, I do not always have parsley, basil, cilantro, etc., on hand, and I don’t miss them.

Vegetarian Definitions

I will indicate the level of vegetarian or vegan so that you know. If something just needs an easy swap, I’ll specify that, too.

• Vegetarian: No meat, dairy, or eggs.
• Ovo-Vegetarian: No meat or dairy, does contain eggs.
• Lacto-Vegetarian: No meat or eggs, does contain dairy.
• Ovo-Lacto-Vegetarian: No meat, does contain eggs and dairy.
• Vegan: No animal products or byproducts of any kind.

Many of these recipes call for vegetable broth/stock OR chicken broth/stock. Use vegetable stock/broth to keep it in the vegetarian realm.

Vegetarian Pantry Meals

Soups, Stews, & Beans

15-Minute Creamy (Vegan) Tomato Soup by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt on Food52

This is my go-to tomato soup recipe. I have made it countless times. 15 minutes? Yes, please!

It’s vegan. If you add a grilled cheese, it’s a lacto-vegetarian meal.

Indian Butter Chickpeas by NYT Cooking

We LOVE this recipe at our house. On day 1, I serve it with naan. On day 2, I serve it with rice.

It’s lacto-vegetarian because of the butter, it’s namesake. But if you replace the butter with olive oil, I bet it would be just as delicious and vegan.

Coconut Curry Chickpeas with Pumpkin and Lime by NYT Cooking

A delicious 30-minute meal. Yes, it’s made with pumpkin, no it’s not limited to the fall season.

It’s vegan.

The BEST Refried Beans by Gimme Some Oven

These are easy-peasy 20-minute refriend beans.

It’s vegan. If you add cheese, it’s lacto-vegetarian.

One-Pot Rice and Beans by NYT Cooking

Use any beans you have to mix it up. We’ve loved black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans so far. We like to do 2 cans instead of 1.

This dish is so easy and comforting. And it’s even better as leftovers. The recipe gives the option of chicken or vegetable stock, but be sure to use vegetable stock to keep it vegan.

Creamy White Beans with Herb Oil by NYT Cooking

Use jarred pesto instead of making the herb oil from scratch, and this is a pantry meal. Be sure to use vegetable stock instead of chicken, and now it’s vegan.

Instant Pot Refried Beans by Well Plated

These taste like dinner at an actual Mexican restaurant. Jalapeno is the only ingredient that I don’t always have on hand, and I’m not sure I would miss it. Be sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it vegan.

Pasta

One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta (aka the Lazy Cook’s Fettuccine Alfredo) by Food52

I like this recipe better than traditional fettuccine alfredo. It’s easy, less heavy, and I always have the ingredients. Be sure to use vegetable broth. It’s lacto-vegetarian. Add some freezer veggies, and you’ve got a complete meal.

Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce by America’s Test Kitchen

This recipe is full of pantry veggies: diced tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s lacto-vegetarian.

Breakfast for Dinner

Caramelized Cream Eggs by Food52

Trust. This sounds crazy, but it will change the way you make a sunny side up egg. Add some toast and fruit or veggies to round out the meal.

It’s ovo-lacto-vegetarian.

French Toast by NYT Cooking

This is the easiest french toast I know how to make. Add some vanilla and nutmeg or cinnamon to the custard if you’d like it to be a little more indulgent. Add whatever fruit you have on hand to round out the meal.

It’s lacto-ovo-vegetarian.

Easy, Fruit, Yogurt, and Granola Bowl by Knitrition

Fruit, yogurt, and granola bowls are easy, quick, delicious, and infinitely customizable. It’s a less than 5-minute healthy breakfast, which is a go-to meal for me and my family any time of day. Think of it as a very simple parfait.

It’s Lacto-Vegetarian.

Final Thoughts

Pantry cooking is economical, reduces food waste, and ensures I always have ingredients on hand for a quick meal.

I hope you enjoy these pantry meals for vegetarians whether vegan or not. If this is a common recipe category for you, be sure to add the ones you love and keep track of any others you’ve tried.

I also have recommendations for cookbooks, kitchen gadgets, and many other recipes if you’re interested.