15 High Quality Low Calorie Vegetarian Recipes Which Won’t Cost Much To Make

It pays to cook vegetarian food – literally!

Not only are vegetarian meals better for the environment, but they don’t feature the most expensive foods on the market, which are meats.

15 High Quality Low Calorie Vegetarian Recipes Which Won’t Cost Much To Make

But too often, when you make vegetarian meals, there can sometimes be too heavy a reliance on high carb foods to make up the bulk of the meal.

And if you’re not careful, such a high carb diet can make you overweight, or in some cases obese.

The solution then is to choose high quality vegetarian recipes that don’t feature too many refined carbs.

And to that end, I put this shortlist together of high quality, low calorie vegetarian recipes, and I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I do.

Get those taste buds ready, because here we go!

1. Low-Calorie, Almost Fat-Free Vegetable Chili Recipe From The Spruce Eats

I thought I’d kick things off with something filling and feisty.

In this plant-based chili, being meatless automatically makes it healthier and low in fat. But this version is also extra low in calories, coming in at a mere 120 calories per serving.

It’s packed with healthy veg, such as carrot, tomatoes, onion, corn kernels, and bell peppers. And it’s got fiber through the kidney beans, and some jalapeño and chili powder for heat.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

2. Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe From Olive

Now, this is a vegetarian lasagna with a difference!

It’s packed with healthy greens, including the likes of chopped leeks, and super healthy kale (see also “How To Make Spicy Chipotle Kale Chips“).

But the biggest difference is that instead of using a tomato based sauce for the filling, it features a wonderfully creamy sauce, made with vegetable stock, pesto, and ricotta cheese.

It can be ready to eat in just 40 minutes, so you could have it on a busy weeknight.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

3. Grilled Vegetable Wrap With Balsamic Mayo Recipe From Eat This, Not That

A nice wrap is a nice way to get some healthy veg, without it feeling like you’re just nibbling from a salad bowl yet again.

And with this recipe, instead of filling it with some high fat, high calorie mayo, it’s got a low calorie balsamic mayo instead.

The roasted veggies include mushrooms, bell pepper and greens. And there’s crumbled cheese for a contrast of flavors.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

4. Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup Recipe From Eating Well

Talk about comfort food! This is a great way to get yourself a good, filling meal, without having to load up on high sugar carbs.

It’s packed with healthy veg, including onion, carrots, parsnips, squash, tomatoes, and chopped apples.

But what really makes it is the addition of curry powder, ginger, and garlic!

I like to serve it with whole wheat bread or toast.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

5. Easy Plant-Based Stuffed Peppers Recipe From Nutriciously

Stuffed peppers are my go-to for whipping up an easy vegetarian meal, such unique flavors.

And this recipe is super budget-friendly. The main ingredients, besides the peppers, are quinoa, beans, corn kernels, and onion.

And they come dressed in a warm tomato-based sauce, featuring seasonings such as cumin, paprika, and garlic powder.

I like to serve it with dairy-free yogurt (see also “How To Make Low-Carb Zuppa Toscana Dairy-Free“) and slices of healthy avocado!

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

6. Creamy Tomato Risotto Recipe From BBC Good Food

This recipe may be super simple, but it’s both really flavorful and filling too.

It’s got easy to source ingredients, like rice, canned chopped tomatoes, cherry tomato halves, onion and garlic.

And to make the recipe even more affordable, you can drop extras like the sprig of rosemary and the fresh Basil leaves. But I wouldn’t want to skip the grated Parmesan cheese, so delicious!

Easy to rustle up on a busy weeknight as well.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

7. Red Pepper Soup Recipe From Olive

In my opinion, red pepper soup is way more flavorful than a lot of the other soups out there. Better than mushroom, leek and potato, and even cream of chicken soup (see also “Simple Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup“) .

You only need a handful of ingredients, namely red peppers, onion, canned tomatoes, vegetable stock and a nice swirl of double cream.

And for seasonings, you’ve got minced garlic cloves and a pinch of dried chili flakes as a flavorful garnish.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

8. Warm Goat Cheese Salad Recipe From Eat This, Not That

This is hands down my favorite salad recipe! And not only is it super healthy, but it tastes amazing, and it’s budget-friendly to boot.

It’s got healthy mixed greens, walnuts, Italian, slices of fresh, juicy pear, and Italian seasoning (see also “How To Make A Healthy Tiger Nut Trail Mix“). But what really makes it for me is the creamy goat cheese coated in breadcrumbs for crunch. And it comes dressed in a balsamic vinaigrette.

And despite the addition of goat cheese and breadcrumbs, it only comes to 370 calories per serving.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

9. White Bean Soup With Pasta Recipe From Eating Well

Who says pasta dishes can’t be healthy?

With this recipe, you get to enjoy a little pasta together with healthy, high fiber white cannellini beans, healthy veg such as diced onion, carrot, tomatoes and celery, and plenty of healthy spinach.

The pasta used is whole wheat, so it won’t spike your blood sugar like regular white pasta.

And then  for seasoning, you get to add the likes of Italian seasoning, minced garlic cloves, and shredded Parmesan cheese.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

10. Sweet Potato And Peanut Curry Recipe From BBC Good Food

Sweet potato is very budget-friendly, and it also happens to have a low glycemic index, which means that it won’t cause your blood sugar to spike. It also tastes amazing!

It’s in an irresistible peanut curry sauce, made with the likes of peanut butter, dry roasted peanuts, onions, curry paste, and coconut milk (see also “A Guide To The Best Milk Alternatives“).

There’s also plenty of healthy spinach thrown in. And it’s just 387 calories per serving. I recommend serving it with brown rice.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

11. Pesto, Asparagus And Potato Salad Recipe From Good To Know

Potatoes are such a cheap and budget-friendly ingredient for a nice healthy salad. And if you buy the asparagus tips when they are in season, they can be really cheap too.

This recipe also features pesto, which brings a nice creaminess to the dish and prevents it from being too dry. And the basil flavor in the pesto pairs perfectly with cherry tomato halves.

What’s more, there’s also a little crushed garlic thrown in there and a generous dressing of balsamic vinegar.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

12. Grilled Halloumi And Summer Vegetable Tacos Recipe From Eating Well

Who says you can’t enjoy a hot taco as a vegetarian meal? All you have to do is replace the red meat with some nice, healthy veg.

These tacos are packed with flavorful ingredients, such as zucchini, red onion, red bell pepper, corn kernels, and grilled halloumi cheese.

And for seasoning you’ve got ingredients like crushed garlic, lemon juice, oregano, and more. And it goes great with reduced-fat sour cream to serve.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

13. Asparagus And New Potato Frittata Recipe From BBC Good Food

This is such a simple dish to make, and it doesn’t require many ingredients, which, btw, are all easy to source. They include potatoes, asparagus tips, onion, eggs, and cheddar cheese.

It can be ready to eat in as little as 20 minutes, and each serving comes in at just 310 calories. 

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

14. Spinach And Sweetcorn Lasagna Recipe From Good To Know

Here’s another great vegetarian lasagna recipe. It tastes amazing, and it’s really budget friendly to boot at around $5 to feed a family of four.

The filling is made with the likes of tomatoes, onion, sweetcorn, and spinach, seasoned with garlic and oregano. It also features cream cheese and grated mozzarella.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

15. Greek Salad Sushi Recipe From Live Eat Learn

I just love these cute little rolls! And don’t worry, it’s not real sushi, and there are no animals or fish in there.

It’s super fun to make. You slice a cucumber, layer it with healthy Mediterranean ingredients, and roll them up, using a cocktail stick to hold them in place.

To view the recipe in full, simply click on this link.

Wrap Up

I trust that you’ve enjoyed browsing through my shortlist of low calorie vegetarian recipes, but more so, I hope that you’ve spotted some that you’d like to make and that you feel inspired to include them as part of your diet.

Lindsey Morgan
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