10 Vegetarian Healthy Easy Recipes for Busy Days

On the hunt for healthy easy recipes that are vegetarian and actually doable on a Tuesday night? These 10 comfort-packed, time-friendly recipes will change the way you eat when you're knackered.

Because Tuesday Night Deserves Better Than Biscuits

Some evenings just hit different, don’t they? You’ve barely survived work, your phone’s been buzzing like an angry wasp, and now you’re stood in the kitchen wondering if it’s acceptable to eat three biscuits and call it dinner.

Been there. More times than I care to admit. So, I started scribbling down healthy easy recipes that didn’t stress me out—and didn’t leave me starving an hour later. Vegetarian meals that felt like actual meals, not just ‘rabbit food’ or side dishes pretending to be mains.

Here are my 10 go-to vegetarian lifesavers. They’re cosy, tasty, and best of all—quick. No faff. No spiraliser needed. Just food that gets you through the day.

1. Popcorn Quorn Bites (With Cornflakes & Dips)

I came up with these in a weird, slightly chaotic moment. I had Quorn fillets, a box of cornflakes, and absolutely no breadcrumbs. And honestly? These turned out better.

Ingredients:

• Quorn fillets or pieces (defrosted if frozen)

• 2 handfuls plain cornflakes

• 1 egg or a splash of plant milk

• Garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper

• Olive oil spray

To Serve:

• Sweet chilli sauce, BBQ dip, or garlic mayo

Instructions:

Crush cornflakes in a bowl—keep them chunky for crunch. Mix in spices.

Cut Quorn fillets into smaller pieces and dip in egg (or plant milk), then coat with the cornflake mix.

Lay the coated Quorn pieces on a baking tray, spray with oil, bake at 200C for 15 mins. Serve with your dips of choice.

You’ll eat them faster than you made them.

2. Leek & Quorn Lasagne

Lasagne, but re-imagined. No mince, no endless layering. Leeks are the secret here—they go all soft, sweet and kind of luxurious.

Ingredients:

• 2 leeks, sliced

• 1 pack Quorn mince

• 1 onion

• 2 garlic cloves

• Tin of chopped tomatoes

• Tomato purée, oregano, salt, pepper

• White sauce (shop-bought or homemade)

• Lasagne sheets (dried or fresh)

• Cheese (cheddar + mozzarella mix works great)

Instructions:

Fry onion and garlic in a frying pan. Add sliced leeks and Quorn mince, cook for 5–10 mins.

Stir in tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and simmer for 15 mins.

Layer in an oven proof dish: sauce, pasta, white sauce, repeat. Top with cheese.

Bake at 180C for 25–30 mins.

It’s just like a big hug in a dish. Beautiful served with a crispy green side salad and/or a garlic bread.

3. Loaded Veggie Fries

Honestly, this feels like junk food but isn’t. And that’s the dream, right? Pure Friday night joy in a bowl!

Pure Friday night joy in a bowl!

Ingredients:

• Bag of frozen oven chips or sweet potato fries

• Chopped tomatoes

• Sliced bell peppers

• Jalapeños

• Avocado

• Sour cream

• Grated cheese

Instructions:

Cook fries according to instructions on packaging.

While they crisp up, chop your toppings. Once done, pile them high: cheese, then veg, then sour cream and avocado.

Eat immediately. No regrets.

Perfect for Friday nights where you CBA but still want something banging.

4. Paneer Korma With Rice

Soft paneer in a creamy, spiced curry—this one always hits the spot. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell amazing.

Ingredients:

• 1 block paneer, cubed

• 1 onion

• Garlic & ginger paste

• Curry powder or korma paste

• Coconut milk or cream

• A handful of peas (optional)

• Basmati rice

Instructions:

Fry onion till golden.

Add garlic/ginger paste and curry powder.

Add paneer and brown slightly.

Pour in coconut milk and simmer for 10–15 mins. Stir in peas at the end. Serve with fluffy rice.

Takeaway vibes—without the delivery charge.

5. Pulled Jackfruit BBQ Burgers

Jackfruit's one of those things I avoided for ages. Thought it was going to taste like weird fruit. It doesn’t. It’s delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 tin jackfruit (in water or brine) - if in brine rinse before using

• 1 onion

• BBQ sauce

• Burger buns

• Coleslaw (optional but ideal)

Instructions:

Drain and shred jackfruit with a fork.

Fry onion, then add jackfruit and a splash of water.

Cook for 10 mins, add BBQ sauce, simmer till sticky.

Serve in buns with slaw. Ridiculously satisfying.

6. Vegetarian Tacos

Tacos don’t have to be meaty to be good. These are cheesy, creamy, crunchy—everything a taco should be.

Ingredients:

• Small tortilla wraps or taco shells

• Refried beans or kidney beans

• Avocado

• Sour cream or yoghurt

• Grated cheese

• Lettuce, tomatoes, onion

Instructions:

Warm your tacos. Spread beans, then layer cheese, veg, avocado and a dollop of sour cream. Fold. Eat.

Probably get messy. Worth it!

7. Mozzarella-Stuffed Crust Margherita Pizza

Cosy and indulgent. Make pizza night feel extra. You can do this even with a shop base.

Ingredients:

• Pizza base (ready-made or homemade)

• Tomato pizza sauce

• Grated mozzarella

• Fresh mozzarella (optional)

• Basil

• Olive oil

Instructions:

Roll out dough, add cheese around edges, fold over for stuffed crust.

Top with sauce and cheese.

Bake at 220C until bubbly and golden.

Add basil and finish with a light sprinkling of olive oil.

Eat too much. Sit on sofa. Be happy.

8. Black Bean Enchiladas

So comforting. So cheesy. So easy to batch.

Ingredients:

• 1 tin black beans

• 1 tin sweetcorn

• Salsa

• Enchilada wraps

• Cheese

• Chilli powder, cumin, garlic

Instructions:

Mix beans, corn, spices, and salsa together in a bowl.

Fill wraps, roll up, arrange on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper.

Pour extra salsa over top. Add cheese.

Bake till bubbling.

Freezes well, reheats like a dream.

9. Veggie Stir Fry With Noodles

The ultimate five-minute fix.

Ingredients:

• Stir fry veg pack or a selection of fresh veg from the fridge

• Egg noodles - dry or fresh

• Soy sauce

• Garlic and ginger paste

• Sesame oil

• Chilli flakes (if you like heat)

Instructions:

Boil noodles if dried.

Fry veg with garlic/ginger paste, then add cooked noodles and soy sauce.

Toss. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chilli flakes. Done.

Tastes like takeaway but way better for you.

10. Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta

I could live off this one. Creamy, comforting, and sneakily full of greens.

Ingredients:

• Pasta of choice

• Garlic

• Cherry tomatoes

• Spinach

• Cream cheese or oat cream

• Salt + pepper

Instructions:

Cook pasta following instructions on packaging.

Fry garlic and tomatoes till soft.

Add spinach, wilt it.

Stir in cream cheese. Add pasta + a bit of cooking water. Mix well.

It’s one of those healthy easy recipes you’ll end up making on repeat.

Healthy Easy Recipes for Real Food Wins

These vegetarian healthy easy recipes are quick wins—they make me feel like I’ve done something good for myself, without needing a sous chef or a miracle.

What’s your go-to meal when you’re hungry and knackered? Drop it in the comments—I’m always on the hunt for new lazy favourites.