29 Kid-Friendly Vegetarian Recipes to Make for Dinner (2024)

23 Delicious Taco Bar Toppings That Offer Something for Everyone

Cheese-Stuffed Portobello Burger

This vegetarian burger takes the meatless patty to new heights. Portobello mushrooms are stuffed with thinly-sliced, super melty provolone cheese, then stacked on brioche buns with baby arugula and our Garlic-Vinegar Mayonnaise.

Vegetarian Bolognese with Bucatini

When you have a little extra time to cook a kid-friendly vegetarian dinner, make this cremini mushroom-based Bolognese sauce that is just as hearty and delicious as the meat version.

Test Kitchen's Favorite Mac and Cheese

What kid doesn't love macaroni and cheese? This recipe is the ultimate kid-friendly vegetarian meal.

Tomato Slab Pie

Your little ones will adore the melty duo of fontina and cheddar cheese with sliced vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, and cauliflower in this vegetarian dinner.

Sweet Corn-Brown Rice Risotto

Instead of the usual arborio rice, this vegetarian risotto calls for short-grain brown rice with fresh corn kernels, fresh basil, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. It's a healthy, summery meal that kids will love.

Our Favorite Tomato Soup

Pair this homemade tomato soup with our favorite grilled cheese for a kid-friendly vegetarian dinner no one will complain about.

Test Kitchen's Favorite Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese and tomato soup are the ultimate combination for a kid-friendly vegetarian dinner that's sure to satisfy any night of the week.

Spaghetti and Eggplant "Meatballs"

Children will love the fun of twirling spaghetti with meatballs, and this kid-friendly vegetarian recipe will delight the pickiest of eaters. The meat-free meatballs are made from a hearty combination of eggplant, white beans, and panko breadcrumbs.

Classic Margherita Pizza

Satisfy a table of hungry little eaters with our take on a classic Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza, which calls for four basic toppings: pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and fresh basil leaves.

Brown-Butter Sweet-Potato Gnocchi with Seeds

When the leaves start to change, make this recipe that's full of fall flavors. The homemade gnocchi are made with sweet potatoes, sautéed with brown butter, and topped with a nutty combination of pepitas, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds.

Cheesy Asparagus Pasta

Even if your little ones aren't keen on green vegetables, they'll love this decadent pasta made with a combination of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and Gruyère cheese.

Mozzarella Sticks

Skip the frozen version and pair these homemade mozzarella sticks with roasted vegetables for a complete kid-friendly vegetarian dinner.

Vegetarian Chow Mein

Chow mein noodles are tossed with grated ginger, broccoli, carrots, baby corn, and store-bought black-bean sauce in this 50-minute vegetarian dinner.

Susan's Manicotti

This vegetarian recipe comes from editorial director of food Sarah Carey's mother, and we think it's a fun and delicious kid-friendly meal. Manicotti shells are stuffed with an indulgent mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

Sweet Potato Home Fries

If you're looking for a healthy vegetarian side dish to pair with fish, chicken, or burgers, look no further. Diced sweet potatoes are tossed with smoked sweet paprika, onion, green bell pepper, and jalapeño peppers (if your children are open to a little spice) for a bite that everyone will love.

Mushroom-Eggplant Lasagna

For a vegetarian take on lasagna, layer noodles with a combination of cremini mushrooms and eggplant with a triple cheese mixture (ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and mozzarella) in this kid-friendly dinner.

One-Pot Pasta with Broccoli and Lemon

All you need is penne, broccoli, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, the juice and zest from a lemon, and some grated Parmesan to make this kid-friendly vegetarian pasta recipe. It's a winner for cleanup, too.

Grilled-Eggplant Parmesan

For a lighter take on eggplant Parmesan that still tastes delicious, make this kid-friendly vegetarian recipe. Instead of breading eggplant, the slices are brushed with oil and grilled alongside tomatoes, then topped with mozzarella cheese.

Mushroom Tacos with Charred-Corn Salsa

Sliced portobello mushrooms are sautéed with the juice and zest of lime and chipotle-in-adobo sauce, then used to top corn tortillas. These tacos have just the right amount of heat for kids and adults alike.

Grilled Garlic Bread with Herb Butter

Complete your dinner with garlic bread, something that every kid loves. We grilled French bread until it was charred, then smeared it with butter, garlic, and flat-leaf parsley for a flavorful topping.

BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

If your kids love pulled pork sandwiches, make them this easy, tasty vegetarian take with a zesty homemade BBQ sauce and jarred jackfruit.

Creamy Baked Ziti

For an extra-delicious baked ziti, we added four ounces of cream cheese to the mixture. It's an indulgent vegetarian recipe that kids will love.

Grilled Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Looking for a colorful, kid-friendly vegetarian recipe that looks beautiful and tastes delicious? This one should do the trick. Bell peppers are stuffed with a hearty combination of couscous, golden raisins, crumbled feta, and fresh herbs.

Pinto-Bean Burgers

These kid-friendly vegetarian burgers will go from skillet to plate in just 35 minutes. They're made with canned pinto beans, panko breadcrumbs, toasted almonds, and chopped roasted red peppers.

Cauliflower-and-Mushroom Roast

Whether you serve it as a main course or a side dish, this hearty vegetarian dinner recipe will please your little ones. Sliced cauliflower, shiitake mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and bread cubes are roasted together and topped with Gruyère cheese and cooked until it's melted and bubbly.

Broccoli Casserole

Beneath a golden brown sprinkle of saltine crackers is a better-for-you combination of broccoli and cremini mushrooms tossed in a mustard cream sauce.

Perfect Frittata with Zucchini and Provolone

Kids love breakfast for dinner, and this recipe sure fits the bill. Seasonal summer squash and fresh basil bring a perky green color to this cheesy egg dish.

Cacio e Pepe with Lemon

We consider this pasta grown-up macaroni and cheese, but that doesn't mean that kids won't love it too. This vegetarian recipe calls for a duo of Grana Padano and Pecorino cheese, freshly cracked pepper, and aromatic Meyer lemons.