28 Veggie Mains That Aren’t Just Roasted on a Sheet Pan

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Vegetables can do a lot more than sit on a sheet pan waiting to be roasted. Exploring different ways to prepare veggie mains opens up options that bring variety and flavor without relying on the usual routine. These meals show how vegetables can stand at the center of the plate without feeling repetitive or boring. Trying new methods helps keep dinner interesting and satisfying for everyone at the table. If you want to expand what you think of as veggie mains, this collection is a good place to start.

Spicy Baked Tofu Noodles

A bowl of stir-fried rice noodles topped with an omelette, garnished with cilantro and sliced red and green peppers.
Spicy Baked Tofu Noodles. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This one kicks things up a notch without kicking your prep time. If you’re after veggie mains that don’t bore you to sleep, this spicy noodle combo pulls its weight.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Baked Tofu Noodles

Eggplant And Tofu Recipe

A plate with stir-fried eggplant, red bell peppers, and tofu on white rice, garnished with green onions. A spoonful is lifted above the dish.
Eggplant And Tofu Recipe. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

No need to wrestle with a dozen steps here—just a pan, a few bold ingredients, and dinner’s a win. For veggie mains that feel hearty but don’t drag on, this one keeps things moving.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant And Tofu Recipe

Turmeric Lentil Soup Recipe

A pot of lentil soup with visible lentils, chopped carrots, and greens simmering in broth.
Turmeric Lentil Soup Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Warm, filling, and no drama in the prep department. This soup earns its spot among veggie mains that don’t mess around.
Get the Recipe: Turmeric Lentil Soup Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

A bowl of chili topped with sour cream, sliced bell pepper, diced avocado, and cilantro. Served with tortilla chips on the side.
Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Toss everything in, then walk away like a boss. This one holds its own among veggie mains that don’t need hand-holding.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Creamy Pea Pasta

A fork holds shell pasta with peas and herbs above a red bowl filled with more pasta, set on a wooden surface.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest And Truly.

It’s creamy without the baggage and fast enough for a weeknight. If your veggie mains need a pick-me-up, this is a good one to have on standby.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta

Easy Vegan Veggie Wrap

A vegetable wrap cut in half showing layers of lettuce, shredded carrots, beetroot, mushrooms, and other vegetables on a wooden surface.
Easy Vegan Veggie Wrap. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

This wrap comes together faster than you can scroll your takeout app. Plus, it makes veggie mains look way cooler than they usually do.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Veggie Wrap

Vegan White Chickpea Chili

Bowl of creamy soup with chickpeas and corn, topped with sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro.
Vegan White Chickpea Chili. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This one brings a fresh take on chili without adding time to your night. It’s one of those veggie mains that surprises you with how easy it is.
Get the Recipe: Vegan White Chickpea Chili

Hearty Vegan Bean Chili Recipe

A bowl of chili topped with avocado slices, cilantro, jalapeño, and a tortilla chip, with more chili and fresh avocado in the background.
Hearty Vegan Bean Chili Recipe. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Loaded and dependable, but still weeknight-friendly. If you’re sorting through veggie mains that don’t need babysitting, land here.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Vegan Bean Chili Recipe

Tofu Fried Rice

A white bowl filled with fried rice, featuring pieces of chicken, peas, carrots, and chopped vegetables, with a spoon resting in it.
Tofu Fried Rice. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Leftovers? Meet your upgrade. This fried rice slides easily into the list of veggie mains that know how to use up what’s already in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice

Vegan Couscous Salad With Tofu

A wooden bowl filled with a fresh salad of cucumber, tomatoes, feta, and croutons, with lemon wedges. Nearby are tomatoes, cucumber pieces in a bowl, garlic, and a fork on a white surface.
Vegan Couscous Salad With Tofu. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

It’s light but not forgettable, which is harder than it sounds. Great for anyone wanting veggie mains that don’t try too hard but still work.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad With Tofu

Smashed White Bean and Kale Quesadillas with BBQ Dip

A plate with two spinach and cheese quesadilla wedges, next to a bowl of dipping sauce.
Smashed White Bean and Kale Quesadillas with BBQ Dip. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one feels like comfort food without turning your kitchen into chaos. Solid choice for low-effort veggie mains.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean and Kale Quesadillas with BBQ Dip

Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe

Three slices of lentil loaf topped with tomato glaze, garnished with chopped herbs, on a white background.
Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Classic meatloaf vibes without the meat—or the long list of ingredients. It’s the kind of veggie main that wins over skeptics.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe

Homemade Vegetable Soup Recipe

Vegetable soup in a pot with sliced carrots, parsley, and yellow squash in broth.
Homemade Vegetable Soup Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Got a fridge full of odds and ends? This soup pulls them together into a proper dinner without much fuss, which is always welcome when sorting out veggie mains.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Vegetable Soup Recipe

Kung Pao Chickpeas

A bowl of chickpeas with vegetables like bell peppers and onions on rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. Another bowl and spoon with chickpeas are nearby.
Kung Pao Chickpeas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bold flavor without the bold mess. This one gets bonus points for turning pantry basics into veggie mains worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas

Easy Tomato Fritters

A plate of vegetable fritters is served with a small bowl of creamy sauce and garnished with fresh basil leaves.
Easy Tomato Fritters. Photo credit: A Virtual Vegan.

These are crispy, fast, and low on drama. Definitely one of the quicker veggie mains when the clock’s ticking.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tomato Fritters

Sweet Potato Fajitas with Zesty Lime Sauce

Two tortillas filled with grilled chicken strips, red and yellow bell peppers, and avocado slices, served with a small wooden bowl of creamy dipping sauce.
Sweet Potato Fajitas with Zesty Lime Sauce. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Roasting brings the flavor, but the prep stays chill. These fajitas are perfect when your veggie mains need something bold but breezy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fajitas with Zesty Lime Sauce

Spinach Artichoke Feta Lasagna

A slice of lasagna topped with basil on a plate alongside a mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes and a fork.
Spinach Artichoke Feta Lasagna. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Feels like a big deal, but doesn’t wreck your evening. Not many veggie mains walk that line this well.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Feta Lasagna

Easy Cheesy Stuffed Shells

A glass baking dish filled with baked pasta shells topped with melted cheese and tomato pieces on a wooden surface.
Easy Cheesy Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Honest And Truly.

It’s cheesy without trying too hard and won’t hijack your whole evening. Put this on your veggie mains list when you need a win.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Easy Carrot and Red Lentil Soup Recipe with Tomatoes

A bowl of tomato soup garnished with a bay leaf, placed on a white plate with a spoon beside it. A yellow cloth is partially visible in the background.
Easy Carrot and Red Lentil Soup Recipe with Tomatoes. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

It’s warming, not complicated, and doesn’t need a pile of dishes. For veggie mains that deliver without drama, this one’s solid.
Get the Recipe: Easy Carrot and Red Lentil Soup Recipe with Tomatoes

Sweet and Sour Tofu

A bowl of sweet and sour chicken with bell peppers and sesame seeds, served over white rice. Chopsticks rest beside the bowl.
Sweet and Sour Tofu. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Hits that sweet spot of flavor and speed. If you want veggie mains that actually hold your interest, this one earns a place.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Tofu

Easy Zucchini Curry

A bowl of white rice topped with a lemon slice, next to a zucchini and vegetable curry garnished with cilantro.
Easy Zucchini Curry. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

All the cozy curry vibes, none of the marathon cooking. You’ll want this one on standby for veggie mains that work with your week.
Get the Recipe: Easy Zucchini Curry

Easy Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew Recipe

Bowl of chickpea and pumpkin stew with a bay leaf garnish, displayed on a striped cloth, with a small bowl of peppercorns beside it.
Easy Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew Recipe. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Hearty but still easy enough to throw together midweek. This stew earns its keep in the veggie mains lineup.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew Recipe

Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry

A plate of tofu and broccoli stir-fry garnished with sesame seeds, served with a fork on a checkered tablecloth.
Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Fast, crisp, and not short on flavor. This one proves veggie mains can be speedy without being forgettable.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry

Vegetable Curry

A pot of vegetable curry with chickpeas, spinach, and red peppers being stirred with a wooden spoon. Served next to a bowl of rice and garnished with fresh herbs.
Vegetable Curry. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Comforting and flexible, especially when the fridge looks uninspiring. A solid pick when veggie mains need to save the day.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Curry

Easy Vegan Falafel Bowl

A bowl of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and falafel topped with white sauce. A glass bottle with yellow liquid is partially visible in the background.
Easy Vegan Falafel Bowl. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Throw it all in a bowl and call it a day. This one’s a favorite for veggie mains that don’t overstay their welcome.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Falafel Bowl

Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe with Parmesan

A bowl of pasta with grated cheese on top, placed on a wooden table next to zucchinis and a plate with sliced bread and butter.
Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe with Parmesan. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Creamy, simple, and uses up that zucchini before it gets sad. One of those veggie mains that quietly wins the week.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe with Parmesan

Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Two spinach and cheese baked stuffed mushrooms topped with breadcrumbs on a white plate, garnished with chopped parsley. A fork rests nearby.
Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. Photo credit: Sage Alpha Gal.

No need to overthink this—just stuff, bake, and serve. Perfect for when veggie mains need to look a little fancy without the chaos.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Three roasted squash halves filled with quinoa, chickpeas, red onions, and herbs in a black skillet.
Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This one hits the cozy mark without turning into a project. It earns its spot among veggie mains that look like you tried (even if you didn’t).
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

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