One of the great things about vegetables is that they’re naturally full of flavor, so rarely do they need anything more than a sprinkle of salt and pepper, as far as seasonings go. It would seem that putting together a memorable vegetarian dish should be easy, as a result of the vegetables already being tasty, but I often find myself running out of ideas when it comes to creating meat-free dishes.

When I come across vegetarian recipes and study the ingredients, I realize that most of the time, what makes a recipe tasty is the simple combination of veggies and starches. For instance, Mcassid1’s Potato Quesadillas recipe calls for ingredients like, potatoes, onions, and vegetable broth. As these basic ingredients cook together, their flavor comes out even more - it’s that simple.

Chili is another delicious meal that I often add meat to, thinking ground beef or turkey will make the dish taste better, but there are other ingredients I can add, like vinegar and even cinnamon! Mentat’s Spicy Two-Bean Vegetarian Chili is loaded with protein and an array of spices, you won’t be missing the ground beef after eating this chili. But if you’re in the mood for something a little more meaty, then CynMaria’s Baked Spaghetti Pie will appeal to you. You can sink your teeth into the portobellos, they’re thick and hearty…mushrooms!

As for a healthy and light dish, cenfield’s Quinoa Salad is just that. Ingredients like sweet corn and tart cranberries liven up the look and flavor of this colorful dish that can even be served as a side.