Food costs can be a significant concern, especially for students or those on a tight budget. However, eating healthy, delicious vegetarian meals doesn't have to break the bank. This article provides a variety of affordable and easy-to-make vegetarian recipes, along with tips for saving money on groceries.
Why Choose Vegetarianism?
A vegetarian diet involves abstaining from all types of animal meat, including poultry and fish. Many people choose vegetarianism for ethical reasons, considering animal welfare and the environmental impact of the meat industry. There are different types of vegetarians:
- Lacto-ovo vegetarians: Exclude meat and fish but consume dairy products and eggs.
- Vegans: Follow a stricter diet, excluding all meat, fish, and animal-derived products.
Tips for Eating Vegetarian on a Budget
- Shop and cook in bulk: Buying food items in bulk can save money. Prepare large batches of inexpensive meals and store them in the freezer.
- Minimize waste: Use leftovers creatively. If you make too much food, store it properly instead of throwing it away.
- Bag those deals: Collect coupons, take advantage of promotions, and use loyalty cards and discounts.
- Compare prices: Shop around at different stores to find the best deals.
- Use leftovers: Incorporate leftovers into new meals to reduce waste and save money.
Breakfast Recipes
A nutritious breakfast is essential for starting the day off right. Here are some affordable and healthy vegetarian breakfast options:
- Simple Coffee and Oatmeal Breakfast: A hearty and filling way to start the day.
- Two-Ingredient Pancakes: This simple recipe contains just two ingredients (egg and banana) and takes only minutes to prepare.
- Omelette: There's a simple trick to making the perfect omelette.
- Vegan Breakfast Potatoes: A protein-rich and flavorful way to start the day.
- Avocado Toast: A simple but satisfying breakfast.
- Vegan French Toast: A delicious and animal-friendly breakfast option.
Lunch and Dinner Recipes
These vegetarian recipes are perfect for lunch or dinner and can be made on a budget:
Ramen Noodle Salad: A quick and easy gluten-free lunch option.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
- Cook ramen noodles according to package instructions.
- Boil eggs for 7 minutes, then cool and peel.
- Prepare veggies: Grate carrots, halve cherry tomatoes, slice zucchini and scallions.
- Mix sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and peanut butter for the sauce.
- Combine noodles, sauce, veggies, and eggs.
Italian Tomato and Mozzarella Bread: High in calcium and Mediterranean flavor.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich: A protein-packed and flavorful sandwich filling.
Vegan Lentil and Potato Salad: A perfect weight loss recipe.
Sweetcorn Fritters: Made with ingredients you'll always find in your kitchen.
Crispy Potato Lunch: A delicious and nutritious potato dish.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Speedy White Bean Salad: A tangy and tasty salad that's super-quick to make.
Pasta Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing: A healthy and delicious pasta salad.
Creamy Broccoli Pasta: A vegetarian combo that's a real nutrition powerhouse.
Mushrooms on Toast: A delicious vegan take on a trendy cafe food.
Veggie Lentil Tacos: A go-to meal that's both easy and delicious.
Read also: Mobile Dining Revolution
Roasted Creamy Corn Soup: A vegan soup that's full of flavor.
Easy Vegetable Curry: A budget-friendly curry that's great for feeding a crowd.
Tomato & Pasta Soup: A simple, budget-friendly vegetarian soup that's healthy and low in fat.
Speedy Lentil Coconut Curry: A quick and easy curry with great depth of flavor.
Roasted Cauliflower with Tomato & Cashew Sauce: An easy veggie dinner with a creamy sauce.
Curried Chickpea Brothy Pasta: A spiced lentil-based pasta dish with curried chickpeas and kale.
Spicy ‘Vedgeree’: A veggie twist on kedgeree with boiled eggs and a mild curry flavor.
Turbo Beans & Cheese on Toast: An elevated version of beans on toast with tomatoes, garlic, and chilli.
Masala Frittata with Avocado Salsa: A spicy frittata paired with avocado salsa for a light and budget-friendly supper.
Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Crispy Croutons: A vibrant soup with chilli powder and harissa.
Potato, Pea & Egg Curry Rotis: A low-calorie potato curry served with rotis and yogurt.
Black Bean & Tortilla Soup: An easy and satisfying soup made with black beans.
Teriyaki Tofu: Tofu marinated in teriyaki sauce served with broccoli and noodles or rice.
Italian Veggie Cottage Pie: An Italian twist on an English classic with sundried tomato, spinach, and aubergine.
Miso Lentil & Cabbage Soup: A filling soup with green lentils, pancetta, white cabbage, and mushrooms.
Posh Egg, Chips & Beans: A classic egg and chips with smoky beans that's healthy, high in fibre, and low-calorie.
Orzo & Chickpea Soup: A healthy, low-fat, low-calorie soup with orzo, chickpeas, and vegetables.
Beetroot & Feta Pasta: A creamy beetroot and feta pasta that's packed with nutrients.
Red Lentil Soup: A warming and budget-friendly vegetarian soup.
Chole with Cumin Rice & Raita: A chickpea curry served with cumin rice and raita.
Snack and Dessert Recipes
Here are some healthy and affordable vegetarian snack and dessert options:
- Tangy and Tasty Guacamole with Crispy Nachos: High in good fats, fiber, vitamin C, and iron.
- Crispy Tortilla Pizza: A healthier way to eat pizza.
- Healthy Oatmeal Banana Cookies: A delicious and nutritious snack.
- Quick White Bean Spread (vegan pâté): A super fast recipe that works as an appetizer, snack, or party dip.
Additional Tips for Affordable Vegetarian Cooking
- Cook Well-Balanced Meals with Whole Grains: Whole grains offer more nutritional value than processed grains.
- Use Pulses: Pulses like black beans, chickpeas, and lentils are great additions to meals and are especially affordable if you cook them from scratch.
- Grow an Herb Garden: Save money on fresh herbs by growing your own.
- Make Your Own Pesto: Use less expensive greens and nuts to make pesto.
- Eat Eggs! Cheap, tasty and full of goodness, eggs are one of the best sources of protein out there.