Vegetarian Italian Recipes

Italian cuisine is probably one of the best for vegetarians. There are plenty of classic vegetarian dishes, and most things that aren't vegetarian to begin with can be easily adapted. This vegetarian Italian recipe index includes both, as well as all kinds of dishes that contain pasta, whether or not those particular combinations are eaten in Italy.
 

Alfredo Sauce
A rich and creamy Italian sauce, usually served over fettucine. It's also delectable in spinach lasagna and with ravioli.

Antipasto
Antipasto, which means "before food" in Italian, is a salad-like appetizer consisting of various fresh and pickled vegetables, cheeses, and rolled or sliced meats. For vegetarian antipasto, you can either subsitute mock meat products or leave them out altogether.

Barley Soup
This barley soup recipe from Sicily is a perfect vegan alternative to chicken soup when you're feeling under the weather.

Broiled Ricotta Gnocchi
Gnocchi are usually treated like a variety of pasta and served with sauce. But these broiled ricotta gnocchi are great served plain or as dumplings.

Calzone
A calzone is a turnover or pocket made with pizza dough and filled with veggies, cheese, and pretty much anything else you put on pizza.

Caponata - Sweet and Sour Eggplant
This eggplant appetizer from southern Italy can be eaten as a side dish or on top of bread.

Caprese
This tomato-mozzarella-basil dish is my favorite starter; even though I make it myself regularly, I always order it when I eat out.

Eggplant Parmigiana / Parmesan
This classic vegetarian dish is a perfect main course served alongside/atop plain pasta.

Fresh Pasta
Making fresh pasta takes less than an hour and you can't beat it for taste and texture. Kids will love the different color possibilities.

Grilled Tomato Sauce
This easy sauce is rich and delicious.

Italian Sandwich
Red, white, and green always make me think of Italy, and mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil are a classic combination.

Italian-Style Baked Onions
This is a very simple alternative to carmelized onions - it takes longer than carmelizing onions on the stovetop, but requires almost no work at all.

Italian-Style Macaroni and Cheese
Try this macaroni and cheese made with great Italian cheeses.

Lasagne
Vegetarian lasagne is easy and delicious. Here's a variation on the classic red sauce version, with some extra vegetables.

Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is one of those dishes that sound boring, but can be just as delicious as a "fancier" pasta dish like lasagne or pesto.

Macaroni Salad
A simple but tasty dish. Macaroni salad is great for picnics and buffets, or as a side dish.

Minestrone Soup
This classic Italian soup is always vegan, as long as you leave off the parmesan cheese.

Mushroom Lasagne
Three kinds of mushrooms combine with cheese, garlic, and pasta into a lovely main course.

Noodles and Cheese
I don't know where this recipe comes from or if there's a nicer name for it; all I know is that my mother used to make it when I was a kid and it only has 5 ingredients. The buttery, almost smoky onion flavor and the melty cottage cheese are absolutely delicious!

Panzanella
Panzanella is a bread and vegetable salad from Tuscany. It's a pretty flexible recipe, as long as you have the two most important ingredients: very ripe tomatoes and day-old, good country bread.

Pesto
This classic Italian sauce is rich and intense.

Pizza
Making homemade pizza is one of the best and most creative ways of proving that meat is not a necessary part of a human's diet. Also see my pages on pizza dough and toppings.

Polenta
Polenta is a thick cornmeal mush served as a side dish to stew, or topped with vegetables, sauce, and/or cheese.

Primavera Sauce
Pasta Primavera is the perfect springtime dish, filled with fresh vegetables.

Ricotta Gnocchi
Gnocchi are little Italian dumplings served with sauce. Usually made with potatoes, the best gnocchi are like soft pillows. Personally, I find they are even more delectable when made with ricotta cheese.

Rosemary Focaccia
Rosemary focaccia, from Italy, is one of my favorite breads in the world, and the hardest part of this recipe is waiting for the dough to rise.

Strawberry Sorbet
When it's hot out, a cool strawberry sorbet really hits the spot.

Stuffed Shells
Pasta shells stuffed with cheese, topped with tomato sauce, and baked until bubbly.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
A variation on a classic Italian sauce: basil pesto mixed with the interesting flavor of sun-dried tomatoes.

Sun-Dried Tomato Salad
This tangy dish is easy to prepare and is especially delicious in the summertime.

Tomato Garlic Sauce
A rich, garlic-heavy sauce that goes especially well with pasta, eggplant, and goat cheese.

Tomato Sauce
This is my own Italian tomato sauce recipe which I have been making for years. It works equally well with pasta, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, and pizza recipes.

Tortellini Salad
A very simple yet surprisingly tasty salad, perfect as a first course or on a picnic.

Tortellini Soup
This garlicky soup is easy, quick, and delicious.

Tuscan Bean Dip
This elegant bean dip is known as fagioli in fiasco, or beans in a bottle. Traditionally made in Tuscany in a Chianti bottle cooked in embers in a brick oven, this modern version is creamy and delicious.

White Bean Salad
This is a simple and delicious recipe, perfect for a summer picnic.

Wild Mushroom Risotto
Wild mushroom risotto is earthy and unbelievably rich. It takes some time at the stove, but is well worth it for a special dinner.

Recipes by Cuisine

Vegetarian Recipes A to Z

If you have a favorite Italian recipe that you would like to share please do so on the forum!

Sign up for my free Veggie Table newsletter to find out about new features as they appear, including the week's new recipes and articles.

About Me ~ About This Site