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31 hot and hearty vegetarian meal ideas for the long, cold season ahead

Meat-free meal ideas to bookmark for blustery days.

Meat-free meal ideas to bookmark for blustery days

CBC Life · Posted: Nov 17, 2021 5:16 PM EST | Last Updated: November 17, 2021

(Photography, left: Leila Ashtari; right: Lauren Toyota)

It's no surprise we're turning to hot and hearty recipes right now. Our body's instinct is to stay warm as it gets cold, and the good feelings brought on by eating so-called comfort food are undeniable. But there's also the appeal of getting back to the simple ritual of making a nice meal on a long, dark evening. Here are 31 satisfying recipes that are meat-free too, including some great vegan options.

Consider what you really want to eat right now, and you might find it right here among these pastas, casserole, soups, stews, curries, egg- and rice-based dishes, and more.

No-Fry Eggplant Parmesan

overhead shot of a white baking dish with eggplant parmesan in it. it's on a wooden table. a slice is missing from the dish and is sitting on a white plate behind the baking dish. — (Credit: Allison Day)

Vegetable Biryani

Overhead shot of a serving plate of biryani on a grey surface. The rice is golden and green beans, carrots, fried onions and cilantro are visible on top. A wooden spoon sits in the rice. — (Photography by Leila Ashtari)

Low-Prep, High-Flavour Porcini Risotto

(Photography by Jack Roy)

Vegan Ragu Bolognese

Closeup on a plate of pasta with bolognese sauce on it. A noodle is twirled on a fork above the plate. — (Photography by Lauren Toyota)

Closeup on a serving dish of paneer makhani. Pink and purple floral arrangements sit on the left and a plate of naan sits on the right. — (Photography by Betty Binon)

Overhead shot of a green plate of Dal aur Sabzi, Lentils with Roasted Carrots and Kale on a white lace tablecloth. A yellow plate of basmati rice sits next to it. — (Photo: Shayma Owaise Saadat)

Root Vegetable Stew with Rosemary Garlic Baguette

Overhead shot of a red dutch oven with a root vegetable stew on a wooden surface. 2 bowls of the stew and a plate with sliced bread sit next to the dutch oven. — (Photo credit: Dennis The Prescott)

Delicata Squash and Mushroom Tart

A rectangular tart with slices of delicata squash on it sitting on a dark grey surface. A slice of the tart is sitting on a small wooden plate. — (Photography by Betty Binon)

Lentil Shepherd's Pie

Creamy Orzo with Roasted Portobello Mushrooms and Sherry-Maple Caramelized Onions

Overhead shot of a grey surface with a beige bowl with roasted mushrooms in it, a black bowl with creamy orzo, and a dark brown bowl with half onions that have been sautéed. — (Photography by Kevin Clark)

Kunde (Black-Eyed Peas and Tomatoes in Peanut Sauce)

Overhead shot of a shallow bowl filled with kunde, black-eyed peas and tomatoes in peanut sauce. It sits on a dark grey surface. — (Photography by Khadija M. Farah & Jennifer May)

Dosas | ദോശ

(Photography by Christian Lalonde)

Mushroom and Brie Wellington with Caramelized Onion Cream

A slice of mushroom and brie pie on a white plate. — (Photo credit: Janis Nicolay)

Overhead shot of a bowl of Khichdi topped with red chili slices, cilantro and a dollop of yogurt. — (Photo: Shayma Owaise Saadat)

Rustic Mushroom & Kale Galette

A galette on a wooden cutting board. It's filled with mushrooms, kale and olives.

Khorak Bademjoon

Overhead shot of Khorak Bademjoon (Eggplant Stew) on a white serving dish, with small bowls of limu omani (dried Persian lime) and mint leaves next to it. — (Photography by Betty Binon)

Savoury Margherita Dutch Baby

(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Grandma Gretzky's Great Perogies

Closeup on a plate of perogies with a spoon with sour cream resting on the side. — (Source: Klorofil Publishing)

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

A skillet with sweet potato gnocchi topped with sage leaves. — (CBC Life)

Vegetarian Ukoy (Fritters) with Chile-Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Vegetarian Ukoy (Fritters) and a clear bowl of Chile-Vinegar Dipping Sauce with 2 yellow chiles in it, sitting on a white platter. — (Photography by Wyatt Conlon)

Vegetarian Tourtière with Tomato Relish

(The Great Canadian Baking Show)

Vegan Philly Cheesesteak

Overhead shot of 3 cheesesteak sandwiches on red-and-white and black-and-white checkered paper on a dark grey platter. The sandwiches have cheese sauce, slices of vegan steak, onions and green bell pepper slices on them. — (Photography by Lauren Toyota)

Winter Pappa al Pomodoro

Overhead shot of 2 black bowls filled with tomato soup topped with basil leaves. They're sitting on a wooden table and surrounded by bread, cheese, and an assortment of cutlery and dishes. — (Photography by Dennis the Prescott)

Vegetarian Meatloaf

Spiced Potato Cakes with Garlicky Tomato Sauce

Smoky Veggie Chili With Sweet Gem & Cheesy Jacket Spuds

(Credit: Jamie Oliver)

Party Pizza with Fennel, Sundried Tomatoes and Olives

overhead shot of a pizza made on a baking sheet, sitting on a grey wooden surface. the pizza has black olives, fennel, and sundried tomatoes on it. — (Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Spinach and Gruyere Sourdough Strata

Overhead shot of a spinach and gruyere strata baked in a white enamelled cast iron pot, sitting on a grey kitchen towel. — (Photography by Allison Day)

Polenta Torta with Gorgonzola and Savoy Cabbage

Hands holding a wooden cutting board with a polenta torta on it. — (Photography: Steve Giralt)

Cauliflower Fritters

An overhead shot of a white plate with three cauliflower fritters and some green sauce on it. A whole roasted cauliflower is sitting next to it. — (Photography by Betty Binon)

Vegan Potato, Leek & Artichoke Chowder

A ladle removing some creamy potato chowder from a light blue dutch oven sitting on a stovetop. — (Photography by Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews)

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