16 Vegetarian Recipes for Kids (That They’ll Actually Want to Eat)
Kids can be super-picky eaters, can’t they? But, like most of us, we eat with our eyes first. And vegetarian dishes can be super colorful with a mix of so many different fruits, vegetables and textures. Here are 16 vegetarian recipes kids will love.
RELATED: 40 Easy Vegetarian Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less
1. Vegetarian Stir Fry with Cashew Cream Sauce
Two words: cashew cream. The sauce in this stir-fry is going to turn any kid into a veggie lover.
2. Vegetarian Sushi Cups
All the prettiness of sushi, without dealing with any raw fish? Sign us up for this easy-to-make eye catching dish!
3. Cheesy Roasted Mushroom Melts
Hello, grilled cheese on steroids! Every kid loves grilled cheese, so just amp it up with hearty mushrooms.
4. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
Fair warning, once kids learn of the deliciousness of grilled peaches, they may not go back to the normal way of eating them again. But this meal is so pretty, who wouldn’t want to have it time and time again?
5. Peanut Noodle Soup with Lime Mango
Kids love their PB&J. But how much more will they love peanut butter in a soup?
6. Campfire Baked Potatoes with Crispy Shallots
Swapping the sour cream for green goddess never hurt anyone. Plus, it gives a great pop of color to an otherwise-ho-hum dish! (Thanks, Coterie member Phoebe Lapine.)
7. Kimchi Fried Rice
Much healthier than takeout, we guarantee this one will make a regular appearance on your dinner table. Plus, it’s a great go-to recipe for leftover rice. (Thanks, Coterie member Gaby Dalkin.)
8. Caribbean Black Eyed Pea and Collard Green Curry
What a perfect way to introduce kids to new and creative fusion dishes. And if they have a healthy spin, all the better. (Thanks, Coterie member Gena Hamshaw.)
9. Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Roasted Vegetables
A great way to let the kids try gnocchi is with this sheet pan meal that they can help pull together. They’ll love the crunchy gnocchi.
10. Watermelon Poke Bowls
Kids nowadays are such foodies—what kid wouldn’t be drawn to this colorful poke bowl?
11. Peanut Noodle Jar
Anything in a jar is way cooler then what’s served on a plate. Plus the creamy peanut butter and sweet coconut are flavors kids love.
12. Southwest Sweet Potato Tater Tot Hotdish
Kids will do a double take when you tell them they get tater tots for dinner. Shhhh! You don’t have to tell them how many servings of veggies they are getting in this dish.
13. Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini Boats
What’s lovely about this meal, besides the ease of prep, is that you can totally get kids in the kitchen to help prepare this. This can be a lunch or great side dish at dinner!
14. Vegetarian Summer Wild Mushroom Paella with Chanterelles and Black Trumpet Mushroom
Nothing screams summer like a light rice dish with veggies. The meaty mushrooms will make any carnivore—yes, even kids—fall in love with this easy-to-make one pot meal.
15. Carrot Top Pesto Pizza
What kid has ever said they don’t like pizza, right? The bright red tomatoes and green basil combined with the pop of basil/carrot mixture in the sauce means they won’t be missing that meat at all.
16. Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos
If you struggle to get your kids to eat their veggies, sneak them into their breakfast foods. With broccoli and mushrooms, kids will get a good helping of veggies without realizing it. Plus, they are great to make ahead and store in the freezer for easy reheating. (Thanks, Coterie member Jesse Reilly.)