What started as a viral “20 in 20” series (20 dinners in under 20 minutes) on Instagram has turned into one of the most-requested recipe collections here on The Foodie Diaries — quick and easy vegetarian dinner recipes, ready in a jiffy with your usual pantry staples, for the nights you want something delicious without the effort.
Whether you’re a full-time vegetarian or simply looking to add more plant-forward dishes to your everyday meals, there’s plenty of speedy inspiration here to get you going — from tofu and stir-fries to noodles, curries, and more. Every recipe in this series is built for the way people actually cook on weeknights: with a handful of ingredients, minimal cleanup, and maximum flavour.
Quick Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
To make things easier to navigate, we’ve grouped the recipes by their key ingredient focus — think tofu-forward dishes, veggie-packed bowls, rice, noodle & pasta mains — so you can jump straight to whatever you’re in the mood for.
Tofu & Stir Fries
Coconut Lime Tofu
This coconut lime tofu is rich, creamy, takes minutes to make but tastes as though it’s been simmering for hours! Serve it over rice for a quick and delicious one-pan dinner
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Sticky Garlic Basil Tofu
Sticky garlic basil tofu with a savoury soy glaze, fresh basil for brightness, and a hint of heat. This quick, flavour-packed recipe comes together in under 20 minutes – perfect for an easy, nourishing weeknight meal.
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Korean-Style Braised Tofu
Crisp and golden tofu braised in a spicy, savoury and intensely-rich sauce – this one-pan tofu is inspired by the classic Korean dish, Dubu Jorim. It's as simple as it is soul-stirring, pairing perfectly with rice for a deliciously-healthy and wholesome meal.
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Spicy Sesame Tofu
Sometimes you really need to eat an entire block of tofu and this melt-in-your-mouth recipe is how you do it. Serve it as is or over a bowl of rice / noodles and DIVE IN!
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Kung Pao Tofu
Packed with protein and veggies, this one-pan Kung Pao Tofu is brimming with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy and savoury flavours. Serve it over rice for a complete meal in itself!
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Veggies in Focus
Spicy Asian-Style Cauliflower Wings
These sticky garlicky crispy cauliflower wings are proof that cauliflower is one of the most underrated and versatile veggies to cook with! Serve these as an appetiser or as part of a hearty meal paired with rice.
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Korean Vegetable Pancakes (Yachaejeon)
Crispy on the outside, soft and flaky on the inside and packed with veggies – these savoury Korean pancakes are perfect as an appetiser or side dish, paired with a light dipping sauce.
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Marry Me Mushrooms
Move over “marry me chicken” – because these "Marry Me Mushrooms" are swoon-worthy, simmered in a creamy garlicky tangy tomato sauce strewn with fresh wisps of basil. Pair it with crusty bread to mop up every last bite!
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Spicy Garlicky Lemon-Herb Cauliflower Bowl
This roasted cauliflower bowl with a garlicky lemon herb dressing is perfect for a deliciously-healthy lunch or dinner! It elevates the humble cauli with a medley of beautiful colours, flavours and textures – softly-charred on the outside and buttery on the inside, smothered with a lemony garlicky herb oil.
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Rice
Butter Garlic Fried Rice
A no-fuss butter garlic fried rice recipe – rich, garlicky, and ready in minutes with a few key pantry staples.
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Spicy Egg Fried Rice
Simple, flavorful, and ready in minutes—this fiery egg fried rice is an elevated take on a classic recipe, balancing a softly-scrambled creamy texture with spicy shades of heat!
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Butter Garlic Corn Rice
This riff on a classic fried rice stars a sizzling spicy garlicky butter paired with sweet and savoury sweetcorn and fragrant herbs.
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Pasta & Noodles
Hidden Veggie Pasta
If you’re at the end of a long day and craving something nutritious yet delicious, served up with minimal effort – this is it! If you don’t have an oven, you can just cook the veggies on the stovetop until they’ve softened and charred.
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Easy Arrabiata recipe
Literally translating to "angry" – Arrabiata is a fiery Italian pasta starring an intensely-rich tomato sauce layered with heat.
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Ten Minute Spicy Sesame Noodles
These easy spicy sesame noodles are a creamy, nutty and fiery weeknight favourite ready in under 10 minutes.
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Coriander Lime Noodles
Bright, zesty, and lightly spicy – these ten minute noodles are tossed in a fragrant chilli oil base. This quick and flavour-packed dish is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
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Firecracker Ramen
This fiery yet creamy noodle soup comes together with a burst of flavours that are spicy, savoury and rich in umami
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We’d love to hear from you! Do let us know if you try this recipe – you can leave a comment below and/ or tag us in your delicious creations on Instagram @the_foodiediaries.
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