cheap to make vegetarian meals?

Question

buying precooked vegitarian meals can get expensive, so what are some cheap, easy to make vegitarian meals.

Answer 1

Try out this recipe...it is fantastic.
Pav Bhaji - Indian One pot meal


Ingredients:
Potatoes – 3 cups, diced small
Cauliflower – 2 cups, finely chopped
Frozen Green Peas – 1 cup
Carrots – ½ cup, diced small
Salt – 1 tsp (to taste)
Haldi(Turmeric) – ¼ tsp
Water – 1/2 cup
Oil – 1 Tbsp
Butter – 1 Tbsp
Jeera (Cumin Seeds) – ½ tsp
Hing (Asofoetida) – pinch
Red Chili Powder – ¼ tsp (to taste)
Onion – 1 medium, finely chopped
Garlic – 2 tsp, minced
Ginger – 2 tsp, minced
Tomato – 1 medium, chopped
Tomato Sauce – ½ cup (1/2 of 8 oz. can)
Pav Bhaji Masala – 2 tsp (to taste)
Dhania Powder – 1 tsp
Lemon Juice – ½ tsp (to taste)
Cilantro – 5 sprigs, chopped (for garnishing)

Method:
In a microwave safe dish, add Potatoes, Cauliflower, Green Peas, Carrots, Salt, Haldi and Water – Mix well.
Cook till the vegetables get cooked and are soft.
Heat Oil and Butter in a non-stick pan.
Add Jeera and allow it to sputter.
Add Hing and Red Chili Powder.
Add Onions, Garlic and Ginger – stir well.
Cook until Oil starts to separate.
Add Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce and mix well.
Cook until Oil starts to separate again.
Add Pav Bhaji Masala and Dhania Powder – mix well and cook for 1 minute.
Add Vegetables and lightly mash.
Add Lemon Juice and adjust Salt/Chili Powder/Pav Bhaji Masala.
Cook for 5 minutes.
Garnish with Cilantro.

Tips:
Serve with toasted hamburger buns or potato rolls.
Sprinkle some finely chopped onions on the bhaji when serving.
Add a little pat of butter to the bhaji when serving….mmmm! (…only if your cholesterol isn’t through the roof!)

Answer 2

Do you eat dairy? If so..I've been trying to find cheap,quick and easy things to make when you are cooking for one.
Take a loaf of garlic bread,cover with sun-dried tomato pesto and feta cheese and broil. (i also put cut up pieces of qourn, the best fake chicken there is) I then had leftover pesto to mix with porcini mushroom tortellini another night.

Answer 3

Do you eat fish and dairy products? coz that would make a big difference.

Pasta with vegetables example a spinach sauce or grilled coloured peppers, spinach and tomato lasagna, courgette souffle (this is amazing but only for vegeterians not vegans..needs eggs), i even make vegeterian pizza...basically you can make just about anything. If the reciepe requires meat substitute tofu or soya chunks for the meat.

Answer 4

Vegetarian Quick N Easy Pasta [2 servings]

1 cup frozen vegetables (whatever you like)
1 1/2 cups pasta
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 tomato, chopped
3-4 mushrooms (optional)
1 bouillon cube (maggi)
3-4 tablespoons your favourite red pasta sauce
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce or your favourite hot sauce (optional)
4 teaspoons low-fat cheese, 2 tsp per serving (optional)
1 tablespoon oil

Boil the pasta till its aldente.
Heat the oil, add the chopped onions and tomato, then add the frozen veggies and mushrooms and the tomato sauce with 1/2 cup water.
Sprinkle the bullion cube into the pan.
Let it cook till done (water is almost evaporated).
Taste it add salt and pepper and hot sauce if needed.
Stir in the pasta.
Stir in the cheese at this time if needed.
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Easy Vegetarian Chili [8 serv; ready in 55 min]

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onions
3/4 cup chopped carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped
1 (19 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions, carrots, and garlic until tender. Stir in green pepper, red pepper, celery, and chili powder. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes.
Stir in mushrooms, and cook 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, kidney beans, and corn. Season with cumin, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Answer 5

but a couple boxes of cereal, cartons of soymilk and a big tall thing of quaker quick oats
there, you've got fast and cheap breakfast to last you a while..

buy a loaf of whole wheat bread and a jar of peanut butter and another of jelly, and some small boxes of mac and cheese
you've got cheap and fast lunch to last a while..

and then buy tons of veggies and fruits [cheap, easy and yummy] eat them as snacks and with meals..


now for dinner be creative and have fun with it


Eating doesn't have to be expensive or boring..
make it fun! =]

Answer 6

Two that we really like are mock tuna salad and Mexican pasta salad. You can search for the recipes in the blog at http://www.veggieboards.com

We also have stir fry every so often, just rice and frozen veggies with some sauce.

Answer 7

Any pre-cooked foods are expensive;-{ you're paying for the cooking & packaging.
The big problem with vegetarian diets is getting protein.
We evolved from meat eaters, with fruit & nuts added.
If you're vegan that eliminates milk, cheese, & eggs.
So you're left with tofu & beans.
The good news is there are lots of types of beans.
Unless you get gas, then you'll need enzymes too.

Answer 8

I buy flavored TVP's from honeyvillefoods.com and use them to make the dishes I grew up with. It's easy and tasty. I replace milk with soy or rice, and you get egg replacer too so you can virtually make any of your favorites.