Kid Friendly Budget Vegetarian Recipes...Help!

[HeatherC]

I have been trying to make more meatless meals, but desperately need some ideas. Wondering if anyone has some they would like to share?

Thinking this could be like the crockpot thread where we can all get some inspiration on cooking healthier on a budget.

Thanks!

 

[merekc]

Pierogi (potato/cheese)- available for $2-$3 a box in the frozen section. Thaw it per box directions. Pan fry it with a little olive oil and sliced onions. Pierogi should be golden brown, onions should be carmelized, may have to remove pierogi to finish onions. Will feed 4-5 (I think).

 

[ladyhawk14624]

My oldest daughter was a vegetarian for quite a while. I have a few recipes that I can send you. For the most part they are casseroles because let's face it they are cheap and cheerful. I will PM you with them. Hopefully they won't be too big to send.

 

[HeatherC]

Wow! Thank you guys!

 

[jennifermae]

I would like some ideas for vegetarian casseroles.....My middle child will not eat meat but casseroles are so easy and cheap...but all the recipes I have for them use meat....

 

[ladyhawk14624]

I just sent you a PM with 3 recipes. Hope you like them. They are favorites of my family. Laurie

 

[lovemygoofy]

Veggie lasagna:

lasagna noodles
frozen chopped spinach
onions chopped
garlic
tomatoes diced
squash/eggplant/italian squash(whatever you have on hand) diced
mushrooms
pasta sauce
shredded cheese

I didn't put measurements because it depends on what size pan you use.

Saute the thawed spinach in olive oil with onions, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes and the eggplant/squash diced.

I build a regular lasgna with the spinach mixture and cheese and pasta sauce. Last weeks spinach lasgna was with alfredo sauce but just as good with red sauce.

Veggie chili mac

Elbow macaroni
chili seasoning
tomato sauce
black beans drained
corn
bell peppers chunked
onions
squash or eggplant chunked

Saute the squash or eggplant in olive oil with peppers and onions until just soft. Mix in chili seasoning and corn.

Boil macaroni in large pot and drain. Add in sauted veggies, tomato sauce and drained black beans. Let simmer for about 10 minutes making sure nothing is sticking on bottom. May have to add a touch of water or more tomato sauce. I serve with shredded cheese and corn bread.

Other veggie meals:

veggie quiche
bean and rice burritos
spinach and bean quesadillas
pasta and sauce with veggies no meat
veggie pizza--love spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes on alfredo

 

[SDSorority]

http://www.anniessimplelife.blogspot.com

I have tons of recipes on my veggie blog

 

[encinc]

Veggie chili mac

Elbow macaroni
chili seasoning
tomato sauce
black beans drained
corn
bell peppers chunked
onions
squash or eggplant chunked

Saute the squash or eggplant in olive oil with peppers and onions until just soft. Mix in chili seasoning and corn.

Boil macaroni in large pot and drain. Add in sauted veggies, tomato sauce and drained black beans. Let simmer for about 10 minutes making sure nothing is sticking on bottom. May have to add a touch of water or more tomato sauce. I serve with shredded cheese and corn bread.

Yum! The recipes all sound great, but this one in particular sounds like a great recipe for this time of year! My kids will eat almost anything if it has pasta in it. I'm going to try it this weekend. Thanks!

 

[ladyhawk14624]

Here's my three that we use all the time.

Pasta Carbonara
8 oz uncooked spaghetti
1 cup frozen peas
1 jar Alfredo sauce
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Cook spaghetti, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking time. Drain, return to saucepan.

Stir cheese and sauce into cooked spaghetti and peas. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated.

If you have meat eaters in the family then add cooked chicken to their portions. Stir thoroughly.


CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE
**For vegetarian option – omit chicken, use vege bouillon instead of chicken and add some mixed veges to the casserole before baking.

4 cups cooked rice
¼ cup margarine
¼ cup flour
2 cups milk
2 tsp. chicken bouillon
Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper
4 cups cut up cooked chicken
12 ounces American cheese
2 cups (16 oz) sour cream
1 sleeve Ritz crackers – crushed

Spread rice into a greased 13x9x2 pan; set aside. In a saucepan, melt the margarine; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk, bouillon, salt, garlic, onion and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 more minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Be careful – stir it well or it will burn on the bottom of the pan! Remove the pan from the heat and add the cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted then add the sour cream and the chicken. Stir until all blended. Pour over rice. Top with the crushed Ritz crackers. Bake, uncovered for 10-15 minutes at 400.




VEGETARIAN TACO CASSEROLE

3 cups crushed Baked Tostitos (I like multi-grain)
1 cup frozen hash browns (I use the cubed ones not the shredded ones)
3 cups cooked rice (brown or white)
1 cup salsa
1 can black beans
Garlic powder, onion powder

Spray 8 ½ by 11 pan with Pam. Put 2 cups of the crushed chips in the bottom. Fry up hashed browns with garlic and onion. In a bowl combine rice, salsa, beans and hash browns. Transfer to a baking pan. Top with the last of the crushed chips. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

 

[hpfan100]

yummy I'm glad I spied on this thread. now I have more recipes to try.

I was going to suggest soups as an easy and yummy way to eat meatless.

Veggie chili and mixed bean and veggie soup are my favorites. I can't wait until the temps are under 80 so I can make some.

I have a couple of good veggie cookbooks...I'll check the kids section and see what I discover.

 

[minniebeth]

Jessica Seinfeld (Jerry's wife ) has an awesome cookbook called "Deceptively Delicious" with great nutritious recipes that are kid/family and budget friendly. I get it out of the library often but have yet to copy any of the recipes, or I'd share some. I would suggest checking it out ~ (ha ha out of the library and looking at the recipes! )

 

[mommytomy3]

my dd decided last may that she wanted to be a vegetarian too (she will eat eggs and milk)...2 things she loves that I make for her are, lentil tacos (they are really good! even my dh loves them!) and a bow tie macaroni with spinach and tomatoes dish

 

[etoiles]

Quessadillas are always cheap and easy to make! Lots of fillings for them too.

One thing I do is do a freezer cooking day and this time one of the things I made up were Black Bean Burgers. I made a double batch of 8 burgers. They freeze well and then just microwave them when you are ready to eat. DH who isn't a vegetarian even specially requests these.

Also Southwest wraps are easy and I make a bunch and put them in the freezer. I use refried beans (I make my own but canned is also very cheap), salsa, dried onions and shredded cheddar cheese and mix it all together. Then I roll it up inside tortillas and it's done! I pop them in freezer bags and freeze them for later. Then just bake or microwave and dinner is done (salad or something easy for a side). I have sometimes also addded sauteed onion/pepper or black beans to them as well. Super budget as well.

Something else that is quick and easy are tacos and we make them regularly. I use Morningstar crumbles which are not always cheap but you could also use beans. Mix with taco seasoning and add toppings.

Tortilla soup is also one of our favorites. I saute onion and pepper and add crushed tomatoes, veggie broth, black beans, and corn. Add cumin and chili powder. Cook together and serve with avacado, tortilla chips and shredded cheddar.

Also veggie meatloaf is a huge hit which even my carnivore loving MIL adores and requests.

I love casseroles and would love to get the casserole recipes!

 

[ilovepete]

Blackbean Tacos with Lime & Avocado
Mushroom Stroganoff
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Honey Baked Lentils
Cheese & Bean Quesadillas

 

[barkley]

if you are just seeking menu ideas, if anyone is interested i have kind of unique resource for this.

one of my kids goes to a school that is associated with a strictly vegetarian boarding school (ds goes to the day only school), so the cafeteria ds eats at is strictly vegetarian. weekly i get sent the menus which list the breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. it never ceases to amaze me how varied and well balanced their menu is, and that they accomplish this on a pretty strict budget while catering to a teen population.

if anyone is interested i could post some of the menus, just let me know if you are looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner ideas.

 

[encinc]

if you are just seeking menu ideas, if anyone is interested i have kind of unique resource for this ... if anyone is interested i could post some of the menus, just let me know if you are looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner ideas.

I'd love to see some of the lunch and dinner ideas. Always looking for cheap, healthy meal ideas here!

 

[redwingfan3991]

if anyone is interested i could post some of the menus, just let me know if you are looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner ideas.[/QUOTE]


I would be interested in the menus

 

[barkley]

here you go-these are 2 week's of what the school would be serving.

("chiken" is the vegetarian meat substitute, as is "burgar", "fruit" is fresh fruit)

sunday
brunch-french toast, breakfast strips, strawberries/whp. cream, grits, fruit
dinner-grillers, cottage fries, salad bar, fruit, ice cream bars

monday
brkfast-hashbrowns, bfast links, peaches, malt o meal, fruit
lunch-cutlets, msh. tatos/gravy, corn&peas, salad bar, fruit
dinner-chiken nuggets, green chili rice, veggies, salad bar, fruit

tuesday
brkfast-brkfst buritos, tofu, pears, cream of wheat, fruit
lunch-mac and cheese, steamed tatos, italian green beans, salad bar, fruit, cookies
dinner-grilled cheese, tomato soup, grean beans, chips, salad bar, fruit

wednesday
brkfast-pancakes, prosage roll, apple sauce, oatmeal, fruit
lunch-pizza, salad bar, fruit, ice cream
dinner-fajitas, white rice, creamed corn, salad bar, fruit

thursday
brkfast-muffins, scrambled eggz (substitute), tri taters, pineapple, fuit
lunch-veggie burgers, french fries, salad bar, pudding, fruit
dinner-chiken ala king, puff pastry shells, peaches, salad bar, fruit

friday
brkfast-crepes, cream cheese, hot fruit, cream of wheat, fruit
lunch-burrito bar, haystacks, salad bar, fresh fruit, brownies
dinner-burger noodle bake, mini muffins, snap peas, salad bar, fruit

saturday
brkfast-sweet rolls, peaches, cereal, fruit
lunch-manicotti, scalloped potato, great beans, carrots, salad bar, pie
dinner-hot dogz, chili, chips, salad bar, fruit


week 2

sunday
brunch-srambled eggz (substitute), tri taters, pears, cereal, fruit
dinner- pizza buns, salad, fruit, yogurt

monday
brkfast-pancakes, stripples, applesauce, ceral, fruit
lunch-spaghetti, red and white sauces, green beans, corn, bread sticks, salad bar, fruit
dinner-fried chiken, augratin potatos, mixed veggies, salad bar, fruit

tuesday
brkfast-muffins, hasbrowns, breakfast patties, peaches, fruit
lunch-cheeseburger loaf, mashed tatos, snap peas, salad bar, fruit, cookies
dinner-chiken burritos, white rice, stirfry veggies, salad bar, fruit

wednesday
brkfast-waffles, breakfast links, strawberries, oatmeal, fruit
lunch-sack lunches (they put out stuff to make sandwich with along with chips, fruit and cookies)
dinner-nacho bar, chili, broccoli, creamed corn, salad bar, fruit

thursday
brkfast-biscuits and gravy, tater tots, mandarin oranges, grits, fruit
lunch-pasta primavera, steamed tatos, italian green beans, fruit, ice cream
dinner-fried rice, bagels and cream cheese, cottage cheese, salad bar, fruit

friday
brkfast-"egg mcmuffin" (egg substitute and veggie pattie), tofu, cream of wheat, cereal, fruit
lunch-enchiladas, spanish rice, peas&corn, corn bread, salad bar
dinner-corn dogz, tomato soup, grean beans, chips, salad bar, fruit

saturday
brkfast-sweet rolls, peaches, cereal, fruit
lunch-rotelle marzetti, dinner rolls, broccoli, carrots, salad bar, cake
dinner-sandwhich bar, chips, salad bar, fruit, chef's surpise dessert.



i'm not vegetarian but i could happily subsist on this.

 

[encinc]

Veggie chili mac

Elbow macaroni
chili seasoning
tomato sauce
black beans drained
corn
bell peppers chunked
onions
squash or eggplant chunked

I made this one tonight using butternut squash and fresh tomatoes. It was yummy! Even my picky kids loved it. Thanks for sharing!