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10 Cheap Vegetarian Meals You Can Make Tonight

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If you’re looking for cheap vegetarian meals that are simple, satisfying, and full of flavour, you’re in the right place. Eating on a budget doesn’t mean you have to rely on bland or repetitive food—in fact, some of the most delicious meals come from the simplest, most affordable ingredients.

With the cost of groceries rising, more people are turning to vegetarian cooking as a way to save money without compromising on taste or nutrition. Staples like rice, pasta, lentils, beans, eggs, and seasonal vegetables are not only inexpensive, but also incredibly versatile and healthy. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a wide range of meals—from comforting classics like spaghetti and baked potatoes to flavour-packed dishes like chickpea curry and vegetable chili.

This collection of recipes focuses on meals that are:

  • Budget-friendly – using low-cost, easy-to-find ingredients
  • Quick and simple – perfect for busy weeknights
  • Nutritious and filling – packed with plant-based goodness
  • Flexible – easy to adapt based on what you already have

Whether you’re trying to cut down on your food bill, eat less meat, or just need some easy dinner ideas, these recipes are designed to make cooking at home both affordable and enjoyable.

From one-pan dishes to quick stir-fries and hearty soups, these cheap vegetarian meals prove that you don’t need a big budget to eat well every day.

1. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Rice

This vegetable stir-fry is quick, healthy, and perfect for a budget-friendly dinner. It’s one of the easiest cheap vegetarian meals you can make in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2–3 cups mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooked rice or noodles, to serve

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the sliced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 5–7 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp.
  5. Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil (if using). Stir well to coat the vegetables.
  6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

2. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

This is one of the easiest cheap vegetarian meals you can make—simple ingredients, rich flavour, and ready in under 25 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 250g spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato purée
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 50g grated cheese (cheddar or parmesan)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add chopped tomatoes and tomato purée. Stir well to combine.
  5. Add dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
  7. Divide into bowls and top with grated cheese while hot so it melts slightly.

3. Chickpea Curry

This easy chickpea curry is rich, warming, and incredibly affordable. Packed with protein and flavour, it’s one of my favorite weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tin coconut milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooked rice, to serve

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in the garlic, cumin, and curry powder. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavours.
  4. Pour in the chickpeas and chopped tomatoes. Stir well.
  5. Add the coconut milk and mix until combined.
  6. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve hot with cooked rice.
Cheap vegetarian meals can be as delicious as having a chickpea curry

4. Vegetable Fried Rice

This vegetable fried rice is quick, filling, and perfect for using up leftover rice and veggies. It’s one of the easiest cheap vegetarian meals you can make in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked rice (cold is best)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 eggs, beaten (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Spring onions, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook for 4–5 minutes until tender.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Push everything to one side of the pan. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until cooked.
  6. Add the cold rice and break up any clumps with a spoon.
  7. Stir in soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well.
  8. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until heated through.
  9. Top with chopped spring onions if using and serve hot.

5. Bean & Cheese Quesadillas

These bean & cheese quesadillas are one of the easiest cheap vegetarian meals you can make—crispy, cheesy, and ready in minutes.

Ingredients

  • 4 tortillas
  • 1 tin beans (black beans, kidney beans, or refried beans)
  • 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon oil or butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: salsa, sour cream, or chopped coriander

Instructions

  1. If using whole beans, mash them lightly in a bowl. Stir in cumin, salt, and pepper.
  2. Spread the bean mixture over half of each tortilla. Sprinkle grated cheese on top.
  3. Fold each tortilla in half to create a half-moon shape
  4. Heat oil or butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
  5. Cook each quesadilla for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
  6. Remove from the pan, slice into wedges, and serve hot.
  7. Serve with salsa, sour cream, or fresh coriander for extra flavour.
If you're looking for cheap vegetarian meals, nothing can be tastier than these

6. Lentil Soup

This hearty lentil soup is one of the best cheap vegetarian meals—filling, nutritious, and made with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery sticks, chopped (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup dried lentils (rinsed)
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or mixed herbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add the lentils, chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, and herbs.
  5. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a boil.
  6. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 25–30 minutes, until the lentils are tender.
  7. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve hot, optionally with bread.
hearty and affordable lentil broth cheap vegetarian meals

Baked Potatoes with Cheese & Beans (Cheap Vegetarian Meals)

This classic comfort food is one of the easiest cheap vegetarian meals—filling, affordable, and perfect for a quick dinner.

Ingredients

  • 4 large potatoes
  • 1 tin baked beans (or mixed beans)
  • 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar works well)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: spring onions, sour cream, sweetcorn

Instructions

  1. Set your oven to 200°C (400°F).
  2. Wash the potatoes and prick them a few times with a fork.
  3. Place directly on the oven rack or a baking tray.
    Bake for 45–60 minutes until soft inside and crispy outside.
  4. While the potatoes are baking, heat the beans in a saucepan over medium heat.
  5. Slice each potato down the middle and gently fluff the inside with a fork.
  6. Add a little butter for extra flavour.
  7. Spoon over the hot beans and sprinkle generously with grated cheese.
  8. Add any extra toppings you like and serve hot.
baked potatoes with cheese and beans

8. Vegetable Omelette

This vegetable omelette is quick, healthy, and perfect for a low-cost dinner. It’s one of the easiest cheap vegetarian meals you can make in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon oil or butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or tomatoes)
  • ½ cup grated cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Crack the eggs into a bowl. Add milk (if using), salt, and pepper, then whisk until combined.
  2. Heat oil or butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
  3. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
  4. Add the vegetables and cook for another 3–4 minutes.
  5. Pour the egg mixture into the pan, spreading it evenly over the vegetables.
  6. Cook on low to medium heat until the omelette starts to set.
  7. Sprinkle grated cheese on top.
  8. Carefully fold the omelette in half.
  9. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until fully set and lightly golden.
  10. Slide onto a plate and serve hot.

9. Peanut Butter Noodles

These peanut butter noodles are creamy, savoury, and incredibly easy to make. One of the best cheap vegetarian meals for a quick and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

  • 250g noodles (or spaghetti)
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2–4 tablespoons hot water
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, cabbage, peas, or frozen veg)
  • Optional: spring onions, chili flakes, crushed peanuts

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of water to the boil. Add noodles and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, honey (or sugar), garlic, and hot water. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  3. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
  4. Add the vegetables and cook for 3–4 minutes until tender.
  5. Add the cooked noodles to the pan and toss with the vegetables.
  6. Pour the peanut sauce over the noodles.
  7. Toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through.
  8. Add a little more hot water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  9. Serve hot and top with spring onions, chili flakes, or crushed peanuts if desired.

10. Vegetable Chili

This vegetable chili is rich, filling, and perfect for batch cooking. It’s one of the most satisfying cheap vegetarian meals you can make.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pepper, chopped
  • 1 tin kidney beans, drained
  • 1 tin black beans (or extra kidney beans), drained
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato purée
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: sweetcorn or extra vegetables
  • Rice or bread, to serve

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, and cumin. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavours.
  4. Add the kidney beans, black beans, chopped tomatoes, and tomato purée. Stir well.
  5. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
  6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve hot with rice or bread.
the last of these cheap vegetarian meals is vegetable chili

Final Thoughts on Cheap Vegetarian Meals

Eating well on a budget doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. As you’ve seen from these cheap vegetarian meals, simple ingredients like rice, pasta, beans, lentils, eggs, and vegetables can be turned into a wide variety of delicious, satisfying dinners.

From quick options like vegetable fried rice and omelettes to hearty dishes like lentil soup, chickpea curry, and vegetable chili, these meals prove that you can cook affordable food without sacrificing flavour or nutrition.

One of the biggest advantages of these recipes is how flexible they are. You can easily swap ingredients, use what you already have at home, and rely on low-cost staples like frozen vegetables or canned goods. This not only saves money but also helps reduce food waste.

By cooking in batches, buying in bulk, and keeping your pantry stocked with essentials, you can make cheap vegetarian cooking part of your everyday routine. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, these meals are practical, budget-friendly, and easy to enjoy.

Bottom line: With a little creativity and a few basic ingredients, cheap vegetarian meals can be simple, nourishing, and full of flavour every single day.

Check out these other dinner ideas for under $2 per serving.