Quick Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

Polenta and Beans

Prepackaged foods you'll need:

— Two tubes of polenta

— Can of black beans

— Box of chopped tomatoes

— Frozen corn

This vegetarian recipe also happens to be gluten free and takes fewer than 30 minutes to whip up. Just slice and pan-fry the polenta and cook the other ingredients together in a saucepan. Top with the bean and tomato mixture, and you've got one quick, satisfying vegan meal for under 300 calories.

Photo: Jenny Sugar

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Veggie Burger and Steamed Kale

Prepackaged foods you'll need:

— Frozen veggie burger patties (Dr. Praegger's California are a fave)

— Whole wheat buns

— Bag of precut and washed kale

This meal couldn't be easier and is a great way to get a taste of Summer during the Winter months. Cook the patty in the toaster oven or pan-fry, toast the bun, and top your burger with baby greens and sliced tomatoes. Serve with kale you've sautéed in oil and garlic. Healthy and delicious and around 350 calories.

Photo: Jenny Sugar

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Whole-Wheat Veggie Pizza

Prepackaged foods you'll need:

— Whole-wheat pizza dough

— Package of freshly sliced mushrooms

— Pesto

— Tomato sauce

— Shredded mozzarella cheese

You can find whole-wheat pizza dough that's just as healthy as one you'd knead yourself but without the time it'd take to make it. Roll it out, spread on some sauce, and sprinkle with cheese. Put the sliced mushrooms (and other veggies you can quickly slice up) in a bowl with a few scoops of pesto and mix to coat. Add the veggies to the pizza, cook for 10 to 12 minutes, and dinner is ready! Each slice is under 200 calories.

Source: Flickr user Ilya

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Tofu and Veggie Stir-Fry

Prepackaged foods you'll need:

— Nasoya cubed super extrafirm tofu

— Bag of mixed frozen veggies

— Stir-fry sauce

— Seeds of Change quinoa and brown rice packet

In a pan, sauté the tofu in a little oil, garlic, and salt. Add the frozen veggies and the sauce, and while that's cooking, microwave the quinoa and rice (it takes 90 seconds) — you'll be sitting down to a tasty vegetarian meal in 20 minutes and for about 300 calories.

Source: Flickr user Rob Nguyen

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Butternut Squash Soup

Image Source: Thinkstock

Prepackaged foods you'll need:

— Fresh or frozen cubed butternut squash

— Box of veggie broth

— Can of cannelini beans

Save yourself the hassle of having to peel, deseed, and cube a butternut squash by buying it already prepared for you. Sauté the onion, add the stock, squash, and beans, and cook for 30 or so minutes until soft. Use one of those hand blenders to quickly pureé the soup. Season with salt and nutmeg, and this savory, protein- and fiber-packed bowl is sure to warm you up on a cold night — all for under 300 calories.

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